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Secretaires

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Secretaires For Sale
George Nelson Thin Edge Secretary Desk Cabinet for Herman Miller
Located in Lake Worth, FL
1950s original Thin Edge secretary desk cabinet designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. This early version features the rare black enamel stainless large pulls and tapered wood feet. Cabinet on the right includes an adjustable shelf and 2 drawers. Pull down desk is covered with black leather and features 5 drawers on the left side with original small white porcelain George Nelson drawer pulls...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Teak Mid-Century Dresser w/ Secretary Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage Danish modern secretary desk. Fold down table with office storage and four dresser drawers. Classic Danish modern design with w...
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Teak

Black Painted Rococo Secretary from Denmark circa 1760-1800
Located in Round Top, TX
This pine rococo secretary reflects the grace and class of Swedish styling in the early 1800's. The dramatic serpentine drawers with curvaceous front and carved skirt resting on cabr...
Category

Late 18th Century Danish Rococo Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wrought Iron

Yellow Painted Oak Secretary, Denmark circa 1760-80
Located in Round Top, TX
This oak secretary reflects the grace and class of European styling in the early 1800's with four serpentine drawers and curved skirt. The traditional interior with 12 small drawers ...
Category

Late 18th Century Danish Rococo Antique Secretaires

Materials

Oak, Paint

Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Secretary Desk Cabinet / Bar in Teak Wood
Located in Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo
resenting a striking midcentury modern desk meticulously fashioned from solid wood, presently offered in good condition on 1stdibs. Skillfully embellished in the enduring elegance of...
Category

1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Teak

solid pine secretary desk by WASA, Germany 1990s
Located in ECHT, NL
Secretary desk made by German company Wasa in 1992. it is made from solid pine. It has a lid that folds down to function as a work top. Behind the lid there are shelves and drawers....
Category

Late 20th Century German Scandinavian Modern Secretaires

Materials

Pine

Tall Blue Painted Secretary from Sweden, circa 1800-20
Located in Round Top, TX
This striking oak secretary is an elegant statement piece crowned with an elaborate latticework bonnet and finials. The entire secretary has been given a professional custom layered ...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wrought Iron

Painted Oak Secretary Bureau, Denmark circa 1760-80
Located in Round Top, TX
This striking oak secretary is an elegant statement piece crowned with a beautifully curved and carved bonnet or crown. The entire secretary has been given a professional custom layered salmon/desert...
Category

Late 18th Century Danish Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass, Iron

Mid Century Modern Walnut, Chrome & Cane Modular Secretary by Founders 20thC
Located in Big Flats, NY
***Ask About Discounted In-House Shipping*** A Mid Century Modern secretary offers chrome frame with walnut modular units including caned double door cabinets and drop down desk, mak...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Secretaires

Materials

Chrome

Antique Arts & Crafts Mahogany Five Stack Barrister Secretary & Bookcase c1910
Located in Big Flats, NY
***Ask About Discounted In-House Shipping*** An antique Arts and Crafts barrister bookcase offers mahogany construction with central...
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

20th Century Biedermeier Style Napoleon Secretaire
Located in Berlin, DE
Bird’s-eye maple root veneer on solid pinewood. Gilded chimeras. Finely engraved bronze fixtures. (L-Sam-252).
Category

20th Century Empire Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

18th Century Baroque Secretary or Writing Desk in Walnut
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
Exceptional Baroque secretary or writing desk, probably from southern Germany, around 1760. The softwood corpus à deux corps, ornamentally veneered in walnut, burl and other preciou...
Category

18th Century German Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Nutwood, Walnut, Pine

Crotch Mahogany Individual Glass Pains Door Drop Front Secretary Breakfront MINT
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Crotch Mahogany Individual Glass Pains Door Drop Front Secretary Breakfront MINT!
Category

20th Century American Federal Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Late 19th Century Charles X Style Letter Storage Desk Cabinet
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A antique desk cabinet for storing letters and cards. Made of wood veneer with foliage wood inlay. Made in France, circa 1870-1880 Note: one of th...
Category

1880s French Charles X Antique Secretaires

Materials

Fruitwood

Louis XV Secretary In Floral Marquetry
Located in BARSAC, FR
Sublime Louis XV secretary desk in rosewood and violet marquetry presenting over the entire facade a large floral motif framed by double scrol...
Category

Mid-18th Century French Agra Antique Secretaires

Materials

Breccia Marble, Bronze

Vintage Boho Henredon Folio Arched Secretary Desk
Located in west palm beach, FL
A chic vintage Boho secretary desk. Made by the iconic Henredon group. Part of their Folio 14 collection. Beautiful double arch design with beautiful wood grain detail. Acquired from...
Category

Late 20th Century American Bohemian Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Wood

Swedish 1800s Light Gray Painted Secretary from Värmland with Slant Front Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish tall secretary from Värmland circa 1800, with gray painted finish, carved bonnet top, four doors, slant front desk and bracket feet. Embrace the understated elegance of Swe...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Burl Walnut Art Deco Cabinet
Located in Dronten, NL
Period Dutch Art Deco secretary in wonderful burl walnut veneer in symmetrical pattern. Cut-glass pane, drop front desk, ebony wood door handles. Comes with three beautiful original ...
Category

1920s Dutch Art Deco Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Cut Glass, Ebony, Burl

Empire Secretary à abattant, France early 19th century
Located in Greding, DE
French Empire secretary à abattant with a two-door base, two wide drawers and a flat writing flap surrounded by smooth full columns with fire-gilt bronze capitals and bases. The bure...
Category

Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Mahogany, Maple

A drop-front secretary desk - 1950 - France.
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A secretary desk from the 1950s, French craftsmanship. Solid elm wood with a beautiful patina. Height with the drop-down leaf open: 75 cm. Dimensions of the drop-down leaf: 45 cm ...
Category

1950s French Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Elm

Federal Cherry Slant Lid Desk
Located in Bradenton, FL
A very nice size late 18th century American Cherry Chippendale slant front desk with white Pine secondary wood. Four molded graduated dra...
Category

Late 18th Century Chippendale Antique Secretaires

Materials

Cherry

Tiny French Secretaire, Walnut, Mid 19th Century
Located in Greven, DE
Small antique secretary France Walnut Mid 19th century Dimensions: H x W x D: 145 x 93 x 38 cm Description: Decorative French writing desk f...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Antique Walnut French Provincial Secretary Cabinet
Located in Portland, OR
Exceptional in every way! Imported from Belgium this French display cabinet with secretary desk is as enchanting as it is functional. Exquisitely crafted of walnut with incredible ha...
Category

Early 20th Century French French Provincial Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Walnut

18th Century Oak Drop Front Secretaire
Located in Dallas, TX
French oak drop front secretarie with green leather writing surface. Circa 1780
Category

18th Century French Antique Secretaires

Materials

Metal

Gustavian Style Drop Front or Slant Front Secretary, Late 19th Century
Located in South Salem, NY
This late 19th-century Gustavian style drop-front secretary bookshelf is a true embodiment of timeless sophistication. Adorned with a later gray pa...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

IMPORTANT GERMAN STATIONERY/SECRETAYRE 18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
IMPORTANT GERMAN STATIONERY 18th Century plated in fruit wood with inlays representing gallant scenes and floral motifs. Wavy box with three drawers, showing factory interior with d...
Category

18th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

English Satinwood Painted Bureau Bookcase
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th Century English Satinwood secretary/bookcase. Two astragal glazed doors above open to reveal two adjustable shelves for display, a fall front opening to reveal a fully fitted in...
Category

Early 19th Century English Sheraton Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Biedermeier Secretary
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
19th Century Biedermeier Secretary, Germany, Ca.1820 Walnut Original secretary veneered in walnut, impressive veneer pattern, stepped pedestal, gable, underneath drawer with push bu...
Category

1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Birch Secretary Bureau from Germany, circa 1840-60
Located in Round Top, TX
Rich birch and stately lines define this handsome Biedermeier drop front secretary. Refer to close up photos to appreciate the stunning grain pattern of the flame birch veneer. Multi...
Category

Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Birch

Secrétaire Neoclassical Lombardy Late 18th Century
Located in Milano, IT
Neoclassical secrétaire supported by truncated-pyramidal feet, on the front has two doors surmounted by flap-opening door concealing scarab with morocco top, central compartment, sma...
Category

18th Century Italian Neoclassical Revival Antique Secretaires

Materials

Maple, Nutwood

English secretary bookcase Arts&Crats 1910
Located in Meulebeke, BE
This English secretary bookcase in arts & crafts style is a beautiful piece of furniture that expresses both elegance and functionality. The secretary bookcase was made around 1910 i...
Category

1910s English Arts and Crafts Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Copper

Ivory Lacquered French Art Deco Cabinet or Writing Desk in the style of Arbus
Located in Miami, FL
Very elegant and rare piece of furniture. This writing desk cabinet is in lacquered wood and has drawers and two side doors with shelves and bookc...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Secretaires

Materials

Wood

19th Century Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
19th Century Conical Shape Secretary, Germany, 1820 This fine Biedermeier secretary made of mahogany is a real gem for every lover of antique furniture. With a height of 194 cm, a width of 106 cm and a length of 52 cm, it offers plenty of storage space with its five spacious drawers. The elegant mahogany finish and conical shape make it a real eye-catcher in any room. This 1820 original is free standing and in excellent condition. Carefully restored and hand-polished with shellac. A real highlight for anyone looking for antique furniture.Frame dimensions at top 95 cm, bottom 103 cm.The attachment with gable, underneath a hidden compartment, is opened with a compression spring. Very nice cabinet with 10 drawers...
Category

1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Early 19th Century Neoclassical Karelian Birch Secretary
Located in Houston, TX
An extraordinary early 19th Century Neoclassical style Karelian birch secretary. This wonderful cabinet features four ebonized columns supporting giltwood caryatids, two gothic arched cabinet...
Category

Early 19th Century Baltic Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Ormolu

Beautiful antique slanted flap secretary, 20th century. Walnut root veneer.
Located in Berlin, DE
Beautiful antique slanted flap secretary, 20th century. Walnut root veneer. Solid wood with walnut root veneer and inlays. Slanted flap secretary made of solid wood, baroque. Multi-curved body...
Category

20th Century Italian Secretaires

Materials

Brass

19th Century Georgian Mahogany Secretaire
Located in Richmond, Surrey
19th Century Georgian Mahogany Secretaire has a fitted desk drawer over three long drawers with brass oval handles. The fitted desk drawer interior has a writing surface with 7 strun...
Category

19th Century English Georgian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Solid Oak Wardrobe and Desk by Guillerme et Chambron, Edition Votre Maison
Located in Wiesbaden, DE
Elegant and rare Wardrobe, armoire and secretary by French designers Guillerme and Chambron featuring leather straps holding the desk tray. The iconic wardrobe is in overall good...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Secretaires

Materials

Oak

Gianfranco Frattini 804 Rolltop desk for Bernini, 1962
Located in Misinto, IT
The 804 secretaire is one of the most significant pieces of Gianfranco Frattini's creativity. Designed in 1962 for Bernini, it highlights Frattini's exceptional design prowess and th...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Secretaires

Materials

Aluminum

Vintage Danish Mid Century Teak Secretary Desk Attributed to Erling Torvits
Located in San Marcos, CA
Here is a beautiful Scandinavian modern teak secretary desk attributed to Erling Torvits, Denmark, 1960's. This case piece, recently imported from Copenhagen to California before its...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Teak

Italian Louis XV Style Painted Bombe Secretary
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Italian Louis XV style painted bombe secretary, circa 1960's. The top section with double serpentine shaped top and two doors with birdcage wire and two shelves, the bottom section o...
Category

1960s Italian Louis XV Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Metal, Brass

Antique Louis XVI Desk Cabinet "bureau à pente"
Located in Senonches, Centre-Val de Loire
Louis XVI style antique desk chest of drawers called "bureau à pente". Three dovetailed drawers, bronze details. On the front opens a tab...
Category

Early 1900s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Wooden Writing Desk with Drawers and Folding Door
Located in Marbella, ES
Wooden Writing Desk with Drawers and Folding Door
Category

19th Century European Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

19th Century German Biedermeier Cherrywood Secretaire - Antique Secretary
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 19th Century, antique German Biedermeier tall secretaire with a writing flap made of hand crafted shellac polished, partly veneered Cherrywood and Burlwood, in good condition. The ...
Category

Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Metal, Brass

Mid century Danish Modern Magic Box Desk in Teak Made in Denmark
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Mid century teak closable locking teak writing desk Similar to the Magic Box desk. The piece closes completely and can be key-locked to protect all your...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Teak

c1900 French Antique Louis XVI Style Burl Wood Secretary/ Desk - Petite Size
Located in Opa Locka, FL
c1900 French Antique Louis XVI style Petite Secretary/ Desk. Louis XVI style and made from Exotic Burl Wood. Upper cabinet book storage/ display. Dr...
Category

Early 1900s Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Burl

High mahogany secretary with marquetry and brass fittings from around the 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
High mahogany secretary with marquetry and brass fittings from around the 1840s. Measurements in cm: H:215 W:104 D:52
Category

1840s Danish Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Antique French Louis XVI Style Secretaire a Abattant
Located in Sheridan, CO
French Louis XVI style fall front desk, early 20th c. This Secretaire desk features a single drawer over fall front panel, opening to fitted interior gallery, inset leather writing s...
Category

1910s French Louis XVI Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Brass

c1810 French Empire Flame Mahogany Secretary
Located in Opa Locka, FL
c1810 French Empire Flame Mahogany Secretary. Opens to reveal lovely storage space. There are nooks, shelves, a pull out writing surface. There are gilt bronze adornments and there a...
Category

1810s French Empire Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Vintage Danish Mid Century Modern Teak Secretary Desk by Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in San Marcos, CA
Here is a beautiful and sought after scandinavian modern secretary desk designed by Arne Wahl Iversen and manufactured by Vinde Mobelfabrik in Denmark in the 1960s. This exquisite ca...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Teak

Swedish 1820s Late Gustavian Period Painted Slant-Front Desk with Five Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Late Gustavian period secretary from circa 1820, with tan/cream painted finish, slant-front desk, five drawers, carved reeded motifs and bracket feet. Embrace the timeless ...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Ernest Gimson A walnut bureau inlaid with holly chequered string inlay.
Located in London, GB
Ernest Gimson attributed. Arts & Crafts Cotswold school walnut bureau inlaid with holly chequered string inlay. The quality of this craftsman handmade bureau is a step above. The fol...
Category

1910s English Arts and Crafts Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

18th Century Grey Swedish Gustavian Pine Two Part Bureau - Antique Secretaire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 18th Century, light-grey, white antique Swedish Gustavian two part bureau made of hand crafted painted Pinewood, in good condition. The Scandinavian secretaire is composed with two...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Metal

Midcentury Danish Brazilian Rosewood Secretary Desk
Located in Oakland, CA
Brazilian Rosewood secretary desk with locking drop-front desk over three drawers with carved pulls, raised on tapered legs. Designed by William Jensen for Skrillinge Mobelfabrik, mo...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires

Materials

Rosewood

Biedermeier Secretaire in Ashwood, circa 1820
Located in Greding, DE
Spacious secretary featuring a two-door cabinet top and a three-tier chest of drawers base. The secretary is veneered with ash and meticulously hand-polis...
Category

1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Ash

Vintage Teak Bureau / Desk by Remploy, 1970s
Located in Ely, GB
Mid Century, Teak Bureau / Desk Made by Remploy - 1970s. The bureau has 1 drop-down writing desk, 1 single drawer and 2 cupboard doors. The cabinet does show signs of wear to the c...
Category

1970s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Teak

Bench made Hepplewhite Style Secretary/Bookcase, New England, Circa:1910
Located in Alexandria, VA
This beautiful and elegant piece was probably made around Boston in the early 20th Century. Its design was inspired by late 18th Century New England Hepplewhite styled secretary book...
Category

Early 20th Century American Hepplewhite Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Swedish Rococo Style Chapeau de Gendarme 1820s Gray Painted Tall Secretary
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Rococo style tall secretary from circa 1820 with gray painted finish, chapeau de gendarme bonnet top, two doors, slant-front desk and four d...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Louis XVI Mahogany Secrétaire à Abattant Circa 1820, France
Located in Alexandria, VA
This neo-classic fall-front secretary not only has the beauty of Louis XVI style furniture but is very practical for modern living. It is perfect for small spaces, yet still provides a lot of storage and a large desk surface quite suitable for a laptop computer...
Category

Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble, 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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