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Secretaires

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Secretaires For Sale
French Provincial Style Secretary Desk with Marquetry Inlays and Key
Located in Soquel, CA
French Provincial Style Walnut Secretary Desk with Marquetry Inlays and Key. Original Finish.
Category

1860s Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

20th-Century Mahogany & Pine Wood Vennered With Mahogany Ladies' Secretary Desk
Located in Opole, PL
20th-Century Mahogany & Pine Wood Vennered With Mahogany Ladies' Secretary Desk A ladies' secretary desk from the early 20th century constructed of mahogany wood and pine wood venee...
Category

Early 20th Century European Secretaires

Materials

Mirror, Mahogany, Pine

Small Art Deco writing desk – France 1930
Located in Girona, ES
Small Art Deco writing desk with walnut and burr walnut veneer, three drawers and a flap door opening onto a small desk and storage area in marquetry and light walnut. Very good qual...
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Federal Style Diminutive Two Part Inlaid Mahogany Bookcase Secretary
Located in Milford, NH
A wonderful diminutive size Federal style two part inlaid figured mahogany bookcase, its upper case with a shaped crest with three urn finials surmounting two bow front glass paneled...
Category

Late 19th Century American Federal Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

1930s Rockford Furniture Jacobean Style Handcrafted Secretary Desk
Located in Germantown, MD
A Jacobean-style slant front Hancrafted and handcarved by the renowned Rockford Chair and Furniture Company. Founded in 1876 by Swedish settlers, the company has a rich heritage of f...
Category

Early 20th Century Jacobean Secretaires

Materials

Brass

A Sophisticated Antique French Louis Phillipe Secretary
Located in Oak Park, MI
A most sophisticated and handsome French c1840 century Louis-Phillipe style secretary cupboard of narrow proportions. Unusual profile. The front op...
Category

19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

PORTUGUESE COMMODE / SECRETARIAT from the 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
PORTUGUESE COMMODE / SECRETARIAT from the 19th Century In oak and other wood, with two drawers and two drawers, inside drawers, bins and central door, with secret, engraved brass h...
Category

19th Century Portuguese Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Rosewood Secretaire by Erling Torvits for Klim Mobelfabrik, 1960s
Located in Elshout, NL
Danish Design Danish rosewood secretary designed by Erling Torvits for Klim Møbelfabrik. This secretary has a hinged leaf that drops down and becomes a sturdy desktop. Behind this le...
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Rosewood

Privé" secrétaire by Jürgen Lange for Rosenthal Germany 1987
Located in Renens, CH
"Privé" writing desk or secrétaire by Jürgen Lange for Rosenthal Germany 1987. This is an extremely well thought and crafted desk. While standing on a small footprint it offers amaz...
Category

1980s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Fruitwood

French 18th Century Louis XV Bombe` Secretaire with Secret Door
Located in New Orleans, LA
French 18th century Louis XV Bombe` heavily veneered secretaire, with glass doors at top, and secret door with checkerboard floor in small compartment, with mirrored walls to give th...
Category

18th Century French Antique Secretaires

Materials

Satinwood

Mahogany Architects Table by Jean-Joseph Chapuis, 1810
Located in Hellouw, NL
Beautiful Empire mahogany architects table by Jean-Joseph Chapuis (1765-1864). Jean-Joseph Chapuis (born in Brussels) was a famous furniture maker. He obtained a master craftsman ti...
Category

Early 1800s Belgian Empire Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Antique English Georgian Mahogany Bureau Desk
Located in Sheridan, CO
Antique English Georgian mahogany secretary, early 19th c.. This piece features an oak secondary, slant front opening to inset leather writing surface, fitted interior gallery with arcaded niches, small drawers, a center cabinet door with marquetry urn, flanked by concealed compartments...
Category

1840s English Georgian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Early 19th Century Biedermeier Secretary, Birchwood
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Early 19th Century Biedermeier Secretary, Germany, 1820 Birchwood Antique Biedermeier secretary made of birch wood, handmad...
Category

1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Birch

Antique American Empire Flame Mahogany Secretary Desk With Leaded Glass c1840
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique American Empire secretary offers flame mahogany construction with upper having arched pediment over bookcase having double doors with leaded glass over lower with slant fr...
Category

Mid-19th Century American Empire Antique Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

Empire Secretaire à abattant, Vienna circa 1810
Located in Greding, DE
Empire secretary adorned with flanking caryatids around the flat writing flap, top drawer, and a two-door base cabinet. The caryatids are elegantly ebonized and gold-patinated, compl...
Category

1810s Austrian Empire Antique Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

Mid-century Torbjorn Afdal Danish Rosewood Secretary Desk
Located in Oakland, CA
Danish secretary desk designed by Torbjørn Afdal for Nesjestranda Møbelfabrik, Norway, 1965. Crafted from Brazilian rosewood, the secretary desk ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires

Materials

Rosewood

Secretary desk Bramin , Danemark 1950’s
Located in PÉZENAS, FR
This beautiful high quality finished Danish compact writing desk cabinet is designed by H.W. Klein for Bramin in the 1960s. It features an extendable writing surface. The teak woo...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Secretaires

Materials

Teak

Bruno Mathsson reading stand, Karl Mathsson 40's Sweden modernist collector
Located in Forest, BE
Table de lecture en bois et acier nickelé. Daté du début des années 1940. La tablette en bois a été restaurée mais la patine du piétement reste non touché et dans son état le plus proche de l'origine. Ajustable en hauteu. Il y à de beaux détails en laiton. Produite dans les ateliers de son père Karl Mathsson...
Category

1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Steel, Nickel

Stunning Poul Hundevad Rosewood Secretary Cabinet , Denmark
Located in Buffalo, NY
Danish modern, two piece, book matched rosewood, bookcase secretary cabinet by Poul Hundevad ... Birch wood interior,,, features a 26 inch height bottom cabinet with sliding doors, a...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Birch, Rosewood

Arts and Crafts Pine Collectors Cabinet Filing Drawers
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Arts and Crafts Pine Collectors Cabinet Filing Drawers The Cabinet is made in natural pine and has 12 Long Drawers, some of the drawers have the original dividers others are missing...
Category

1880s Arts and Crafts Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine

Exceptional Pair Of George III Style Mahogany Secretary Bookcases
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A superb Pair of Secretary Bookcases having side shelving, inlaid doors, pull-out desk, drawers, ring pulls, handsome geometric glass doors and em...
Category

19th Century European George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Glass, Mahogany

Burled Maple Cabinet Secretary with Drawers / Flat File, USA, 1960's
Located in Austin, TX
Edward Wormley style Mid-Century Modern case piece with drawers at base and drop-down secretary at top. Two toned finish that appears to be rosewood and burled maple. Interior of des...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Edwardian Walnut Secretary with Hand Painted Motifs
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a lovely Edwardian walnut Secretary, the top having two glazed doors within Gothic mullions. The bottom section with a slant drop front, contains a hand painted center medal...
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Antique 19th Century English Georgian Slant Front Desk or Secretary
Located in Casteren, NL
This classic slant front desk or bureau was made in England in the early 19th century. It was made in the finest quality watered European oak. The secretary is elevated on bracket feet. It features four drawers fitted with the original brass ajour cut bat-wing period swing grip handles. The bureau has a beautiful and elegant interior that features 6 small drawers, six pigeonholes, and a compartment with a small door. The door has crossband inlay panels...
Category

Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Antique Trumeau Burl Wood Style Secretary Writing Desk Chest with Drawers
Located in Greer, SC
Attractive Italian Rococo style burl wood veneer secretary cabinet, circa early 20th century. Double bodied with the top part of the cabinet over a slant-front desk with writing comp...
Category

Early 20th Century European Rococo Revival Secretaires

Materials

Wood

French Empire Secrétaire á Abattant
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A handsome 19th century Empire secrétaire à abattant made of rich bookmatched and figured walnut. This desk has a black fossil marble top resting above a drawer, accessible with a hidden pull. Below is a fold front door revealing a fitted interior with a functional writing surface, inset with worn green leather with gold tooling. The interior has an open storage shelf flanked with empirical styled columns over a set of six drawers of varying sizes. The writing surface is supported with rounded brass hinges. Below are three easy to use drawers...
Category

19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Brass

Swedish 1770s Baroque Period Light Gray Painted Secretary with Slant Front Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Baroque tall secretary from circa 1770, with slant front desk, light Gustavian gray painted finish, two doors and four drawers. Experience the timeless elegance of this Swedish tall secretary from circa 1770, a piece that seamlessly marries the grandeur of Baroque design with the serene simplicity of the Gustavian painted finish. Indeed, this secretary, with its light gray painted finish, two doors, and four drawers, is a testament to the refined craftsmanship and understated beauty of Nordic furniture. The secretary's tall, imposing structure is softened by the light Gustavian gray finish, creating a sense of calm sophistication. The two doors, featuring simply carved panels, open to reveal an interior bathed in antique powder...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Wood

Antique High-Quality Mahogany Housekeeper's Cupboard with Secretaire, circa 1800
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Antique Georgian housekeeper's cupboard secretaire bookcase chest crafted during the George III era around 1800. Also known as an estate cupboard, this rare period piece showcases ex...
Category

Early 1800s George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Secretary From Jasper Cabinet Co
Located in Hartville, OH
Beautiful piece. Pristine original condition. Very rare leather writing surface inset. Artist hand-painted scenes from the orient. Condition Disclosure: Please understand nearly ...
Category

1970s North American Chinoiserie Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Lacquer

18th C. Venetian Tall Secretary Cabinet with Beautiful Hand-Painted Finish
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian Venetian tall secretary cabinet from the 18th century. This antique 7.75 feet tall (approximate) cabinet from Venice, Italy boasts a ...
Category

18th Century Italian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

18th century Norwegian carved oak bureau bookcase
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Stunning and rare Norwegian baroque oak bureau bookcase circa 1760. Comprising of 3 sections due to the monumental proportions. Top section with shaped cornice, below which the car...
Category

Mid-18th Century Norwegian Baroque Revival Antique Secretaires

Materials

Oak

20th Century Painted Wood Venetian Style Bureau Desk, 1960s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Venetian bureau from the second half of the 20th century. Beautifully designed furniture, pleasantly lacquered and hand painted with floral decorations. High leg bureau equipped with...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Wood

19th C. European Butler's Chest w/its Original Fabulously Hand-Painted Finish
Located in Atlanta, GA
A European wooden secretary chest, with original hand-painted finish, from the 19th century. This antique chest from Europe features a slanted fall-front at top, flanked between two ...
Category

19th Century European Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

French Louis XV Period 18th Century Walnut Slant Front Secretary and Buffet
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Louis XV period walnut slant front secretary from the 18th century with buffet in the lower section. Step into the world of regal elegance with this French Louis XV period w...
Category

18th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Antique Austrian Baroque Walnut Pearwood Marquetry Secretary Late 18th Century
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Late 18th Century Austrian Baroque marquetry & inlaid secretary - Vienna, Austria, having 3 sections - the top with a molded crest, above two glazed ...
Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Ebony, Pearwood, Burl, Kingwood

18th Century Northern European Tortoiseshell Lacquer Japanned Bureau Cabinet
Located in Southampton, NY
18th Century Northern European Tortoiseshell Lacquer Japanned Bureau Cabinet Secretary A rare and fine bureau cabinet. Three sections: a broken pediment crown atop a tall cabinet with 2 shelves (included but not shown in photo) and two drawers. Atop a slope front bureau writing section with three stepped drawers on either side of a cubby section and a center door. Atop of chest of three drawers. Beautiful orange red paint on interior of bureau. Original hardware. Tortoiseshell faux paint ground with gilded Japanned Chinoiserie painted scenes. Some chips and losses to lacquer. Damage to top left back corner of chest section (as shown in photo). Overall good structural condition. Condition is consistent with age and use. This bureau is decorated in one of the most fashionable styles of the Baroque period, Japanned lacquer with gilded decoration and tortoiseshell imitation ground and would have been a statement piece within the interior. Tortoiseshell furniture...
Category

18th Century Unknown Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Louis XVI Secretaire with Urn Decoration, around 1790
Located in Greding, DE
Louis Seize secretary featuring five drawers and a flat writing flap. Veneered with cherry wood, this secretary is adorned with fire-shaded inlays. The central motif of the laurel wr...
Category

1790s German Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

Oak Secretary Bureau With Painted Finish from Sweden circa 1760-1800
Located in Round Top, TX
This oak secretary or "bureau" reflects the grace and class of Swedish styling from the early 1800's. The dramatic serpentine drawers and carved outer panel of the drop down desk add a romantic touch, accented by brass pulls and key escutcheon. The traditional interior with 12 unique, small drawers and central “cubbie” with two petite drawers offers perfect space to organize. Under the desk top is three standard large size drawers and upper narrow drawer, each has two brass pulls used to open drawer. It was later professionally painted with an exceptional layered salmon/desert pink...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Louis XV Period Secretary At Doucine by Denis Louis Ancellet - 18th Century
By Denis-Louis Ancellet
Located in Rio De Janeiro, BR
Oven secretary in walnut and other european woods, opening with two leaves a flap and a drawer. The decor is composed of three medallions containing inlaid floral arrangements. Open...
Category

1760s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Antique 19th Century Walnut Shenandoah Valley Moravian Plantation / Postal Desk
Located in Charlotte, NC
An antique 19th Century American plantation / postal desk, handcrafted by Moravian craftsmen in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, USA. Solid walnu...
Category

19th Century American American Craftsman Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Hand Painted Secretary
Located in Newport Beach, CA
Hand painted and silver gilt secretary with inset original glass mirrored doors and fitted interior.
Category

Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mirror, Wood, Paint

Antique Arts & Crafts Macey Five Stack Oak Barrister Bookcase & Desk c1920
Located in Big Flats, NY
***Ask About Reduced In-House Shipping Rates - Reliable Service & Fully Insured*** An antique Arts and Crafts barrister bookcase by ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Oak

paved "urn" secrétaire
Located in Firenze, IT
Beautiful "urn" secretaire panelled in rosewood with fruitwood fillets. The shape of the secretaire is highly elegant, with a three-tiered arrangement reflecting a balanced distrib...
Category

18th Century Antique Secretaires

Materials

Kingwood

18th Century Baroque Secretary, Tabernacle, Walnut, Plum, Maple, Austria c. 1750
Located in Greven, DE
Baroque tabernacle secretary with figural marquetry Austria Walnut, plum, maple Baroque around 1750 Dimensions: 192 x 133 x 75 cm Description: Magnificent and exceptionally beauti...
Category

Mid-18th Century Austrian Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Maple, Walnut

Rosewood secretary desk, Denmark, 1960s.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Rosewood secretary desk, Danish design, 1960s Very good condition. Wood: rosewood h. 117 cm w. 110 cm d. 43 cm
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Rosewood

Superb American Stacking Filing Cabinet by Yawman and Erbe
By Yawman Erbe
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Superb American Stacking Filing Cabinet by Yawman and Erbe This is a superb Example of an American Stacking System Waterfall Filing Cabinet, this hands...
Category

Early 1900s Art Deco Antique Secretaires

Materials

Oak

Pair of Secretaire and Cupboard, Epoche Charles X, France, circa 1830
Located in Greven, DE
Rare pair of furniture - secretary and fronted cabinet France Maple, rosewood Charles X around 1830 Dimensions: H x W x D: 135 x 66 x 33 cm Description: Extremely rare pair of fur...
Category

1830s French Charles X Antique Secretaires

Materials

Maple

19th Century Charles X Writing Desk with secret compartment
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century Charles X Writing Desk with secret compartment. Gorgeous piece. Age appropriate wear on wood and red leather top, see detailed pics.
Category

Early 19th Century French Charles X Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Secrétaire en bois laqué à riches décors de fleurs sur fond noir, XIXe
Located in ROYÈRE-DE-VASSIVIÈRE, FR
Secrétaire en bois laqué à riches décors de fleurs sur fond noir, XIXe Il ouvre à un abattant (manque la serrure, remplacée par un aimant) et quatre tiroirs. L’abattant ouvre sur tro...
Category

Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

19th C. Drop Front Desk, Secretary Abattant, with Multiple Wood Marquetry Inlay
Located in Madrid, ES
This handsome Carlos IV style "secretaire-abattant" or drop front desk combines functionality with ample storage space. Top, front and sides feature detailed marquetry inlay in geome...
Category

Early 19th Century Spanish Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Hardwood, Kingwood, Mahogany

Louis XVI Style French Scriban Chest
Located in Austin, TX
Scriban or secretary chest in the Louis XVI style from France. This piece is made of mahogany that has been ebonized and finished with a lustrous French polish. There are two doors t...
Category

1880s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Brass

Slant Front Pine Chest Paint Decorated In White And Green
Located in Bridgeport, CT
The chest in white paint with two short over two long drawers with baroque style bales and escutcheons (lacking a key). The slant front opens to an emerald green painted interior wit...
Category

20th Century Country Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Karges Ebonized, Gilt & Chinoiserie Decorated Secretary Desk 20th Century
Located in Big Flats, NY
A tall secretary by Karges offers ebonized wood construction with upper having carved shell form crest over single door case having internal bookcase; lower ...
Category

20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Wood

20th Century Inlaid Wood Dutch Louis XVI Style Secretaire, 1960
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Dutch secretaire from the second half of the 20th century. Louis XVI style furniture pleasantly inlaid in walnut, palisander, maple, rosewood, mahogany, burl, ebonized wood and fruitwood. High-leg secretaire equipped with a front drawer and drawer (see photo). Interior complete with 8 small drawers, an open compartment and a large secret compartment (see photo). Desk top with a central stain with a small lack of veneer (see photo). Furniture supported by 4 legs in the shape of an inverted pyramid, wooden upper shelf with some small signs of wear (see photo). Secretaire of excellent proportions and pleasant furnishings, adorned on the front with a female figure inlaid...
Category

1960s Dutch Louis XVI Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Johannes Sorth Secretary Bookcase Desk
Located in Southampton, NJ
Danish Modern Brazilian Rosewood secretary desk by Johannes Sorth number 331 32. Multifunctional having three adjustable bookshelves to the tapered top with pull out pocket desk & t...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires

Materials

Rosewood

18th century Georgian secretary in hand painted blue wedge wood swirl finish
Located in Charleston, SC
Wonderful 18th century Georgian mahogany secretary with hand painted wedgewood swirl finish by “The Fabulous Things”. This piece is a statement piece that will elevate any room. The ...
Category

18th Century English Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Paint

Conant Ball Gallery Drawer Box Modern Mates Leslie Diamond Rare
Located in Fraser, MI
Please feel free to reach out for efficient shipping to your location. Gallery box with three drawers. Solid Flame Birch construction. Designed by Leslie Diamond for the famed Mode...
Category

1950s American Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Birch

Vintage Danish Mid Century Modern Rosewood Secretary Desk
Located in San Marcos, CA
Here is a beautiful scandinavian modern secretary desk in rosewood attributed to Gunnar Falsig, Denmark, 1960's. This exquisite piece, recently imported from Europe to California bef...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Rosewood

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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