Secretaires
15
1,652
88
7
to
312
925
781
1,747
1,675
1,701
173
114
110
91
81
73
69
55
28
27
26
26
14
9
4
3
1
1
377
707
567
95
100
311
72
21
6
16
27
31
52
94
27
13
5
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
1,669
493
399
353
335
1,430
402
293
261
220
21
13
13
10
9
Secretaires For Sale
Refined Pander Cabinet
Located in Dronten, NL
Beautiful cabinet made by Pander & Zonen, renown Dutch manufacturer of high-end furniture in the first half of the 20th Century. Pander worked with important interior architects and ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Ash
Vintage Danish Mid Century Modern Rosewood Secretary Desk
Located in San Marcos, CA
Here is a beautiful scandinavian modern secretary desk in rosewood manufactured in Denmark in the 1960's.
This exquisite case piece, recently imported from Europe to California befor...
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Rosewood
Oak Roll Top Secretary Desk with Drawers
Located in Madrid, ES
Oak secretary / writing desk from circa 1900's. Featuring a roll-up flap with underlying writing board, shelf interior and two drawers. Below the writing desk there are two pull-out ...
Category
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Danish Design Teak Secretaire by Johannes Sorth for Bornholm Møbelfabrik, 1960s
Located in Elshout, NL
Danish Design Secretaire
This tall Danish chest of shelves with pull out desk is manufactured Bornholms Møbelfabrik from a pressed wood teak veneer composite. Made late 60s the desi...
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Teak
Louise Semainier Secretaires in Fine Hammered Antique Bronze by Paul Mathieu
Located in New York, NY
“Semainier” refers to a French piece of furniture with seven drawers (Fr. Semaine = week). It is part of the Louise Collection designed by renowne...
Category
2010s Indian Other Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Sheet Metal
Louise Semainier Secretaires in Fine Hammered Brass by Paul Mathieu
Located in New York, NY
“Semainier” refers to a French piece of furniture with seven drawers (Fr. Semaine = week). It is part of the Louise Collection designed by renowne...
Category
2010s Indian Other Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Sheet Metal
Louise Semainier Secretaires in Mid. Hammered Copper by Paul Mathieu
Located in New York, NY
“Semainier” refers to a French piece of furniture with seven drawers (Fr. Semaine = week). It is part of the Louise Collection designed by renowne...
Category
2010s Indian Other Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Sheet Metal
Louise Semainier Secretaires in Fine Hammered Copper by Paul Mathieu
Located in New York, NY
“Semainier” refers to a French piece of furniture with seven drawers (Fr. Semaine = week). It is part of the Louise Collection designed by renowne...
Category
2010s Indian Other Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Sheet Metal
Louise Semainier Secretaires in Smooth Brass by Paul Mathieu for S. Odegard
Located in New York, NY
“Semainier” refers to a French piece of furniture with seven drawers (Fr. Semaine = week). It is part of the Louise Collection designed by renowned designer Paul Mathieu. A remarkabl...
Category
2010s Indian Other Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Sheet Metal
Louise Semainier Secretaires in Mid. Hammered White Bronze by Paul Mathieu
Located in New York, NY
“Semainier” refers to a French piece of furniture with seven drawers (Fr. Semaine = week). It is part of the Louise Collection designed by renowned designer Paul Mathieu. A remarkabl...
Category
2010s Indian Other Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Sheet Metal
Louise Semainier Secretaires in Fine Hammered Copper by Paul Mathieu
Located in New York, NY
“Semainier” refers to a French piece of furniture with seven drawers (Fr. Semaine = week). It is part of the Louise Collection designed by renowne...
Category
2010s Indian Other Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Sheet Metal
Louise Semainier Secretaires in Smooth White Bronze by Paul Mathieu
Located in New York, NY
“Semainier” refers to a French piece of furniture with seven drawers (Fr. Semaine = week). It is part of the Louise Collection designed by renowne...
Category
2010s Indian Other Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Sheet Metal
Louise Semainier Secretaires in Smooth Antique Bronze by Paul Mathieu
Located in New York, NY
“Semainier” refers to a French piece of furniture with seven drawers (Fr. Semaine = week). It is part of the Louise Collection designed by renowne...
Category
2010s Indian Other Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Sheet Metal
Louise Semainier Secretaires in Smooth Copper by Paul Mathieu by S Odegard
Located in New York, NY
“Semainier” refers to a French piece of furniture with seven drawers (Fr. Semaine = week). It is part of the Louise Collection designed by renowned designer Paul Mathieu. A remarkabl...
Category
2010s Indian Other Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Sheet Metal
Louise Semainier Wardrobes and armoires in Smooth White Bronze by Paul Mathieu
Located in New York, NY
“Semainier” refers to a French piece of furniture with seven drawers (Fr. Semaine = week). It is part of the Louise Collection designed by renowned designer Paul Mathieu. A remarkabl...
Category
2010s Indian Other Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Sheet Metal
Louise Semainier Secretaires in Mid. Hammered Brass by Paul Mathieu
Located in New York, NY
“Semainier” refers to a French piece of furniture with seven drawers (Fr. Semaine = week). It is part of the Louise Collection designed by renowne...
Category
2010s Indian Other Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Sheet Metal
Louise Semainier Secretaires in Fine Hammered White Bronze by Paul Mathieu
Located in New York, NY
“Semainier” refers to a French piece of furniture with seven drawers (Fr. Semaine = week). It is part of the Louise Collection designed by renowned designer Paul Mathieu. A remarkabl...
Category
2010s Indian Other Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Sheet Metal
Blue painted Biedermeier Secretaire, around 1820
Located in Greding, DE
Biedermeier secretary with three-drawer chest of drawers and two-door glazed top and sloping writing flap. The light blue painting is set off in white at the edges and the interior i...
Category
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Softwood
Georgian Style English Desk Bureau Bookcase with Banded Drawers, Leather Top
Located in Toronto, CA
A stunning vintage Georgian style English secretary desk with bookcase top. Crafted in mahogany with flamed mahogany drawer faces and satinwood accent woods and banding
The top drawer drops down to reveal a desk area with a green leather writing surface with gold tooling. Eight small drawers and ten pigeon holes allow for the charm of this piece to flourish. Satinwood drawer faces contrast with the mahogany with an elegant balance.
Three larger drawers below provide additional storage and the locking doors with brass accent, banding and individual hand cut glass provide a beautiful frame for your treasures. The shelves are adjustable.
This is a special piece!
A brief history of the secretary desk.
The Georgian secretary desk...
Category
20th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Materials
Hardwood
Italian 19th Century Secretaire
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Wonderful Painted Secretaire, this piece is very rafraishing.
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Cees Braakman CB07 Secretaire in Birch red / blue plywood for Pastoe Netherlands
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stylish Secretaire Model CB07 designed by Cees Braakman and manufactured by Pastoe in the 1950s, the Netherlands. This Secretaire was part of the 'Birch Series' of Pastoe and inspire...
Category
1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Birch
Late 1700's English George III Mahogany Secretary / Bookcase w/ Pull Out Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Late 1700's English George III Mahogany Secretary / Bookcase w/ Pull Out Desk with an overhanging cornice above a pair of doors dissected with mahogany lattice panels infilled with ...
Category
Late 18th Century British George III Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Brazilian Rosewood Mid-century Danish Secretary Desk with Vanity Mirror
Located in Oakland, CA
Brazilian rosewood secretary desk, 1955, Denmark. Crafted with exquisite attention to detail, it showcases stunning Brazilian rosewood with dark grains and dynamic book-matched patte...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Secretaires
Materials
Mirror, Rosewood
20th Century Shabby Chic Style Painted Wood French Bureau Desk, 1960s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
20th century French bureau. Shabby style painted wooden furniture of pleasant decor. Bureau with two external drawers of good capacity. Fall-front complete with a working key that of...
Category
1960s French Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Painted Baroque Secretaire, 18th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Baroque slanted-flap bureau with curved front and three drawers. The bureau rests on pressed ball feet. The compartments inside consist of six drawers and a shelf. The white painting...
Category
18th Century German Baroque Antique Secretaires
Materials
Softwood
Antique Swedish Golden Ash Biedermeier Secretary Chest Dresser Desk inlaid 1820
Located in Portland, OR
A very fine antique Swedish Biedermeier golden ash secretary chest, circa 1820.
The chest is made of the finest gold ash; a beautiful blond wood with figured graining. To the top of ...
Category
1820s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Ash, Ebony
20th Century Lacquered and Painted Wood Venetian Trumeau Desk Secrétaire, 1950s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Venetian trumeau from the mid-20th century. Double body cabinet in lacquered and hand painted wood with very pleasant chinoiserie decorations. Trumeau in beautiful patina, finely dec...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Exceptional Louis XV Style Butterfly Wing Marquetry Guillotine Secretary - -1X05
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Indulge in the timeless elegance of this exceptional guillotine secretary, crafted in the style reminiscent of Thomas Hache circa 1750.
Adorned with exquisite butterfly wing marquet...
Category
1750s Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
French secretary desk in Louis Philippe style, made of mahogany wood from the 18
Located in Barletta, IT
Secrétaire français de la deuxième moitié du XIXe siècle, de style Louis Philippe, en bois de mahogany et de plume de mahogany. Il présente deux tiroirs dans la partie supérieure, un...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Retro Mid Century Teak Secretaire Bureau
Located in Leicester, GB
A cute retro teak bureau desk with three drawers. Lovely sculpted legs in solid teak, three clean drawers with white carcasses and a simple drop down...
Category
1970s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Teak
Italian Secretary Desk in Birch and Walnut, 1950s
Located in Chicago, IL
A stunning 1950s Italian secretary desk constructed with birch and walnut. This piece features a sculptural profile with a channeled trim detail and angled, tapered legs. A uniquely ...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Chinese Chippendale Style English Bamboo Slanted Lift-Top Secretary Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning Hand Crafted English Chinese Chippendale Bamboo Secretary.
This handsome and special Secretary has two top facing doors and a Middle "cubby Hole" opening for Books, small decorative pieces, etc., The tilt top Desk...
Category
19th Century English Chinese Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Bamboo, Wood, Maple
Burlwood Drop-Front Secretary, One of Four Produced; Båstad, Sweden, c. 1880
Located in Norwalk, CT
Dating from around 1880, this exceptional "secrétaire à abattant" is one of four identical chests, produced by a master Swedish cabinetmaker in the city of Båstad, commissioned as wedding gifts for the four daughters of a prominent local family. This remarkable piece was sourced by Atypical Find...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Burl
Modernist Secretary Showcase, Tubular Steel, Lacquer/Veneered Wood, Customizable
By GMD Berlin
Located in Berlin, DE
Modernist secretary showcase made of chrome plated tubular steel and lacquered or veneered wood. Customizable, production time: 9-10 weeks.
Category
2010s German Modern Secretaires
Materials
Metal
Sekretär aus Teakholz, Dänemark, von Falster Møbelfabrik, 1960er Jahre
Located in Aachen, DE
Klassischer Schrägklappen-Sekretär aus Teakholz des dänischen Herstellers FALSTER Møbelfabrik.
Im unteren Bereich 3 große Schubladen, hinter der Klappe 2 kleine Schubladen sowie e...
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Teak
Louis Philippe Style Marquetry Secretaire, 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
Louis Philippe Style Marquetry Secretaire Cabinet, Circa 19th Century, the top drawer with gilt bronze pulls and key above a drop front opening to reveal leather-inset writing surfac...
Category
19th Century Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
A Biedermeier Chest with Secretaire Circa 1850
Located in Flower Mound, TX
A magnificent mid 19th century Biedermeier chest with figured mahogany secretaire cabinet, with a raised serpentine single drawer, a frieze drawer over paneled fall front, and the in...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
TOMLINSON Crotch Mahogany Block Front Secretary Desk with Blind Bookcase
By Tomlinson
Located in Charlotte, NC
A Chippendale style secretary desk by Tomlinson. Crotch mahogany with brass hardware, pediment top with three finials and bracket feet. Upper blind bookcase...
Category
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Secretary desk 1152M in solid oak, Dyrlund, Denmark, 1990's
By Dyrlund
Located in La Tour-de-Peilz, CH
Without ever skimping on quality, this company, founded in 1960, once again shows the high level of standards that it applies to all its achievements.
If Dyrlund prides itself on ha...
Category
1990s Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Oak
19th Century Secretary Desk
Located in Bradenton, FL
A very handsome late American Empire Mahogany Secretary Desk. Very good condition overall with an old refinished surface exhibiting a beautiful color and patina to the figured Mahoga...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Italian Art Deco Aquamarine Shagreen Secretaire, Attr. to Borsani, 1940s
Located in Meda, MB
This Art Deco secretaire was produced in Italy in the 1940s and is attributable to Osvaldo Borsani. It is completely in an exotic wood with a black lacquered top and base. The centra...
Category
1940s Italian Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Metal
Secretaire by Arne Wahl Iversen for Vinde Mobelfabrik, 1960s
Located in HEVERLEE, BE
Mid century palisander secretaire designed by Arne Wahl Iversen for Vinde Mobelfabrik.
It consists of a fold down door and two drawers.
Gorgeous cabinet with eye for details and qu...
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Wood
19th Century Antique Gustavian Style Painted Secretary Bureau
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Early 19th Century Swedish Slant Front secretary with solid columns,
Sweden, 1800-1810
Solid oak,
Standing on a block feet Swedish Gustavian slan...
Category
1810s Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Oak
CRAFTIQUE Solid Mahogany Chippendale Secretary Desk w/ Bookcase
Located in Charlotte, NC
A stunning secretary desk with bookcase by top-quality furniture maker Craftique, in the style of early American John Hancock desks. Solid mahogany with their Old Wood finish, brass ...
Category
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires
Materials
Brass
English 19th Century Mahogany Secrétaire
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A mahogany secrétaire made in England circa 1890. This secrétaire is topped with a broken pediment design over a pair of glass front doors that open with a working lock and key. Insi...
Category
19th Century English Other Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
19th Century Antique English Display Secretaire, Mahogany
Located in Berlin, DE
19th Century Antique English Display Secretaire, Mahogany
Solid wood, manufactured to a high quality. The display cabinet has a pull-out function and can be used as a secretary than...
Category
19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Glass, Mahogany
Erling torvits secretary desk in teak
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Denmark
Designer: Erling Torvits
Manufacturer: Klim Møbelfabrik
Era: 1961
Materials: Teak
Measurements: 41" wide x 18.75" deep x 47.75" tall
Condition: In excellent original...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Teak
Early French Art Deco Secretaire Desk with Marquetry and Inlays
Located in Ulm, DE
Secretary
Wooden body, hand-polished shellac
probably stained ash
elaborate inlays and marquetry
freshly mirrored inside
Early Art Déco, France around 1925
Dimensions:
Width: 70 c...
Category
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Small Georgian Mahogany Bureau
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
An Extremely Good Quality 18th Century, Georgian Mahogany Bureau, Of Rare Diminutive Proportions, Retaining Exceptional Untouched Colour And Patina Throughout, The Sloping Fall Front...
Category
Mid-18th Century English Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Oiled Medium Walnut Mid Century Modern Art Deco Drop Down Desk Secretary Cabinet
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Square shape lines Mid Century Danish modern drop down front secretary desk console table with large Art Deco style Pulls and storage cabinet on the bottom.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Aluminum
A fine late George III satinwood and snakewood secretaire cabinet
By George Simson
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A fine late George III satinwood and snakewood secretaire cabinet, attributed to George Simson of London, of rectangular form, the upper section with a pair of glazed doors with fine...
Category
Early 18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires
Materials
Satinwood
Bonheur Du Jour In Amboyna Burl Marquetry And Hard Stone Panels
Located in BARSAC, FR
Sublime Bonheur du jour in Louis XVI style in amboyna burl veneer in rosewood frames and presenting two magnificent vegetal compositions (flowers and red fruits) in hard stones (piet...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Marble
Fine Antique French Louis XV Marquetry Rosewood Ormolu Secretaire Abattant 1880
Located in Portland, OR
A very fine quality antique French Louis XV rosewood, marquetry, ormolu and marble topped secretaire abattant, circa 1880.
The serpentine shaped secretary is modeled as a semainier (...
Category
1880s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Swedish Rocco Style Secratery Hutch
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Swedish Rocco Style Secratery Hutch . its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Category
1970s Swedish Rococo Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Pine
Louis XVI Style Parquetry, Gilt-Bronze and Lacquer Mounted Petit Secretaire Cabi
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Fine Louis XVI Style Parquetry, Gilt-Bronze and Lacquer Mounted Petit Secretaire Cabinet, Attributed to Maison Beurdeley.
Stamped to the reverse of the bronze mounts to the botto...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Art Deco Cabinet Secrétaire Attributed to Jules Leleu, Bronze Ornaments, French
By Jules Leleu
Located in London, GB
Presenting a meticulously crafted, remarkable piece of Art Deco craftsmanship, this 1930s exceptional cabinet secretaire attributed to Jules Leleu (1883-1961), captures the essence o...
Category
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
Venetian Style Chest of Seven Drawers from 1960, Original Worn Painting
Located in Buggiano, IT
Venetian style chest of seven drawers from 1960, original worn painting
Very practical and elegant piece of furniture.
Comes from an old city hous...
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Fir
18th Century English George III Mahogany Inlaid Secretaire Chest of Drawers 1700
Located in Roma, RM
English secretaire with mahogany chest of drawers and finely inlaid in fruitwood and satinwood in the manner of Thomas Sheraton, on the sides also two columns with gilt bronze capita...
Category
1760s English George III Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
Antique, New and Vintage Secretaires
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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