Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
19th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Mahogany
Late 18th Century European Chinoiserie Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Brass
19th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Wood
Early 19th Century Italian Chinoiserie Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Wood, Paint
19th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Glass, Wood
Early 1900s British Queen Anne Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Bronze
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Bronze
18th Century Unknown Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Wood, Lacquer
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Lacquer
Early 20th Century British Chippendale Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Mahogany, Fabric, Upholstery
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19th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Gustavian Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Beech
Mid-18th Century European Queen Anne Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Mercury Glass, Wood
19th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
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Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Mirror, Giltwood, Gesso, Wood
Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Brass
1770s Swedish Gustavian Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Ormolu, Steel
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1920s North American Chinoiserie Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
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Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
18th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Brass
Early 1900s Chinese Chinoiserie Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Hardwood, Paint
Late 19th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Wood
1920s English Georgian Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Walnut
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Mahogany
Late 19th Century English Aesthetic Movement Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Bone, Bamboo, Wood
Early 20th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Wood
Late 18th Century Italian Chinoiserie Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Wood
Mid-18th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
18th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Brass
Early 20th Century English Queen Anne Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Mirror, Wood
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Brass
Mid-18th Century English George III Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Pine
19th Century English Georgian Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
19th Century Italian Rococo Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Giltwood
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Paint, Wood
Late 19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Wood
Mid-19th Century English George II Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Wood
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Marble, Brass
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Late 19th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Metal
Early 20th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Wood
1920s Chinese Chinoiserie Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Brass
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Oak
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Brass
1830s English George IV Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Giltwood
19th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Brass
Late 18th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Oak, Pine
19th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Early 20th Century English Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Wood
Mid-19th Century Italian Chinoiserie Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Wood
19th Century English George III Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Wood
1770s English George III Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Wood
19th Century French Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Ormolu
18th Century and Earlier Portuguese Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Pine, Oak
19th Century British George III Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
18th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Wood
Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Antique Chinoiserie Secretary Desk?
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.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021An antique secretary desk will range in value depending on its authenticity and condition. The price can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. On 1stDibs find the antique secretary desk you’re looking for today.
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