Victorian Secretary Desk Circa. 1800's
Located in Fulton, CA
American Victorian secretary desk made of solid walnut. Circa. 1875. Drop-front desk with birdseye
Birdseye Maple, Walnut
Small Decorative Carpenter's Sample Secretary, Sweden circa 1800's
Located in Round Top, TX
ordering a full size secretary. Note the size of 24" wide x 27" high. All the paint is original, from the
Wood, Paint
1800s Hancrafted Tall Slant Top Secretary Desk
Located in Germantown, MD
1800s Hancrafted tall slant top secretary desk. Wood appears to be flame maple. Solid dove tail
Pine
$6,296Sale Price|30% Off
H 44 in W 45.75 in D 21 in
1800s American Federal Mahogany Butler's Secretary Desk
Located in Germantown, MD
An early 19th Century Federal Mahogany Butler's Secretary Desk recently refinished. Measure 45.75
Mahogany
$13,950
H 87.5 in W 48 in D 21.75 in
European 1800s Two-Part Painted Wood Secretary with Slanted Front Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
lateral handles allowing the piece to be moved more easily, this European two-part secretary circa 1800
Brass
French 19th Century Ebonized & Inlay Secretary
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This French Louis XVI style drop front secretary from the 1800s has impressive etched brass inlay
Marble, Brass
Swedish Pine Secretary, circa 1860-80
Located in Round Top, TX
Pine secretary or "bureau" from Sweden from the latter 1800's. Standing 4' tall, this secretary has
Pine
Antique Pine Roll Top Desk Bureau from Sweden circa 1840
Located in Round Top, TX
Lovely pine roll top desk or bureau from Sweden from the 1800's. The age of this secretary is
Pine
1800s Tall Secretary with Lower Chest of Drawers
Located in Memphis, TN
1800s tall secretary with lower chest of drawers. Gorgeous wood grain on dresser face, bun feet
Wood
Unavailable
H 57.01 in W 40.75 in D 18.5 in
Early 1800s Swedish Pine Secretary with Original Brass Hardware
Located in Memphis, TN
Early 1800s Swedish pine secretary with original brass hardware. Substantial and gorgeous, the
Pine
Unavailable
H 60 in W 39.49 in D 20 in
1800s Burl Wood Veneered Tall Secretary with Black Trim Throughout
Located in Memphis, TN
Tall secretary from 1800s. Beautiful burl wood veneered drawer and cabinet facing with detailed
Wood, Burl
Unavailable
H 165 in W 104 in D 46 in
Northern European Biedermeier-style secretary from the second half of the 1800s
Located in Barletta, IT
Beautiful Northern European secretary from the second half of the 1800s, Biedermeier style, made of
Mahogany
Exceptional Consulate Period Mahogany Secretary 1800s -1X42
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Step into the grandeur of the Consulate era with this exceptional mahogany secretary, crafted
Mahogany
Sold
H 76.75 in W 49 in D 21 in
1800s Antique Renaissance Revival, Burl Veneer Bambocci Cabinet, Secretary!!
Located in Austin, TX
Stunning Bambocci Cabinet, Secretary, Renaissance Revival, Burl Veneer, Gorgeous, 1800s!! Bambocci
Wood, Burl
Sold
H 71 in W 33 in D 17.5 in
1800's Antique Cont'al Gothic Revival, Black P'd, Armorial, Fall-Front Secretary
Located in Austin, TX
Stunning 1800's Antique Continental Gothic Revival, Black Painted, Armorial, Fall-Front Secretary
Wood
Excellent 1800s Irish Glass Front Cabinet Secretary
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Wonderful antique pine secretary having five drawers on the bottom section, two doors on top with
Pine
Sold
H 39.4 in W 40.75 in D 21 in
1800s Scandinavian Light Painted Slant-Front Secretary with Multiple Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Scandinavian slant-front secretary from circa 1800 with carved panel, four drawers, light gray
Wood
Sold
H 82 in W 44 in D 21 in
Fine early 1800s Era English Georgian Chinoiserie Paint Decorated Secretary Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a rare and unique form of Chinese Chippendale two piece secretary desk. The desk was made
Mahogany
Sold
H 79.25 in W 47.25 in L 79.25 in
Swedish Gustavian 1800s Painted Tall Secretary with Slant Front Desk and Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
with a thin reeded one. Raised on bracket feet, this Swedish Gustavian painted secretary circa 1800
Wood
Sold
H 45.25 in W 42 in D 34 in
19th Century Painted Baroque Style Secretary Commode from Southern Germany
Located in Dallas, TX
surmounted by a slant-top desk. Hand-carved in Southern Germany during the 1800s, the secretary has been
Wood, Paint
Antique Pine Secretary Bureau, Sweden, circa 1820-40
Located in Round Top, TX
Lovely pine secretary or "bureau" from Sweden from the early 1800s. The age of this secretary is
Pine
Antique Pine Secretary Desk, Sweden circa 1820-1840
Located in Round Top, TX
Lovely pine secretary or "bureau" from Sweden from the early 1800s. The age of this secretary is
Pine
Antique Black Painted Secretary from Sweden with Hidden Storage
Located in Round Top, TX
This inviting secretary or "bureau" likely graced a Swedish country manor house in the 1800's. The
Wood
Sold
H 41.74 in W 42.13 in D 14.97 in
Antique Genuine Swedish Escritoire, Original Faux Paint Country Secretary Desk
Located in Kramfors, SE
Genuine antique Swedish escritoire from the early 1800s. This escritoire, or secretary desk, is a
Pine
Sold
H 37.6 in W 51.25 in D 25.25 in
Antique French Louis Philippe Style Walnut Bureau Commode With Green Marble Top
Located in Sheridan, CO
Antique French Louis Philippe Style Burl Walnut Bureau Commode With Green Marble Top, late 1800s
Marble, Brass
Swedish Painted Oak Secretary Bureau circa 1800's
Located in Round Top, TX
This oak secretary reflects the refined grace, functionality and style of early 1800's Sweden. Note
Brass
Early 1800s Swedish Country Baroque Style Secretary Cabinet
Located in Kramfors, SE
Northern Swedish pine secretary cabinet in two parts. The cabinet is a country house furniture from
Pine
Sold
H 82.75 in W 54 in D 25 in
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
Wood
19th Century Swedish Pine Secretary Bureau
Located in Round Top, TX
Pine secretary or "bureau" from Sweden from the latter 1800's. Standing 4.5' tall, this secretary
Brass
Empire Secretary or Writing Cabinet in Mahogany, Paris, 1800s
Located in Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein
Elaborately designed, courtly Empire secretary / writing cabinet in mahogany, Paris, 1800s. The
Bronze
Sold
H 57.88 in W 14.97 in D 27.17 in
Richly Inlaid Dutch Secretary Desk from the 1800s, Made of Rosewood
Located in Barletta, IT
Beautiful Dutch Louis XVI style secretary desk from the Mid-1800s, made of rosewood. It features 4
Marble
Walnut Providence Secretary
Located in San Francisco, CA
Late 1800s French secretary hand cut and carved wood with brass hardware. Two wide drawers, tabs
Walnut
Reduced Louis XVI Danish secretary inlaid mini ballroom
Located in Scarsdale, NY
Danish secretary early 1800's. The well is an inlaid mirrored ballroom. It has secret drawers
1800s Folklore Secretary
Located in Memphis, TN
Add a little magic to your home with this hand painted, folklore secretary from the 1800s. Features
Wood, Paint
1800s English Secretary Bookcase
Located in Charleston, SC
A truly wonderful English mahogany secretary. This piece dates to 1800, and features lovely large
Mahogany
English 1800s Neoclassical Butler's Secretary
Located in Charleston, SC
A wonderful early 19th century butler's secretary from England. This piece features drawers for
Satinwood
$14,200
H 88.5 in W 49 in D 19 in
Dorothy Draper Lacquered Viennese Secretary Desk for Henredon, circa 1963
By Henredon, Dorothy Draper
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Everyone can have a taste of iconic Dorothy Draper Hollywood Regency style with this perfectly sized and oh so elegant Viennese Collection Secretaries Desk Breakfront. Regal. Whimsic...
Metal, Brass
$4,900 / item
H 34 in W 86 in D 42 in
Custom Made Modern English Arm Sofa in Performance Linen Velvet - 86"
By Bloom Home Inc
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
This beautiful english arm sofa has a modern twist, with its single bench cushion, and beautiful curved apron sides. It’s upholstered in a Linen Velvet Performance fabric. Shown in...
Linen, Velvet
$1,155Sale Price / item|30% Off
H 16.1 in Dm 11.5 in
'Plissé White Edition' Pleated Textile Table Lamp by Folkform for Örsjö
By Örsjö Industri AB
Located in Glendale, CA
'Plissé White Edition' pleated textile table lamp by Folkform for Örsjö. This unique table lamp was awarded “Lighting of the Year 2022” by Residence Magazine Sweden, who called it “...
Textile
Rosso Wall Mirror
By Specchi Veneziani
Located in Milan, IT
Venetian mirror made in the strictest Murano tradition. Assembled with crystal/gold and red elements handmade in the Murano furnaces. Wooden frame with a natural finish.
Glass
Antique Regency Escritoire Desk
Located in London, GB
A wonderful antique Sheraton style escritoire desk. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1910 period. This is of superb quality, it is a useful and very charming piece...
Leather, Wood
18th Century Antique Swedish Red Painted Baroque Secretary
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
A two-tiered wooden cabinet from the 18th century Swedish Gustavian period. The top door opens to reveal a decorative top shelf and three other shelves. The top of the bottom shelf c...
Wood
$2,000 / item
H 8.5 in Dm 17.5 in
Vintage Inspired Handcrafted Fluted Farmhouse Porcelain Pendant Light
By DBO Home
Located in Sharon, CT
Classic, elegant, with a perfectly imperfect touch. We just love our new porcelain Parasol Fluted Pendants. Inspired by a vintage pie cover, we designed them to hang over our kitchen...
Brass
Grand Scale Mahogany Custom Bookcase with Leaded Glass Sliding Doors
Located in Milford, NH
A fine large two-door bookcase with sliding leaded glass doors and adjustable shelves, originally a built-in floor to ceiling piece, with a cut-in on the left side, built around heat...
Glass, Mahogany
Superb Quality Antique Victorian Figured Mahogany Bookcase
Located in Suffolk, GB
Superb quality antique Victorian figured mahogany bookcase having an outstanding quality figured mahogany shaped cornice above a pair of carved mahogany glazed doors opening to revea...
Other
$2,695
H 82 in W 36 in D 18.5 in
Henredon Georgian Walnut Drop Front Secretary Desk With Bookcase Hutch
By Henredon
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful Georgian or Queen Anne style bureau with drop front secretary desk and bookcase hutch top By Henredon USA, Circa 1980s Gorgeous figured walnut, with original bra...
Brass
Cabinet 18th Century Sweden Period Rococo
Located in Charleston, SC
18th century Swedish Cabinet from period rococo ca 1760 Stockholm. Original hardwares - please see in photo of very original key. Upper cabinet with two large doors, resting on six s...
Bronze
French 19th Century Walnut Secretary Desk
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A wonderful walnut secretary desk from 19th century France. The desk can be separated into two bodies: a lower writing surface, and the upper glass-front cabinet. The top cabinet ha...
Walnut, Leather, Glass
$2,264Sale Price|20% Off
H 76.5 in W 18 in D 25 in
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. Drawer storage below.
Burl
George III Mahogany Chest of Drawers
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
George III mahogany chest of drawers, circa 1780. With a rectangular single board top with thumb molded front and side borders, two top drawers and 3 graduated lower drawers all with...
Brass
19th Century Painted French Dresser
Located in Cirencester, GB
We have added the off white painted pattern detail to this lovely authentic antique 19th century French cupboard. A very versatile piece it really could be used in many ways and in a...
Pine
Louis XV Style Ladies Writing Desk / Marquetry Details
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Beautifully-crafted Louis XV style ladies writing desk with marquetry design details and slant open front. The writing desk is in good vintage condition with minor wear consistent wi...
Brass, Bronze
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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