Early 19th Century Danish Black Painted Secretary Bureau
Located in Round Top, TX
Late 18th-century Danish bureau or secretary featuring a newer professionally applied black layered painted finish, lightly distressed to reveal natural oak beneath and suit the age ...
Brass
19th Century Swedish Black Painted Pine Secretary Bureau
Located in Round Top, TX
It has been given a newer layered black painted finish that is slightly scraped and distressed, revealing some of the natural wood below in a way that suits its age.
Pine, Paint
19th Century Danish Black Painted Oak Secretary Bureau
Located in Round Top, TX
19th-century baroque oak secretary with a newer professionally applied black painted exterior finish, lightly distressed to reveal natural wood beneath.
Brass
Early 19th Century Danish Black Painted Oak Baroque Secretary
Located in Round Top, TX
Early 19th century tall Danish Baroque secretary, crafted in oak. A newer professionally applied black painted finish is distressed throughout, revealing areas of the natural wood an...
Brass
18th Century Danish Black Painted Oak Rococo Secretary Bureau
Located in Round Top, TX
A newer professionally applied layered black painted finish is lightly distressed throughout, revealing areas of the natural oak below and complementing the rich patina of the aged w...
Oak, Paint
Late 18th Century Danish Black Painted Oak Secretary Bureau
Located in Round Top, TX
Late 18th-century Danish oak bureau or secretary featuring a newer professionally applied black layered painted finish, lightly distressed to reveal natural oak beneath and suit the ...
Brass
18th Century Danish Oak Secretary Bureau, Painted Black
Located in Round Top, TX
18th-century Danish oak secretary with a newer professionally applied layered black exterior finish and a contrasting dusky blue interior with gray undertones. The surface is lightly...
Oak
Black Painted Chinoiserie Drop Front Secretary Writing Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique chinoiserie painted writing desk with red interior. early-19th century
Wood
Late 18th Century Danish Black Painted Oak Rococo Secretary Bureau
Located in Round Top, TX
A newer professionally applied black painted finish is lightly distressed throughout, revealing areas of natural wood below and adding depth appropriate to the age of the bureau.
Oak, Pine, Paint
Black Painted Baroque Swedish Oak Secretary Bureau, circa 1780-1810
Located in Round Top, TX
Note the heavily carved panel doors and the large curvaceous lower three serpentine drawers. The entire secretary has been given a professional custom layered black painted finish wh...
Brass
Secretary Swedish Rococo. Black
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant Swedish Rococo Secretary Desk in Black-Painted Pine. Executed in a beautiful and characteristic Rococo style with a wavy body, sides, and back.
Brass, Iron
Late 18th Century Danish Black Oak Secretary Bureau
Located in Round Top, TX
Early 19th-century Danish oak secretary with a newer professionally applied layered black painted finish, selected to suit the age and style of the piece.
Oak, Paint
Early 19th Century Tall Swedish Black Secretary Bureau
Located in Round Top, TX
Late 19th-century 8' tall Swedish oak bureau or secretary featuring a newer professionally applied black layered painted finish, lightly distressed to reveal natural oak beneath and ...
Brass
18th Century Black Swedish Oak Bureau - Antique Drop Front Secretary
Located in Kvidinge, SE
Fold-down flap with hidden drawers, secret compartment and writing interior Four larger drawers on the lower part of the front. Beautiful brass fittings, working lock and keys inc...
Brass
$5,952Sale Price|40% Off
19th Century Hand Painted Secretary with Hidden Drawers and Floral Decorations
Located in Sofia, BG
Secretary with "lacquered" decoration in the style of Coromandel lacquers decorated with chrysanthemums, flower vases and other beautiful objects. Rectangular, it opens with four dra...
Wood
Baroque Secretary with Black Exterior and Blue Interior, Circa 1760
Located in Atlanta, GA
An impressive period Baroque secretary dating to circa 1760. This substantial piece has been historically repainted, featuring a black exterior contrasted by a distinctive blue-paint...
Wood
18th Century Black Swedish Gustavian One Part Pine Bureau - Antique Secretary
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A black, antique Swedish Gustavian one part bureau, secretaire made of hand crafted painted Pinewood, in good condition.
Metal, Bronze
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretary with Fall-Front, Black and Coral
Located in Kastrup, DK
A fine Gustavian secretary crafted in black-painted pine with a striking coral-red interior.
Brass
A fine late 18th c to early 19th c William and Mary black Chinoiserie secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
A very fine late 18th century William and Mary black lacquered secretary. Fine Chinoiserie hand decorated scenes. Fine quality . Excellent condition
Wood
Black & Gold Hitchcock Style Secretary Desk & Chair - 2pc Set
By Lambert Hitchcock
Located in Middletown, MD
A stunning vintage two-piece set painted in rich black with gold accents featuring the classic Harvest stenciling. Beautiful brass/porcelain drawer pulls depicting a painted scene o...
Maple
Antique Black Painted Secretary Bureau, Denmark
Located in Round Top, TX
The entire secretary has been given a black painted finish, which has been gently rubbed off along edges to reveal an accent layer of burnt red underneath, adding both dimension and ...
Wood
Swedish Rococo Black Painted Secretary Bureau Dated 1778
Located in Round Top, TX
Later professionally custom painted with a layered black painted exterior complimented by a blue interior, gently distressed to fit the aged grace of this Swedish secretary.
Brass
Antique Black Painted Secretary from Sweden with Hidden Storage
Located in Round Top, TX
The entire secretary was given a (recent) black painted finish, which has been gently rubbed off along edges to reveal an accent layer of red underneath, adding both dimension and ch...
Wood
Black Painted Baroque Swedish Secretary
Located in New York, NY
A gorgeous black painted secretary made during the baroque period 1650-1750 in Sweden.
Baroque Secretaire
Located in New York, NY
A gorgeous black painted secretary made during the 18th Century but has been remodeled.
Wood
Sold
H 42 in W 44.25 in L 42 in
Swedish Baroque Period 1760s Black Painted Slant-Front Secretary with Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Baroque period slanted front black-painted secretary from the mid-18th century, with multiple drawers and scalloped skirt.
Wood
Sold
H 71 in W 33 in D 17.5 in
1800's Antique Cont'al Gothic Revival, Black P'd, Armorial, Fall-Front Secretary
Located in Austin, TX
Stunning 1800's Antique Continental Gothic Revival, Black Painted, Armorial, Fall-Front Secretary!!
Wood
Black Painted Oak Secretary, Denmark circa 1920
Located in Round Top, TX
Later professionally custom painted with a layered black painted exterior complimented by a blue interior, updating the look while adding to the classic European styling.
Oak, Paint
Antique Black Painted Oak Secretary Bureau from Sweden
Located in Round Top, TX
It has been given a newer, professionally applied black painted finish with brick red interior, updating the look and accented with brass hardware.
Wood, Oak, Paint
19th Century Gustavian Style Swedish Painted Black Secretary Chest
Located in Round Top, TX
Adorable black painted chest that has a drop front top drawer to become a secretary with gold brass hardware.
Wood
Antique Black Painted Oak Secretary Bureau from Sweden
Located in Round Top, TX
It has recently been given a black painted finish, updating the look and is accented with brass hardware.
Wood
Late 18th Century Swedish Black Painted Pine Secretary
Located in Round Top, TX
Please enlarge photos to appreciate the black painted finish, much distressed fiting the age of this attractive secretary.
Pine, Paint
18th Century Black Painted Pine Secretary Bureau from Denmark
Located in Round Top, TX
Please enlarge photos to appreciate the incredible painted finish distressed perfectly to fit the age of this attractive secretary.
Brass
Late 18th Century Oak Secretary Bureau Painted Black, Denmark
Located in Round Top, TX
It was later professionally painted with a black painted exterior complimented by a contrasting blue interior, updating the look while accenting the classic lines.
Oak, Paint
19th Century Swedish Bureau Secretary in Original Black Paint
Located in Atlanta, GA
A striking Swedish bureau secretary retaining its original black painted finish — a rich, saturated surface that has deepened with age to reveal the quiet character of nearly two cen...
Pine
Black Painted Pine Secretary Desk, Sweden circa 1800-40
Located in Round Top, TX
It was later professionally painted with an exceptional black painted exterior complimented by a blue interior, updating the look while adding to the classic Swedish lines.
Pine, Paint
Black Painted Rococo Secretary from Denmark circa 1760-1800
Located in Round Top, TX
Later professionally custom painted with an exceptional black painted exterior complimented by a soft blue interior, updating the look while adding to the classic Swedish styling.
Wrought Iron
Black Painted Oak Secretary or Bureau from Sweden, circa 1800
Located in Round Top, TX
Large curvaceous lower three serpentine drawers. The entire secretary has been given a professional custom layered black painted finish which has been gently distressed to reveal the...
Brass
Chinese Hand Painted/Black Lacquered and Brass Secretary Desk
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Immerse yourself in the beauty of traditional Chinese craftsmanship with this Hand Painted/Black Lacquered and Brass Secretary Desk.
Brass
Sold
H 80.32 in W 40.95 in D 23.63 in
Gustavian Secretary Desk in Black-Painted Pine – Sweden, c. 1790
Located in Kastrup, DK
Gustavian secretary desk crafted in black-painted pine with brass fittings.
Brass
Sold
H 43.71 in W 44.49 in D 18.71 in
18th Century Swedish Rococo Black and Blue Painted Secretary Desk
Located in Kastrup, DK
Swedish Rococo bureau, black and blue painted with charming and decorative patina. Elegant execution with serpentine sides and front. Exterior with a pair of drawers and a slanted wr...
Brass
Sold
H 41.5 in W 41 in D 21 in
Early 19th Century Swedish Secretary in Black with Painted Interior, circa 1810
Located in Atlanta, GA
A beautifully patinated Swedish secretary desk dating from circa 1810–1830, crafted in solid pine and painted in a rich, aged black.
Pine
Chinese Black Lacquer Secretary
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful black lacquered secretary with gilt paint decorative paintings.
Wood
Sold
H 45.5 in W 40.25 in D 17.75 in
1860 Gustavia Style Swedish Painted Drop Front Secretary With Drawers
Located in Charleston, SC
Swedish Gustavian style painted, carved details drop-front secretary from circa 1860 with multiple inner drawers on base cabinet with tree large drawers on tapered carved feet. Desk ...
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
Tall Writing Desk Secretary Swedish Black 19th Century Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Painted in our signature paint Laserow Black. Contemporary hardware.
Wood
Vintage English Red and Black Chinoiserie Decorated Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
Very fine vintage English red and black Chinoiserie decorated secretary. Beautiful hand painted designs inside and out.
Wood
Late 18th Century Black Oak Secretary Bureau from Denmark
Located in Round Top, TX
Later professionally custom painted with an exceptional black painted exterior complimented by a soft mottled blue interior, updating the look while adding to the classic styling.
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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