Bookcases with Adjustable Shelves
Antique Mid-19th Century English Bookcases
Mahogany
Antique 1760s English Chippendale Bookcases
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century English George III Bookcases
Rosewood
Antique 1870s Eastlake Bookcases
Glass, Walnut
Antique Early 18th Century English Queen Anne Bookcases
Brass
Antique 1830s English Regency Bookcases
Mahogany
Antique 1750s English George II Bookcases
Walnut
Antique Late 18th Century British George III Bookcases
Oak
Antique Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Bookcases
Leather, Glass, Mahogany
Vintage 1950s American Hollywood Regency Bookcases
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century British Early Victorian Bookcases
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Secretaires
Oak
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires
Brass
Antique 1790s American Hepplewhite Secretaires
Brass
20th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Hardwood
Late 20th Century American Georgian Secretaires
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century English Sheraton Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 1780s English Chippendale Secretaires
Brass
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Secretaires
Wood
Antique 1710s Sri Lankan William and Mary Secretaires
Ebony
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese George III Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 1740s English George II Secretaires
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese George III Secretaires
Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century Italian Secretaires
Amboyna
Antique 1740s English Cabinets
Mahogany
Vintage 1940s American Hollywood Regency Secretaires
Brass
Antique 18th Century and Earlier British Secretaires
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Secretaires
Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century American Federal Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 2000s American Baroque Secretaires
Glass, Wood
Antique 19th Century Regency Secretaires
Brass
Antique 1880s English Victorian Secretaires
Hardwood
Antique 1720s Queen Anne Secretaires
Walnut
20th Century American Secretaires
Mirror, Walnut
Antique Late 18th Century English George III Secretaires
Mahogany
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Birch, Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Rosewood
Antique 1830s American American Empire Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century British Georgian Secretaires
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Asian French Provincial Secretaires
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Other Secretaires
Oak
Vintage 1940s American Hollywood Regency Secretaires
Brass
Early 20th Century American Georgian Secretaires
Brass
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Glass, Teak
Antique 19th Century French Other Secretaires
Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Rococo Secretaires
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Antique 19th Century English Bookcases
Mahogany
Antique 1810s English Regency Bookcases
Mahogany
Antique 1810s Regency Bookcases
Satinwood
Antique Early 1900s English George I Bookcases
Burl
Antique Early 19th Century English William IV Bookcases
Mahogany, Satinwood
Antique 19th Century British Bookcases
Mahogany, Ebony
Antique 1730s Great Britain (UK) George I Bookcases
Mahogany, Wood
Antique 1820s English Regency Bookcases
Satinwood
Antique 19th Century British Georgian Secretaires
Brass
Antique 19th Century English Secretaires
Brass
Antique 1810s British Regency Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Early 1800s British Regency Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 1860s British Victorian Secretaires
Oak
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Bookcases with Adjustable Shelves For Sale on 1stDibs
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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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