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19th Century Biedermeier Column Secretary
Located in Berlin, DE
staggered office division. Flanked by two full columns of massive beech, carved and gilt bases and capitals
Category
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Mahogany
Chippendale Secretary
Located in Wilson, NC
The top interior of this English Chippendale secretary has three adjustable shelves and five
Category
Antique 1770s English Chippendale Secretaires
Materials
Brass
English Mahogany Secretary
Located in Wilson, NC
The top of this secretary has shaped raised panels. It has the original four lever lock and key
Category
Antique 1760s English Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Antique French Secretary
Located in Malibu, CA
, columns, and matched woodgrain pattern. Unlike the high gloss finish of many pieces from this period, the
Category
Antique Early 19th Century French Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Brass, Other
19th Century Biedermeier Secretary
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
19th Century Biedermeier Secretary,
Germany, Ca.1820
Walnut
Original secretary veneered in walnut
Category
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
German Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary
Located in New York, NY
German Biedermeier (circa 1820) mahogany secretary cabinet with Corinthian columns on top and
Category
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
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
Continental Gustavian Painted Secretary
Located in New York, NY
Continental Gustavian-style (Possibly Swedish/ Danish 18th Century) off-white painted secretary
Category
Antique 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
19th Century Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
19th Century Conical Shape Secretary,
Germany, 1820
This fine Biedermeier secretary made of
Category
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Empire Walnut Secretary
Located in Houston, TX
French first Empire period Secretaire à Abattant, also known as a drop-front secretary, fall front
Category
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Secretaires
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Tiger Maple Secretary Chippendale Style
Located in New York, NY
Mid century tiger maple secretary hand made by renowned cabinet maker Kurt Richeburg Hanover MA
Category
Vintage 1960s American Chippendale Secretaires
Materials
Maple
18th Century English Mahogany Secretary
Located in Wilson, NC
18th century English mahogany Secretary, with the frieze having blind fretwork. The cornice has
Category
Antique 1780s English Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Biedermeier Secretary Desk, South German, 1820
Located in Belmont, MA
Biedermeier secretary desk, South German 1820. This unique and very beautiful secretary desk dates
Category
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Elm, Walnut
19th Century German Biedermeier Style Secretary
Located in Berlin, DE
Petite secretary Biedermeier style, circa 1790.
High-quality Cuba mahogany on solid softwood. High
Category
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Mahogany, Softwood
19th Century Swedish Pine Secretary Sideboard
Located in Kramfors, SE
Sideboard with a secretary desk made during the early 1800s, 1820 to 1830, in northern Sweden from
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Country Sideboards
Materials
Pine
19C Irish Georgian Style Secretary Bookcase
Located in Dallas, TX
PRESENTING a STUNNING 19C Irish Georgian Style Secretary Bookcase.
From circa 1850-60 and most
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Irish George III Bookcases
Materials
Glass, Mahogany, Satinwood
Exceptional Consulate Period Mahogany Secretary 1800s -1X42
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Step into the grandeur of the Consulate era with this exceptional mahogany secretary, crafted
Category
Antique Early 1800s Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
No Reserve
H 59.85 in W 36.62 in D 19.69 in
Early 19th Century Neoclassical Karelian Birch Secretary
Located in Houston, TX
An extraordinary early 19th Century Neoclassical style Karelian birch secretary. This wonderful
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Baltic Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century Biedermeier Style Cuba-Mahogany Secretary
Located in Berlin, DE
Classicist secretary, circa 1800-1810.
Cuba mahogany on solid softwood partly ebonized. High-right
Category
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Softwood, Wood, Mahogany
19th Century Danish Biedermeier Bureau Secretary Desk
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This early 19th century mahogany Biedermeier secretary bureau was made in two sections, circa 1830
Category
Antique 19th Century Danish Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Antique Gustavian Style Painted Secretary Bureau
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Early 19th Century Swedish Slant Front secretary with solid columns,
Sweden, 1800-1810
Solid oak
Category
Antique 1810s Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Empire Secretary à abattant, France early 19th century
Located in Greding, DE
French Empire secretary à abattant with a two-door base, two wide drawers and a flat writing flap
Category
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Mahogany, Maple
Antique English Georgian Walnut Slant Front Secretary Desk
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An antique slant front secretary desk with graduated drawers (one over two short, over two long
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century English Georgian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Unusual 18th-19th Century Continental Secretary Bookcase
Located in Bridgeport, CT
. Tapering column supports with carved rosettes on the bottom, raised on turned turnip feet. The lower case
Category
Antique 19th Century European Georgian Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Birch Secretary Bureau from Germany, circa 1840-60
Located in Round Top, TX
Rich birch and stately lines define this handsome Biedermeier drop front secretary.
Refer to close
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Birch
Antique Oak Secretary Bureau, Denmark circa 1800-40
Located in Round Top, TX
This oak secretary reflects the refined grace and style of early 1800's Denmark. The fluted carving
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Danish Country Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Biedermeier Antique Secretary Circa 1840 Veneered With Mahogany
Located in Opole, PL
Biedermeier Antique Secretary Circa 1840 Veneered With Mahogany
Furniture in the Biedermeier style
Category
Antique 1840s German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Period English Regency Secretary Cabinet with Ebonized Trim
Located in Dallas, TX
English Regency period mahogany and satinwood two-piece secretary cabinet. Pine secondary wood. Top
Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Regency Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Antique 19th Century Danish Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary Desk
Located in Round Top, TX
This stunning Biedermeier secretary was crafted in Denmark during a peak era known for high quality
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Danish Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Mahogany
George II Walnut Slant Front Bureau Bookcase / Secretary
Located in Woodbury, CT
George II walnut and walnut burl slant front bureau bookcase / secretary with original hand beveled
Category
Antique 18th Century British George II Secretaires
Materials
Walnut, Burl
Rare North German Altona Empire Secretary, circa 1810-1815
Located in Handewitt, DE
gallery and "Schinkeldach". Decorated with some half-columns. Back of the secretary with sticker from
Category
Antique 1810s German Empire Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
Louis XVI Style Secretary Stamped Quignon in Paris
By Frederic Gustave Quignon
Located in BARSAC, FR
mahogany forming a secretary / document holder cabinet.
Opening 6 drawers including a secret one at the
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Rare North German Altona Empire Secretary, C. 1810-1815
Located in Handewitt, DE
gallery and "Schinkeldach". Decorated with some half-columns. Back of the secretary with sticker from
Category
Antique Early 19th Century German Empire Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
19th Century George III Style Mahogany Bureau Secretary Bookcase
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a sophisticated and stately Danish secretary bookcase. The partially pierced cornice and a
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Danish Louis XVI Bookcases
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Mahogany Drop Front Secretary "Secrétaire à Abattant"
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A 19th century French Empire drop front secretary with black as a marble top and side columns with
Category
Antique 1870s French Empire More Carpets
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Mahogany Drop Front Secretary "Secrétaire à Abattant"
Located in Tarry Town, NY
marble top. The secretary features two front side columns with bronze mounts detail with three pull
Category
Antique 1810s French Empire Secretaires
Materials
Brass
19th Century German Biedermeier Veneered Mahogany Cabinet - Antique Secretary
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
veneered Mahogany, in good condition. The bottom part of the shellac polished secretary is composed with
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Cabinets
Materials
Metal, Brass
No Reserve
H 80.5 in W 40 in D 19.75 in
Antique Biedermeier Secretary shelve circa 1810 Cuba Mahogany veneer
Located in Berlin, DE
drawers . Straight writing tablet, behind it architectural interior with 5 columns. Set back two-door
Category
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
H 72.84 in W 44.49 in D 23.63 in
19th-Century Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary Desk in Beautiful Graining
Located in Opole, PL
19th-Century Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary Desk in Beautiful Graining
We present you this piece
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century European Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany, Baize
H 62.21 in W 44.1 in D 23.23 in
19th Century Empire St. Mahogany, Ormolu, Bronze & Fruitwood Secretary
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
ebonized fruitwood drop front secretary. The secretary is raised by four square tapered legs ending with
Category
Antique 19th Century Unknown Empire Secretaires
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
H 56.5 in W 45.75 in D 22.25 in
Conical Secrétaire, 19th Century Biedermeier Secretary in Birch, Germany
Located in Greven, DE
Conical secretary
North-East Germany
birch,
19th century, Biedermeier, circa 1820
Category
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Birch
H 59.06 in W 40.16 in D 20.48 in
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
18th Century George III Mahogany Bookcase Secretary, Georgian, 1780s
Located in Roma, RM
detail, see the faux carved wall near the columns, the curved feet and the inside of the flap, very
Category
Antique 1780s English George III Bookcases
Materials
Mahogany
H 83.08 in W 44.89 in D 24.41 in
Antique French Carved Secretary Petite Desk Barley Twist Walnut Bookcase
Located in Shreveport, LA
19th century French Carved Secretary Petite Writing Desk Barley Twist Louis XIII.
Direct from
Category
Antique 1890s French Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
H 49 in W 29.5 in D 18.25 in
Fine Inlaid Georgian Secretary with Falconer Pediment, Probably by Gillows
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Charleston, SC
Very good inlaid Georgian secretary with a falconer pediment, probably by Gillows. The secretary
Category
Antique 18th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany, Satin
Antique 19th Century English Georgian Slant Front Desk or Secretary
Located in Casteren, NL
made in the finest quality watered European oak. The secretary is elevated on bracket feet. It features
Category
Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Rare Antique Federal American Mahogany Secretary Writing Desk Gothic Bookcase
Located in Dayton, OH
A fine and impressive Federal Period Mahogany secretary and bookcase, circa 1830s. The bookcase
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Federal Bookcases
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
H 77 in W 44.25 in D 21 in
Museum Biedermeier Secretary Signed by Adolph Friedrich Voigt, circa 1825
Located in Berlin, DE
Museum Biedermeier secretary signed by Adolph Friedrich Voigt, circa 1825
Fire-gilt fittings. High
Category
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Mahogany
H 61.82 in W 42.92 in D 23.23 in
Antique Swedish Golden Ash Biedermeier Secretary Chest Dresser Desk inlaid 1820
Located in Portland, OR
simple columns with turned capitals, below the secretary are three drawers, the bottom drawer of curved
Category
Antique 1820s Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Ash, Ebony
H 44.75 in W 43.75 in D 20.5 in
19th Century German Secretary, Birch, Cherry, Walnut, Biedermeier, c. 1835
Located in Greven, DE
.
Quite harmoniously and in absolute tranquility presents the interior of the secretary.
In the center
Category
Antique 1830s German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Birch, Cherry, Walnut
H 66.15 in W 41.34 in D 20.08 in
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
Gustavian Style Drop Front or Slant Front Secretary, Late 19th Century
Located in South Salem, NY
This late 19th-century Gustavian style drop-front secretary bookshelf is a true embodiment of
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
19th Century German Biedermeier Secretary, Light Birch Wood, circa 1830-1840
Located in Greven, DE
Antique top secretary from the Biedermeier period around 1830/1835.
Birch veneer with very subtle
Category
Antique 1830s German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Birch
H 77.17 in W 42.52 in D 21.66 in
Antique Georgian George II Figured Walnut Bookcase Bureau Secretary Desk, 1750
Located in Portland, OR
A very fine antique George II figured and inlaid walnut bureau bookcase/secretary, circa 1750.
The
Category
Antique 1750s English George II Bookcases
Materials
Walnut
H 88 in W 46.5 in D 22.5 in
19th Century Flemish Louis XIV Secretary or Bookcase with Embossed Brass
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century Flemish Louis XIV secretary or bookcase with embossed brass combines the talents of a
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Belgian Louis XIV Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Louis XVI Secretary with Cylinder Top & Tambour Front Northern Europe circa 1800
Located in Miami, FL
A Louis XVI secretary desk in mahogany with satinwood inlays. Offers a cylinder top that opens to
Category
Antique Early 19th Century European Louis XVI Desks
Materials
Leather, Mahogany, Satinwood
H 60.25 in W 48 in D 23.5 in
Antique Early 20th Century Mahogany Biedermeier Drop Front Secretary Desk from G
Located in Round Top, TX
areas are accented by the external turned columns of this elegant secretary. Professionally restored
Category
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Mahogany
H 84.5 in W 44.25 in D 25 in
Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Style Mahogany Commode Secretary with Bronze
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This mid-nineteenth century French Louis XVI style commode secretary features fluted bronze columns
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Bronze
H 38 in W 50 in D 22 in
Monumental Neoclassical Column Form Faux Green Marble Painted Wood Pedestal
Located in Stamford, CT
, secretaries, armchairs, sofas, mirrors, marble busts and other pieces.
It became a destination of decorators
Category
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Pedestals
Materials
Wood
19th Century Empire Drop-Front Oak Secretary Desk or Abattant, Chest France
Located in Miami, FL
drawers flanked by two ebonized columns shows a beautiful oak veneer design. The wood veneered inside
Category
Antique Early 19th Century French Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
H 56.7 in W 38 in D 16.54 in
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Column Secretary For Sale on 1stDibs
Find many varieties of an authentic column secretary available at 1stDibs. A column secretary — often made from wood, mahogany and metal — can elevate any home. If you’re shopping for a column secretary, we have 272 options in-stock, while there are 1 modern editions to choose from as well. There are many kinds of the column secretary you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 21st Century. A column secretary made by Empire designers — as well as those associated with neoclassical — is very popular. A well-made column secretary has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Baker Furniture Company, Jean Joseph Chapuis and Ferdinand Lundquist are consistently popular.
How Much is a Column Secretary?
A column secretary can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $7,970, while the lowest priced sells for $1,225 and the highest can go for as much as $138,000.
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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