Chinoiserie Black Secretary
20th Century Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
Antique 19th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
Vintage 1970s American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Brass
2010s American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
Antique 19th Century Chinoiserie Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Leather, Glass, Lacquer
21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood, Lacquer
Vintage 1980s American Chinoiserie Bookcases
Brass
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Brass
2010s American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood, Giltwood, Lacquer
Antique 19th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires
Glass, Wood
Vintage 1960s American Georgian Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Recent Sales
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Secretaires
20th Century Chinoiserie Secretaires
Lacquer
20th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
Vintage 1970s Chinese Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood, Lacquer
Antique 19th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
Glass, Wood, Lacquer
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Desks
Brass
Vintage 1980s Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood, Lacquer
20th Century Georgian Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
20th Century Queen Anne Secretaires
Lacquer
Antique Late 18th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Wood
1990s American Queen Anne Secretaires
Giltwood, Lacquer
Antique Late 18th Century English George III Secretaires
Wood
Antique Early 19th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Vintage 1970s American Chinoiserie Console Tables
Mahogany, Lacquer, Paint
Vintage 1950s American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Lacquer, Wood
20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Brass
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
Vintage 1950s American Chinoiserie Secretaires
20th Century Chinoiserie Cabinets
Metal
Vintage 1970s American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Brass
Late 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Bookcases
Antique Mid-18th Century English George III Secretaires
Oak
Vintage 1970s American Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Vintage 1950s Unknown Chinoiserie Secretaires
Walnut
Vintage 1930s English Chinoiserie Secretaires
Gold, Brass
Vintage 1930s English Secretaires
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Secretaires
Wood
Vintage 1920s Chinese Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Desks
Metal
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
20th Century Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
Antique 18th Century Swedish Rococo Secretaires
Paint
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Secretaires
21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Brass
Early 20th Century British Regency Revival Cabinets
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Secretaires
Vintage 1940s French Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Secretaires
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century Secretaires
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Mid-20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires
Brass
20th Century English Secretaires
Bamboo
People Also Browsed
18th Century Portrait Paintings
Oil
2010s British Louis XVI Sofas
Giltwood
2010s Italian Renaissance Wall Mirrors
Glass
2010s Italian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Metal, Brass
Antique 19th Century Italian Empire Armchairs
Velvet, Mahogany
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Enamel
Antique 19th Century Russian Sterling Silver
Silver
Antique 1720s Spanish Baroque Beds and Bed Frames
Giltwood, Paint
Vintage 1950s American Chinoiserie Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary French Brutalist Night Stands
Oak
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Brass
20th Century Chinoiserie Dry Bars
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Sofas
Rattan
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Cabinets
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary North American Louis XV Secretaires
Wood
20th Century Regency Armchairs
Cane, Wood
Chinoiserie Black Secretary For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Chinoiserie Black Secretary?
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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