Curio Secretary
20th Century American Desks
Mahogany, Glass
Late 20th Century Adam Style Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 20th Century Unknown Regency Secretaires
Glass, Laminate
Recent Sales
Vintage 1970s Georgian Bookcases
Glass, Walnut
Vintage 1980s Italian Rococo Revival Cabinets
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Secretaires
Glass, Cherry
Late 20th Century Georgian Secretaires
Mahogany, Glass
Antique 19th Century Chippendale Secretaires
Glass, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Queen Anne Secretaires
Glass, Cherry
Late 20th Century North American Queen Anne Cabinets
Glass, Cherry
Mid-20th Century North American Queen Anne Desks and Writing Tables
Glass, Cherry
Late 20th Century Unknown Regency Secretaires
Glass, Laminate
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Secretaires
Glass, Oak
Early 20th Century Victorian Secretaires
Glass, Oak
Early 20th Century Late Victorian Secretaires
Brass
Late 20th Century North American Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Glass, Laminate, Burl
Early 20th Century American Late Victorian Bookcases
Brass
20th Century American Victorian Secretaires
Glass, Oak
Early 20th Century North American American Classical Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century French Victorian Vitrines
Pine
Mid-20th Century North American Chippendale Bookcases
Glass, Cherry
Mid-20th Century French Cabinets
Glass, Wood
Antique Early 1900s Late Victorian Secretaires
Glass, Oak
People Also Browsed
Vintage 1930s American Hepplewhite Secretaires
Glass, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Textile
Mid-20th Century English Romantic Dinner Plates
Ceramic, Porcelain
Mid-20th Century English Chinese Chippendale Secretaires
Pine
Antique 18th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Bronze
Late 20th Century American Georgian Desks
Brass
Vintage 1960s American Georgian Desks
Brass
Antique Mid-19th Century English High Victorian Taxidermy
Other
Antique 19th Century English Chinese Chippendale Secretaires
Bamboo, Wood
Vintage 1910s English Arts and Crafts Secretaires
Copper
Antique 19th Century Gothic Revival Cupboards
Oak
2010s Renaissance Secretaires
Glass, Mahogany
20th Century English George I Secretaires
Leather, Walnut
2010s Chippendale Secretaires
Glass, Wood
Curio Secretary For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Curio Secretary?
Finding the Right Storage-case-pieces 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.
Read More
The Ultimate Guide to Types of Tables for the Home
Whether you’re just moving in or ready to give your home a makeover, our guide will give you pointers on tables that are fitting for every room, nook and hallway.
What Exactly Is a Secretary Desk, and What Is It Used For?
The furniture equivalent of a Swiss Army knife, it's the multifunctional piece you didn't know you needed.
This Shelving System with Oxidized Brass Tubes Is Retro and Futuristic at Once
Italian studio DimoreMilano mustered great ingenuity when crafting these sculptural shelves, which are built without any screws.
28 Cheerful Home Bars, Where Everybody (Literally) Knows Your Name
Simple or sophisticated, equipped with console, cart or custom cabinetry, these stylish bar areas deserve a toast.
Ask an Interior Designer: Work-from-Home Edition
Leaping into a design project, whether it's refreshing the bedroom or redoing the whole house, can be overwhelming. Luckily, we know more than a few interior designers. You asked questions on Instagram, and now they're answering.
Collected and Eclectic, ‘Wunderkammern’ Are Back in a Big Way
Introduced nearly 500 years ago, curiosity cabinets are finding new fans among today's collectors and designers.
Meet the Incredible Woman Transforming Fallen Trees into Sleek Furniture
In the hands of New York Heartwoods cofounder Megan Offner, unwanted local trees become works of design art.
These New York Architects Love a Complicated Project
From Brooklyn townhouses to Maine campgrounds, Trattie Davies and Jonathan Toews relish a challenge, like transforming a former warehouse space into the new 1stdibs Gallery.