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Colonial Secretary Desk

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
Category

Early 20th Century Spanish Colonial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

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

Kittinger Georgian Mahogany Slant Front Secretary Desk From the White House
By Kittinger Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
secretary desk was commissioned by the White House in the 1970s, most likely by President Richard Nixon. If
Category

Vintage 1970s American Georgian Desks

Materials

Brass

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

Colonial Revival Slant Front Secretary Chest
Located in New York, NY
Colonial Revival 19th-century mahogany slant-front secretary desk/chest, rectangular with a slanted
Category

Antique 19th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Antique British Colonial Campaign Secretary Chest of Drawers
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome 19th century British Colonial Campaign chest handcrafted in mahogany featuring a pullout
Category

Antique Early 19th Century English British Colonial Commodes and Chests ...

Materials

Brass

Antique British Colonial Campaign Chest Secretary
Located in Palm Beach, FL
featuring a pull-out leather top secretary desk with nooks and drawers, three storage drawers below, brass
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Campaign Secretaires

Materials

Brass

English Fall-Front Secretary Desk in Carved Oak, Circa 1800
Located in East Hampton, NY
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
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 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 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

Vintage Cresent Queen Anne Style Cherry Secretary Writing Desk Bookcase Bureau
Located in Dayton, OH
Beautiful Queen Anne style secretary desk and bookcase by Cresent Manufacturing Company, circa
Category

Vintage 1970s Queen Anne Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Cherry

Tall Antique Indonesian Secretary with Glass Panels
Located in New York, NY
A tall Indonesian antique secretary with twin glass panel doors, mid 19th century. Polychromed wood
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Indonesian British Colonial Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood

Antique Campaign Secretary Chest
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive antique British Colonial Chinese campaign chest crafted in teak wood in two piece
Category

Early 20th Century Hong Kong Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Antique Campaign Secretary Chest
Antique Campaign Secretary Chest
H 40 in W 36 in D 18 in
Antique Charak Sheraton Style Round Flame Mahogany Leather Top Side Accent Table
By Charak Furniture Company
Located in Dayton, OH
colonial and Georgian styles, as well as sophisticated mid-century modern pieces Charak was established
Category

Vintage 1930s American Sheraton End Tables

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

John Widdicomb WM A Berkey Italian Provincial Regency Round Walnut Coffee Table
By John Widdicomb
Located in Dayton, OH
. During the 1930s the company manufactured mostly tables, as well as some desks and secretaries, corner
Category

Mid-20th Century Regency Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Walnut

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'Plissé White Edition' Pleated Textile Table Lamp by Folkform for Örsjö
By Örsjö Industri AB
Located in Glendale, CA
'Plissé White Edition' pleated textile table lamp by Folkform for Örsjö. This unique table lamp was awarded “Lighting of the Year 2022” by Residence Magazine Sweden, who called it “...
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21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

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Textile

Suelo Modern Side Chair
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
This Suelo modern side chair is beautifully constructed from solid wood in Ohio, USA. The lounge chair's silhouette is simple, modern, and sleek with comfortable back and seat cushio...
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2010s North American Modern Side Chairs

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Hardwood

Suelo Modern Side Chair
Suelo Modern Side Chair
H 31.5 in W 28.5 in D 31 in
18th Century Spanish Guard Room Dining Table w/ Trestle & Forged Iron Stretcher
Located in Miami, FL
A beautiful 18th century Spanish baroque guard room /dining table in walnut with plank-top resting on carved H-form trestle legs and hand-forged iron stretchers forged in Toledo. Spa...
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Antique Mid-18th Century Spanish Baroque Farm Tables

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Walnut

Antique 19th Century English Georgian Slant Front Desk or Secretary
Located in Casteren, NL
This classic slant front desk or bureau was made in England in the early 19th century. It was made in the finest quality watered European oak. The secretary is elevated on bracket ...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Secretaires

Materials

Brass

English Country King Bed
Located in Westwood, NJ
An English Country style reclaimed oak veneered and mahogany tester King size bed, with an arched headboard and four turned columns on a paneled foot rail, on turned legs. Dimensi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Country Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Oak

English Country King Bed
English Country King Bed
H 80.5 in W 85.25 in D 88.5 in
Federal Cherry Slant Lid Desk
Located in Bradenton, FL
A very nice size late 18th century American Cherry Chippendale slant front desk with white Pine secondary wood. Four molded graduated drawers constructed with large early dovetails ...
Category

Antique Late 18th Century Chippendale Desks

Materials

Cherry

Federal Cherry Slant Lid Desk
Federal Cherry Slant Lid Desk
H 42 in W 36 in D 19 in
20th Century Catalan Spanish Antic Pine Console Sofa Table, Three Drawers
Located in Miami, FL
20th century Spanish antique pine (mobila) console sofa table with the three drawers and original iron hardware. You can use like a commode or chest of drawers This elegant antique...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Spanish Baroque Revival Console Tables

Materials

Iron

Antique 18th Century Spanish Colonial Carved Cedar Coffer Chest Mexico 1750
Located in Portland, OR
Antique 18th century Spanish Colonial carved cedar coffer/chest, Mexico, circa 1750. The chest having a lift up lid with hand cut iron strap hinges, the chest is profusely chip-carve...
Category

Antique Mid-18th Century Mexican Spanish Colonial Blanket Chests

Materials

Cedar

Round Banded Mahogany Georgian Style Accent Foyer Table by Leighton Hall
By Leighton Hall Furniture
Located in Suwanee, GA
This is made-to-order round traditional mahogany accent/foyer table made in the Leighton Hall shop. It features a field of cathedral mahogany with a contrasting mahogany border. It h...
Category

2010s American Georgian Center Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Swedish Karl Johan Biedermeier Chest of Drawers with Pull Out Secretary in Birch
Located in Miami, FL
A very handsome birch Karl Johan Biedermeier chest of drawers with a drawer front fold down secretary. The drawer-front opens to an ample and beautiful ebonized and faux mahogany int...
Category

Antique 1820s Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires

Materials

Birch

Antique Scroll Arm Chair, English, Armchair, Desk, Needlepoint, Regency, C.1830
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique scroll arm chair. An English, mahogany armchair with needlepoint upholstery, dating to the Regency period, circa 1830. Striking serpentine form with an attracti...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century British Armchairs

Materials

Wood

Dos Gallos Custom Rustic Spanish Style Oak Cabinet
By Dos Gallos Studio
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great rustic cabinet in distressed oak. Shelves and rustic door latches. Can be made in custom sizes and finishes. Made in Los Angeles by Dos Gallos Studio. CUSTOM PRICES ARE SUBJEC...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Rustic Cabinets

Materials

Oak

Dutch 19th Century Oak Secretaire
Located in Delft, NL
A Dutch 19th century oak secretaire A Dutch 19th century oak secretaire and a wooden balcony rack. The secretaire consists of various drawers between 2 columns and a hidden draw...
Category

Antique 19th Century Dutch Secretaires

Materials

Oak

Dutch 19th Century Oak Secretaire
Dutch 19th Century Oak Secretaire
H 47.64 in W 46.46 in D 19.3 in
19th Century Louis XV Style Scriban
Located in London, Park Royal
Louis XV Style Scriban, in solid oak. Hand-carved with Provincial carving and hand-painted in an aged ecru on the outside with a dark midnight blue patina on the inside writing section.
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Secretaires

Materials

Wood

19th Century Louis XV Style Scriban
19th Century Louis XV Style Scriban
H 39.38 in W 33.08 in D 18.51 in
Antique Oak Secretary Desk, Sweden, circa 1920
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique secretary from the beginning of the 20th century. Made of oak wood. Very good condition. Dimensions: Height 111 cm / width 88 cm / depth. 52 cm.
Category

Vintage 1920s Swedish Chippendale Secretaires

Materials

Oak

Antique Oak Secretary Desk, Sweden, circa 1920
Antique Oak Secretary Desk, Sweden, circa 1920
H 43.71 in W 34.65 in D 20.48 in
Lady's Writing Desk/ Secretary in Mahogany w/ Cylinder Top over Chest of Drawers
Located in Miami, FL
A beautiful writing secretary in figured mahogany featuring a flight of 4 drawers & a cylinder top that opens to reveal a pull out writing surface with 4 interior drawers & letter cu...
Category

Early 20th Century Danish Queen Anne Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Recent Sales

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

Chippendale Bonnet-Top Secretary
Located in Litchfield, CT
desk fitted with a carved shaped interior above four graduated drawers. Pieces with similar attributes
Category

Antique Late 18th Century American Chippendale Secretaires

Chippendale Bonnet-Top Secretary
Chippendale Bonnet-Top Secretary
H 92 in W 38 in D 20 in
A Rare Diminutive Chippendale Block Front Desk and Bookcase
Located in New York, NY
-FRONT DESK AND BOOKCASE The blockfront desk-and-bookcase is one of the most highly
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier American Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany, Cedar

Fine Inlaid Mahogany Federal / Hepplewhite Breakfront, Rhode Island, circa 1800
Located in Providence, RI
This breakfront was part of a superb collection of colonial furniture owned by Francis Hill
Category

Antique Early 1800s American Hepplewhite Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany

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
British Colonial Secretary Desk
H 57.5 in W 45 in D 16 in
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

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
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
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
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 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

Jacobean Style Flame Mahogany Secretary Desk by Bloomingdales
Located in Plainview, NY
A 1970's Jacobean Spanish colonial style drop-lid slant front desk made of quality flame mahogany
Category

20th Century American Jacobean Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany

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
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
By Frank Mason, Monterey Furniture
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
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
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
Located in New York, 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
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

American Chippendale Oxbow Desk on Ball and Claw Feet, Boston c. 1760
Located in Shippensburg, PA
, p. 241-246 f. 50 catalogues a Boston, Massachusetts c. 1765-75 block front secretary desk with the
Category

Antique Late 18th Century American Chippendale Desks

Materials

Brass

Two Piece Colonial Secretary with Display Shelves and Three Drawers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
. Drop down felt lined desk and three drawers on lower piece.
Category

Early 20th Century American American Colonial Secretaires

French Empire Colonial Mahogany Secretary in Oval Shape
Located in Vulpellac, Girona
French Empire colonial mahogany secretary in oval shape. The secretary comprises lots of store
Category

Antique 19th Century French Empire Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

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

Fabulous Antique British Colonial Butler's Desk 'With Secret Compartments'
Located in Atlanta, GA
A tall British Colonial carved-wood secretary with display top from the turn of the 19th and 20th
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Indian British Colonial Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Wood

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

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

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
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

Glass Front Secretary
Located in New York, NY
A large secretary in a Dutch Colonial style in red with gold detail, with double paned glass doors
Category

Antique 19th Century Indonesian Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Glass Front Secretary
Glass Front Secretary
H 106.5 in W 61.5 in D 48 in
19th C Bajan Mahogany and Brass Secretary Bookcase
Located in Charleston, SC
A rare Bajan secretary bookcase with brass inlay and shell carvings. Three separate pieces come
Category

Antique 19th Century Caribbean British Colonial Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Rare and Fine Federal Mahogany Linen Press with Secretary Desk, circa 1805-1815
Located in Shippensburg, PA
many functions: A linen press, a chest of drawers, a secretary desk and is flanked by wardrobe wings
Category

Antique 1810s American Federal Linen Presses

Materials

Brass

American Mahogany Oxbow Swan Neck Secretary with Bookcase, Salem, Ma. Circa 1790
Located in Hollywood, SC
American mahogany oxbow secretary with an upper case swan's neck pierced pediment, hinged bookcase
Category

Antique 1790s American American Colonial Secretaires

Materials

Brass

18th Century American Mahogany Chippendale Chest, circa 1770
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A stunning piece of early American furniture with excellent provenance, this secretary bookcase was
Category

Antique 1770s American American Colonial Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany, Poplar

Antique Walnut Chairs, Queen Anne Chairs, 7 Dining Chairs, Scotland 1920, B1196
Located in Vancouver, BC
“curving shapes, the cabriole leg, cushioned seats, wing-back chairs, and practical secretary desk-bookcase
Category

Vintage 1920s Scottish Queen Anne Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Early 20th Century Silver Mezuzah by Avraham Moshe Sokolka, Jerusalem
Located in New York, NY
Tzion.” One of its goals was to sell Jewish Colonial Trust bonds “Otzar Ha’Hityashvot Ha’Yehudit” among
Category

Early 20th Century Israeli Art Deco Religious Items

Materials

Silver

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
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

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

Paul Revere Doll House and Furniture 73 Pc Vintage Wood Accessories Miniatures
Located in Dayton, OH
, sofa, chair, rocker, gold frame, 2 andirons, potted plant, secretary desk, coffee table Due to its
Category

20th Century American Colonial Toys

Materials

Other

18th Century American Mahogany Chippendale Chest, circa 1770
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A stunning piece of early American furniture with excellent provenance, this secretary bookcase was
Category

Antique 1770s American American Colonial Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany, Poplar

19th Century Campaign Chest
Located in East Hampton, NY
drawer having a secretary desk. Includes two keys for all well working locks. Made by S & H Jewell
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English Commodes and Chests of Drawers

19th Century Campaign Chest
19th Century Campaign Chest
H 39 in W 38.5 in D 18 in
Antique American Chippendale Style Bookcase
By Rockford National Furniture Company 1
Located in Forney, TX
a secretary style writing desk with ample storage options provided by ten open letter slots, three
Category

Early 20th Century American Chippendale Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany, Paint

19th C. Spanish Secretary (GMD#2230)
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th Century Spanish Colonial Carved Walnut Secretary. Top hinged and flips up and over flat, then
Category

Antique 19th Century Spanish Secretaires

19th C. Spanish Secretary (GMD#2230)
19th C. Spanish Secretary (GMD#2230)
H 37.5 in W 27 in D 17 in
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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 antique and vintage case pieces and storage cabinets 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 storage 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. Whether you’re seeking a playful sideboard made of colored glass and metals, 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 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 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 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 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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