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Colonial Secretary Desk

Early American Solid Maple and Birch Drop Front Secretary Desk
Early American Solid Maple and Birch Drop Front Secretary Desk

Early American Solid Maple and Birch Drop Front Secretary Desk

Located in South Bend, IN

A beautiful American Colonial or Chippendale style bureau with drop front secretary desk USA

Category

Vintage 1970s American American Colonial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Antique Spanish Walnut Burl and Rosewood Claw Foot Drop Front Secretary Desk
Antique Spanish Walnut Burl and Rosewood Claw Foot Drop Front Secretary Desk

Antique Spanish Walnut Burl and Rosewood Claw Foot Drop Front Secretary Desk

Located in Chicago, IL

Antique Spanish Walnut Burl and Rosewood Claw Foot Drop Front Secretary Desk This beautiful

Category

Antique Early 1900s Spanish Spanish Colonial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Vintage Early American Style Petite Maple Lift Top Secretary Desk & Hutch 70"
Vintage Early American Style Petite Maple Lift Top Secretary Desk & Hutch 70"

Vintage Early American Style Petite Maple Lift Top Secretary Desk & Hutch 70"

Located in Dayton, OH

1960s American Country Diminutive Desk & Hutch. Made from maple with a lift top writing desk

Category

Mid-20th Century American American Colonial Desks

Materials

Brass

Early American Solid Maple and Birch Drop Front Secretary With Bookcase Hutch
Early American Solid Maple and Birch Drop Front Secretary With Bookcase Hutch

Early American Solid Maple and Birch Drop Front Secretary With Bookcase Hutch

Located in South Bend, IN

A beautiful American Colonial or Chippendale style bureau with drop front secretary desk and

Category

Vintage 1970s American American Colonial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Jasper Early American Colonial Style Petite Maple Secretary Desk & Bookcase 72"
Jasper Early American Colonial Style Petite Maple Secretary Desk & Bookcase 72"

Jasper Early American Colonial Style Petite Maple Secretary Desk & Bookcase 72"

By Jasper Furniture Company

Located in Dayton, OH

A Petite Secretary Desk & Bookcase by Jasper Cabinet Company of Indiana. Circa 1980s. Features a

Category

Vintage 1980s American American Colonial Secretaires

Materials

Maple

Antique Kittinger Spanish Colonial Walnut Fall Front Secretary Desk Barley Twist
Antique Kittinger Spanish Colonial Walnut Fall Front Secretary Desk Barley Twist

Antique Kittinger Spanish Colonial Walnut Fall Front Secretary Desk Barley Twist

By Kittinger Furniture Company

Located in Dayton, OH

Extremely rare 1 of a kind early Kittinger Spanish Colonial fall front secretary or library desk. A

Category

Early 20th Century Spanish Colonial Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Antique Oak Drop Front Secretary Desk Bookcase Bookshelf Console 65"
Antique Oak Drop Front Secretary Desk Bookcase Bookshelf Console 65"

Antique Oak Drop Front Secretary Desk Bookcase Bookshelf Console 65"

Located in Dayton, OH

Antique Early American style secretary desk / bookcase / writing bureau / larkin / chalet . Made

Category

Early 20th Century American Colonial Secretaires

Materials

Oak

18th Century Dutch Bombe Slant Front Secretary Desk in Pine
18th Century Dutch Bombe Slant Front Secretary Desk in Pine

18th Century Dutch Bombe Slant Front Secretary Desk in Pine

Located in Houston, TX

An exceptional and character-rich 18th century Dutch bombe secretary desk, crafted in warm, honey

Category

Antique 18th Century Dutch Dutch Colonial Secretaires

Materials

Pine

Antique Georgian Flame Mahogany Slant Front Secretary Writing Desk Bureau
Antique Georgian Flame Mahogany Slant Front Secretary Writing Desk Bureau

Antique Georgian Flame Mahogany Slant Front Secretary Writing Desk Bureau

$2,625Sale Price|30% Off

H 41.5 in W 42.5 in D 21.5 in

Antique Georgian Flame Mahogany Slant Front Secretary Writing Desk Bureau

Located in Dayton, OH

Exquisite antique early 19th century secretary writing storage desk. Made of flame mahogany

Category

Antique 19th Century American American Colonial Secretaires

Materials

Birdseye Maple, Mahogany

Restored Antique Drop-Front Secretary Desk in Black – The Caligra Noir
Restored Antique Drop-Front Secretary Desk in Black – The Caligra Noir

Restored Antique Drop-Front Secretary Desk in Black – The Caligra Noir

Located in Rolling Hills Estates, CA

secretary desk reimagined in matte black. Featuring a drop-front façade and finely arranged internal

Category

Early 20th Century American Colonial Furniture

Materials

Wood

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

is perfect for many uses; ample drawer storage, desk/ table top space and just pretty to look at

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

$2,320Sale Price|20% Off

H 47.25 in W 31.3 in D 15.75 in

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

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

Recent Sales

Secretary Desk, Spanish Style Mahogany Wood with Stenciled Drawer Fronts
Secretary Desk, Spanish Style Mahogany Wood with Stenciled Drawer Fronts

Secretary Desk, Spanish Style Mahogany Wood with Stenciled Drawer Fronts

Located in Seattle, WA

Spanish-style desk with upper drawers. Mahogany wood with stenciled drawer fronts and highlights

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Spanish Colonial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

British Colonial Secretary Desk
British Colonial Secretary Desk

British Colonial Secretary Desk

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H 57.5 in W 45 in D 16 in

British Colonial Secretary Desk

Located in Chicago, IL

This impressive secretary was once found in an colonial office in Rangoon, Burma. The large door

Category

Early 20th Century Indian British Colonial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

British Colonial Secretary Desk with Roll Top
British Colonial Secretary Desk with Roll Top

British Colonial Secretary Desk with Roll Top

Located in Chicago, IL

Burmese Colonial era Roll Top desk with Storage.

Category

Vintage 1930s Burmese Desks

Materials

Sycamore, Teak

Colonial Revival Secretary Desk w/ Glass Bookcase
Colonial Revival Secretary Desk w/ Glass Bookcase

Colonial Revival Secretary Desk w/ Glass Bookcase

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Cabinet Co. in the 1950s, this Colonial Revival Secretary Desk with Glass Bookcase showcases timeless

Category

Vintage 1950s American Colonial Revival Desks

Materials

Brass

Vintage Bassett Furniture Maple Wood Colonial Style Fall Front Secretary Desk
Vintage Bassett Furniture Maple Wood Colonial Style Fall Front Secretary Desk

Vintage Bassett Furniture Maple Wood Colonial Style Fall Front Secretary Desk

By Bassett Furniture

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Vintage Bassett furniture maple wood colonial style fall front secretary desk. Item features a

Category

Mid-20th Century North American American Colonial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Maple

Antique Mahogany American Empire Colonial Small Secretary Writing Desk Table
Antique Mahogany American Empire Colonial Small Secretary Writing Desk Table

Antique Mahogany American Empire Colonial Small Secretary Writing Desk Table

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Antique Mahogany American Empire Colonial Small Secretary Writing Desk Table. Item features

Category

Antique 19th Century Empire Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Baker School Colonial Flame Mahogany Breakfront Secretary Cabinet, circa 1940
Baker School Colonial Flame Mahogany Breakfront Secretary Cabinet, circa 1940

Baker School Colonial Flame Mahogany Breakfront Secretary Cabinet, circa 1940

By Baker Furniture Company

Located in Big Flats, NY

Baker School Colonial flame mahogany breakfront features central upper cabinet with double deeply

Category

20th Century American American Colonial Desks

Materials

Bronze

Vintage Governor Winthrop Mahogany Secretary by Maddock Colonial, circa 1930
Vintage Governor Winthrop Mahogany Secretary by Maddock Colonial, circa 1930

Vintage Governor Winthrop Mahogany Secretary by Maddock Colonial, circa 1930

Located in Big Flats, NY

A vintage Governor Winthrop secretary by Maddock Colonial offers mahogany construction with upper

Category

Mid-20th Century American American Colonial Desks

Materials

Metal

Antique 19th Century Dovetail Joints Secretary Drop Front Writing Desk
Antique 19th Century Dovetail Joints Secretary Drop Front Writing Desk

Antique 19th Century Dovetail Joints Secretary Drop Front Writing Desk

Located in Southampton, NJ

19th C. Antique American Pine slant top drop down desk with exposed dovetail joinery, generous

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American American Colonial Desks and Writing T...

Materials

Brass

Antique Early American 19th C Plantation Writing Desk Secretary Cabinet Cupboard
Antique Early American 19th C Plantation Writing Desk Secretary Cabinet Cupboard

Antique Early American 19th C Plantation Writing Desk Secretary Cabinet Cupboard

Located in Dayton, OH

A beautiful plantation or secretary desk featuring primitive styling with upper cabinet or bookcase

Category

Antique Early 19th Century American Colonial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Poplar, Walnut

Colonial MFG Co Vintage Pine Breakfront Butler Secretary Desk China Cabinet
Colonial MFG Co Vintage Pine Breakfront Butler Secretary Desk China Cabinet

Colonial MFG Co Vintage Pine Breakfront Butler Secretary Desk China Cabinet

By Colonial Furniture Company

Located in Dayton, OH

desks in Mission, Colonial Revival, and oriental lacquered styles. Company history 1906: Company

Category

Mid-20th Century American Classical Cabinets

Materials

Glass, Pine

Antique Campaign Ship Captain's Desk Cabinet or Secretary
Antique Campaign Ship Captain's Desk Cabinet or Secretary

Antique Campaign Ship Captain's Desk Cabinet or Secretary

Located in Palm Beach, FL

Edwardian Captain's upright secretary crafted in mahogany with inlaid ovals on the cabinet door

Category

Early 20th Century English British Colonial Desks

Materials

Brass

Rustic Secretary Desk by Monterey Furniture
Rustic Secretary Desk by Monterey Furniture

Rustic Secretary Desk by Monterey Furniture

Sold

H 66 in W 30.25 in D 16 in

Rustic Secretary Desk by Monterey Furniture

By Monterey Furniture, Frank Mason

Located in Fulton, CA

A rustic California Rancho or Spanish Colonial style drop-front secretary desk made by Monterey

Category

Vintage 1930s American Rancho Monterey Desks

Materials

Wood

Vintage Queen Anne Baker Style Cherry Secretary Drop Front Desk by Colonial
Vintage Queen Anne Baker Style Cherry Secretary Drop Front Desk by Colonial

Vintage Queen Anne Baker Style Cherry Secretary Drop Front Desk by Colonial

By Colonial Furniture Company

Located in Big Flats, NY

Vintage Queen Anne Baker style secretary by The Colonial Furniture Company features cherry

Category

20th Century American Queen Anne Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

English Campaign Secretary Chest on Stand
English Campaign Secretary Chest on Stand

English Campaign Secretary Chest on Stand

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H 43.5 in W 36 in D 16 in

English Campaign Secretary Chest on Stand

Located in Palm Beach, FL

featuring exotic cuts of flame mahogany and a fall front butlers desk with slots, drawers and retaining the

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English British Colonial Desks

Materials

Mahogany

Caribbean Colonial Style Slant Front Secretary Desk in Mahogany
Caribbean Colonial Style Slant Front Secretary Desk in Mahogany

Caribbean Colonial Style Slant Front Secretary Desk in Mahogany

Located in Astoria, NY

Caribbean Colonial style mahogany slant front secretary, in the late Classical taste, two columns

Category

Early 20th Century Unknown British Colonial Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Stickley American Colonial Cherry Drop Front Secretary Desk with Bookcase, 1960s
Stickley American Colonial Cherry Drop Front Secretary Desk with Bookcase, 1960s

Stickley American Colonial Cherry Drop Front Secretary Desk with Bookcase, 1960s

By L. & J.G. Stickley Inc.

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous mid-century early American style bureau with drop front secretary desk and bookcase

Category

Vintage 1960s American American Colonial Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Antique 18th Century VOC Dutch Colonial Padouk Ebony Secretary Desk Bureau 1730
Antique 18th Century VOC Dutch Colonial Padouk Ebony Secretary Desk Bureau 1730

Antique 18th Century VOC Dutch Colonial Padouk Ebony Secretary Desk Bureau 1730

Located in Portland, OR

A very rare antique Dutch Colonial V.O.C. (Dutch East India Company) fall front bureau/desk on

Category

Antique 1730s Indonesian Dutch Colonial Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Antique Spanish Renaissance Revival Vargueno Secretary Desk on Stand
Antique Spanish Renaissance Revival Vargueno Secretary Desk on Stand

Antique Spanish Renaissance Revival Vargueno Secretary Desk on Stand

Located in LOS ANGELES, CA

Antique Spanish Renaissance Revival Vargueno Secretary Desk on Stand.

Category

Antique 19th Century Spanish Colonial Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Baker Furniture Mahogany Breakfront Bookcase Cabinet with Secretary Desk, 1940s
Baker Furniture Mahogany Breakfront Bookcase Cabinet with Secretary Desk, 1940s

Baker Furniture Mahogany Breakfront Bookcase Cabinet with Secretary Desk, 1940s

By Baker Furniture Company

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous mahogany breakfront display cabinet or bookcase with pull-out leather top secretary desk

Category

Vintage 1940s American British Colonial Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Antique Early American 19th C Plantation Desk Secretary Bookcase Hutch Cupboard
Antique Early American 19th C Plantation Desk Secretary Bookcase Hutch Cupboard

Antique Early American 19th C Plantation Desk Secretary Bookcase Hutch Cupboard

Located in Dayton, OH

An exquisite Early American Plantation, clerk or mail Desk, Circa mid 19th C.. This exceptional 2

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century American Colonial Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Hardwood

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

Spanish Fall-Front Secretary Desk in Carved Walnut, 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

Walnut

Rare Two Piece Antique Dutch Marquetry Secretary Desk Cabinet with Mirrored Door
Rare Two Piece Antique Dutch Marquetry Secretary Desk Cabinet with Mirrored Door

Rare Two Piece Antique Dutch Marquetry Secretary Desk Cabinet with Mirrored Door

Located in Swedesboro, NJ

This rare two-piece antique Dutch marquetry secretary desk cabinet is an exceptional example of

Category

Antique Early 1900s Dutch Dutch Colonial Secretaires

Materials

Mirror, Satinwood, Walnut

18th C. Dutch Marquetry Inlay Drop Front Secretary Desk Bombe Commode Secretaire
18th C. Dutch Marquetry Inlay Drop Front Secretary Desk Bombe Commode Secretaire

18th C. Dutch Marquetry Inlay Drop Front Secretary Desk Bombe Commode Secretaire

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Antique Dutch marquetry hand inlaid bombe form drop front desk or secretaire, circa 1790. This

Category

Antique 17th Century Dutch Dutch Colonial Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Wright Table Co. New England Style Cherry Blind Door Secretary Desk and Bookcase
Wright Table Co. New England Style Cherry Blind Door Secretary Desk and Bookcase

Wright Table Co. New England Style Cherry Blind Door Secretary Desk and Bookcase

Located in Dayton, OH

A Monumental New England style secretary desk from Wright Table Company. Made from solid cherrywood

Category

Vintage 1980s American American Colonial Secretaires

Materials

Cherry

Willett Early American Golden Beryl Maple Secretary Writing Desk Bookcase Hutch
Willett Early American Golden Beryl Maple Secretary Writing Desk Bookcase Hutch

Willett Early American Golden Beryl Maple Secretary Writing Desk Bookcase Hutch

By Willett Furniture Company

Located in Dayton, OH

Mid-20th century secretary with bookcase by H. Willett. Part of the Golden Beryl Maple collection

Category

Mid-20th Century American Colonial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Maple

18th Century Early American Chippendale Cherrywood Drop-Front Secretary Desk
18th Century Early American Chippendale Cherrywood Drop-Front Secretary Desk

18th Century Early American Chippendale Cherrywood Drop-Front Secretary Desk

Located in South Bend, IN

A stunning 18th century early American cherrywood drop-front secretary desk. The desk features

Category

Antique 18th Century American American Colonial Desks

Materials

Brass

Vintage Davis Cabinet Co. Colonial Style American Pine Secretary Writing Desk
Vintage Davis Cabinet Co. Colonial Style American Pine Secretary Writing Desk

Vintage Davis Cabinet Co. Colonial Style American Pine Secretary Writing Desk

By Davis Cabinet Company

Located in Dayton, OH

Davis Cabinet Company Secretary Desk, no 376 circa 1950s. Made from American pine with a lockable

Category

Mid-20th Century American Country Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Vintage Solid Maple Secretary Cabinet, Desk, Storage, Entryway, Living Room
Vintage Solid Maple Secretary Cabinet, Desk, Storage, Entryway, Living Room

Vintage Solid Maple Secretary Cabinet, Desk, Storage, Entryway, Living Room

Located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Vintage Solid Maple Secretary Cabinet, Desk, Storage, Entryway, Living Room, Colonial, Early

Category

Late 20th Century Unknown American Colonial Cabinets

Materials

Maple, Wood

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

Spanish Fall-Front Secretary Desk in Carved Walnut, 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

Walnut

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

Spanish Fall-Front Secretary Desk in Carved Walnut, 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

Walnut

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Rare Victorian Firescreen with Taxidermy Hummingbirds by Henry Ward

$228,108Sale 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...

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Antique Mid-19th Century English High Victorian Taxidermy

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American Colonial Cherry Drop-Down Desk by Maddox
American Colonial Cherry Drop-Down Desk by Maddox

American Colonial Cherry Drop-Down Desk by Maddox

$750

H 39.25 in W 36 in D 19.25 in

American Colonial Cherry Drop-Down Desk by Maddox

By Maddox Furniture

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Condition: Original Vintage Condition Materials: Cherry, Brass Pulls Dimensions: 39.25”H x 36”W x 19.25”D Table Height 28"

Category

Vintage 1950s American American Colonial Desks

Materials

Brass

Antique French Carved Oak Secretary Desk Bureau Drop Front Louis XV Style
Antique French Carved Oak Secretary Desk Bureau Drop Front Louis XV Style

Antique French Carved Oak Secretary Desk Bureau Drop Front Louis XV Style

Located in Shreveport, LA

Antique French carved oak secretary desk Bureau drop front Louis XV style. Direct from France, a lovely antique French carved “drop front” secretary/desk with quintessential French ...

Category

Vintage 1920s French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

English Mahogany Secretary Desk, 19th Century
English Mahogany Secretary Desk, 19th Century

English Mahogany Secretary Desk, 19th Century

$2,400

H 80.5 in W 46.5 in D 21 in

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 80.5"...

Category

Antique 19th Century British Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Biedermeier Secretary Desk, South German, 1820
Biedermeier Secretary Desk, South German, 1820

Biedermeier Secretary Desk, South German, 1820

$12,000Sale Price|20% Off

H 63.39 in W 38.19 in D 21.66 in

Biedermeier Secretary Desk, South German, 1820

Located in Belmont, MA

Biedermeier secretary desk, South German 1820. This unique and very beautiful secretary desk dates back to the early phase of the Biedermeier style. It has a beautiful walnut veneer ...

Category

Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Secretaires

Materials

Elm, Walnut

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Colonial Secretary Desk For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the colonial secretary desk you’re looking for. A colonial secretary desk — often made from wood, metal and walnut — can elevate any home. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect colonial secretary desk — we have versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century are available. When you’re browsing for the right colonial secretary desk, those designed in Art Deco, Georgian and Regency styles are of considerable interest. A well-made colonial secretary desk has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Kittinger Furniture Company, Baker Furniture Company and John Widdicomb are consistently popular.

How Much is a Colonial Secretary Desk?

Prices for a colonial secretary desk can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $840 and can go as high as $20,000, while the average can fetch as much as $3,945.

Finding the Right Case Pieces And Storage Cabinets for You

Of all the vintage storage cabinets and antique case pieces that have become popular in modern interiors over the years, dressers, credenzas and cabinets have long been home staples, perfect for routine storage or protection of personal items. 

In the mid-19th century, cabinetmakers would mimic styles originating in the Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI eras for their dressers, bookshelves and other structures, and, later, simpler, streamlined wood designs allowed these “case pieces” or “case goods” — any furnishing that is unupholstered and has some semblance of a storage component — to blend into the background of any interior. 

Mid-century modern furniture enthusiasts will cite the tall modular wall units crafted in teak and other sought-after woods of the era by the likes of George Nelson, Poul Cadovius and Finn Juhl. For these highly customizable furnishings, designers of the day delivered an alternative to big, heavy bookcases by considering the use of space — and, in particular, walls — in new and innovative ways. Mid-century modern credenzas, which, long and low, evolved from tables that were built as early as the 14th century in Italy, typically have no legs or very short legs and have grown in popularity as an alluring storage option over time. 

Although the name immediately invokes images of clothing, dressers were initially created in Europe for a much different purpose. This furnishing was initially a flat-surfaced, low-profile side table equipped with a few drawers — a common fixture used to dress and prepare meats in English kitchens throughout the Tudor period. The drawers served as perfect utensil storage. It wasn’t until the design made its way to North America that it became enlarged and equipped with enough space to hold clothing and cosmetics. The very history of case pieces is a testament to their versatility and well-earned place in any room. 

In the spirit of positioning your case goods center stage, decluttering can now be design-minded.

A contemporary case piece with open shelving and painted wood details can prove functional as a storage unit as easily as it can a room divider. Alternatively, apothecary cabinets are charming case goods similar in size to early dressers or commodes but with uniquely sized shelving and (often numerous) drawers.

Whether you’re seeking a playful sideboard that features colored glass and metal details, an antique Italian hand-carved storage cabinet or a glass-door vitrine to store and show off your collectibles, there are options for you on 1stDibs.

Questions About Colonial Secretary Desk
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023
    A secretary desk is called by its name because of its original function. When the desks first emerged in 19th-century France, the secretaries of estates used them to conduct business. Once they finished paying bills and reconciling accounts, they could raise the hinged writing surface and close the desk. Secretary desks are the workstations of choice in many busy households, especially those with spaces pulling double duty as offices by day and living rooms, dining rooms or bedrooms at night. On 1stDibs, shop an array of secretary desks.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Secretary desks originated in the early 18th century. They were typically used by secretaries and clerks and featured plenty of compacted drawers for stationary storage. On 1stDibs, find a collection of secretary desks from some of the world’s top sellers.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    A secretary desk works with the help of hinges that secure the writing surface to the rest of the piece. To use one, you simply pull down on the wooden door to open the hinge and lower the writing surface. Return the desk to its closed position by lifting the writing surface up. You'll find a selection of secretary desks on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021
    An antique secretary desk will range in value depending on its authenticity and condition. The price can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. On 1stDibs find the antique secretary desk you’re looking for today.

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