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
$12,900
H 99 in W 51 in D 22.5 in
Northern Italian Baroque Secretary, lined in red velvet, Venice Circa 1900
Located in Atlanta, GA
Exquisite Baroque Venetian Secretary of Northern Italy made of burl walnut and having intricate
Brass
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
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
$21,425
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
$4,926Sale Price|20% Off
H 104.34 in W 55.12 in D 23.63 in
Original Italian Lombard trumeau in walnut, 19th century, northern Italy
Located in Sant'Arsenio, Campania
This original Lombard trumeau, dating from the 19th century and made of fine walnut and walnut burl, is a masterpiece of northern Italian craftsmanship. The wavy body has an elegant ...
Silk, Nutwood
$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
$30,059
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
$21,533
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
$6,460
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 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
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
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 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
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
$7,177Sale Price|20% Off
H 62.21 in W 44.1 in D 23.23 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 of furniture with three drawers at the bottom, a drop front, and a narrow drawer und...
Baize, Mahogany
18th Century Antique Swedish Red Painted Baroque Secretary
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
A two-tiered wooden cabinet from the 18th century Swedish Gustavian period. The top door opens to reveal a decorative top shelf and three other shelves. The top of the bottom shelf c...
Wood
$14,500
H 84 in W 48 in D 24 in
19th Century Scandinavian Birch Empire Bureau Secretary with Bookcase, c. 1820
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A very fine Scandinavian Empire/Biedermeier secretary in beautiful birch wood with mahogany interior, Denmark, circa 1820. The highly sculptural form makes this piece an outstanding ...
Birch
George III Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
Located in Westwood, NJ
Elegant Georgian style cabinet with classical pediment, geometric glazing bars over the twin doors with three adjustable shelves within, the lower section with a fall front, fully li...
Mahogany
Pair of Murano Glass Wall Sconces, Art Deco Style, in Stock
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Murano glass wall sconces, in stock Fume color and horizontal striation texture Black opaline finials and brass accents Art Deco inspired design. Gives off warm beams of lig...
Brass
18th Century Swedish Secretary
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
18th Century Swedish secretary with a decorative carved pediment. Composed below doors opening to storage with below fall front desk opening to the drawer. Storage and workspace, be...
Wood
$179,446
H 45.28 in W 56.3 in D 17.33 in
Italian Art Deco Bar Cabinet in Parchment with Inlays Signed by Anzani, 1930s
By Giuseppe Anzani
Located in Meda, MB
This bar cabinet was produced in Italy, in the late 1930s and is a really unique and special piece. Its tremendous historical and artistic value is what makes this item a real piece...
Glass, Mirror, Wood, Maple, Walnut, Parchment Paper
Stunning 18th Century Italian Bookcase
Located in Charlottesville, VA
Dating from the 18th Century and of Italian origin, this fine grand scale bookcase has a molded frieze above a three-bay open bookcase. Each bay contains shelves flanked by Corinthia...
Wood
$15,400 / set
H 34.5 in W 19.5 in D 18.5 in
19th Century German Set of Six Antique Biedermeier Walnut Dining Room Chairs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique German Biedermeier set of six dining room chairs made of hand crafted polished, partly veneered Walnut, in good condition. The side chairs have an open, detailed carved ba...
Fabric, Upholstery, Velvet, Walnut, Ebony
Italian Architectural Wall Unit in Walnut
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Wall unit or wardrobe, walnut, Italy, 1970s This striking wall unit from the 1970s reflects a bold modernist approach with an architectural appearance. Crafted from rich walnut, the...
Walnut
$1,800Sale Price|61% Off
H 82 in W 40 in D 21 in
Unique Venetian Italian Paint Decorated Secretary Desk with Bookcase Circa 1890s
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This Venetian Italian paint decorated secretary desk with bookcase, circa 1890s, is a remarkable example of hand-crafted artistry and old-world European charm. Exuding the opulence a...
Walnut
$3,125
H 88 in W 42 in D 20 in
Midcentury French Style Black Lacquer Chinoiserie Secretary Desk / Cabinet
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a midcentury French style hand painted chinoiserie secretary with a unique bombe form base and glass top. It works so well for both display and functional desk. It is unmarke...
Leather, Glass, Lacquer
Fabergé Silver Service
By Fabergé
Located in New Orleans, LA
This extraordinary 128-piece service by Fabergé is a rare treasure in more ways than one. Enclosed in its original oak chest, the exquisite service remains complete and in pristine c...
Silver
$3,000Sale Price|38% Off
H 81.5 in W 36 in D 21 in
Fantastic Paint Decorated Faux Marble Interior Venetian Secretary Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This fantastic paint decorated Venetian secretary desk with faux marble interior is a remarkable statement piece that captures the artistry and elegance of 19th to early 20th century...
Walnut
$75,000
H 74.13 in W 122 in D 0.75 in
Early 19th Century Chinese Coromandel Eight-Panel Screen with Palace Attendants
Located in Miami, FL
Early 19th Century Chinese Coromandel Eight-Panel Screen — Provenance: Perret Vibert, Paris Early 19th Century Chinese Coromandel Eight-Panel Screen with Palace Attendants and Schola...
Paint, Wood
$58,000
H 90.56 in W 40.56 in D 23.23 in
An English Black Lacquered Chinoiserie Bureau Cabinet, 18th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
An English Black Lacquered Chinoiserie Bureau Cabinet, 18th Century Description: The upper section with a breakfront arched pedimental cornice flanked by a pair of urn finials, over...
Wood
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.