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18th Century Secretary Desk

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18th Century Secretary Desk Writer’s Bureau
Located in Pasadena, TX
48" Victorian secretary desk writer’s Bureau Crafted from solid cherry, this multi-function
Category

Antique Late 18th Century North American Victorian Secretaires

Materials

Cherry

18th Century Gustavian Secretary Desk - Painted
Located in Kvidinge, SE
18th-century secretary desk in gustavian style with a drop-front desk and 3 drawers. Painted in a
Category

Antique 1780s Gustavian Secretaires

Materials

Brass

18th Century Gustavian Secretary Desk - Painted
18th Century Gustavian Secretary Desk - Painted
H 38.59 in W 38.59 in D 18.51 in
Antique French Secretary Desk, France 1770-80
Located in Belmont, MA
Antique French Secretary Desk from the Late 18th Century Explore this French 18th century secretary
Category

Antique 1770s French Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Kingwood, Satinwood

Antique French Secretary Desk, France 1770-80
Antique French Secretary Desk, France 1770-80
H 55.12 in W 31.5 in D 15.75 in
Antique 18th Century American Chippendale Maple Secretary Desk Writing Bureau
Located in Dayton, OH
Exquisite and Rare antique American Chippendale Period secretary writing desk or Escritoire. Made
Category

Antique 18th Century Chippendale Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Maple

Antique 18th Century Federal Sheraton Mahogany Fall Front Secretary Writing Desk
Located in Dayton, OH
An exquisite and rare late 18th century American Federal Sheraton library secretary desk. Made of
Category

Antique Late 18th Century Sheraton Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

18th Century George III Mahogany Bureau Desk. Slant Front Writing Secretary.
Located in Vero Beach, FL
18th Century George III Mahogany Bureau Desk. Slant Front Writing Secretary. This 18th century
Category

Antique 18th Century English George III Desks

Materials

Brass

Antique 18th Century Flip Top Flame Mahogany Secretary Desk
Located in west palm beach, FL
A fabulous vintage 18th century desk. A chic Flame Mahogany drop down desk. Incredible wood grain
Category

Antique Late 18th Century North American Georgian Desks

Materials

Metal

18th Century Italian Provincial Circassian Walnut Secretary Slant-lid Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a fantastic Louis XV style desk made in Italy of Circassian highly figured walnut. Th desk
Category

Antique 1790s Italian Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Desk – or secretary, cylinder, in mahogany. Late 18th century period.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Desk – or secretary – with cylinder, in mahogany. The body opens with two small handles decorated
Category

Antique Late 18th Century French Desks

Materials

Wood

18th Century Kingwood and Walnut Ladies French Secretary Louis XV Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a very rare French period 1780s era Louis XV ladies writing desk with contrasting kingwood
Category

Antique 1780s French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Kingwood, Walnut

French Scriban desk, Donkey desk, Secretary -Louis XV Period - France 18th
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Magnificent donkey back desk, sloping desk from the Louis XV period from the 18th century. It opens
Category

Antique 18th Century French Louis XV Desks

Materials

Bronze

Antique English Georgian Walnut Slant Front Secretary Desk
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An antique slant front secretary desk with graduated drawers (one over two short, over two long
Category

Antique Mid-18th Century English Georgian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Fruitwood Secretary 1770
Located in Pomona, CA
French Fruitwood Bureau/ Secretary c1770. The desk has a secret storage area behind the removable
Category

Antique Late 18th Century French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Fruitwood

Fruitwood Secretary 1770
Fruitwood Secretary 1770
H 36.5 in W 45 in D 24 in
Antique Italian Parquet Style Wood Secretary Desk With Brass Accents
Located in Saddle River, NJ
enhances the desk's luxurious appeal. Antique Charm: The late 18th-century origin adds a sense of history
Category

Antique Late 18th Century Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Dutch Rococo Bombe Marquetry Inlaid Drop Front Desk / Secretary
Located in New York, NY
Dutch Rococo (Late 18th Century) drop front desk / secretary with elaborate foliate marquetry inlay
Category

Antique Late 18th Century Dutch Biedermeier Desks

Materials

Wood

Heckman Furniture Painted Slant Front Secretary Desk - Late 20th Century
Located in West Palm Beach, US
Heckman Furniture Painted Slant Front Secretary Desk - Late 20th Century This charming Heckman
Category

Late 20th Century American Adam Style Desks

Materials

Wood, Paint

18th Century French Louis XV Period Walnut Chateau Bonheur Du Jour or Secretary
Located in Birmingham, AL
A rare 18th century French Louis XV period chateau bonheur du jour or secrétaire handcrafted of
Category

Antique 1750s French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

French Directoire style handcrafted secretary desk in cherry wood & leather pad
Located in Landivy, FR
the 18th century. This period is remarkable with its straight, classical and timeless lines. It is
Category

2010s French Directoire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood, Cherry, Lacquer

Federal Period Massachusetts Mahogany Secretary Desk with Cylinder Tambour
Located in Milford, NH
A fine example of a Federal mahogany two part secretary desk, with a dentil molded cornice
Category

Antique Late 18th Century American Federal Desks

Materials

Brass

Antique Kittinger Spanish Colonial Walnut Fall Front Secretary Desk Barley Twist
By Kittinger Furniture Company
Located in Dayton, OH
"Extremely rare 1 of a kind early Kittinger Spanish Colonial fall front secretary or library desk
Category

Early 20th Century Spanish Colonial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Continental Dutch Satinwood Secretary
Located in New York, NY
Continental Dutch-style (18/19th Century) satinwood and inlaid trimmed drop front desk with
Category

Antique Late 18th Century European Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Continental Dutch Satinwood Secretary
Continental Dutch Satinwood Secretary
H 59 in W 33.5 in D 17.5 in
French Louis XVI Secretaire Abattant / Secretary desk, circa 1800
Located in Lucenec, SK
last decade of the 18th century. The Monroe Doctrine Desk, is known for having been the drawing board
Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Desks

Materials

Brass

18th Century French Secretary Desk
Located in Belmont, MA
This gorgeous Louis XV Secretary desk dates back to around 1750-60 and was made in France. The
Category

Antique 1750s French Louis XV Secretaires

Materials

Kingwood

18th Century French Secretary Desk
18th Century French Secretary Desk
H 34.26 in W 32.29 in D 18.51 in
18th Century Swedish Secretary
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
18th Century Swedish secretary with a decorative carved pediment. Composed below doors opening to
Category

Antique 18th Century Swedish Secretaires

Materials

Wood

18th Century Swedish Secretary
18th Century Swedish Secretary
H 87.01 in W 55.52 in D 20.08 in
Kittinger Georgian Mahogany Slant Front Secretary Desk From the White House
By Kittinger Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
secretary desk was commissioned by the White House in the 1970s, most likely by President Richard Nixon. If
Category

Vintage 1970s American Georgian Desks

Materials

Brass

Early Antique English Georgian Secretary, circa 1750
Located in Big Flats, NY
An early antique English Georgian secretary offers lift top and drop-down desk over two long
Category

Antique Mid-18th Century English Georgian Desks

Materials

Wood

Louis XVI Walnut Fall Front Desk / Secretaire
Located in Darmstadt, DE
This Louis XVI walnut slant-front secretary desk is a fine example of 18th-century French
Category

Antique 18th Century German Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Spruce, Walnut

Louis XVI Walnut Fall Front Desk / Secretaire
Louis XVI Walnut Fall Front Desk / Secretaire
H 42.52 in W 48.82 in D 22.05 in
French 18th century Louis XV walnut Secretary Desk
Located in New Orleans, LA
French 18th century Louis XV walnut secretaire-abbattant, with walnut top, curved top door with
Category

Antique 18th Century French Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

Louis XV Secretary Desk, France 18th century
Located in Belmont, MA
Exquisite 18th-Century Louis XV Secretary Desk This stunning Louis XV Secretary Desk, dating back
Category

Antique 1760s French Louis XV Secretaires

Materials

Kingwood, Rosewood

Louis XV Secretary Desk, France 18th century
Louis XV Secretary Desk, France 18th century
H 31.5 in W 55.12 in D 15.75 in
Black Painted Gustavian Style Writing Desk Secretary, 18th Century Denmark
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Period Danish Black Painted Gustavian Style Writing Desk Secretary. Refinished in painted black
Category

Antique Mid-18th Century Danish Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Brass

18th Century Swedish Neoclassical Painted Secretary Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
18th century Swedish neoclassical painted secretary desk will make the perfect addition to your
Category

Antique 1790s Swedish Gustavian Secretaires

Materials

Steel

Louis XV Secretary Desk, France 18th Century
Located in Belmont, MA
This original 18th century Louis XVI Secretaire has a stunning veneer and marquetry. The elegant
Category

Antique 1750s French Louis XV Secretaires

Materials

Maple, Walnut, Birdseye Maple

Louis XV Secretary Desk, France 18th Century
Louis XV Secretary Desk, France 18th Century
H 39.38 in W 39.38 in D 22.05 in
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
Category

Antique 18th Century German Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Nutwood, Walnut, Pine

18th Century Swedish Chinoserie Secretary
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Late 18th Century Swedish Chinoserie secretary of elegant scale and proportions. With decorative
Category

Antique 18th Century Swedish Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Wood

18th Century Swedish Chinoserie Secretary
18th Century Swedish Chinoserie Secretary
H 94.49 in W 42.13 in D 22.84 in
European 18th Century Tall Secretary with Slant Front Desk and Old Glass Doors
Located in Atlanta, GA
A European two-part tall secretary from the 18th century with gray / cream painted finish, old
Category

Antique 18th Century European Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Wood

George III Bureau Desk or Secretary Chest of Mahogany from the 18th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A fine George III slant top desk or bureau secretary chest of patinated mahogany, c.1770 - an
Category

Antique 18th Century English George III Secretaires

Materials

Metal, Brass

Period 18th Century Swedish Rococo Secretary
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
18th Century Swedish bureau. Dry scraped to secondary paint with reeded fall front desk opening to
Category

Antique 18th Century Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Paint

Period 18th Century Swedish Rococo Secretary
Period 18th Century Swedish Rococo Secretary
H 41.34 in W 37.41 in D 18.51 in
Antique 18th Century Dutch Oak Drop Front Bombe Secretary Desk Secretaire
Located in Casteren, NL
A beautiful Dutch Baroque style secretary with a 3-drawer bombe front and carved ball and claw feet
Category

Antique Late 18th Century Dutch Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

18th Century Grey Swedish Gustavian Two Part Pine Secretary - Scandinavian Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
crafted painted Pinewood, in good condition. The Scandinavian writing table, desk is composed with two
Category

Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires

Materials

Metal, Brass

Original 18th Century Venetian Secretary Desk Bookcase burled walnut with inlaid
By Bassano's Ebanisteria
Located in Vigonza, Padua
embellish and complement elegantly environments inspired by any design style. ​Measure Desk cm
Category

Antique Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Italian early 18th century Baroque Walnut Secretary-Bookcase
Located in Troy, NY
Italian secretary with beautiful, thick walnut radica veneer, wonderful color, ebonized moldings
Category

Antique Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Louis XVI Period Secretary 18th Century
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A late 18th century ‘secrétaire à abattant’, or drop-leaf desk, in fruit wood. This lovely piece of
Category

Antique 18th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

Louis XVI Period Secretary 18th Century
Louis XVI Period Secretary 18th Century
H 57.88 in W 37.41 in D 16.15 in
18th Century Dutch Burl Walnut Secretary Cabinet Scriban Desk Library Antique LA
Located in West Hollywood, CA
18th Century Dutch Burl Walnut Secretary Cabinet Scriban Desk Library Antique LA . An important and
Category

Antique 18th Century Dutch Secretaires

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Superb 18th century Georgian Mahogany Breakfront Secretary Bookcase
Located in Charleston, SC
Superb 18th century Georgian Mahogany Breakfront Secretary Bookcase. This incredible secretary has
Category

Antique 18th Century English Georgian Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany

18th Century Swedish Two-part Secretary Circa 1770
Located in Atlanta, GA
classic form with a modern touch. Dating to the 18th century, the piece is crafted from pine and features
Category

Antique 18th Century Swedish Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Gray Painted Swedish 18th Century Oak Secretary Bureau
Located in Round Top, TX
This striking oak secretary is an elegant statement piece crowned with a lovely carved bonnet. The
Category

Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires

Materials

Brass

19th Century Classical Charles X Burled Mahogany Secretaire a Abattant
Located in Miami, FL
three below the desk area. The secretary workspace features its original weathered leather writing
Category

Antique Late 18th Century French Charles X Desks

Materials

Mahogany

Italian Rococo Oyster Burl Secretary Cabinet / Desk
Located in New York, NY
Italian Rococo secretary desk / cabinet with an upper door that folds down to reveal a writing
Category

Antique 18th Century Italian Rococo Secretaires

Materials

Metal, Brass

19th Century Classical Charles X Burled Mahogany Secretaire a Abattant
Located in Miami, FL
seven below the desk area. The secretary workspace features its original weathered leather writing
Category

Antique Late 18th Century French Charles X Desks

Materials

Mahogany

French Louis XV Period 18th Century Walnut Slant Front Secretary and Buffet
Located in Atlanta, GA
secretary from the 18th century, a masterpiece that flawlessly blends the sophistication of a desk with the
Category

Antique 18th Century French Louis XV Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Antique 18th Century VOC Dutch Colonial Padouk Ebony Secretary Desk Bureau 1730
Located in Portland, OR
A very rare antique Dutch Colonial V.O.C. (Dutch East India Company) fall front bureau/desk on
Category

Antique 1730s Indonesian Dutch Colonial Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Outstanding Early 18th Century English George I Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a stunningly gorgeous and outstanding early 18th century English George I Secretary
Category

Antique Early 18th Century English George I Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany, Satinwood, Walnut

Italian 18th Century Rococo Secretary with Mirrored Doors and Lacca Povera Décor
Located in Palm Desert, CA
An Italian Rococo period lacca povera tall secretary from the 18th century, with bonnet top
Category

Antique 18th Century Italian Rococo Secretaires

Materials

Paper, Mirror, Wood

18th Century Satin Mahogany and Rosewood Secretary
Located in Savannah, GA
This is a secretary / bureau/ desk made in England, circa 1780. The top and the fall have a
Category

Antique 1780s English George III Secretaires

Materials

Satinwood

Late 18th Century Swedish Secretary Cabinet with Historic Paint
Located in South Salem, NY
Splendid early antique Gustavian style secretary cabinet, made in Sweden, circa late 19th century
Category

Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Fine English Queen Anne Walnut Bookcase with Secretary Desk
Located in Miami, FL
A fine 18th century English Queen Anne-period furnishings such as this walnut secretary are
Category

Antique 18th Century French Queen Anne Secretaires

Materials

Mirror, Walnut

English Mahogany and Satinwood Secretary Desk Bookcase, 1790-1820
Located in San Francisco, CA
a kind mahogany secretary-desk-bookcase with satinwood marquetry detail of seashell motif. The
Category

Antique Late 18th Century English Georgian Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany, Satinwood

Neoclassic Period French Commode W/Hidden Butler's Secretary & Writing Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
18th and 19th century. This antique commode from France gives the appearance of being a three drawer
Category

Antique Late 18th Century French Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Dra...

Materials

Wood

18th Century French Louis XV Carved Walnut Bombe Secretary Bookcase
Located in Dallas, TX
center tabernacle door. Under the desk, there are three bombe drawers with original bronze hardware and
Category

Antique Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Light Gray 18th Century Period Swedish Two Part Secretary with Carved Pediment
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
18th century period two part wood secretary with a decorative carved pediment. Two carved front
Category

Antique 18th Century Swedish Secretaires

Materials

Wood

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18th Century Secretary Desk For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the 18th century secretary desk you’re looking for. A 18th century secretary desk — often made from wood, walnut and mahogany — can elevate any home. Your living room may not be complete without a 18th century secretary desk — find older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 19th Century. When you’re browsing for the right 18th century secretary desk, those designed in Georgian, Baroque and Louis XVI styles are of considerable interest.

How Much is a 18th Century Secretary Desk?

A 18th century secretary desk can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $8,500, while the lowest priced sells for $1,225 and the highest can go for as much as $125,000.

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.

Questions About 18th Century Secretary Desk
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Yes, wedding rings have a long history, stretching back to ancient Egypt. The first diamond engagement ring was created in 1477 by Archduke Maximillian of Austria. Browse a wide array of vintage and contemporary wedding rings on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    In the 18th century, art changed in style from Baroque to Rococo and Neoclassicism. Art became more ornamented and idealized during the Rococo period and then shifted toward a style that emulated the artwork of ancient Greece and Rome near the end of the century. You’ll find a variety of fine art on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 13, 2024
    To identify 18th-century furniture, you can research your piece in the context of the prevailing styles of the period or consult a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer. To identify your item on your own, look over it for maker's marks, such as carvings, stamps, brands and labels. Researching the marking can help you determine the maker of your piece, and from there, you can search further to learn more about your particular item. Without a maker's mark, the best approach is to consider the characteristics of the dominant furniture styles during the 18th century. In England, these included William and Mary, Queen Anne, Georgian, Chippendale, Hepplewhite and Sheraton. Some French furniture styles of the 1700s include Louis XV, Louis XVI and Régence. Find a diverse assortment of 18th-century furniture on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    One way to check if your brass candlesticks are from the 18th century is to look for the two seams running lengthwise on either side. This is from when the candlestick was molded in two halves and then soldered together. You’ll find a variety of candlesticks of all shapes and sizes from some of the top sellers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertJanuary 10, 2025
    The individuals considered the Big Three of 18th-century cartoons are William Hogarth, James Gillray and George Cruikshank. Although the 18th century saw a widespread increase in illustrations in newspapers, these three illustrators were particularly well-known for their work. Hogarth's work was extremely diverse, ranging from serious, realistic paintings and portraits to satirical and moralistic illustrations filled with symbolism. A British caricaturist, Gillray is remembered today for his artworks representing political and social satires, like his political cartoons against George III of England. Despite being a prolific caricaturist, Cruikshank is now most famous for illustrating the works of Charles Dickens. On 1stDibs, find a wide variety of illustrations.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    At the end of the 17th century, Europe went into a frenzy over porcelain. Asian porcelain was highly sought after, and spurred the foundation of the Meissen factory in France, where hard porcelain went on to be made. You’ll find a large collection of porcelain pieces from many of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

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