Bleached Secretaire
19th Century Dutch Bleached Oak Secretaire
Located in Darmstadt, DE
splayed carved feet. The furniture is made of oak wood that was first sandblasted and then bleached. The
Category
Antique 19th Century Dutch Secretaires
Materials
Brass
19th Century Louis-Philippe Period French Secretary
Located in San Antonio, TX
Louis-Philippe era, showcasing the piece's impeccable beauty.
The stunning bleached walnut veneer with
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Secretaires
Materials
Marble
Early 20th Century French Wooden Secretary
Located in High Point, NC
motifs. A delicate bleaching process has been applied to the surface of the oak, re-enlivening the
Category
Early 20th Century French French Provincial Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Étagères by Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A well scaled Mid-Century Modern étagère in bleached walnut designed by Paul McCobb. The cabinet or
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Brass
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Articulated Sconce Mid-Century Modern Stilnovo Style Solid Brass Black and White
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Fine Early Biedermeier Walnut Chest of Drawers
Located in Westport, CT
Extraordinary movement to this matchbook walnut veneer graces this finely composed two drawer chest shown with chamfered edges, finishing on tapered straight legs and embellished wit...
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19th Century French Louis Philippe Walnut Commode with Carrara Marble
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Louis Philippe Walnut Commode ~ Chest of Drawers with Carrara Marble is a superlative example of the tailored architecture and restrained ornamentation that has m...
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Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Commodes and Chests of Dr...
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Antique Black Forest Bookcase or China Cabinet, Swiss, Late 1800's Part of Suite
Located in Chicago, IL
Black Forest bookcase, that was part of a major collection of Black Forest items sold by a Chateau outside of Marseille, France. There is a total of (42) antique Black Forest items t...
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Antique 1880s Swiss Black Forest Bookcases
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H 51.5 in W 44 in D 14.63 in
Library / Wardrobe in Teak, Walnut and Brass, Italy, 1960's
By Ico Parisi
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Library / Wardrobe in teak, walnut and brass, Italy, 1960's
We are very proud to add this large library / wardrobe to our collection. With the use of different kinds of wood a warm ...
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Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Shelves
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English Mahogany Secretary Desk, 19th Century
Located in Southampton, NY
English Mahogany secretary desk, 19th century
Three pieces: Crown, upper drawers and lower cabinet. Lowest draw pulls out as a secretary desk.
Measures: 21" deep x 46.5" wide x 80....
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Antique 19th Century British Secretaires
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Mahogany
Luciano Frigerio Mid-Century Modern Italian Brass and Walnut Wardrobe, 1970s
By Luciano Frigerio
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Designed by Luciano Frigerio, wardrobe with eleven doors in brass and walnut wood, Macassar ebony is a precious essence that is widely used in cabinet making, fine carpentry, turning...
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Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wardrobes and Armoires
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H 109.45 in W 113.39 in D 24.81 in
17th Century Italian Baroque Lacquered Spruce Religious Furniture 1600
Located in Roma, RM
This monumental piece of furniture, of Veneto-Alto Veneto provenance, made entirely of lacquered fir wood. Full seventeenth century (ca. 1650) is presented as an imposing double-bodi...
Category
Antique 17th Century Italian Baroque Bookcases
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Spruce
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H 88.59 in W 145.67 in D 39.38 in
19th Century French Bleached Oak Cabinet
Located in High Point, NC
Impressive in stature, this antique oak cabinet is built elegantly in design. Crated in France during the 19th century, this cabinet is beautifully designed from its crown molding an...
Category
Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Cabinets
Materials
Wood, Oak
Vintage 1949 Mid-Century Modern Custom L-Shaped Office Desk by George Nelson
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Lafayette, IN
This remarkable piece is a one-off desk/wardrobe/bar/bookcase/storage cabinet custom-designed by George Nelson in 1949 to match his Basic Cabinet Series (BCS) for Herman Miller. The ...
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H 79.5 in W 84 in D 108.5 in
Tall Walnut and Leather Cabinet with Glass Doors by Paul McCobb for H. Sacks
By Paul McCobb
Located in Dorchester, MA
In this handsome Paul McCobb–designed cabinet, oiled walnut frames glass and leather-fronted cases. The upper display case has six adjustable glass shelves; the lower case features t...
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Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
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H 77.5 in W 42 in D 15 in
Vittorio Dassi Italian Rosewood Sideboard Liquor Cabinet, 1950s, Restored
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Add some Mid-Century Italian Modern elegance to your space with this fully restored Rosewood sideboard / liquor cabinet designed by Vittorio Dassi, originally completed in the 1950s ...
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Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
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Louis Philippe French Bleached Oak Cabinet
Located in High Point, NC
A bleached oak cabinet from France, produced circa 1880. A stately chest standing seven feet tall, this piece features an upper, locking, double door cabinet of three shelves, a lowe...
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Antique Late 19th Century French French Provincial Buffets
Materials
Oak
French Bleached Oak Sideboard
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Very unusual French early 19th C bleached oak sideboard with 3 internal drawers. 1830.
Reference: 8175
Dimensions
61.5 inches (156 cms) Wide
31 inches (79 cms) Deep
36 inches (91 c...
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Antique 19th Century French Sideboards
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Antique Dutch Inlaid Bombe Commode in Olive Wood
Located in London, GB
An absolutely beautiful antique Bombe commode made from olive wood. This was made in Holland, it dates from around the 1900-1910 period.
It is of extremely fine quality and is a gre...
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Early 20th Century Dutch Commodes and Chests of Drawers
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Olive
Recent Sales
Osvaldo Borsani Secretaire
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Toronto, ON
1950s Osvaldo Borsani Secretaire. Hand-painted Italian ball mural on parchment. Inside chest
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Vintage 1950s Italian Neoclassical Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany, Velvet, Parchment Paper
Early 19th Century French Oak Secretaire
Located in High Point, NC
This impressive oak secretaire was handcrafted in France circa 1800. Held up by sturdy ogee bracket
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Antique 19th Century French French Provincial Secretaires
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Glass, Oak
1920s Belgian Bleached Oak Secretary Cabinet
Located in High Point, NC
A vintage bleached oak cabinet from Belgium, produced circa 1920. This stately, tripartite chest
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Vintage 1920s French French Provincial Secretaires
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Oak
19th Century Dutch Bleached Oak Secretary
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A 19th century Dutch secretary bookcase in limed or bleached oak, the bonnet top upper section with
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Antique Late 19th Century Dutch Baroque Secretaires
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Oak
Antique Bleached Oak Secretary Drawer Chest
Located in High Point, NC
fitted with a folding writing desk. Bleached oak finish gives this cabinet a bright and contemporary
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century French French Provincial Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Louis XVI Bleached Oak Secretary Cabinet
Located in High Point, NC
A Louis the 16th era “secrétaire” from France, circa 1820. With two lower and three upper drawers
Category
Antique Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Brass
1860s French Bleached Oak Secretary Desk
Located in High Point, NC
This bleached oak secretary desk was made in France, circa 1860. It features geometric paneling and
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French French Provincial Secretaires
Materials
Brass
1880s Belgian Bleached Oak Secretary Desk with Vitrine
Located in High Point, NC
This bleached oak secretary desk and vitrine was made in Belgium, circa 1880. The calming sky blue
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Belgian French Provincial Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Oak
Dutch Bombe Secretaire Desk in Pine
Located in Doylestown, PA
An 18th century Dutch "bombe" slant-front secretaire desk in stripped and bleached pine, in two
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Antique Mid-18th Century Dutch Dutch Colonial Secretaires
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Pine
1880s French Bleached Oak Folding Secretary Desk with Vitrine
Located in High Point, NC
A bleached oak desk produced in France circa 1880. An impressive antique vitrine standing tall like
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Antique Late 19th Century French Louis Philippe Secretaires
Materials
Brass
1920s French Oak Secretary Desk
Located in High Point, NC
Enchanting sylvan carving makes this oak secretary desk a captivating find. Made in 1920s France, the panels of the drawers are decorated with a pattern of forget-me-nots, framed by ...
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Vintage 1920s French French Provincial Secretaires
Materials
Oak
19th Century French Oak Desk
Located in High Point, NC
Made in France at the turn of the century, this beautiful writing desk in natural oak takes inspiration from the ornate escritoires of previous centuries—from the serpentine shape of...
Category
Antique 19th Century French French Provincial Secretaires
Materials
Brass
1800s French Oak Slant-Top Desk
Located in High Point, NC
A regal slant-top desk from France, produced circa 1800. A classic Country French style wooden chest with a slant top resting on a three-drawer case, garnished with florid gilded pul...
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Antique 19th Century French French Provincial Secretaires
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Brass
1800s French Antique Wooden Cabinet
Located in High Point, NC
A bleached oak secretaire from France, produced circa 1800. A striking antique cabinet featuring a
Category
Antique Early 1800s French French Provincial Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Roll Top Desk, Munich, circa 1800-1810
Located in Belmont, MA
Beautiful roll top desk, Munich 1800-1810, bleached mahogany veneer. Rectangular body with three
Category
Antique Early 1800s German Empire Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Bleached Oak Small Writing Desk
Located in New York, NY
A two-drawer "secretaire de dame" in the Louis XV style. Although very traditional is style with
Category
20th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Late 19th Century Bleached Oak Secretary Cabinet
Located in High Point, NC
compartments. Bleached oak finish gives this cabinet a bright and contemporary presentation, while highlighting
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French French Provincial Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Antique Empire Bureau Secretary with Bookcase in West Indies Mahogany, c. 1800
Located in Miami, FL
sanded through. Once the effect of the sun-bleaching is removed, the patina is irretrievably gone and the
Category
Antique Early 1800s Danish Empire Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
H 83 in W 46.5 in D 24.25 in
1880s Belgian Oak Secretaire
Located in High Point, NC
This oak secretary cabinet was made in Belgium, circa 1880. The top section features four drawers and shelves in the middle. Additional shelves at the bottom provide additional stora...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Belgian French Provincial Desks and Writing Ta...
Materials
Brass
1860s French Bleached Oak Vitrine
Located in High Point, NC
A bleached oak vitrine from France, produced circa 1860. A capable secretaire, makes a powerful
Category
Antique 19th Century French French Provincial Vitrines
Materials
Glass, Oak
French Buffet à Deux-Corps with Drop-Front Secretaire
Located in Atlanta, GA
A tall French Louis XV style carved and bleached wood display and storage cabinet with secretary
Category
20th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Glass, Wood
French Antique Secretaire Louis Philippe Style Bleached in Walnut, 19th Century
Located in Stuart, FL
French antique secrétaire desk Louis Philippe style bleached and in walnut woodland 5 drawers wit
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis Philippe Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
H 41 in W 44 in L 41 in
Antique French Secretaire Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
French antique secretary desk in old oak which we have bleached and stripped to reveal the gorgeous
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Secretaires
Bleached Oak Antique French Secretary, circa 1780
Located in Los Angeles, CA
French Antique Secretary Desk in old french Oak wood which we have stripped and bleached. Beautiful
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Country Secretaires
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Oak
Antique Oak Secretary
Located in Chicago, IL
accessible. Original hardware and bleached oak finish.
Category
Antique 19th Century Belgian Secretaires
Scottish Art Nouveau Mahogany Secretary Desk
Located in Cambridge, MA
marquetry trim and floral motifs. Drop-down writing surface reveals bleached mahogany drawers with bone
Category
Vintage 1910s Scottish Art Nouveau Secretaires
Materials
Copper
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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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