Italian Neoclassical Secretaire
2010s Italian Neoclassical Secretaires
Wood
Antique 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Revival Secretaires
Maple, Nutwood
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Secretaires
Burl
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Empire Secretaires
Mirror, Giltwood, Walnut
Antique 1890s Italian Neoclassical Revival Secretaires
Walnut
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Secretaires
Olive, Burl
Antique 18th Century European Neoclassical Secretaires
Bronze
Antique Late 19th Century Renaissance Secretaires
Walnut
Antique Early 1900s Italian Neoclassical Secretaires
Brass
Antique 19th Century English Cabinets
Marble, Ormolu
Vintage 1940s European Art Deco Cabinets
Wood, Parchment Paper
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Cabinets
Palisander
Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Wardrobes and Armoires
Macassar, Cedar
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Cherry
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Cabinets
Brass
Antique 19th Century French Empire Secretaires
Marble, Brass
2010s British Louis XVI Beds and Bed Frames
Wood, Paint
Late 20th Century American Georgian Desks
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Marble, Bronze
Antique Mid-19th Century American Empire Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Side Tables
Chestnut
Mid-20th Century French Country Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique 1880s French Louis XV Secretaires
Marble, Ormolu
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Wood
Antique 18th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Bronze
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Cabinets
Marble, Ormolu
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Empire Secretaires
Birch
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Vitrines
Cherry, Walnut
Antique 1850s French Rococo Revival Secretaires
Marble, Ormolu
Recent Sales
Antique Late 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Secretaires
Vintage 1950s Italian Neoclassical Secretaires
Mahogany, Velvet, Parchment Paper
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Secretaires
Paint, Wood
Vintage 1940s Italian Neoclassical Secretaires
Wood
Vintage 1940s Italian Neoclassical Revival Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Italian Secretaires
Ormolu
Antique Late 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Secretaires
Wood, Maple, Rosewood, Tulipwood
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Revival Secretaires
Bronze
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Italian Neoclassical Secretaires
Antique 1820s Italian Neoclassical Secretaires
Marble
Antique Early 1800s Italian Empire Secretaires
Walnut
Antique 1860s Italian Neoclassical Revival Secretaires
Walnut
Antique Mid-19th Century Italian Secretaires
Brass
Antique 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Secretaires
Cherry, Maple, Walnut, Pine
Vintage 1920s Italian Neoclassical Revival Secretaires
Walnut
Antique Late 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Dr...
Olive, Walnut
Antique 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Bookcases
Brass
Vintage 1950s Italian Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Vintage 1930s Italian Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Vintage 1930s Italian Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Vintage 1950s Italian Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
20th Century French Art Deco Buffets
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Secretaires
Ebony, Maple, Palisander, Rosewood
Antique 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Secretaires
Wood
Antique 1790s Italian Neoclassical Secretaires
Satinwood, Walnut, Yew
Antique 1880s Italian Neoclassical Revival Secretaires
Satinwood, Kingwood, Rosewood
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Secretaires
Brass
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Secretaires
Gold Leaf
Antique 19th Century Italian Secretaires
Walnut, Tulipwood, Leather
Antique Late 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Secretaires
Walnut, Paint
Antique 1790s Italian Neoclassical Secretaires
Fir
Antique 19th Century Italian Boxes
Fruitwood
Italian Neoclassical Secretaire For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is an Italian Neoclassical Secretaire?
Finding the Right secretaires for You
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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