$16,750Sale Price|25% Off
H 83 in W 42.75 in D 21 in
19th Century Federal Period Duncan Phyfe Style Flame Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
By Duncan Phyfe
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
-top secretary bookcase with gorgeous lyre-shaped glazed doors. Color of mahogany has sun-faded to a
Mahogany
Very Fine Antique Secretary Bookcase with Brass Eagle Crest
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Well constructed with fine mahogany veneer with Federal style brass eagle finial on a pedestal. The
Leather, Glass, Mahogany
Federal Style Crotch Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
Located in Germantown, MD
A Federal Style Mahogany Secretary Bookcase, Circa 1950s. Size is 38" wide, 16" deep and 69" tall.
Mahogany
$5,600Sale Price|30% Off
H 74.75 in W 22 in D 46 in
Antique American Federal Flame Mahogany Secretary Writing Desk Gothic Bookcase
Located in Dayton, OH
A fine and impressive antique early 19th century Federal Period flame Mahogany secretary and
Glass, Mahogany
$4,812Sale Price|46% Off
H 77 in W 44.25 in D 21 in
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
Glass, Mahogany
Maryland Federal Hepplewhite Manner Secretary Bookcase
Located in Woodbury, CT
A Federal period pale mahogany Hepplewhite manner secretary bookcase with very fine rope and string
Mahogany, Pine
19th C. American Bookcase
Located in Savannah, GA
Federal Mahogany secretary/bookcase.
Mahogany
Unavailable
H 78 in W 41 in D 19 in
Federal Hepplewhite Inlaid Secretary/Desk and Bookcase/ New Hampshire
Located in Providence, RI
This is an exuberant, high style secretary that employs the use of contrasting wood typical of
Mahogany
Antique American Federal Mahogany Drop-Front Butler's Desk, circa 1830
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique American Federal secretary bookcase features mahogany construction with long drawers with
Glass, Mahogany
Antique Mahogany Federal Secretary Cabinet Bookcase
Located in North York, ON
This is an early 20th century classic Federal style American cabinet. Made with the exquisite
Satinwood
Federal Secretary Breakfront
Located in Westwood, NJ
Salem, Massachusetts mahogany satinwood inlaid Butler's breakfront bookcase with rare eglomise
American 19th Century Federal Period Secretary Bookcase
Located in Southampton, NY
American Federal mahogany flame grain and satinwood inlay secretary bookcase.
Brass
Sold
H 86.75 in W 38.25 in L 86.75 in
Federal Style Mahogany & Cherry Tambour Secretary Desk and Bookcase
By Hickory Chair Furniture Company
Located in Milford, NH
A beautiful Sheraton, Federal style, two part Mount Vernon Hickory Chair Company cherry secretary
Cherry, Mahogany, Satinwood
Sold
H 81.25 in W 36.25 in D 18.5 in
Federal Mahogany Secretary Desk With Bookcase Attributed to Imperial Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful Federal style bureau with tambour doors, fold-out desk, and bookcase hutch top
Brass
Sold
H 89 in W 36 in D 20 in
George Winthrop Carved Mahogany Drop Front Secretary & Bookcase, circa 1950
Located in Big Flats, NY
A vintage George Winthrop secretary features mahogany construction with upper case having broken
Glass, Mahogany
American Federal Birch Inlaid Secretary Bookcase
Located in Essex, MA
American Federal Birch and Birch Inlaid Secretary Bookcase. Northern New England. Flame birch
Birch, Pine
American Federal Two-Piece Secretary Bookcase
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Solid mahogany with segmented glass doors, three wood shelves, scalloped apron, checkerboard inlay, and leather-top pullout writing surface. Three-over-three drawers, brass hardware....
Brass
Massachusetts Federal Hepplewhite Secretary with Bookcase in Mahogany
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A very beautiful and exceptional Hepplewhite secretary bookcase from Massachusetts, probably Boston
Kingwood, Mahogany, Satinwood
Sold
H 62 in W 29.25 in D 18.75 in
Federal Style Diminutive Two Part Inlaid Mahogany Bookcase Secretary
Located in Milford, NH
A wonderful diminutive size Federal style two part inlaid figured mahogany bookcase, its upper case
Mahogany
American Federal Inlaid Mahogany Bookcase Secretary, 19th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
19th century American federal inlaid mahogany bookcase secretary.
Mahogany
Antique Federal Inlaid, Carved & Filigree Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Federal mahogany secretary features the top section a double glass door cabinet bookcase
Glass, Mahogany, Satinwood
Sold
H 88 in W 37 in D 21 in
Tall Federal Style Drop Front Secretary Individual Pains Glass Door Bookcase
By Baker Furniture Company, Drexel
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Tall Federal Style drop front secretary individual pains glass door bookcase. Stunning exotic wood
Hardwood, Pearwood
Sold
H 87 in W 42 in D 22 in
Antique Late Federal Period Mahogany Plantation Secretary Bookcase c. Late 1830s
Located in Westfield, MA
A fine example of Late Federal craftsmanship, this mahogany plantation secretary and bookcase dates
Mahogany
Federal Secretary/Bookcase
Located in Alexandria, VA
This exceptional Hepplewhite secretary/bookcase features very rare drawers behind doors in the base
Mahogany, Satinwood, Poplar
Salem Massachusetts Federal Secretary Bookcase
Located in Woodbury, CT
In the Hepplewhite manner, a finely inlaid crotch and flame figured mahogany secretary bookcase of
Brass
Sold
H 87.75 in W 40.25 in D 28 in
Important Federal Inlaid Mahogany Tambour Cylinder Secretary Bookcase
By John Aitken 1
Located in New York, NY
IMPORTANT FEDERAL INLAID MAHOGANY TAMBOUR CYLINDAR SECRETARY BOOKCASE Attributed to John Aitken
Mahogany, Rosewood
New England Federal Period Secretary Bookcase
Located in Great Barrington, MA
small drawers and pigeon holes and a bookcase top section with Gothic arched glazed doors. The brass
Brass
Inlaid Mahogany Federal Hepplewhite Secretary Bookcase, MA.
Located in Providence, RI
This small scale secretary is a well-documented form that was produced c. 1790-1810 and is
Mahogany
Pair of Modern Walnut Side Tables
By Theodore Alexander
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Pacific walnut side table, the square top with rounded corners and a reeded edge above a similar under tier, on bobbin turned legs. Dimensions: 26" W x 26" D x 28.5" H.
Wood
$5,900
H 94.5 in W 47.5 in D 21.5 in
George III English Antique Mahogany Bookcase Secretary Desk circa 1780
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Immerse yourself in the timeless elegance of this distinguished George III Secretary Bookcase, a testament to unparalleled craftsmanship and refined proportions. Crafted with meticul...
Mahogany
$33,909
H 6.3 in W 15.75 in D 5.91 in
Fossilised Skull of Prehistoric Marine Reptile the Mosasaur, 70Million Years Ago
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Upper Cretaceous, about 70-65 million years ago (Maastrichtian) Morocco The skull is reconstructed in good proportions with fossil pieces found in a phosphate mine in Morocco. I att...
Bone
$26,000
H 102 in W 61.5 in D 79 in
English Georgian Mahogany Gadrooned and Upholstered Tester Bed, Circa 1800
Located in Charleston, SC
English Georgian mahogany four-poster bed with a carved molded inset headboard, tapered head post, serpentine gadrooned and upholstered tester with a centered carved urn & swags, dec...
Upholstery, Mahogany
$10,434Sale Price / set|28% Off
H 85.63 in W 46.07 in D 19.3 in
Rare 19th Century Italian Walnut Pair of Antique Bookcases or Vitrines RESTORED
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
We are thrilled to present this fantastic pair of antique Italian bookcases dating to the final decades of the 19th century. A stunning pair of bookcases with a timeless antique char...
Walnut
$2,695
H 82 in W 36 in D 18.5 in
Henredon Georgian Walnut Drop Front Secretary Desk With Bookcase Hutch
By Henredon
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful Georgian or Queen Anne style bureau with drop front secretary desk and bookcase hutch top By Henredon USA, Circa 1980s Gorgeous figured walnut, with original bra...
Brass
$7,700
H 52 in W 48 in D 20 in
19th Century Swedish Mahogany Chiffonje, Writing Agency - Cabinet by Karl Johan
By Karl Johan
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 19th Century, antique Swedish Biedermeier writing agency, secretary table made of hand crafted polished, partly veneered Mahogany with a writing flap, designed by Karl-Johan in goo...
Metal, Brass
$3,995
H 92 in W 20 in D 10.5 in
Antique 8 Day Tall Case Grandfather Clock Automaton Andrew Rich Bridgewater 1820
Located in Portland, OR
A fine antique Georgian Regency period tall case 8 day inlaid mahogany grandfather clock with a rocking figure of Old Father Time, by Andrew Rich of Bridgwater Somerset, circa 1820. ...
Mahogany, Satinwood
$1,120Sale Price|30% Off
H 46 in W 44 in D 21.5 in
Antique American Empire Flame Mahogany Tallboy Dresser Chest of Drawers
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid to late 19th century American Empire tallboy / highboy chest. Made of flame / crotch mahognay featuring rectangular form with scrolled front and four hand dovetailed drawers. Di...
Mahogany
$6,735Sale Price|20% Off
H 13.39 in W 13.78 in D 9.85 in
Bronze Jewelry Chest In Neo-gothic Style From The Napoleon III Period
Located in NICE, FR
We present you with a large jewellry chest crafted in bronze with medal patina in the neo-gothic style and hailing from the Napoleon II period. It boasts practical dimensions (34cm ...
Metal, Bronze
$3,157Sale Price|36% Off
H 86.62 in W 47.25 in D 17.33 in
19th Century English Mahogany Breakfront Bookcase Cabinet, circa 1885
Located in Sofia, BG
Late 19th century two-door mahogany breakfront bookcase cabinet, the moulded cornice above two astragal glazed doors opening to reveal four adjustable shelves, the bottom section hav...
Mahogany
$9,600
H 34 in W 56.5 in D 16.5 in
Late Georgian Oak 19th Century Dresser Base with Chippendale Brass Hardware
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English late Georgian oak dresser base from the 19th century with bone inlay. This 19th-century English oak dresser base embodies timeless craftsmanship with its rich woodgrain an...
Brass
On Hold|$4,885
H 91 in W 45 in D 22.25 in
English 19th Century Mahogany Secretary with Dental Moulded Flat Cornince
Located in Atlanta, GA
English 19th Century Mahogany Secretary with Dental Moulded Flat Cornince and Splayed Feet
Mahogany
$3,712
H 35.83 in W 59.85 in D 27.96 in
Antique George III Inlaid Flame Mahogany Sideboard, 18th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a superb antique George III inlaid flame mahogany bowfront sideboard, circa 1780 in date. The top is banded in satinwood and the sideboard has three oak lined frieze drawers...
Mahogany
$4,388
H 36.62 in W 72.05 in D 29.14 in
Antique George III Flame Mahogany Serpentine Sideboard, 18th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a superb antique George III inlaid flame mahogany serpentine sideboard, circa 1790 in date. With wood banding and marquetry spandrels, the central frieze drawer flanked by ...
Mahogany
$519,817 / set
H 114.5 in W 35.5 in D 5 in
19th Century, Monumental Carved Boiserie Panels from Lartington Hall
Located in London, GB
The Lartington hall carved Boiserie panels by Signor Anton Leone Bulletti. A highly important suite of eight carved and patinated wood panels commissioned by Monsignor Thomas Edw...
Wood, Pine
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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