$17,400Sale Price|40% Off
H 65.5 in W 33 in D 23 in
19th Century French Louis XV Style Ormolu Mounted Boulle Secretary Desk
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Tarzana, CA
19th Century French Louis XV Style Ormolu Mounted Boulle Secretary Desk Having a writing section
Brass, Ormolu
$74,500
H 36.5 in W 32 in D 20.25 in
Louis XV Style Dore Bronze Mounted Boulle Marquetry Secretary Desk or Cabinet
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in New York, NY
A gorgeous Louis XV style French dore bronze mounted Boulle Marquetry secretary desk or cabinet
Bronze
$12,450
H 47.13 in W 22.75 in D 18.5 in
French 19th Century Louis XIV Style Mahogany & Brass Inlay Secretary Boulle Desk
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Los Angeles, CA
freestanding secretary desk in the manner of André-Charles Boulle. The slender mahogany body centered with a
Brass, Bronze
Unavailable
H 114.18 in W 46.86 in D 20.08 in
Cabinet Secretary with Clock in Boulle Marquetry, 19th Century, Napoleon III
Located in Manduel, FR
Cabinet secretary with clock Napoleon III period, perfect condition. Rich ornamentation of
Brass
Unavailable
H 51.58 in W 28.75 in D 15.75 in
French Desk, Secretary in Boulle Marquetry 19th Century Napoleon III Period
Located in Manduel, FR
Secretary in Boulle marquetrym Period Napoleon III, perfect condition. Cabinet with large size
Brass
French Boulle Napoleon III Secretary Desk
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Chorzów, PL
Unique Louis XV style secretary desk cabinet in Boulle style. Brass marquetry on a background of
Tortoise Shell
Napoleon III Boulle Marquetry Secretary, France, 19th Century
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Napoleon III Secretary in Boulle style marquetry in the Queen style composed of four-leaf leaves
Carrara Marble, Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 48.04 in W 25.2 in D 14.97 in
Napoleon III Boulle Marquetry Secretary Cabinet, France, 19th Century
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Stunning Napoleon III secretary in Boulle tortoiseshell marquetry and brass, patterned with
Carrara Marble, Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 50.01 in W 26.78 in D 14.18 in
Gorgeous Napoleon III Boulle Marquetry Secretary Cabinet, France, 1860
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Under total restoration at the moment. Small secretary in Boulle marquetry in brass fruitwood and
Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 54.34 in W 0.4 in D 0.4 in
Maginificent Napoleon III Boulle Marquetry Secretary Cabinet, France, 1860
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Magnificent secretary writing desk table Bonheur Du Jour in marquetry Boulle à La Reine . Napoleon
Brass, Bronze
Louis XV Boulle Marquetry Secretary Desk France, 19th Century
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Louis XV style secretary in faux weekly (fake 7 drawers style) made in Boulle Marquetry with a
Carrara Marble, Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 48.82 in W 26.38 in D 14.18 in
secretary Boulle tortoiseshell and brass marquetry, early 20th century
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in NICE, FR
Napoleon III secretary in Boulle tortoiseshell marquetry and brass, patterned with interlacing
Carrara Marble, Brass, Bronze
Rare Louis XV Desk Secretary Boulle Cabinet, France, 1865
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Rare Louis XV style desk secretary cylinder model with a higher part with 2 glass doors. Boulle
Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 53.94 in W 25.6 in D 13 in
Napoleon III Secretary False Weekend Style Boulle Marquetry, France, 1880
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Napoleon III Secretary in false week-end, blackened wood veneer with Boulle style marquetry with
Griotte Marble, Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 49.61 in W 29.53 in L 49.61 in
Stunning Napoleon III Wedgewood Boulle Marquetry Secretary Cabinet, France
By André-Charles Boulle, Wedgewood
Located in Paris, FR
Stunning Napoleon III secretary desk Bonheur du jour style with 2 Wedgwood porcelain medallions on
Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 49.61 in W 29.53 in D 19.69 in
Stunning Napoleonon III Wedgewood Boulle Marquetry Secretary Cabinet France
By André-Charles Boulle, Wedgewood
Located in Paris, FR
Stunning Napoleon III secretary desk Bonheur du jour style with 2 Wedgwood porcelain medallions on
Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 43.31 in W 41.34 in D 25.6 in
Stunning Louis XV Boulle Marquetry Secretary Desk Cabinet France, 19th Century
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Stunning and really large Louis XV style secretary desk cabinet in Boulle style Marquetry, cylinder
Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 43.31 in W 41.34 in D 25.6 in
Stunning Louis XV Boulle Marquetry Secretary Desk Cabinet France, 19th Century
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Stunning and really large Louis XV style secretary desk cabinet in Boulle style Marquetry, cylinder
Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 54.73 in W 26.78 in D 13.39 in
Napoleon III Secretary False Week Style Boulle Marquetry, France, 19th Century
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Napoleon III secretary in false week style blackened wood veneer with Boulle style marquetry with
Carrara Marble, Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 84.26 in W 39.38 in D 21.66 in
Boulle Marquetry Style French Black Secretary Bonheur du Jour Napoleon III
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
"Bonheur Du Jour In Boulle Marquetry Napoleon III Period - Gradin Desk - Two Bodies - Showcase
Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 51.19 in W 29.53 in D 14.57 in
Rare Napoleon III Wedgewood and Boulle Marquetry Secretary Cabinet, France
By Wedgewood, André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Rare, unique Napoleon III secretary cabinet with a beautiful Wedgwood porcelain medallion and
Carrara Marble, Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 50.01 in W 26.78 in D 13.78 in
Black French Secretary Napoleon III and Boulle Brass Gilt Bronze 19th Century
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Small Secretary In Boulle Marquetry, Napoleon III Period Napoleon 3" Beautiful and elegant little
Carrara Marble, Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 74.25 in W 52 in D 19.75 in
Superb Etched Mirror Brass Inlaid Marble Top Boulle Style Dresser Secretary Desk
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a stunning and extremely elaborate dresser with a built-in secretary desk and a beautiful
Carrara Marble, Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 52.37 in W 30.71 in D 21.26 in
Napoleon III Sèvres Porcelain Boulle Marquetry Secretary, France 19th Century
By Cristalleries De Sevres, André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Napoleon III secretary in blackened fruitwood, Boulle marquetry style with brass nets, with two
Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 3.94 in W 12.6 in D 14.18 in
Napoleon III Writing Travel Table Desk Secretary Boulle Style, France, 1870
By André-Charles Boulle, Susse Freres
Located in Paris, FR
Gorgeous Napoleon III secretary writing travel case in Boulle marquetry folder with a violin shape
Brass
Bonheur du Jour Secretary in Boulle Marquetry
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Bonheur du Jour secretary in Boulle marquetry From the private collection of the Compte de Paris
Bronze
Napoleon III Boule Marquetry Cabinet Secretary, France, 1875
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Napoleon III secretary, Boulle marquetry in the queen style inlaid with brass and mother of pearl
Carrara Marble, Brass, Bronze
Rare Napoleon III Marquetry Secretary Desk Cabinet, France, 1860
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Just beautiful Napoleon III Boulle Marquetry style secretary cabinet desk in brass ball style and
Brass, Bronze
Rare Napoleon III Marquetry Secretary Desk Cabinet, France, 1860
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Louis XV Style and Boulle Marquetry style big secretary cabinet desk in ebony veneer and Brass ball
Brass, Bronze
Stunning and Rare Napoleon III Desk Secretary, France circa 1866
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Stunning and rare Napoleon III Bureau Desk, writing table Secretary in Boulle Marquetry. In ebony
Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 45.28 in W 30.71 in D 20.48 in
Napoleon III 19th Century French Desk Secretary Boule Marquetry, France
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Stunning 19th century boule marquetry a la Reine secretary desk, France, circa 1870.
Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 49.22 in W 25.99 in D 14.18 in
Napoleon III Boule Marquetry Style Ladies Cabinet Secretary, France, 1880
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Ladies cabinet secretary ogee decorated, ebony veneer and Boule style marquetry with beautiful
Carrara Marble, Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 0.4 in W 0.4 in D 0.4 in
Napoleon III Secretary Desk in Bronze and Boule Marquetry, France, 1870
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Precious Napoleon III style secretary desk in boule marquetry and gilt bronze ornamentations
Bronze
Sold
H 65 in W 34 in D 11 in
Fine Quality Boulle Inlaid French Louis XV Style Secretary Desk circa 1950
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
2 piece. Gilt accents. Figural. Bottom has one dovetailed drawer. Bottom piece measures 31 1/8" h x 33 1/4" w x 22 3/4" d. Top piece has two doors containing shelves and two dovetail...
Walnut
Rare Andre Boulle Style Louis XV Brass Inlaid Secretary Desk circa 1950
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Figural. Gilt accents. Marble top. 4 drawers. Pull down top containing shelves and drawers. 53 1/2" h x 32 5/8" w x 15 3/8" d. Condition Splits in wood. Finish loss. Minor oxidatio...
Walnut
Sold
H 49.22 in W 29.53 in D 19.69 in
Rare Wedgwood Porcelain Napoleon III Desk Secretary Cabinet Belle de Jour
By Enoch Wedgwood, André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Rare "Bonheur du Jour" desk writing table in boule marquetry in brass with geometric ornamentations and Wedgwood porcelain plaques and framed in bronze. Beautiful gilt bronze decora...
Brass, Bronze
Napoleon III Boulle Marquetry Secretary Cabinet, France, 1860
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Small secretary in Boulle marquetry in brass fruitwood and mother-of-pearl. Four drawers outside
Brass, Bronze
Louis XV Secretary in Boulle Marquetry, France, 19th Century
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Gorgeous Louis XV secretary in false week style decorated in Queen's style doucine Boulle marquetry
Carrara Marble, Brass, Bronze
Napoleon III Boulle Style secretary/chest
Located in Seattle, WA
French boulle style, tortoise shell and brass inlay, circa 1850 1860. Top drawer desk unit.
Brass
BOULLE & M. OF PEARL INLAID BLACK LACQUERED SECRETARY
Located in Stamford, CT
IN TWO PARTS, THE TOP HAVING A PIERCED GALLERY ABOVE TWO CABINET DOORS,W/ SHELVES INSIDE,THE BOTTOM HALF WITH ROLL BACK CYLINDER,OPENING TO REVEAL AN INTERIOR FITTED WITH3 DRAWERS,& ...
Lacquer
Sold
H 55.12 in W 27.56 in D 14.97 in
French Napoleon III Secretary "Faux Semainier" Boulle Inlays, circa 1870
Located in Grenoble, FR
Napoleon III secretary (faux semainier), Boulle brass pattern inlays, foliage and scrolls
Sold
H 49.61 in W 23.63 in D 13.78 in
French Lady Secretary in Red Boulle Marquetry and Brass, circa 1875
Located in Grenoble, FR
Lady secretary in red, Boulle marquetry and brass, patterned scrolls, interlacing foliage. Base in
Mahogany Neoclassical Bed Frame, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
"Boat" bed in carved mahogany wood, 19th century. Head and feet of the same height, are decorated with a circular molding, while the rear, by harmony, follows the lines of the front...
Wood, Mahogany
Set of 4 Italian Rococo Painted Carved Columns
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 4 Italian Rococo (17th/18th Century) green painted columns with gold swirl carved floral design and Corinthian capitals.
Wood
18th Century Chinoiserie Lacquered Table Mirror
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This unusual table-top 'Psyche' table mirror dates from the 18th century, its wooden frame beautifully crafted from yellow-lacquered wood and decorated with hand-painted chinoiserie ...
Mirror, Wood
Large 19th Century Ecclesiastical Stained Glass Window
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A large antique late 19th century Ecclesiastical style stained glass window signed by Ward & Hughes, London, 1890. This window is of excellent artistry, with each tiny detail hand pa...
Glass, Stained Glass, Wood, Pine
$230,584Sale Price|33% Off
H 51.19 in W 55.12 in D 201.58 in
Rare Victorian Firescreen with Taxidermy Hummingbirds by Henry Ward
By Henry Ward
Located in Amsterdam, NL
England, third quarter of the 19th century On two scrolling foliate feet with casters, above which a rectangular two-side glazed frame, with on top a two-sided shield with initial...
Other
Orientale
By Henri Fantin-Latour
Located in New York, NY
Signed, lower right: Fantin Provenance: Gustave Tempelaere (1840–1904), Paris; possibly by descent to his son: Julien Tempelaere (1876–1961) and with F. & J. Tempelaere, Paris, prob...
Canvas, Paper, Oil
$11,493
H 28.75 in W 38 in D 21.07 in
Fine 19th Century Gillows Parquetry and Gilt Bronze Kidney Shaped Table
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Benington, Herts
An extremely fine gilt bronze mounted parquetry kidney shaped writing table attributed to Gillows of Lancaster. English Circa 1865 The rosewood lozenge trellis inlaid kidney shape...
Bronze
$9,341
H 64.97 in W 56.7 in D 32.68 in
Impressive Louis XV Desk/Reception Table, After F. Linke, Paris
Located in Berlin, DE
Impressive Louis XV desk/reception table, after F. Linke, Paris Solid beech wood and veneered. Multiple curved and cambered body with fine inlay work. Free standing desk/reception...
Brass, Bronze
19th Century French Boulle Longcase Clock
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality late 19th Century French boulle inlaid longcase clock, having wonderful scrolling gilded ormolu mounts, an ebonised case with tortoiseshell brass inlaid panels, T...
Brass
19th Century Boulle Louis XVI style Inlaid Centre Table
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality French 19th century boulle inlaid centre table, having gilded ormolu mounts, a single frieze drawer and raised on a four splay out swept base.
Brass
$45,000 / set
H 23 in W 17.5 in D 14 in
Large Pair of French Red Lacquer, Chinoiserie Decorated and Ormolu-Mounted Vases
Located in New York, NY
A large pair of antique French transitional period red lacquer, chinoiserie decorated ormolu-mounted vases with gilt bronze Rococo mounts. The vibrant color of these highly polished ...
Bronze
$523,687 / set
H 114.5 in W 35.5 in D 5 in
19th Century, Monumental Carved Boiserie Panels from Lartington Hall
Located in London, GB
The Lartington hall carved Boiserie panels by Signor Anton Leone Bulletti. A highly important suite of eight carved and patinated wood panels commissioned by Monsignor Thomas Edw...
Wood, Pine
$339,471
H 100.6 in W 66.93 in D 24.81 in
Rare Moses Michelangelo Guggenheim & Pauly Cie Et Venice Antique Carved Armoire
By Pauly et Cie, Guggenheim Museum
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare one of a kind Pauly CIE Et stamped hand carved walnut armoire made by the genius that was Moses Michelangelo Guggenheim 1837-1910 W...
Walnut
Pair 19th Century French Louis XVI Walnut Bergeres, Armchairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair 19th Century French Louis XVI walnut Bergeres ~ armchairs is a remarkable combination of master furniture makers with exceedingly talented sculptors! Fashioned from sumptuous Fr...
Walnut
$976,800
H 15 in W 39 in D 34 in
Tiffany & Company, George Paulding Farnham, A Rare, Lavish Silver Centerpiece
By Tiffany & Co., Paulding Farnham.
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
Tiffany & Company and George Paulding Farnham, A rare, lavish and monumental sterling silver centerpiece with original mirrored-glass sterling silver plateau, circa 1900. Museum...
Sterling Silver
19th Century Chinese Canopy Wedding Bed
Located in Marbella, ES
This is a wonderful example of a canopy bed from Shanghai Province, China. Made of Chinese Northern Elm, this bed features hoofed feet and multiple floral carvings. The exterior ...
Gold Leaf
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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