Magnificent Italian Baroque Secretary, circa 1700
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The upper case with swept pediment and stepped molded edge fitted with 11 drawers and an arched door. The lower case with a slant front opening over a well above three long drawers e...
Maple, Olive
Antique Italian Baroque Style Burl Walnut Secretary Cabinet
Located in Miami, FL
Italian Baroque style walnut veneer secretary cabinet, early 20th century. The top part of the
Mirror, Walnut
Italian Early 18th Century Baroque Walnut Secretary-Bookcase
Located in Troy, NY
Italian Early 18th Century Baroque Walnut Secretary-Bookcase with beautiful, thick walnut radica
Walnut, Mirror
$2,250
H 72 in W 24 in D 17 in
Vintage Italian Baroque Style Burl Veneer Secretary Bookcase, 20th Century
Located in Morristown, NJ
An elegant Italian Baroque-style secretary bookcase, 20th century, crafted in richly figured burl
Metal
Italian Baroque Style Burl Walnut Secretary Desk Cabinet
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fine Italian baroque burl walnut secretary desk with a cartouche form mirrored panel beneath a
Brass
$8,500
H 36.63 in W 42 in D 21.5 in
18th Century Italian Baroque Inlaid Walnut Drop-Front Secretary Desk / Commode
Located in Miami, FL
18th Century Italian Baroque Inlaid Walnut Drop-Front Secretary Desk / Commode, Antique Italian
Brass
19th Century Italian Painted Secretary, Bookcase
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century Italian painted secretary ~ bookcase is a fanciful and marvelous expression of the
Wood
$21,594
H 80.71 in W 48.04 in D 23.63 in
Austrian Baroque Secretary Cabinet in Walnut with Marquetry, ca. 1700–1730
Located in Kastrup, DK
A highly impressive and architecturally refined Austrian Baroque secretary cabinet from the first
Brass, Iron
$8,200
H 44.1 in W 46.86 in D 23.63 in
Exceptional 18th-Century Italian Slant-Front Bureau / Secretary
Located in Rio De Janeiro, BR
Exceptional 18th-Century Italian Slant-Front Bureau / Secretary This remarkable Italian bureau
Wood
Italian Florentine Giltwood Bureau Secretary Butlers Desk Chest
Located in Forney, TX
distressed patina over the whole! Crafted in Florence, Italy, circa pre-1940, executed in 18th century Louis
Brass
$2,195
H 75.5 in W 41 in D 17 in
Italian Olive Burl Wood Bombe Secretary Vanity with Display Top & Matching Chair
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous Italian bombe drop front secretary cabinet in olive wood with the matching chair. Bookcase
Brass
$33,759
H 91.74 in W 39.38 in D 21.66 in
Original 18th Century Venetian Secretary Desk Bookcase burled walnut with inlaid
By Bassano's Ebanisteria
Located in Vigonza, Padua
What makes this piece unique and special is its originali twist to the characteristic Secretaire, a must-have object among Venetian aristocratic families that could not be missing in...
Walnut
$21,702
H 39.77 in W 49.22 in D 20.48 in
Secretary Desk 700s Lombard by "Bottega Milanese Dei Valentini", walnut & burl
By Bottega Milanese dei Valentni
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Important precious desk bureau production of on 19th century by "Bottega Milanese dei Valentini", restored and polished to wax. The piece of furniture is made of solid walnut and b...
Walnut
$6,510
H 41.34 in W 41.74 in D 21.66 in
1920s Lombard Secretary Desk Commode in Walnut & Burl Veneer, Threaded Maple
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Early 20th Century Lombard Secretary Desk Commode in Walnut & burl Veneer, Threaded of Maple
Walnut, Burl
Italian 18th Century Baroque Secretary
Located in Bantam, CT
A fine North Italian Baroque 18th century olivewood and ebonized secretary bookcase with serpentine
Olive
Italian Baroque secretary-bookcase
Located in Dallas, TX
18th century Italian secretary in excellent condition circa 1720. Very properly fitted, this
Walnut
Italian Early 1900s Baroque Painted Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
This intriguing desk is a testament to the ingenuity and stylistic flair of Italian artisans and
Antique Italian Baroque Hand-Painted Bombe Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
, this Antique Italian Baroque bombe secretary features original artwork on all three gracefully curved
Italian Baroque Style Painted Secretary, 20th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
Mid-20th century Italian Baroque style painted secretary with display cabinet, pull-out desk and
Paint
Italian Late Baroque Carved Walnut Secretary Commode
Located in Atlanta, GA
Likely from the Umbria region of Italy, the rectangular top above a conforming case, the top drawer
Walnut
Antique Italian Baroque Style Burl Walnut Secretary Cabinet
Located in Cypress, CA
Antique Italian Baroque style burl walnut secretary cabinet.
Burl, Walnut
Sold
H 90 in W 38 in D 24.5 in
Early 18th C Italian Baroque Figured Walnut Secretary w/ Architectural Pediment
Located in Atlanta, GA
Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Figured Walnut Secretary with Architectural Pediment, Arched
Walnut
Sold
H 83 in W 43 in D 19 in
Vintage Italian Baroque Style Marquetry Inlay Flip-Up Secretary Display Cabinet
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Italian Baroque Style Marquetry Inlay Carved Flip-Down Secretary Display Cabinet A
Glass, Wood
Sicilian Baroque Style Painted Wood Secretary Bookcase
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having original green paint trimmed in gold, the shallow upper section with a molded edge top and having three shelves, the lower section with a slant front folding desk housing two ...
Mid-Century Italian Baroque Carved Walnut Secretary Chest of Drawers
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant, multi-function antique chest was created in Italy, circa 1960. Siting on bracket feet
Walnut
Northern Italian, Lombardia, Walnut & Mixed Veneer Secretary Cabinet
Located in Atlanta, GA
the two piece cabinet expertly veneered in an array of woods, walnut being primary, the upper with mirrored doors opening to reveal 28 drawers, the lower with a slant front hinged fa...
Walnut
Sold
H 45.75 in W 52 in D 28 in
Impressive 18th Century Northern Italian Inlaid Bureau with Secretary Desk
Located in Richmond, VA
Impressive 18th century northern Italian inlaid bureau with secretary desk. Incredible inlay work
Olive, Walnut, Burl
18th Century, Italian Walnut Burl Veneer Small Three-Drawer Secretary
Located in Austin, TX
A lovely Venetian burl veneered three-drawer secretary, Italy, 18th century. The secretary of
Walnut, Fruitwood, Burl
Sold
H 87 in W 45 in D 22.5 in
Italian, Emilia Romagna, Walnut and Inlaid Secretary Cabinet, 2nd half 19th cen.
Located in Atlanta, GA
Of two piece construction, the upper section having an arched and open pediment with double drawers between canted corners, the outside surface with pattern inlays, the doors opening...
Walnut
19th Century Venetian Style Secretary Bureau Bookcase
Located in Madrid, ES
Venetian style bookcase, made of walnut root. follows the models of the eighteenth century, The furniture is divided into two parts, bottom with three large drawers and two small at...
Bronze
Sold
H 95.5 in W 40 in D 22 in
19th Century Venetian Secretary Bookcase with Painted Scenes and Floral Sprays
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A very lovely painted green and yellow Italian fall-front secretary bookcase in the Venetian
Paint
Italian Baroque Style Drop-Front Secretary
Located in Astoria, NY
Italian Baroque Revival Drop Front Cabinet Secretary, in walnut and ash parquetry with curved
Mirror, Walnut
Italian Baroque Style Inlaid Walnut Bureau Secretary
By Alfonso Marina
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Impressive Italian Baroque style walnut secretaries or bureau that has been intricately inlaid
Bronze
Sold
H 93 in W 46 in D 21 in
Italian Colombo Mobili Baroque Style Burl Walnut Fitted Interior Secretary Desk
By Colombo Mobili
Located in Long Branch, NJ
Italian Colombo Mobili Baroque Style Burl Walnut Fitted Interior Secretary Desk Dimensions : 93
Walnut
Antique Venetian Paint Decorated Secretary Bookcase
Located in Bridgeport, CT
decoration. With a serpentine baroque crest with a gilt landscape in the center cartouche flanked by colorful
Wood
19th Century Painted Venetian Secretary or Desk
Located in Winter Park, FL
An early 19th century Baroque style Venetian polychrome painted pine tall secretary, in two parts
Pine
19th Century Venetian Style Secretary Bureau Bookcase
Located in Madrid, ES
Venetian style bookcase, made of walnut root. follows the models of the 18th century, The furniture is divided into two parts, bottom with three large drawers and two small at the t...
Bronze
Gorgeous Walnut Baroque Style Secretary
Located in Larkspur, CA
20th Century Italian Grand Scale Burl Walnut Baroque Style Twin Door Drop Front Secretary, the
Walnut
Italian Baroque Style Secretary
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Late 19th Century Italian Baroque Style Walnut Secretary.
Baroque Walnut Secretary
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An extraordinary Italian Writing Desk is beautifully crafted out of solid wood finished with walnut
Brass
1970"s Italian Solid Burl Walnut Bibliotheque/ Secretary
Located in San Francisco, CA
Beautiful Italian Burl Walnut Bibliotheque / Secretary Desk Circa 1970's Height of drop-down
18th c Paint and Parcel Gilt Mirrored Door Secretary Bookcase
Located in Natchez, MS
18th c. Paint and Parcel Gilt Etched Mirror Door Secretary Bookcase with family crest.
Giltwood
Sold|$4,950
H 52.25 in W 43.75 in D 2 in
French Period Directoire Trumeau Mirror with Distressed Paint, Late 18th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French period Directoire trumeau mirror from the late 18th century with gilded accents, carved urn, distressed paint and mirror. This French Directoire mirror features an elegant l...
Mirror, Wood
$3,160Sale Price / set|54% Off
H 38.5 in W 40.5 in D 19.75 in
Pair of Robin's Egg Blue and Gilded French Louis XVI Style Distressed Commodes
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This elegant pair of French Louis XVI style commodes captures the refined neoclassical spirit of 18th-century France, beautifully finished in a soft robin’s egg blue paint with gilt ...
Walnut
$7,900
H 35 in W 37.8 in D 18.1 in
19th Century Biedermeier Nutwood Trumeau Commode, Austria circa 1830
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Marvellous 19th century nutwood "trumeau" commode from the famous Biedermeier period around 1830 in Vienna/ Austria. Elaborately veneered with absolutely amazing looking bookmatched ...
Brass
$54,256
H 38.98 in W 58.67 in D 24.41 in
Italy Venezia 18th Century Baroque Olive and Briar Wood Chest of Drawers
Located in Brescia, IT
Italy 18th century Venetian briar root wood chest of drawings. Inlay in olive wood. Foot and base in dark wood nut. Top in briar root wood. Three drawers completed with working keys....
Olive, Walnut
$19,268
H 40.56 in W 108.27 in D 29.53 in
Giltwood "Confidente" Large Sofa in the Louis XV Style made by La Maison London
By La Maison London
Located in London, Park Royal
An elegant and impressive large Louis XV style confidante sofa which has been hand carved and gilded using traditional methods and materials to achieve an authentic period finish. Th...
Wood, Giltwood
$2,565Sale Price|20% Off
H 35.04 in W 26.78 in D 3.55 in
Antique 19th century round or circular gold leaf gilt French Rococo mirror
Located in Casteren, NL
This exquisite round mirror, gilt with leaf gold, was crafted in Southern France around 1870. Adorned with asymmetrical ornaments characteristic of the Rococo furniture style, it boa...
Gold Leaf
$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
$1,485Sale Price|61% Off
H 38.5 in W 59 in D 39 in
French Louis XV Style Settee or Canape with Floral Upholstery in Red & White
Located in Plainview, NY
A lovely French Provincial Louis XV style settee or canapé recently upholstered in a gorgeous floral red and white fabric with 4 matching pillows two square and two tufted round pill...
Upholstery, Wood
$2,800Sale Price / set|41% Off
H 32 in Dm 17 in
Pair of Vintage Murano Glass Table Lamps, Italy, Mid-20th Century
By Murano Glass Sommerso
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An elegant pair of vintage Murano glass table lamps, handcrafted in Italy in the mid-20th century. Each lamp features a beautifully blown baluster-form body in a soft blush-pink glas...
Metal
Bespoke Demille Plaster Fixture
Located in New York, NY
Our Bespoke Demille Plaster Fixture can be made in different sizes. This fixture uses (8) e-12 Edison bulbs at 40 watts each for a total of 320 watts within the interior of dome. The...
Plaster
Pair of Ceramic Table Lamps by Olivia Cognet
By Olivia Cognet
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Pair of tall and elegant table lamps made in ceramic by the French artist Olivia Cognet, topped with Dedar Milano fabric lamp shades. Since moving to Los Angeles in 2016, French art...
Ceramic
Glamorous Hollywood Regency Tête-à-Tête, Conversation Sofa or Lounge
By Grosfeld House
Located in St. Louis, MO
Glamorous Hollywood Regency Tête-à-Tête having curving lines of the late 1930s or 1940s. Custom manufactured in the late 1960s or early 1970s by Berne Furniture (A symbol of Quality)...
Upholstery
$4,826Sale Price|30% Off
H 28.94 in Dm 47.25 in
Rare Large circa 1825 South German Biedermeier Walnut Dining or Centre Table
By Biedermeier
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning large Biedermeier south German round table circa 1825 A highly collectible and good looking table, the best part of 200 years old ...
Walnut
Vintage Hollywood Regency Knole Sofa
By Knole
Located in Burbank, CA
Vintage Hollywood Regency Knole couch for sale. This was is from the 1950's, and was previously reupholstered in silk with a beautiful pattern. It's a taupe tone with a raised textur...
Fabric, Feathers
2 Stilnovo Glass Pendants
By Stilnovo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
2 Elegant handblown glass pendants by Stilnovo. E-26 lightbulb provided with order. Adjustable drop: 40"
Brass
Antique Louis XV Fireplace Mantel in Striking Breche Marble
Located in Haarlem, Noord-Holland
Superb 19th century Parisian Louis XV fireplace mantel in beautiful soft toned Italian Breche marble. The serpentine shelf rests above a paneled frieze centered with an beautiful fl...
Breccia Marble
The decadence of the Baroque style, in which ornate furnishings were layered against paneled walls, painted ceilings, stately chandeliers and, above all, gilding, expressed the power of the church and monarchy through design that celebrated excess. And its influence was omnipresent — antique Baroque furniture was created in the first design style that truly had a global impact.
Theatrical and lavish, Baroque was prevalent across Europe from the 17th to mid-18th century and spread around the world through colonialism, including in Asia, Africa and the Americas. While Baroque originated in Italy and achieved some of its most fantastic forms in the late-period Roman Baroque, it was adapted to meet the tastes and materials in each region. French Baroque furniture informed Louis XIV style and added drama to Versailles. In Spain, the Baroque movement influenced the elaborate Churrigueresque style in which architecture was dripping with ornamental details. In South German Baroque, furniture was made with bold geometric patterns.
Compared to Renaissance furniture, which was more subdued in its proportions, Baroque furniture was extravagant in all aspects, from its shape to its materials.
Allegorical and mythical figures were often sculpted in the wood, along with motifs like scrolling floral forms and acanthus leaves that gave the impression of tangles of dense foliage. Novel techniques and materials such as marquetry, gesso and lacquer — which were used with exotic woods and were employed by cabinetmakers such as André-Charles Boulle, Gerrit Jensen and James Moore — reflected the growth of international trade. Baroque furniture characteristics include a range of decorative elements — a single furnishing could feature everything from carved gilded wood to gilt bronze, lending chairs, mirrors, console tables and other pieces a sense of motion.
Find a collection of authentic antique Baroque tables, lighting, decorative objects and other furniture on 1stDibs.
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.