Secretary Bookcase 18th Century
Antique 18th Century English Georgian Bookcases
Mahogany
Antique Mid-18th Century English George II Bookcases
Walnut
Antique Early 18th Century English George I Bookcases
Walnut
Antique Early 18th Century English George I Bookcases
Walnut
Antique 1760s English Chippendale Bookcases
Mahogany
Antique 1780s English George III Bookcases
Mahogany
Antique Late 18th Century Dutch Neoclassical Revival Bookcases
Brass
Antique Late 18th Century British George III Bookcases
Wood
Antique Mid-18th Century Irish Georgian Bookcases
Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century Irish George III Bookcases
Glass, Mahogany, Satinwood
Antique Late 18th Century English George III Bookcases
Oak
Antique 1790s British George III Bookcases
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century English George III Bookcases
Bronze
Antique Late 18th Century English Sheraton Bookcases
Mahogany, Satinwood
Antique 18th Century English George III Bookcases
Brass
Antique 1750s English George II Bookcases
Walnut
Antique 18th Century English Secretaires
Walnut
Antique 18th Century British Georgian Bookcases
Mahogany
Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XIV Bookcases
Wood, Rosewood
Antique 18th Century English George II Bookcases
Mahogany
Antique Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Secretaires
Walnut
Antique 1770s English Chippendale Bookcases
Antique 1790s English George III Bookcases
Brass
Antique Early 18th Century English George II Secretaires
Walnut, Yew
Antique Late 18th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century European Georgian Secretaires
Brass
Antique 18th Century Dutch Secretaires
Walnut, Mirror
Antique 18th Century English George III Secretaires
Brass
Antique Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Walnut
Antique Late 18th Century North American Victorian Secretaires
Cherry
Antique Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Secretaires
Walnut
Antique Late 18th Century Russian Empire Secretaires
Brass
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Country Secretaires
Wood
Antique 18th Century French Queen Anne Secretaires
Mirror, Walnut
Antique 18th Century British Georgian Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Baroque Secretaires
Wood
Antique Late 18th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Mahogany, Satinwood
Antique Early 18th Century English George I Secretaires
Walnut
Antique 18th Century Italian Secretaires
Wood
Antique 18th Century British George II Secretaires
Walnut, Burl
Antique 1740s English Cabinets
Mahogany
Antique Late 18th Century Baltic Baltic Secretaires
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Baroque Secretaires
Paint
Antique Mid-18th Century Irish George III Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Late 18th Century British George III Secretaires
Brass
Vintage 1920s Italian Louis XV Secretaires
Walnut, Burl, Mirror
Antique Late 18th Century English George III Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 20th Century American Hepplewhite Secretaires
Brass
Antique 1770s English Chippendale Secretaires
Brass
Antique 1790s American Hepplewhite Secretaires
Brass
Antique 1780s English Chippendale Secretaires
Brass
Antique 1750s Irish Georgian Secretaires
Mercury Glass, Mahogany
Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Jewelry Boxes
Brass
Late 20th Century Federal Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century English George III Secretaires
Brass
Antique 1740s English George II Cabinets
Glass, Mahogany
Antique 18th Century British George I Secretaires
Walnut, Burl
Antique 1710s Queen Anne Cabinets
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Regency Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Walnut
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Secretary Bookcase 18th Century For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Secretary Bookcase 18th Century?
Finding the Right secretaires for You
Your antique, new or vintage secretary desk has become the (chic) saving grace of the "new normal" at home.
Simply put, a secretary desk is a multifunctional piece of furniture with a hinged writing surface that folds open or drops down. When the leaf is folded out, small inner storage compartments — pigeonholes, cubbies, recesses or drawers — are revealed.
Traditionally, a secretary is composed of two parts — a chest of drawers on the bottom and a cabinet with shelves on the top. Taking its name from the French word for the piece, secrétaire, the secretary desk dates back to the 18th century, when Paris-based cabinetmaker Jean-François Oeben, known for his exquisite marquetry and clever mechanical desks, is thought to have invented the secrétaire à abbattant, or drop-leaf desk.
While the defining drop-down feature of the secretary desk has remained constant, the materials used, as well as its configuration, size and style have evolved over time.
At first, secretaries were typically made from exotic woods, like rosewood, tulipwood and kingwood; later, hardwoods like cherry, maple, oak and mahogany were more common. The desks also became lighter, with space carved out of the lower half for the writer’s feet or with drawers replaced by legs — making them more table-like.
When open, the secretary is a dynamic, versatile Wunderkammer. When closed, it’s a sophisticated, space-saving piece of furniture.
“A fine secretary with a good provenance adds stature and credence to its owner — it is a cornerstone piece,” says antiques dealer Stanley Weiss, who specializes in 18th- and 19th-century English and American furniture. “In this disposable world, fine furniture is always passed on and speaks to who its owner is.”
No matter what style or period you choose, and no matter how you decide to use it, the timeless, flexible secretary desk is bound to become an indispensable part of your daily routine.
Browse a range of antique and vintage secretary desks on 1stDibs, including mid-century modern secretaires, Georgian secretaires and others.
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