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...
Olive, Maple
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 inlays of fruitwood, olive wood, satinwood and burr wood.
Brass
Antique Italian Baroque Style Burl Walnut Secretary Cabinet
Located in Miami, FL
Italian Baroque style walnut veneer secretary cabinet, early 20th century.
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 veneer, wonderful color, ebonized moldings, most likely retaining the original mirror...
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 deep scrolled pediment top and above two mirrored doors.
Brass
$6,800Sale Price|20% Off
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 Inlaid Walnut Bureau, Baroque Drop-Front Secretary, A traditional 18th-century Itali...
Brass
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 half of the 18th century. Crafted to an exceptional standard, veneered with thick, h...
Brass, Iron
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 dates to the 18th century and exemplifies the refined craftsmanship and quiet sophisti...
Wood
$3,963Sale Price|20% Off
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
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 top with Two drawers with brass hardware and exquisite cabriole legs. Expert craft...
Brass
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
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
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. Elegant walnut flap. It has a front with three drawers and a calatoia door. Trhee large...
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 front to the secretary base, ebonized highlights and Baroque cornice.
Olive
Italian Baroque secretary-bookcase
Located in Dallas, TX
18th century Italian secretary in excellent condition circa 1720. Very properly fitted, this cabinet is loaded with pigeon holes and hidden drawers. Upper cabinet retains its origina...
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 boasts its original painted finish! circa 1900-1910. Measures: 39 H x 36.5 W x 16 D...
Antique Italian Baroque Hand-Painted Bombe Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
A masterpiece of hand-painted artistry that also just happens to be an incredibly functional desk, this Antique Italian Baroque bombe secretary features original artwork on all three...
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 with a flip front and concealing smaller drawers and a writing surface, having car...
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 Mirror Cabinet Door
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 practical and elegant addition to any office or living room, this cabinet contains a remar...
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 over a straight bottom plinth, the fruit wood cabinet features what appears to be ...
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
A Florentine carved cream painted parcel gilt slant-top desk bureau with nicely aged dark warm distressed patina over the whole! Crafted in Florence, Italy, circa pre-1940, executed...
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 with walnut, burl walnut, olive wood and other exotic imported veneers. 3 drawers be...
Olive, Walnut, 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 Baroque style with arched doors painted with 18th century-style scenes with figures in a ...
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 broken pediment centering an oval mirror between scrolling volutes above two mirrored ca...
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, displaying expert craftsmanship and tonal wood.
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" Tall X 46" Wide X 21" Deep This secretary desk was made in Italy by Colombo Mobili...
Walnut
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 veneer and presented in two parts.
Metal
Antique Venetian Paint Decorated Secretary Bookcase
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A tall cabinet made in two parts in blue paint with polychrome painted floral and gilt figural decoration. With a serpentine baroque crest with a gilt landscape in the center cartouc...
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 with a tall bookcase and a slant front drop leaf desk. Beautifully hand-painted with...
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 Heavily Carved Crest with Etched Mirror Insert Above Two Mercury Glass Mirrored Arched ...
Walnut
Italian Baroque Style Secretary
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Late 19th Century Italian Baroque Style Walnut Secretary.
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 three drawers.
Paint
Baroque Walnut Secretary
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An extraordinary Italian Writing Desk is beautifully crafted out of solid wood finished with walnut marquetry veneers. The desk features magnificent walnut marquetry, inlaid veneers ...
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 desk: 33" Missing one handle (pictured)
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
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
$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
$4,900 / item
H 34 in W 86 in D 42 in
Custom Made Modern English Arm Sofa in Performance Linen Velvet - 86"
By Bloom Home Inc
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
This beautiful english arm sofa has a modern twist, with its single bench cushion, and beautiful curved apron sides. It’s upholstered in a Linen Velvet Performance fabric. Shown in...
Linen, Velvet
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
$185,000 / set
H 12 in W 12 in D 10 in
A 200 Plus Set of 19 Century Imperial Russian Silver Flatware by Andrei Bragin
By Andrei Bragin
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
An exceptional and extremely rare set of a combination of silver and vermeil (gilded silver) flatware designed and crafted in St Petersburg Russia by Andrei Stepanovich Bragin d...
Silver, Vermeil
French Inspired Upholstered Linen Bergère Chairs
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
French inspired upholstered linen bergère chairs These French inspired chair are based on an original Napoleon III style pair of chairs. Napoleon III was the nephew of the Napoleon t...
Linen
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
$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
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 or cantilevered desk. Under the dark grey marble top is a secret, entablature drawe...
Marble, Ormolu
$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
$6,994Sale 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
$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
French Restauration Period Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Daybed
Located in London, GB
This grand daybed would make a fantastic addition to a traditional lounge room: framed in dark mahogany and upholstered in green and gold striped silk, the daybed is a fine work of a...
Ormolu, Bronze
$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
$9,080
H 51.19 in W 31.5 in D 12.6 in
Dante Chinoiserie-Style Carved Wooden Bar Cabinet by Spini Firenze
By Spini Firenze
Located in Milan, IT
A celebration of Chinoiserie's poetic scenarios and sumptuous details, this clean-lined wooden bar cabinet is an authentic cabinetmaking masterpiece. Gold-leaf and shaded-red decorat...
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.