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Kindel Furniture National Trust Collection Mahogany Carved Secretary Desk
Kindel Furniture National Trust Collection Mahogany Carved Secretary Desk

Kindel Furniture National Trust Collection Mahogany Carved Secretary Desk

By Kindel Furniture

Located in Long Branch, NJ

Kindel Furniture National Trust Collection Mahogany Carved Secretary Desk Dimensions : 95.5" Tall

Category

1990s American Chippendale Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Antique Chinese Carved Secretary/Writing Desk
19th Century Antique Chinese Carved Secretary/Writing Desk

19th Century Antique Chinese Carved Secretary/Writing Desk

Located in Pomona, CA

This beautiful carved secretary/writing desk is traditional simply design with three drawers on the

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Elm

Mid-20th Century Chinese Rosewood Carved Secretary/Writing Desk
Mid-20th Century Chinese Rosewood Carved Secretary/Writing Desk

Mid-20th Century Chinese Rosewood Carved Secretary/Writing Desk

Located in Pomona, CA

This beautiful carved secretary/writing desk is in traditional design with 5 drawers and fold up

Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Rosewood

Mid Century Walnut Burl Carved Secretary Writing Desk Bookcase Bureau Cabinet
Mid Century Walnut Burl Carved Secretary Writing Desk Bookcase Bureau Cabinet

Mid Century Walnut Burl Carved Secretary Writing Desk Bookcase Bureau Cabinet

Located in Dayton, OH

with burlwood front that opens via a drop front for use as a desk. Secretary desk interior has pigeon

Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Walnut, Burl

19th C Chippendale Style Mahogany Block Front Shell Carved Secretary Desk Lowboy
19th C Chippendale Style Mahogany Block Front Shell Carved Secretary Desk Lowboy

19th C Chippendale Style Mahogany Block Front Shell Carved Secretary Desk Lowboy

Located in Philadelphia, PA

19th century Chippendale style mahogany blockfront secretary desk. Item features solid mahogany

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Chippendale Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Kindel Winterthur Collection Mahogany Goddard Townsend Secretary Writing Desk
Kindel Winterthur Collection Mahogany Goddard Townsend Secretary Writing Desk

Kindel Winterthur Collection Mahogany Goddard Townsend Secretary Writing Desk

By Kindel Furniture

Located in Dayton, OH

dropfront opens to 17 additional drawers and pigeon holes. The hand carved secretary is supported by bracket

Category

Late 20th Century American Federal Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Highly Carved Pine Secretary from Denmark, circa 1890
Highly Carved Pine Secretary from Denmark, circa 1890

Highly Carved Pine Secretary from Denmark, circa 1890

Located in Round Top, TX

carved secretary is restored, solid/stable and ready to be used. It is built in two sections allowing for

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Danish Anglo-Indian Secretaires

Materials

Pine

Walnut Carved Secretaire Desk from H. Dufin, France, 19th Century
Walnut Carved Secretaire Desk from H. Dufin, France, 19th Century

Walnut Carved Secretaire Desk from H. Dufin, France, 19th Century

By Honoré Dufin

Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant

Beautiful fine carved secretary desk. The desk was made by the famous French cabinet maker Honoré

Category

Antique 1870s French Renaissance Revival Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Vintage Carved Asian Drop Front 5 Drawer Secretary
Vintage Carved Asian Drop Front 5 Drawer Secretary

Vintage Carved Asian Drop Front 5 Drawer Secretary

Located in Pasadena, TX

This secretary is made of a dense rosewood. It's splendidly carved all over. It has 5 pull out

Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Secretaires

Materials

Rosewood

19th Century Carved and Painted French Oak Secretary
19th Century Carved and Painted French Oak Secretary

19th Century Carved and Painted French Oak Secretary

Located in Dallas, TX

The 19th Century Carved and Painted French Oak Secretary is an antique piece of furniture that

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Oak

Vintage Regency Monumental Carved Georgian Secretary Desk
Vintage Regency Monumental Carved Georgian Secretary Desk

Vintage Regency Monumental Carved Georgian Secretary Desk

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

This Vintage Regency Georgian Secretary Desk features intricate carved details and a classic

Category

Early 20th Century American Regency Desks

Materials

Glass, Wood

18th Century English Country Secretary in Hand-Carved Oak
18th Century English Country Secretary in Hand-Carved Oak

18th Century English Country Secretary in Hand-Carved Oak

Located in Dallas, TX

18th Century English Country Secretary in Hand-Carved Oak is a superlative example of the design

Category

Antique 1790s English Neoclassical Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Aesthetic Movement Spoon Carved Ebonized Mahogany Secretary C1890
Aesthetic Movement Spoon Carved Ebonized Mahogany Secretary C1890

Aesthetic Movement Spoon Carved Ebonized Mahogany Secretary C1890

Located in Big Flats, NY

Aesthetic Movement Spoon Carved Ebonized Mahogany Secretary C1890 Measures - 65.5"H x 32.5"W x

Category

Antique 19th Century Aesthetic Movement Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Carved Walnut Secretary Cabinet
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Carved Walnut Secretary Cabinet

Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Carved Walnut Secretary Cabinet

Located in Dallas, TX

secretary with classical straight lines features a shaped top over a frieze drawer. The fall front opens and

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Antique Renaissance Revival Victorian Carved Walnut & Burl Secretary c1890
Antique Renaissance Revival Victorian Carved Walnut & Burl Secretary c1890

Antique Renaissance Revival Victorian Carved Walnut & Burl Secretary c1890

Located in Big Flats, NY

Renaissance Revival Victorian Carved Walnut & Burl Secretary With Bookcase C1880. Measures - 102 1/2" x

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Renaissance Revival Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Renaissance Revival Carved Walnut & Burl Barrel Roll Top Secretary c1890
Renaissance Revival Carved Walnut & Burl Barrel Roll Top Secretary c1890

Renaissance Revival Carved Walnut & Burl Barrel Roll Top Secretary c1890

Located in Big Flats, NY

Antique Renaissance Revival Carved Walnut & Burl Barrel Roll Secretary Desk With Broken Arch Crest

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Baker Furniture Style Georgian Carved Walnut Drop Front Secretary Desk
Baker Furniture Style Georgian Carved Walnut Drop Front Secretary Desk

Baker Furniture Style Georgian Carved Walnut Drop Front Secretary Desk

By Baker Furniture Company

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous Georgian or William & Mary style bureau with drop front secretary desk In the manner of

Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Georgian Desks

Materials

Brass

Baker Furniture French Provincial Louis XV Carved Walnut Secretary Desk
Baker Furniture French Provincial Louis XV Carved Walnut Secretary Desk

Baker Furniture French Provincial Louis XV Carved Walnut Secretary Desk

By Baker Furniture Company

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous French Provincial Louis XV style bureau with drop front secretary desk and bookcase

Category

Vintage 1980s American Louis XV Desks

Materials

Brass

Mahogany Secretary Desk
Mahogany Secretary Desk

Mahogany Secretary Desk

Located in Annville, PA

This Mahogany Secretary Desk from Niagara Furniture has all the outstanding qualities of an

Category

2010s Renaissance Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Quervelle School American Empire Carved Flame Mahogany Secretary c1840
Antique Quervelle School American Empire Carved Flame Mahogany Secretary c1840

Antique Quervelle School American Empire Carved Flame Mahogany Secretary c1840

Located in Big Flats, NY

School American Empire Carved Flame Mahogany Secretary Desk C1840. Measures - 93"H x 43.25"W x 21.75"D

Category

Antique 19th Century American Empire Desks

Materials

Mahogany

Mahogany Secretary Desk
Mahogany Secretary Desk

Mahogany Secretary Desk

Located in Annville, PA

The Mahogany Secretary Desk from Niagara Furniture. This reproduction slant front writing desk has

Category

2010s Renaissance Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

Burled Secretary Desk
Burled Secretary Desk

Burled Secretary Desk

Located in Annville, PA

This Burled Secretary Desk from Niagara Furniture has all the features of an antique original. Made

Category

2010s Chippendale Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Wood

Tall Double Glass Doors Ball Claw Carved Finial Drop Block Front Secretary MINT!
Tall Double Glass Doors Ball Claw Carved Finial Drop Block Front Secretary MINT!

Tall Double Glass Doors Ball Claw Carved Finial Drop Block Front Secretary MINT!

By Drexel, Baker Furniture Company, Kittinger Furniture Company

Located in Rockaway, NJ

Tall Double Glass Doors Ball Claw Carved Finial Drop Block Front Secretary Desk Bookcase MINT!

Category

20th Century American Chippendale Dressers

Materials

Mahogany

Incredible Carved Italian Luigi Frullini Narrow Figural Walnut Secretary Desk
Incredible Carved Italian Luigi Frullini Narrow Figural Walnut Secretary Desk

Incredible Carved Italian Luigi Frullini Narrow Figural Walnut Secretary Desk

By Luigi Frullini

Located in Swedesboro, NJ

This incredible Italian secretary desk, attributed to the renowned 19th-century master carver Luigi

Category

Antique 1870s Italian Renaissance Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

19th Century, Anglo Indian Heavily Carved Rosewood Campaign Secretary Bookcase
19th Century, Anglo Indian Heavily Carved Rosewood Campaign Secretary Bookcase

19th Century, Anglo Indian Heavily Carved Rosewood Campaign Secretary Bookcase

Located in Atlanta, GA

section serves as a campaign-style secretary, with four drawers meticulously carved with radiating

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century British Indian Ocean Territory Anglo-Indian Sec...

Materials

Brass

Vintage Councill Secretary Desk
Vintage Councill Secretary Desk

Vintage Councill Secretary Desk

Located in Annville, PA

From Niagara Furniture a Vintage Councill Secretary Desk in very good, ready to use in your home

Category

1990s Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Antique English Jacobean Carved Burl & Mixed Wood Drop Down Secretary
Antique English Jacobean Carved Burl & Mixed Wood Drop Down Secretary

Antique English Jacobean Carved Burl & Mixed Wood Drop Down Secretary

By Berkey & Gay Furniture

Located in Southampton, NJ

An early 20th C. Jacobean style bar cabinet Secretary with drop down front & three drawers

Category

Early 20th Century American Jacobean Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Italian Renaissance Style Walnut Secretary
Italian Renaissance Style Walnut Secretary

Italian Renaissance Style Walnut Secretary

Located in Queens, NY

Italian Renaissance-style (17th Century) walnut drop front secretary cabinet with 2 doors at base

Category

Antique 17th Century Italian Renaissance Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Exuberantly Carved Oak French Louis XV Secretary Desk Circa 1900
Exuberantly Carved Oak French Louis XV Secretary Desk Circa 1900

Exuberantly Carved Oak French Louis XV Secretary Desk Circa 1900

Located in Swedesboro, NJ

This exuberantly carved oak French Louis XV secretary desk, circa 1900, is a fine example of

Category

Antique Early 1900s French Louis XV Secretaires

Materials

Oak

Cerused Carved Scallop Oak Leather Wrapped Campaign Portable Secretary Desk
Cerused Carved Scallop Oak Leather Wrapped Campaign Portable Secretary Desk

Cerused Carved Scallop Oak Leather Wrapped Campaign Portable Secretary Desk

Located in Rockaway, NJ

Tooled off white leather wrapped Campaign style transportable trunk shape secretary desk with

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Large Mahogany Secretary Desk
Large Mahogany Secretary Desk

Large Mahogany Secretary Desk

Located in Annville, PA

Inspired by an antique desk and bookcase this Large Mahogany Secretary Desk from Niagara Furniture

Category

2010s Federal Desks

Materials

Mahogany

English Fall-Front Secretary Desk in Carved Oak, Circa 1800
English Fall-Front Secretary Desk in Carved Oak, Circa 1800

English Fall-Front Secretary Desk in Carved Oak, Circa 1800

Located in North Miami, FL

This piece just took our breath away - all the carved wood details and medallions are master

Category

Antique Early 19th Century English British Colonial Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Spanish Fall-Front Secretary Desk in Carved Oak, Spain, circa 1950
Spanish Fall-Front Secretary Desk in Carved Oak, Spain, circa 1950

Spanish Fall-Front Secretary Desk in Carved Oak, Spain, circa 1950

Located in Miami, FL

Mid 20th century walnut Spanish fall-front secretary with molded carvings in drawers and doors

Category

Mid-20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Secretaires

Materials

Oak

1940's, Chinoiserie Secretary
1940's, Chinoiserie Secretary

1940's, Chinoiserie Secretary

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A petite, two part, hand-painted, lacquered, fully finished, drop front Chinoiserie bureau secrétaire from Spain. The interior of the two-door top is wallpapered in faux bamboo fretw...

Category

Vintage 1940s Spanish Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretary
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretary

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretary

Located in Huntington, NY

A two part Swedish Gustavian secretary. The bonnet top consists of an impressive overhanging arched

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires

Materials

Brass, Iron

19th Century English Mahogany Secretary
19th Century English Mahogany Secretary

19th Century English Mahogany Secretary

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Early 19th century English heavily carved mahogany secretary with bronze drawer and door hardware

Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

Spanish Fall-Front Secretary Desk in Carved Oak, Spain, circa 1950
Spanish Fall-Front Secretary Desk in Carved Oak, Spain, circa 1950

Spanish Fall-Front Secretary Desk in Carved Oak, Spain, circa 1950

Located in Miami, FL

Mid 20th century walnut Spanish front cabinet with molded carvings and two compartments, the hight compartment has a sliding door that can be hidden easily to open the space and the ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Secretaires

Materials

Oak

NVIN0583 Vintage Mahogany Councill Secretary Desk
NVIN0583 Vintage Mahogany Councill Secretary Desk

NVIN0583 Vintage Mahogany Councill Secretary Desk

Located in Annville, PA

A Vintage Mahogany Councill Secretary Desk brought to you by Niagara Furniture. This item has all

Category

1990s Renaissance Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

18th Century French Secretary ~ Commode
18th Century French Secretary ~ Commode

18th Century French Secretary ~ Commode

Located in Dallas, TX

18th Century French Secretary ~ Commode is a marvelous example of the cabinetmaker's art! Hand

Category

Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XIV Secretaires

Materials

Brass

19th C. Chippendale Style Mahogany Slant Front Carved Ball & Claw Secretary Desk
19th C. Chippendale Style Mahogany Slant Front Carved Ball & Claw Secretary Desk

19th C. Chippendale Style Mahogany Slant Front Carved Ball & Claw Secretary Desk

Located in Philadelphia, PA

19th Century Mahogany Slant Front Carved Ball & Claw Chippendale Style Desk. Item features dovetail

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Unknown Chippendale Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Swedish Secretary Cabinet 19th Century
Antique Swedish Secretary Cabinet 19th Century

Antique Swedish Secretary Cabinet 19th Century

Located in Houston, TX

19th Century Swedish Secretary Desk with open book shelves above the fall front desk and bottom

Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires

Materials

Wood

R. J. Horner Style Antique Victorian Carved Oak Slant Front Secretary Desk
R. J. Horner Style Antique Victorian Carved Oak Slant Front Secretary Desk

R. J. Horner Style Antique Victorian Carved Oak Slant Front Secretary Desk

By R.J. Horner & Co.

Located in South Bend, IN

. Horner & Co. USA, Circa 1890s Carved quarter sawn oak, with original brass hardware. Desk locks, and

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

French Louis XV Secretary, circa 1850
French Louis XV Secretary, circa 1850

French Louis XV Secretary, circa 1850

Located in Evergreen, CO

Elegant and functional, this stunning quarter sawn oak secretary was crafted in France in the mid

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Secretaires

Materials

Oak

Walnut Secretary in Louis XVI Style
Walnut Secretary in Louis XVI Style

Walnut Secretary in Louis XVI Style

$7,743Sale Price|20% Off

Walnut Secretary in Louis XVI Style

Located in Vulpellac, Girona

18th century secretary in Louis XVI style in walnut. It features three large drawers on the bottom

Category

Antique 18th Century Spanish Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

French 19th Century Ebonized & Inlay Secretary
French 19th Century Ebonized & Inlay Secretary

French 19th Century Ebonized & Inlay Secretary

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

This French Louis XVI style drop front secretary from the 1800s has impressive etched brass inlay

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Brass

18th Century, Veneered and Inlaid Secretary
18th Century, Veneered and Inlaid Secretary

18th Century, Veneered and Inlaid Secretary

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Stunning, hand carved, 18th century, parquetry inlaid and veneered, bonnet top, two-part secretary

Category

Antique 18th Century Italian Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Fruitwood, Walnut

Northern Italian Walnut Two-Part Secretary
Northern Italian Walnut Two-Part Secretary

Northern Italian Walnut Two-Part Secretary

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Northern Italy. The paneled doors in the upper cabinet bordered by relief carved acanthus leaves

Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

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Carved Secretary For Sale on 1stDibs

Find many varieties of an authentic carved secretary available at 1stDibs. A carved secretary — often made from wood, metal and oak — can elevate any home. There are 216 variations of the antique or vintage carved secretary you’re looking for, while we also have 1 modern editions of this piece to choose from as well. There are many kinds of the carved secretary you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 21st Century. When you’re browsing for the right carved secretary, those designed in Louis XV, Georgian and Baroque styles are of considerable interest. A well-made carved secretary has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Axel Heizmann, Baker Furniture Company and Chamberts Möbelfabrik are consistently popular.

How Much is a Carved Secretary?

Prices for a carved secretary can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $1,104 and can go as high as $125,000, while the average can fetch as much as $6,400.

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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