English Mahogany Secretary With Mirrored Bookcase. Circa 1780
Located in Charleston, SC
English mahogany secretary with mirrored bookcase. Secretary has a upper case broken pediment top with dental molding, original mirrored doors, candle slides, and fitted interior wi...
Mahogany
French 19th Century Salesman Sample Miniature Slant Front Secretary with Mirrors
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French miniature slant front secretary from the 19th century, with arched mirrors and gilt accents.
Mirror, Wood
18th Century Irish Mahogany Georgian Secretary with Sunflowers and Irish Hound
Located in Richmond, VA
18th century Irish mahogany Georgian secretary with mirrored doors, broken arch pediment and fitted interior.
Mirror, Mahogany
19th Century Biedermeier Walnut Secretary Desk with Mirror Interior, 1820
Located in Berlin, DE
When opened, the secretary has a depth of 96 cm and a comfortable writing height of 75 cm.
Walnut, Pine
Edwardian Bureau Secretary 4 Drawers Chest with Original Mirror, circa 1920s
Located in Germantown, MD
C. 1920s American Oak 4 drawers bureau secretary Chest of drawers with original mirror. Mirror shows some spots of aging marks in glass.
Maple, Oak
Antique empire secretary desk in hand-polished mahogany with marquetry, 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
The secretary combines storage, writing functionality and decorative details in a single piece. — Period: Empire, 1840s — Material: Hand-polished mahogany with marquetry — Type: Secr...
Mirror, Mahogany
$1,363Sale Price|20% Off
Walnut Secretary Dresser With Marble Top, the Interwar Period (1918–1939)
Located in Opole, PL
Walnut Secretary Dresser With Marble Top, the Interwar Period (1918–1939) A captivating example of early 20th-century craftsmanship, this stunning commode de toilette combines funct...
Crystal, Marble
$2,921Sale Price|20% Off
20th-Century Mahogany & Pine Wood Vennered With Mahogany Ladies' Secretary Desk
Located in Opole, PL
The centerpiece is a beveled mirror framed by an ornate central cabinet with a lush velvet-lined interior—ideal for safeguarding treasured items.
Mirror, Mahogany, Pine
$4,250Sale Price|43% Off
20th Century Burl Walnut Bombe Secretary Bookcase with Etched Glass Doors
Located in Savannah, GA
Italian Bombe secretaire with a distinct burl walnut grain. Highlights include the original wrought iron hinges, a hand carved decorative crown and etched mirrored panels featuring a...
Walnut, Burl, Mirror
$8,013Sale Price|35% Off
Baroque Bureau / Secretary in Walnut
Located in Kastrup, DK
Beautiful baroque secretary desk with finely mirror-cut oak veneer and walnut root veneer.
Brass
Italian Baroque Style Burl Walnut Secretary Desk Cabinet
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fine Italian baroque burl walnut secretary desk with a cartouche form mirrored panel beneath a deep scrolled pediment top and above two mirrored doors.
Brass
George II Walnut Slant Front Bureau Bookcase / Secretary
Located in Woodbury, CT
George II walnut and walnut burl slant front bureau bookcase / secretary with original hand beveled mirrored doors on bracket feet.
Walnut, Burl
Unavailable
H 88.98 in W 48.04 in D 23.43 in
German Baroque Secretary with Mirror and Silver Plated Fittings from 1730/35
Located in Heiligenberg, DE
Two-piece baroque secretary with mirrored doors, exceptional original silvered fittings with numerous princely crowns, walnut saw veneer on softwood, Thuringia circa 1730/35.
Walnut
18th Century Red Lacquer Secretary
Located in Richmond, VA
18th Century Red Lacquer Secretary with Mirrored Doors. Interior shelves and drawers are finished in green lacquer, umber and accented with gold leaf.
18th Century Venetian Lacquered Secretary Bookcase
Located in Natchez, MS
Exceptional 18th century lacquered secretary bookcase with mirrored doors. The lacquer features snake charmers and a chinoiserie scenes with children.
Sold
H 73.5 in W 43 in D 14 in
Antique Figural Carved Flame Mahogany Side By Side Secretary with Mirror C1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
***Reduced In-House Delivery Rates - Click on “Ask Seller” to Request a Quote*** Antique Figural Carved Flame Mahogany Side By Side Secretary with Mirror C1890 Measures - 73.5"H x ...
Mahogany
English Chinoiserie Secretary with Mirrored Doors
Located in Dallas, TX
This early 20th century five-drawer secretary is made of wood stained in a deep black color with chinoiserie.
Mirror, Wood
Queen Anne Walnut Dome Top Secretary with Mirrored Doors
Located in Milford, NH
A fine two piece Queen Anne walnut dome top secretary with two arched mirrored doors opening to an upper compartment with six valanced open cubbies over two shelves, with four fitted...
Brass
Early 19th Century George II Walnut Secretary With Mirrored Doors
Located in Charlottesville, VA
A petite size secretary with lots of style. Mirrored doors are beautiful.
Mirror, Walnut
19th c., English, Chinoiserie Secretary
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand-carved and embellished, English, Chinoiserie secretary with mirrored doors.
Wood, Lacquer
Flame Mahogany Secretary Secretaire Two-Piece with Mirrored Top
Located in West Hartford, CT
Magnificent vintage flame mahogany two-piece secretary with mirrored front at top and multiple drawers and compartments as well as the requisite fold down desk.
Mirror, Mahogany
Walnut Slant Front Bureau Bookcase / Secretary
Located in Woodbury, CT
This Queen Anne style bureau bookcase / secretary with mirror doors was reproduced sometime in the latter half of the 19th century, but hews close to the original look and feel of a ...
Oak, Walnut
Sold
H 88 in W 46 in D 23 in
Coke Bottle Form Italian Rococo Olivewood Secretary Desk with Patinated Mirror
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a drop-dead gorgeous olivewood Italian Rococo Florentine style secretary desk. The desk has that very sought after coke-bottle form and beautiful patina to finish of the case...
Mirror, Olive
Sold
H 74.25 in W 38 in D 19 in
Rare Two Piece Antique Dutch Marquetry Secretary Desk Cabinet with Mirrored Door
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Featuring a tall mirrored door at the top, framed with intricate marquetry of vines, birds, and urns, this secretary combines both utility and artistry in its design.
Mirror, Satinwood, Walnut
Sold
H 85 in W 45 in D 25.5 in
English Mahogany Two-Part Mirrored Secretary with Elaborate Upper Case c 1750-60
Located in Milford, NH
A spectacular English mahogany two part secretary, its upper case with shaped cornice surmounting two conforming beveled mirror doors, opening to an elaborate compartmentalized inter...
Brass
Sold
H 99.5 in W 41.5 in D 24 in
18th Century English Queen Anne Walnut and Burl Secretary with 7 Mirrored Doors
Located in Dallas, TX
The beveled mirrored doors Open to reveal two inside adjustable shelves, eight small drawers and four niche compartments.
Leather, Mercury Glass, Walnut, Burl
Hand Painted Secretary
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand painted and silver gilt secretary with inset original glass mirrored doors and fitted interior.
Mirror, Wood, Paint
18th Century English Green Chinoiserie Secretary with Red Interior
Located in Richmond, VA
Very impressive 18th century English chinoiserie secretary with red interior on ogee bracket feet. Incredible quality lacquered case in a rich green color with raised gold chinoiseri...
Mirror, Wood, Lacquer
Sold
H 56.13 in W 37.5 in D 17.25 in
French Empire Mahogany Secretary Desk Cabinet with Drawers ca. 1830
Located in Shippensburg, PA
LOUIS PHILIPPE ORMOLU-MOUNTED FLAMED-MAHOGANY SECRETAIRE À ABATTANT Paris, France circa 1830 unmarked Item # 408LTW21P A very good Louis Philippe period secretaire à abattant (sec...
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Italian Fruitwood Secretary
Located in East Hampton, NY
Italian fruitwood secretary with antique mirror panels in upper doors....antique bronze inlay and hardware....in two pieces
Bronze
Sold
H 71.75 in W 39 in D 13 in
Antique Victorian Carved Tiger Oak Side-by-Side Bookcase With Secretary Desk
By R.J. Horner & Co.
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Victorian side-by-side drop front secretary desk and bookcase or display cabinet In the manner of R.J. Horner & Co. USA, Circa 1900 Carved tiger oak, with mullioned lea...
Glass, Mirror, Oak
English Walnut Blind Door Secretary with Fitted Upper Case, circa 1780
Located in Charleston, SC
English walnut mirrored door secretary with fitted upper case. Nice with figured walnut, circa 1780.
Continental Burlwood Secretary Bookcase, 18th century
Located in Westwood, NJ
Rare Continental burlwood inlaid and crossbanded secretary bookcase with mirrored doors on bun feet
Sold
H 87 in W 39 in D 22.25 in
Antique English Chippendale Mahogany Drop Front Bookcase Secretary, 18th Century
Located in Big Flats, NY
An English Chippendale secretary offers mahogany construction with mirrored upper bookcase cabinet having dental molding and surmounting slant drop front desk over two small and thre...
Bronze
Rare Queen Ann Walnut Seaweed Marquetry Secretary, 18th Century
Located in Westwood, NJ
Rare Queen Ann walnut seaweed marquetry inlaid secretary desk with mirror doors (original glass) above a fitted interior.
Sold
H 90 in W 38 in D 24.5 in
Early 18th C Italian Baroque Figured Walnut Secretary w/ Architectural Pediment
Located in Atlanta, GA
Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Figured Walnut Secretary with Architectural Pediment, Arched Mirror Cabinet Door
Walnut
Sold
H 13.5 in W 61 in D 40 in
Antique Skandia Furniture Co. Oak Side by Side Secretary Desk Bookcase Cabinet
By Skandia Furniture 1
Located in Dayton, OH
Made of oak featuring a serpentine backsplash over a glass front bookcase and drop front secretary with carved details below mirror. The secretary opens to a clean writing surface w...
Brass
Flame Mahogany Secretary Secrétaire Two-Piece with Mirrored Top
Located in West Hartford, CT
Magnificent vintage flame mahogany two-piece secretary with mirrored front at top and multiple drawers and compartments as well as the requisite fold down desk.
Mirror, Mahogany
George II Figured Walnut Secretary Bookcase with Mirrored Doors
Located in San Francisco, CA
An English George II inlaid walnut secretary cabinet with mirrored doors, the upper stage with 2 interior adjustable shelves over 4 small drawers above a single candle slide, the low...
Mirror, Walnut
Early 20th Century Secretary Desk with Mosaic Parquet
Located in Opole, PL
Early 20th Century Secretary Desk with Mosaic Parquet The corpus is placed on high legs with brass appliqués on the feet.
Brass
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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