Antique Secretaire Bureau
1820s French Antique Secretaire Bureau
Marble
19th Century Antique Secretaire Bureau
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaire Bureau
Fruitwood
Mid-18th Century Danish Baroque Antique Secretaire Bureau
Oak
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaire Bureau
Walnut
Late 18th Century Danish Louis XVI Antique Secretaire Bureau
Mahogany, Satinwood
Late 18th Century Danish Louis XVI Antique Secretaire Bureau
Brass
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaire Bureau
Metal, Bronze
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaire Bureau
Pine
18th Century and Earlier French Louis XV Antique Secretaire Bureau
Walnut
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaire Bureau
Metal, Brass
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaire Bureau
Metal
1750s Italian Louis XV Antique Secretaire Bureau
Walnut
19th Century French Antique Secretaire Bureau
Wood
18th Century and Earlier French Antique Secretaire Bureau
Wood
19th Century Antique Secretaire Bureau
Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaire Bureau
Wood
19th Century Dutch Antique Secretaire Bureau
Oak
19th Century Dutch Antique Secretaire Bureau
Oak
Mid-18th Century British Georgian Antique Secretaire Bureau
Walnut
Mid-18th Century English Chippendale Antique Secretaire Bureau
Mahogany
18th Century German Baroque Antique Secretaire Bureau
Softwood
18th Century English George III Antique Secretaire Bureau
Oak
1780s English Georgian Antique Secretaire Bureau
Mahogany
1890s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaire Bureau
Kingwood
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Secretaire Bureau
Amboyna
1710s Sri Lankan William and Mary Antique Secretaire Bureau
Ebony
Early 19th Century English Sheraton Antique Secretaire Bureau
Mahogany
1720s English George I Antique Secretaire Bureau
Walnut
1720s English George I Antique Secretaire Bureau
Mirror, Walnut, Burl
1880s British Late Victorian Antique Secretaire Bureau
Mahogany
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Secretaire Bureau
Mid-18th Century Danish Baroque Antique Secretaire Bureau
Oak
Late 18th Century North American Victorian Antique Secretaire Bureau
Cherry
Late 18th Century Danish Louis XVI Antique Secretaire Bureau
Mahogany
1840s English Georgian Antique Secretaire Bureau
Brass
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaire Bureau
Brass
Mid-18th Century Norwegian Baroque Revival Antique Secretaire Bureau
Oak
Mid-18th Century Dutch Baroque Antique Secretaire Bureau
Oak
Late 18th Century Danish Louis XVI Antique Secretaire Bureau
Brass
Late 18th Century Danish Louis XVI Antique Secretaire Bureau
Mahogany
Early 19th Century European Empire Antique Secretaire Bureau
Oak, Mahogany
Early 18th Century British Queen Anne Antique Secretaire Bureau
Bronze
19th Century Danish Biedermeier Antique Secretaire Bureau
Mahogany
Early 1900s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaire Bureau
Brass, Bronze
1730s English George II Antique Secretaire Bureau
Walnut
1690s Italian Baroque Antique Secretaire Bureau
Pine
18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Secretaire Bureau
Brass, Iron
18th Century and Earlier British Antique Secretaire Bureau
Brass
Early 19th Century Swedish Country Antique Secretaire Bureau
Pine
18th Century and Earlier English Antique Secretaire Bureau
Wood
1780s Dutch Antique Secretaire Bureau
Walnut
Early 19th Century Danish Country Antique Secretaire Bureau
Brass
Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Secretaire Bureau
Wood, Walnut
Late 18th Century Danish Antique Secretaire Bureau
Brass, Iron
Early 19th Century Danish Empire Antique Secretaire Bureau
Bone, Mahogany, Satinwood, Walnut
1790s German Neoclassical Antique Secretaire Bureau
Brass
19th Century German Baroque Antique Secretaire Bureau
Brass
1920s Czech Art Deco Antique Secretaire Bureau
Oak, Walnut
18th Century British George II Antique Secretaire Bureau
Walnut, Burl
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Antique Secretaire Bureau For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Antique Secretaire Bureau?
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.
- What is an antique bureau?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021An antique bureau is any bureau that is 100 years old or older. The term bureau today is typically used as another word for a dresser or a chest of drawers. This word has also been used to refer to a writing desk. Find a collection of antique bureaus on 1stDibs today.
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