Marquetry Secretary Desks
Antique 1830s French Louis XV Secretaires
Bronze
Antique Early 1900s French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Belle Époque Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Antique Late 18th Century Dutch Biedermeier Desks
Wood
Antique 18th Century Italian Desks
Walnut
Early 20th Century Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Antique 1780s English Georgian Desks
Brass
Antique 19th Century Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Desks
Wood, Teak
Antique 1860s Secretaires
Walnut
Vintage 1920s Swedish Art Deco Secretaires
Birch
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Desks
Rosewood
Antique Late 19th Century French Biedermeier Secretaires
Oak
Antique Late 18th Century German Louis XVI Secretaires
Maple, Oak, Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique Mid-18th Century French Agra Secretaires
Breccia Marble, Bronze
Antique Early 19th Century Spanish Louis XVI Secretaires
Hardwood, Kingwood, Mahogany
Antique Mid-18th Century Dutch Rococo Secretaires
Kingwood, Tulipwood, Satinwood, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Italian Baroque Secretaires
Glass, Wood
Antique 1750s French Louis XV Secretaires
Maple, Walnut, Birdseye Maple
Antique 19th Century Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Antique 1750s French Louis XV Secretaires
Kingwood
Antique 1760s French Louis XV Secretaires
Kingwood, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Secretaires
Metal
Antique 19th Century English Secretaires
Walnut
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Bronze
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Marble, Bronze
Antique Early 19th Century Austrian Secretaires
Ebony, Pearwood, Burl, Kingwood
Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Jewelry Boxes
Brass
Antique 19th Century Danish Biedermeier Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 1820s Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Ash, Ebony
Antique Late 18th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Mahogany, Satinwood
Antique Early 19th Century German Louis XVI Secretaires
Walnut
Antique Mid-19th Century English Victorian Secretaires
Mahogany, Leather, Glass
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Secretaires
Wood
Antique Early 18th Century English George I Secretaires
Mahogany, Satinwood, Walnut
Antique Early 18th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Leather, Wood
Antique Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Cabinets
Mahogany, Rosewood
Antique 1880s French Louis XV Secretaires
Marble, Ormolu
Antique Early 1900s French Louis XV Secretaires
Ormolu
Antique 1780s French Louis XVI Secretaires
Kingwood, Yew
Antique 1810s French Louis Philippe Secretaires
Marble, Brass
Antique 1860s European Louis Philippe Secretaires
Brass
Early 20th Century French French Provincial Night Stands
Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century German Empire Secretaires
Ash
Antique 1840s English Georgian Secretaires
Brass
Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XIV Bookcases
Wood, Rosewood
Mid-20th Century American Georgian Bookcases
Brass
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Secretaires
Wood
Antique 18th Century Dutch Rococo Cabinets
Brass
Antique 18th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Bronze
Antique 18th Century French Louis XVI Console Tables
Marble, Ormolu
Antique Early 19th Century French Charles X End Tables
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique Late 19th Century French Biedermeier Secretaires
Oak
Antique 18th Century Dutch Desks
Walnut
Antique 1850s French Napoleon III Desks
Brass
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Italian Desks
Kingwood, Tulipwood, Fruitwood
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Desks
Satinwood
Antique Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Rosewood
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Marquetry Secretary Desks For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Marquetry Secretary Desks?
Finding the Right Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets for You
Of all the antique and vintage case pieces and storage cabinets that have become popular in modern interiors over the years, dressers, credenzas and cabinets have long been home staples, perfect for routine storage or protection of personal items.
In the mid-19th century, cabinetmakers would mimic styles originating in the Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI eras for their dressers, bookshelves and other structures, and, later, simpler, streamlined wood designs allowed these “case pieces” or “case goods” — any furnishing that is unupholstered and has some semblance of a storage component — to blend into the background of any interior.
Mid-century modern furniture enthusiasts will cite the tall modular wall units crafted in teak and other sought-after woods of the era by the likes of George Nelson, Poul Cadovius and Finn Juhl. For these highly customizable furnishings, designers of the day delivered an alternative to big, heavy bookcases by considering the use of space — and, in particular, walls — in new and innovative ways. Mid-century modern credenzas, which, long and low, evolved from tables that were built as early as the 14th century in Italy, typically have no legs or very short legs and have grown in popularity as an alluring storage option over time.
Although the name immediately invokes images of clothing, dressers were initially created in Europe for a much different purpose. This furnishing was initially a flat-surfaced, low-profile side table equipped with a few drawers — a common fixture used to dress and prepare meats in English kitchens throughout the Tudor period. The drawers served as perfect utensil storage. It wasn’t until the design made its way to North America that it became enlarged and equipped with enough space to hold clothing and cosmetics. The very history of storage case pieces is a testament to their versatility and well-earned place in any room.
In the spirit of positioning your case goods center stage, decluttering can now be design-minded.
A contemporary case piece with open shelving and painted wood details can prove functional as a storage unit as easily as it can a room divider. Whether you’re seeking a playful sideboard made of colored glass and metals, an antique Italian hand-carved storage cabinet or a glass-door vitrine to store and show off your collectibles, there are options for you on 1stDibs.
- How does a secretary desk work?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A secretary desk works with the help of hinges that secure the writing surface to the rest of the piece. To use one, you simply pull down on the wooden door to open the hinge and lower the writing surface. Return the desk to its closed position by lifting the writing surface up. You'll find a selection of secretary desks on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Secretary desks originated in the early 18th century. They were typically used by secretaries and clerks and featured plenty of compacted drawers for stationary storage. On 1stDibs, find a collection of secretary desks from some of the world’s top sellers.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023A secretary desk is called by its name because of its original function. When the desks first emerged in 19th-century France, the secretaries of estates used them to conduct business. Once they finished paying bills and reconciling accounts, they could raise the hinged writing surface and close the desk. Secretary desks are the workstations of choice in many busy households, especially those with spaces pulling double duty as offices by day and living rooms, dining rooms or bedrooms at night. On 1stDibs, shop an array of secretary desks.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021An antique secretary desk will range in value depending on its authenticity and condition. The price can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. On 1stDibs find the antique secretary desk you’re looking for today.
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