Antique Swedish Secretaire
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Swedish Secretaire
Wood, Paint
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Swedish Secretaire
Wood, Paint
1870s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Swedish Secretaire
Elm
1830s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Swedish Secretaire
Birch
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Swedish Secretaire
Birch
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Swedish Secretaire
Metal, Brass
Mid-18th Century Swedish Baroque Antique Swedish Secretaire
Bronze
Early 19th Century Swedish Empire Antique Swedish Secretaire
Pine
Early 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Swedish Secretaire
Mahogany
19th Century Swedish Antique Swedish Secretaire
Wood
Early 20th Century Swedish Art Deco Antique Swedish Secretaire
Rosewood
Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Swedish Secretaire
Birch
Early 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Swedish Secretaire
Birch
Late 18th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Swedish Secretaire
Pine
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Swedish Secretaire
Metal, Bronze
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Swedish Secretaire
Pine
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Swedish Secretaire
Metal
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Swedish Secretaire
Metal, Brass
1850s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Swedish Secretaire
Ash
19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Swedish Secretaire
Birch, Fir
1880s Swedish Victorian Antique Swedish Secretaire
Walnut
18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Swedish Secretaire
Wood
Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Swedish Secretaire
Wood
1820s Swedish Gustavian Antique Swedish Secretaire
Wood
19th Century Swedish Antique Swedish Secretaire
Wood
1870s Swedish Baroque Antique Swedish Secretaire
Wood
1780s Swedish Rococo Antique Swedish Secretaire
Wood
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Swedish Secretaire
Wood
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Swedish Secretaire
Brass
1920s Swedish Art Deco Antique Swedish Secretaire
Birch
1920s Swedish Art Deco Antique Swedish Secretaire
Birch
1830s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Swedish Secretaire
Pine, Wood
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Swedish Secretaire
Brass
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Swedish Secretaire
Wood
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Swedish Secretaire
Glass, Wood, Paint
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Swedish Secretaire
Wood, Paint
1790s Swedish Gustavian Antique Swedish Secretaire
Steel
Late 19th Century Swedish Country Antique Swedish Secretaire
Brass
1920s Swedish Chippendale Antique Swedish Secretaire
Oak
Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Swedish Secretaire
Brass
Early 19th Century Swedish Country Antique Swedish Secretaire
Pine
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Swedish Secretaire
Wood, Pine, Paint
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Swedish Secretaire
Wood, Paint
1880s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Swedish Secretaire
Mahogany
Early 19th Century Swedish Country Antique Swedish Secretaire
Pine
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Swedish Secretaire
Brass
Late 19th Century Swedish Rustic Antique Swedish Secretaire
Pine
Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Swedish Secretaire
Wood, Paint
Mid-19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Swedish Secretaire
Birch
Mid-19th Century Swedish Country Antique Swedish Secretaire
Pine
Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Swedish Secretaire
Brass
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Swedish Secretaire
Brass
Early 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Antique Swedish Secretaire
Pine
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Swedish Secretaire
Wrought Iron
18th Century Swedish Baroque Antique Swedish Secretaire
Wood, Paint
Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Swedish Secretaire
Wood, Burl
1820s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Swedish Secretaire
Ash, Ebony
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Swedish Secretaire
Wood
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Swedish Secretaire
Brass
Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Swedish Secretaire
Metal, Bronze
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Antique Swedish Secretaire For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Antique Swedish Secretaire?
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.
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