George III Double Secretary Bookcase of Mahogany
Located in Austin, TX
A fine English double secretary bookcase of mahogany from the late Georgian era, c.1780, featuring a crown moulded top with two astragal glazed doors, each side opening to four long ...
Brass, Metal
$2,950
H 76 in W 35 in D 19 in
Antique English Adams Style Hand Painted Double Bonnet Bookcase Secretary Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique English Adams Style Hand Painted Double Bonnet Top Bookcase Secretary Desk. Item features a double bonnet top, hand painted figural scenes to the front and sides, 2 swing doo...
Mahogany
$2,120Sale Price|20% Off
H 89 in W 45.25 in D 22.75 in
Antique Victorian Walnut & Burl Barrel Roll Top Secretary Bookcase & Desk C1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Victorian Walnut & Burl Barrel Roll Top Secretary, Double Glass Door Bookcase & Desk with Drawer Tower & Cabinet, Adjustable Shelving in Bookcase, C1890 Measures - 89"H x 45...
Walnut, Glass
18th Century Double Dome Secretaire
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Glazed secretary in oak from the first part of the 18th century of very good quality with double dome Double dome secretaries are the rarest and most sought-after Very beautiful sec...
Oak
George III Double Secretary Bookcase of Mahogany
Located in Austin, TX
A fine English double secretary bookcase of mahogany from the Georgian era, featuring a moulded top with two astragal glazed doors, each side opening to three adjustable shelves.
Brass
Sold
H 70.5 in W 58 in D 13.5 in
Antique RJ Horner School Figural Carved Oak & Leaded Glass Secretary, c1920
By R.J. Horner & Co.
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique double secretary in the manner of RJ Horner offers quarter sawn oak construction with upper central cabinet having leaded glass door and flanking open shelves with shaped ...
Oak, Glass
Double dome secretary cabinet, circa 1700.
Located in San Francisco, CA
A Dutch Colonial padouk wood double dome secretary cabinet, circa 1700. The upper case enclosed by a pair of arched paneled mirror doors with candleslides below; the lower case with ...
Padouk, Mirror
Sold
H 63.75 in W 59.25 in D 16 in
Antique Victorian Eastlake Carved Walnut Double Bookcase with Secretary Desk
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful antique Victorian Eastlake double bookcase cabinet with drop front secretary desk USA, Circa 1870s Carved solid walnut, with glass front doors and original brass ha...
Brass
Sold
H 86 in W 47 in D 21.25 in
Fine 18th Century Double Bonnet Georgian Tombstone Mirror Secretary Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This 18th-century Georgian tombstone mirror secretary desk is a striking example of refined craftsmanship, combining both functionality and beauty.
Brass
Queen Anne style secretary
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Queen Anne style burl walnut double domed secretary, circa 1920
Brass
Queen Anne Lacquer Secretary
Located in Westwood, NJ
An English Queen Anne style burnt sienna lacquer decorated double-dome secretary with three urn finials over a pair of arched paneled doors, the lower section with fall front and tw...
Queen Anne Secretary Desk, C. 1750
Located in Doylestown, PA
A Queen Anne period double dome secretary desk in walnut, circa 1750, with glass mullion doors, candle slides and fitted interior, above a bank of drawers with brass pulls and escutc...
Walnut
Sold
H 61.82 in W 42.92 in D 18.9 in
German Biedermeier Secretary, Cherrywood, Beautiful Patina, Circa 1835
Located in Greven, DE
All the locks are original, the eye-catching feature here is the impressive double bolt lock on the secretary flap. Worth knowing: The "secretary" type of furniture, as you see i...
Cherry
Sold
H 98.5 in W 49.75 in D 21.75 in
English Regency Mahogany Fall Front Inlaid Secretary with Bookcase, Circa 1810
Located in Charleston, SC
English Regency mahogany secretary with an double arched pediment, centered sphere phoenix finial, upper hinged glass bookcase revealing three interior adjustable shelves, fall front...
Brass
Japanned Black Lacquer Cabinet
Located in Dallas, TX
A black lacquer secretary / cabinet with double arched bonnet / top with three finials and gilt Chinoiserie decoration.The bottom section is fitted with drawers, the upper section's ...
Brass
Sold
H 78 in W 34.25 in D 21.75 in
Antique Queen Anne Period Double Dome Burl Walnut Bureau Bookcase Secretary 1710
Located in Portland, OR
A fine Queen Anne, Period, burl walnut 'double dome' bureau bookcase/secretary, circa 1710.
Walnut, Burl
Queen Anne Secretary Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
English Queen Anne two part double dome yew wood secretary desk with mirrored arched doors, bun feet, fitted upper interior and concave curved desk interior.
Wood
Sold
H 83.25 in W 46 in D 23.5 in
Antique Neoclassical American Empire Flame Mahogany Secretary Desk C1840
Located in Big Flats, NY
***Ask About Reduced In-House Delivery Rates - Reliable Professional Service & Fully Insured*** Antique Neoclassical American Empire Flame Mahogany Secretary with Upper Double Glass ...
Mahogany, Glass
Highly Unique and Detailed 19th Century Green & Gilt Secretary
Located in Larkspur, CA
Late 19th Century Green and Gilt Double Domed Drop Front Secretary. The Arch Doors with Antique Glass.
Italian Double Bonnet Painted Secretary Bookcase
Located in Natchez, MS
Late 19th century double bonnet top painted secretary bookcase
Wood
19th Century Double Dome Chinoiserie Secretary
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th Century Double Dome Chinoiserie Secretary. Original Finish throughout.
Wood
18TH CENTURY SPANISH DOUBLE BONNET SECRETARY BOOKCASE
Located in Natchez, MS
The interior of the secretary is exceptionally carved as well as the cornice and double bonnet.
Walnut
18th Century Queen Anne Double Dome Secretary, Bureau Bookcase
Located in Santander, ES
All locks (minus one) functioning with their keys. This secretary is very attractive due to its warm, original and somewhat Provincial look, smaller dimensions and lovely patina; it ...
English 18th Century Queen Anne Oak Secretary Double Dome
Located in San Marino, CA
Need key. Solid oak fall front, two small drawer two large drawers, upper compartment filled with moveable shelves and dividers.
Secretary
Located in Roswell, GA
Fine Quality Queen Anne style walnut double bonnet mirrored secretary. Original bevelled glass.
Brass
Dutch Colonial Secretary Bookcase
Located in Bantam, CT
A Dutch Colonial padouk wood double dome secretary cabinet, circa 1700. The upper case enclosed by a pair of arched paneled mirror doors with candleslides below; the lower case with ...
Padouk
Italian secretary, silver leafed case overlaid in mirror
Located in New York, NY
C14276 DLLL A c. 1900 - c. 1920's Italian drop front secretary. Double dome top, silver leafed case overlaid in mirror.
19th Century French Gilt Bronze with Six-Drawer Secretary Desk
By Rudolf Linke
Located in Pasadena, CA
Double-sided 19th century French secretary desk in excellent used condition.
Bronze
18th Century Provincial English Oak Secretary
Located in Atlanta, GA
18th century Provincial English oak secretary, double bonnet planks with Provincial styling
Oak
$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
Rosso Wall Mirror
By Specchi Veneziani
Located in Milan, IT
Crafted in the finest Murano tradition, this exquisite Venetian mirror is a true work of art. Assembled with crystal and gold elements, and adorned with red glass flowers, each piece...
Glass
$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
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
French Empire Secrétaire á Abattant
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A handsome 19th century French Empire secrétaire à abattant made of richly figured, bookmatched walnut. This desk has a black fossil marble top resting above a hidden drawer, free o...
Marble, Brass
$2,796Sale Price|20% Off
H 98.75 in W 42 in D 22.5 in
Fantastic American Centennial Solid Walnut Philadelphia Carved Secretary Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Discover timeless elegance with this fantastic American Centennial solid walnut Philadelphia carved secretary desk, a true testament to 19th-century craftsmanship. This exquisite pie...
Walnut
$2,595
H 76.25 in W 36.5 in D 18.75 in
Georgian Solid Birch Drop Front Secretary Desk With Bookcase Hutch
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful Georgian, Chippendale, or Early American style bureau with drop front secretary desk and bookcase hutch top USA, Circa 1970s Gorgeous carved solid birch, with original ...
Brass
Small 18th Century Mahogany Secretaire Bookcase
Located in Lymington, GB
A rare, diminutive, late-18th century secretaire bookcase / cabinet. George III-period, circa 1790. Mahogany of very good rich color and well patinated. Inlaid and crossbanded throu...
Mahogany
English Mahogany Secretary Desk, 19th Century
Located in Southampton, NY
English Mahogany secretary desk, 19th century Three pieces: Crown, upper drawers and lower cabinet. Lowest draw pulls out as a secretary desk. Measures: 21" deep x 46.5" wide x 80.5"...
Mahogany
Antique Walnut Slant Front Secretary Desk, Queen Anne Style, 1880s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Late 19th century English Queen Anne style slant front desk with three drawers & inner compartments.
Walnut
George III Mahogany Secretary
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
George III mahogany secretary, circa 1800. The pediment with dental moldings, two glass doors with through mullions, a slant top, desk interior with central prospect door flanked by ...
Brass
$2,500
H 68 in W 19.18 in D 34.85 in
Japanese Antique Japanese Cedar Cabinet, 1920s–1940s - Japandi Wabi-Sabi
Located in Chiba, Chiba
A Japanese antique storage and display cabinet crafted entirely from solid Japanese cedar, dating from the 1920s–1940s. Originally used as a merchandise display shelf in a long-estab...
Wood
$42,500
H 101 in W 164.5 in D 27 in
Antique English Break-Front Bibliotheque Bookcase in Mahogany, circa 1870
By S.E. & R. Johnson. Warrington
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A handsome and very well crafted English break-front bookcase or bibliotheque in solid mahogany by S.E. & R. Johnson of Warrington, England, circa 1870. Features six doors with glass...
Mahogany
$68,385 / set
H 87.8 in W 72.05 in D 16.15 in
Pair of Very Important Samuel Pepys 1666 Large Library Bookcases After Original
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this pair of Samuel Pepys 1666 large library bookcases after the original. These bookcases are basically the birthplace of the free standing book...
Glass, Hardwood
Antique Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A quality mahogany classic secretary bookcase made in two parts. The top cornice with a carved dentil frieze over double mullion glazed doors that open to two shelves. The lower case...
Brass
$1,800Sale Price|20% Off
H 65.75 in W 34 in D 19.25 in
Antique Eastlake Incised Walnut and Burl Slant Front Secretary, circa 1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Eastlake secretary offers paneled walnut construction with upper having shaped crest surmounting shelf and slant front opening to writing desk and storage compartments and...
Burl, Walnut
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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