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Secretaire Napoleone III, France, 19th Century, Black
Located in Prato, IT
France, second half '800
Lastronate in ebanized wood.
Inlay in brass, copper, pewter, mother-of-pearl.
Marble top in "Fior di pesco".
Inside three drawers with leather top with g...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Secretaires
Materials
Brass
19th Century Venetian Secretaire
Located in New York, NY
A painted Venetian secretaire with shelves and drawers on bottom portion of body.
Category
Antique 19th Century Secretaires
Chinoiserie Lacquer Secretaire Bookcase
By Maitland Smith
Located in Bradenton, FL
This Chinoiserie secretary is an elegant and intricately designed piece of furniture that combines the functional aspects of a writing desk with the aesthetic elements of Chinoiserie...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Lacquer
18th Century Black Swedish Gustavian Oak Bureau - Antique Drop Front Secretaire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
. The black, drop front secretaire represents the neoclassical Greek style with the original brass
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Brass
H 42.5 in W 47 in D 30.75 in
Tesselated Black Marble Stone and Brass Inlay Secretaire by Maitland-Smith
Located in Casteren, NL
A monumental secretaire made by Maitland-Smith in the late 20th century. The whole piece was
Category
Vintage 1980s Philippine Greek Revival Secretaires
Materials
Marble, Brass
H 86.62 in W 48.04 in D 29.14 in
Pair of Black Lacquered Midcentury Secretaires In The Manner Of Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Kent, Dover
A pair of Italian midcentury Neo-Classical black lacquered secretaires by Paolo Buffa. Each with
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Beech
H 50.01 in W 35.44 in D 17.72 in
French Art Déco Secretaire Black High Gloss Lacquer Nickel Plated Fittings 1925
By René Prou
Located in Salzburg, AT
French Art Deco secretary Sycomore wood, black high-gloss lacquer nickel-plated fittings.
Elegant
Category
Vintage 1920s Italian Art Deco Secretaires
Materials
Metal
H 49.81 in W 30.32 in D 14.18 in
Oak and matte black lacquered French secrétaire, designed by Eric Gizard, Paris
By Éric Gizard
Located in Landivy, FR
made of French oak. You are free to choose another lacquer other than the presented matte black that we
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Lacquer, Oak
H 49.22 in W 35.44 in D 18.12 in
Alias 80N Layout Secrétaire w Lid in Oak Top and Black Lacquered Aluminum Frame
By Michele de Lucchi, Alias
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Alias 80N Layout Secrétaire w Lid in Oak Top and Black Lacquered Aluminum Frame by Michele De Lucch
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Secretaires
Materials
Aluminum
H 27.56 in W 55.12 in D 27.56 in
Black Lacquer Art Deco Secretaire Desk With Etched Mirror On Very Elegant Legs
Located in Ulm, DE
Writing furniture / bar furniture
Piano lacquer in black high gloss
Original Art Deco, France
Category
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Lacquer, Mirror
H 46.07 in W 40.56 in D 14.57 in
Demi Lune Bureau Art Deco Style Secretaire Desk in Black Lacquer with Cannelure
Located in Ulm, DE
Fluted, semicircular secretary with drawers
Piano lacquer in high-gloss black
Interior in
Category
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Birdseye Maple, Lacquer
H 63.78 in W 42.52 in D 21.66 in
19th Century Empire / Biedermeier Walnut Secretaire
Located in Darmstadt, DE
be removed upwards. The writing surface is covered with black linoleum.
The secretaire is in very
Category
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Brass
A Beautiful & Rare Napoleon III 19th Century, Chinese Lacquer & Gilt Secretaire
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Beautiful & Rare Napoleon III 19th Century, Chinese Lacquer & Gilt Secretaire On Lion Paw Feet
A
Category
Antique 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Secretaires
Materials
Brass
H 45.28 in W 19.3 in D 22.84 in
French 19th C. Second Empire Secrétaire À Abattant with Gold Ormolu Mounts
Located in Savannah, GA
This extraordinary French Second Empire period secre´taire a' abattan features flame mahogany, gilt brass-mounts and retains its original dark grey speckled granite top. Decorated th...
Category
Antique 1850s French Napoleon III Secretaires
Materials
Granite, Brass, Ormolu
Black Lacquer Hand Painted Chinoiserie Black Lacquer Secretary Writing Desk
By James Mont, Edward Wormley
Located in Chattanooga, TN
This incomparable slant-front chinoiserie black lacquer secretary desk depicts a serene
Category
Vintage 1970s American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Brass
H 39.25 in W 24 in D 17.5 in
Fine Black Lacquer Chinoiserie Secretary
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A black lacquer chinoiserie secretary in two parts. The upper cabinet with two doors that open to
Category
20th Century Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Swedish Rococo Black Painted Secretary Bureau Dated 1778
Located in Round Top, TX
organize.
Later professionally custom painted with a layered black painted exterior complimented by a blue
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Secretaires
Materials
Brass
19th Century English Black Lacquered Chinoiserie Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
Lovely 19th century English black lacquered Chinoiserie secretary. Beautiful painted Asian designs
Category
Antique 19th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Wood
18th Century Black Swedish Oak Bureau - Antique Drop Front Secretary
Located in Kvidinge, SE
is painted in black, with an antique patina finish and a small distress surface.
The inside is
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Rococo Secretaires
Materials
Brass
H 41.74 in W 40.75 in D 20.28 in
Art Deco Secretary Cabinet in Black Lacquer with Mirrored Interior, France 1930s
Located in Ulm, DE
example of the era’s refined glamour and design ingenuity. Finished in a luxurious high-gloss black
Category
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Secretaires
Materials
Lacquer, Mirror, Beech
H 57.29 in W 41.34 in D 16.54 in
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
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Bronze
H 40.25 in W 43.5 in D 21.25 in
Queen Anne Style Burton-Ching Black Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Queen Anne Style Burton-Ching Black Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
H 98.5 in W 36.5 in D 21.5 in
Black Painted Baroque Swedish Oak Secretary Bureau, circa 1780-1810
Located in Round Top, TX
has been given a professional custom layered black painted finish which has been gently distressed to
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Tessellated Black Marble Brass Inlay Secretary Desk by Maitland Smith
By Maitland Smith
Located in Houston, TX
Maitland Smith 20th Century tessellated black marble Secretary. This phenomenal and monumental
Category
20th Century Hollywood Regency Secretaires
Materials
Malachite, Brass
19th Century Black French Empire Polished Ebony Secretary, Antique Birch Cabinet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A black, antique French secretary with a writing flap made of hand crafted shellac polished, partly
Category
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Brass, Bronze
H 61 in W 39.5 in D 21 in
Chinoiserie Black Lacquered Drop Front Secretary Desk With Bookcase Hutch
By Jasper Furniture Company
Located in Elkhart, IN
In the manner of Jasper Furniture Company
USA, Late 20th Century
Black lacquered walnut, with hand
Category
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Late 18th Century Swedish Black Painted Pine Secretary
Located in Round Top, TX
original black painted finish has been scraped, revealing the warm aged pine patina below, creating a
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Secretaires
Materials
Pine, Paint
Midcentury French Style Black Lacquer Chinoiserie Secretary Desk / Cabinet
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a midcentury French style hand painted chinoiserie secretary with a unique bombe form base and glass top. It works so well for both display and functional desk. It is unmarke...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Glass, Lacquer
Black Painted Gustavian Style Writing Desk Secretary, 18th Century Denmark
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Period Danish Black Painted Gustavian Style Writing Desk Secretary. Refinished in painted black
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century Danish Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Brass
H 40 in W 48.75 in D 24.5 in
Louis XV Style Minton Spidell Drop-Front Hand Painted Black Secretary Cabinet
By Minton-Spidell
Located in Plainview, NY
storage while maintaining a cohesive design.
Painted in a distressed black with gold leaf accent, the
Category
21st Century and Contemporary North American Louis XV Secretaires
Materials
Wood
H 88 in W 55 in D 29 in
Burton-Ching Georgian Black & Gold Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Burton-Ching Georgian Black & Gold Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Category
2010s American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Wood
George II Style Black & Gold Lacquer Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
George II Style Black & Gold Lacquer Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase.
Category
2010s American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Giltwood, Lacquer
19th C. Royal Antique Burl Wood Secretary Desk & Black Leather Drop Leaf Top Hrh
Located in West Hollywood, CA
19th C. Royal Antique Burl Wood Secretary Desk & Black Leather Drop Leaf Top HRH . Very Rare Early
Category
Antique 19th Century French Empire Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
H 61 in W 31 in D 18.5 in
Henkel-Harris 2 Part Solid Wild Black Cherry Secretary Drop Front Desk Bookcase
By Baker Furniture Company, Henkel Harris, Established Lines
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Henkel-Harris 2 Part Solid Wild Black Cherry Secretary Drop Front Desk Bookcase
Category
20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires
Materials
Brass
H 81 in W 38 in D 22 in
English 19th Century Black and Gold Secretary Bookcase with Chinoiserie Décor
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English black lacquer secretary bookcase from the 19th century, with glass doors, drop-front
Category
Antique 19th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Wood
H 86.5 in W 35.5 in D 18.5 in
Arbalete Front Chinoiserie Writing Desk, Italy, 18th Century
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Slant/drop front secrétaire commode, with arbalete front. Louis XIV style, decorated with hand
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Italian Secretaires
Rare Golden Lacquer and Brass Maison Jansen Secretary Cabinet 1970s
By Maison Jansen
Located in Paris, IDF
proportions are impeccable. The care that went into the construction of every tiny detail of the secretaire is
Category
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Pochette Hanging Container Designed by Barbara Schweizer
By Barbara Schweizer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
.
Designed by Barbara Schweizer
Made in varnished iron (RAL Black 9005) and natural brass.
Dimensions: cm
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Secretaires
Materials
Iron
National Cash Register Co.
By National Cash Register Co.
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
National Cash Register Co. Brass Cash Register, Early 1900s, on wooden plinth.
Category
Antique Early 1900s American Industrial Secretaires
Materials
Iron
Mirror cabinet -bar by Michel Pigneres, Sandro Petti Around 1970
By Michel Pigneres, Sandro Petti
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Mirror cabinet -bar by Michel Pigneres, Sandro Petti Around 1970.
Secretary Bar by Michel Pigneres with 2 doors opening onto a part that can be used as a bar with interior lighting, ...
Category
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Brass, Steel, Chrome
19th Century French Louis XV Style Ormolu Mounted Boulle Secretary Desk
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th Century French Louis XV Style Ormolu Mounted Boulle Secretary Desk
Having a writing section along with a two door commode for mail secretary needs.
Mounted with ormolu bronze mo...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Materials
Brass, Ormolu
George III Mahogany Standing Bureau, Great Library Accent Piece, Good Color.
Located in Buchanan, MI
A George III mahogany standing bureau, great library accent piece.
Category
Antique Early 19th Century English George III Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
H 47.75 in W 37 in D 24 in
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...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century French Secretaires
Materials
Wood
H 59.06 in W 33.86 in D 14.97 in
Donald Deskey Style Art Deco Skyscraper Design Secretary Wall Cabinet or Desk
By Donald Deskey
Located in Westport, CT
hardware, black tarnished trim. Stamped and numbered on back.
Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Secretaires
Materials
Nickel
H 62.25 in W 39.25 in D 18.75 in
Chinese Export Lacquer Bureau on Stand and Toilet Glass Dressing Table
Located in London, by appointment only
A Chinese export lacquer bureau on stand decorated with an unusual polychrome flower design
This Chinese lacquer bureau on stand was made in China in the mid-18th century, circa 1...
Category
Antique Early 18th Century Chinese Chinese Export Secretaires
Materials
Lacquer
H 66.15 in W 27.56 in D 16.93 in
Italian Empire Neoclassical Walnut and Parcel-Gilt Secretary
Located in New York, NY
Italian Empire neoclassical walnut and parcel-gilt secretary Handsome masculine Empire campaign desk on stand with pivoting dressing mirror below balustraded cornice with ball finial...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Empire Secretaires
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood, Walnut
Rare Sesamo Secretary by Frattini for Bernini
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Munich, DE
Designed by Gianfranco Frattini in 1981 and made by Bernini. Signed and in good condition.
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Secretaires
Materials
Wood
18th Century Spanish Colonial Vargueno Set on a 19th Century Mission Chest
Located in Hudson, NY
This interesting two-part piece of furniture is an example of the Spanish dominion over the Americas during the global colonization associated with Empire and trade supremacy. The to...
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century Mexican Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
H 56.75 in W 43.5 in D 17.5 in
Semi Antique Mahogany Secretary On Chinese Chippendale Style Stand
Located in Bridgeport, CT
to drawers and cubby holes. With a black tooled writing surface. The stand with two frieze drawers
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chippendale Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Michel Pigneres Brass Chrome Black Cabinet Secretaire, 1970s
By Michel Pigneres
Located in Paris, IDF
Unique French Mid-Century Modern cabinet secrétaire by Michel Pigneres made in the early 1970s
Category
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
Materials
Brass, Chrome
Edwardian, Tall Secretaire, Black Lacquer, Bronze, Abalone Inlay, Marble, 1880s
Located in Manhasset, NY
This spectacular Edwardian Bouille inlaid And bronze-mounted Abattant chest desk has been meticulously refinished and hand rubbed French polished to its original form. Having wonderf...
Category
Early 20th Century Edwardian Desks
Materials
Wood
H 50 in W 28.5 in D 14.75 in
19th Century Dutch Miniature Secretaire Cabinet
Located in Casteren, NL
19th century miniature secretaire cabinet made from Oakwood.
Decorative object, can be used as
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Dutch Models and Miniatures
Materials
Oak
Graphite Secretaire Desk, Pols Potten Studio
By Pols Potten
Located in Geneve, CH
Graphite secretaire desk - Pols Potten Studio.
Dimensions: W119 x D59 x H75.5 cm.
Materials
Category
2010s Dutch Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum, Iron
Stunning Painted 4 Door Secretaire Library Bookcase
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
An early 20th century, good quality painted mahogany 4-door secretaire breakfront library bookcase
Category
Early 20th Century British Georgian Bookcases
Materials
Paint
Small Antique Regency Quality Figured Mahogany Secretaire Bookcase
Located in Suffolk, GB
Small antique Regency quality figured mahogany secretaire bookcase having a quality carved mahogany
Category
Antique 19th Century English Regency Bookcases
Materials
Other
Secretaire teak, Danish Design, 1960s, Producer Hanbjerg A/S
By Hanbjerg Mobelfabrik
Located in Szczecin, Zachodniopomorskie
refreshing. The top has been painted black. Secretaire is one of the most multifunctional furniture that has
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Materials
Teak
Saporiti Secretaire
By Saporiti
Located in Mexico City, MX
Saporiti Secretaire.
Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Secretaires
LH Black and White Rose Embroidered Mono Secretaire
By Estemporaneo
Located in Firenze, IT
A visually striking black/white optical effect for this original mono secretaire that make couple
Category
2010s Italian Other Secretaires
Materials
Other
- 1
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Black Secretaire For Sale on 1stDibs
Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the black secretaire you’re looking for at 1stDibs. A black secretaire — often made from wood, metal and brass — can elevate any home. Find 126 options for an antique or vintage black secretaire now, or shop our selection of 6 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished piece. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer black secretaire, there are earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 21st Century. Each black secretaire bearing Georgian, Baroque or Art Deco hallmarks is very popular. T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Baker Furniture Company and Barbara Schweizer each produced at least one beautiful black secretaire that is worth considering.
How Much is a Black Secretaire?
The average selling price for a black secretaire at 1stDibs is $5,949, while they’re typically $608 on the low end and $346,832 for the highest priced.
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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