Early 18th Century Queen Anne Japanned Secretary Bookcase
Located in Essex, MA
Early 18th Century Queen Anne Japanned Secretary Bookcase, possibly Continental. Cartouche double
Hardwood
Queen Anne Japanned Secretary Bookcase
Located in Essex, MA
With double arched top over a pair of arched mirror doors opening to a red interior fitted with drawers and shelves, the base with slant lid desk opening to expose a fitted interior ...
Oak
English Scarlet Gilt and Polychrome Japanned Secretary
Located in Stamford, CT
A marvelous 18th century scarlet gilt and poly chrome secretary later Japanned. This English
Wood
$4,500
H 84 in W 38 in D 20 in
English Chinoiserie Georgian Style Japanned Scarlet Vermillion Cabinet Secretary
Located in New York, NY
Vintage bureau cabinet secretary in the English chinoiserie style with elements of Queen Anne and
Wood
$4,950
H 65.75 in W 25.6 in D 12.6 in
Japanese Style Cabinet-Secretary Attributed to G. Viardot, France, Circa 1880
By Gabriel Viardot
Located in PARIS, FR
A Japanese style carved wood cabinet attributed to G. Viardot. A painted decor imitating Japanese
Wood, Paint
$4,915
H 65.75 in W 25.6 in D 12.6 in
Japanese Style Cabinet-Secretary Att. to Perret & Vibert, France, circa 1880
By Perret et Vibert
Located in PARIS, FR
A Japanese style carved wood cabinet, with a painted decor imitating Japanese lacquer, ornamented
Wood
Large Red Jappaned Bureau Cabinet
Located in Dubai, AE
Fine Queen Anne style red Japanned Chinoiserie secretary cabinet. The triple domed top with eight
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
Large Japanese Secretary
Located in Stamford, CT
Asian hardwood desk in English form painted with scenes from woodblock prints.
George III Scarlet Japanned Secretary
Located in Essex, MA
With shaped cornice over a pair of doors with green distressed painted interior enclosing shelves , the base a slant lid desk with green painted fitted interior and hidden well over ...
Wood
George III Scarlet Japanned Secretary Cabinet
Located in Essex, MA
The case 18th century with later scarlet Japanned decoration. With shaped arched pediment over a
Leather, Oak
George II Green Japanned Secretary Desk
Located in Essex, MA
In two sections with double arched cornice over a pair of etched, beveled mirror doors enclosing shelves and cubbies, the base with hinged fold down writing lid with a fitted interio...
Venetian Rococo Green Japanned Secretary Desk
Located in Essex, MA
With shaped arched cornice over a pair of doors enclosing a red painted interior with shelves over a fold down slant lid writing surface fitted with drawers, over seven drawers with ...
Wood
Sold
H 93 in W 44 in D 21.5 in
18th Century Northern Italian Japanned Secretary Bookcase, 18th Century
Located in Bridgeport, CT
In red paint with overall gilt decoration in relief on three sides. With a tall broken crest with small inset mirror, over double doors with mirrors in two parts opening to shelves, ...
Wood
Fine George 111 Period Japanned Black Lacquered Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine period George 111 Japanned and lacquered drop front secretary. Highly decorated red
Wood
English Bamboo Secretary with Japan-Lacquered Accents
Located in Austin, TX
An English Bamboo secretary featuring japan-lacquered panels on the front, sides, and shelves with
Sold
H 92.5 in W 40 in D 21.25 in
Georgian Style, Chinoiserie, Beige Secretary Desk, Bureau Cabinet, Japanned
Located in Manhasset, NY
Japanned, Georgian Style Chinoiserie, Beige Secretary Desk, Bureau Cabinet This is a highly
Wood
Georgian Chinoiserie Secretary
Located in Montreal, QC
An 18th century English Chinoiserie Bureau Bookcase, profusely lacquered with exotic birds in a flowering landscape, pavilions and “oriental” figures on a black ground. The upper sec...
Oak, Pine
Sold
H 91 in W 49 in D 22 in
Very Fine George 11 Style 19th C Grand Tortoise and Chinoiserie Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
A magnificent 19th century large George11 faux tortoise and Chinoiserie decorated secretary. Hand
Wood
Georgian Japanned Secretary
Located in Essex, MA
With broken arch pediment over a pair of mirror doors enclosing shelves, the base with fold down writing lid enclosing a fitted interior over four graduated drawers raised on bracket...
Queen Anne Japanned Secretary
Located in Essex, MA
Likely Dutch. With arched cornice over a pair of arched doors opening to shelves and drawers, the base with hinged slant lid writing surface opening to a fitted compartment with draw...
Oak, Paint
English Chinoiserie Black and Gold Tall Secretary / Slant Front Desk
Located in Tarry Town, NY
English hand decorated and painted Japanned secretary from the 1930s with black , red and gold
Gold, Brass
Sold
H 94 in W 37.75 in D 20 in
English Chinoiserie 1920s Black and Gold Tall Secretary with Slant Front Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English tall Japanned secretary from the early 20th century with black and gold chinoiserie
Wood
Queen Anne Style Red Japanned Chinoiserie Secretary Cabinet
Located in Cypress, CA
Fine Queen Anne style red Japanned chinoiserie secretary cabinet. The double domed top with three
Wood
Sold
H 87 in W 42 in D 24 in
Baker Red Chinoiserie Japanned 1593 Venetian Secretary Desk Collectors Edition
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Baker red chinoiserie japanned 1593 Venetian secretary desk - collectors edition. Item features
Wood
A Spectacular English Chinoiserie Secretary
Located in Lyndhurst, NJ
This impressive and grand Chinoiserie Secretary having an intricate detailed decoration both on
Giltwood, Lacquer, Paint
19th C. Bamboo Chinoiserie Secretary or Cabinet
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant 19th Century Bamboo Chinoiserie Secretary or Cabinet, England, circa late 19th century
Leather, Bamboo, Glass, Wood
English Black and Gilt Japanned Drop Front Secretary
Located in Larkspur, CA
Mid 20th Century English Black and Gilt Japanned Drop Front Secretary. The Double Doors with Arched
Francis Elkins English Japanned Secretary
Located in Lake Forest, IL
A late 18th Century Lacquered Slant Front Bevelled Mirrored Secretary with later refreshed Japanned
Oak, Paint
Magnificent Drexel Chinoiserie Japanned Secretary Desk Cabinet
Located in Southfield, MI
Signed and dated 1969, this Drexel chinoiserie tall case secretary desk/cabinet was just removed
Brass
Japanned Red Secretary
Located in Stamford, CT
Japanned red secretary (two parts)
Japanned Federal Slant-front Secretary
Located in Woodbury, CT
A Rhode Island tiger maple slant-front secretary, dated on its bottom board; with Japanning
Chestnut, Lacquer, Gesso
19th Century Japanese Lacquer Secretary Desk Richly Decorated
Located in Paris, FR
19th century Japanese lacquer secretary desk richly decorated Small size secretary desk with black
Wood
Red Japanned Lacquer Work Chinoiserie Secretary
Located in Washington, DC
"Japanned" Chinoiserie Secretary Probably Italian, two-doors over fall-front desk with interior
Wood
Red laquered fallfront secretary with chinoiserie decoration
Located in Stamford, CT
Fallfront secretary with red japaning
Wood
Anglo-Japanese Secretary
Located in Cookeville, TN
Intricate hand-carved flowers made of ivory grace this lovely ornate secretary from the early 20th
Ivory, Wood
18th Century English Chinoiserie Secretary Bookcase, George III
Located in Charleston, SC
Mid-18th century Georgian secretary bookcase with green lacquered Japanning. This chinoiserie
Pine
$56,178
H 76.78 in W 43.31 in D 21.66 in
Modern Penedo Quartz Display Cabinet, Handmade in Poerugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple, GF Modern
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mid-Century Modern Penedo Quartz Display Cabinet, Handmade in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple The Penedo quartz display cabinet captures the enduring beauty of nature’s landscapes,...
Onyx, Carrara Marble, Statuary Marble, Brass
Rosso Wall Mirror
By Specchi Veneziani
Located in Milan, IT
Crafted in the finest Murano tradition, this exquisite Venetian mirror is a true work of art. Assembled with crystal and gold elements, and adorned with red glass flowers, each piece...
Glass
$2,800 / set
H 14.75 in W 8.5 in D 4 in
Pair of Art Deco Style Murano Glass Demi Lune Wall Sconces, in Stock
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Art Deco style Murano glass demi lune wall sconces, in stock Black glass sphere and brass fittings. Textured Murano glass, Wired to the American standard Multiple available ...
Brass
18th c. Painted Danish Cabinet
Located in Greenwich, CT
An impressive cabinet in original dry-scraped cream/grey paint, consisting of a wonderful overhanging baroque arched cornice on a two door cupboard with single adjustable shelf above...
Wood
$2,520Sale Price|30% Off
H 80 in W 57 in D 22 in
Antique Country Farmhouse Painted Oak Welsh Dresser Cupboard Hutch 80"
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 18th century to early 19th century Welsh Dresser or pewter cupboard. Made from oak with a gray painted finish. Features an upper hutch or rack with three shelves and metal hoo...
Oak, Paint
$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
$2,264Sale Price|20% Off
H 76.5 in W 18 in D 25 in
c1900 French Antique Louis XVI Style Burl Wood Secretary/ Desk - Petite Size
Located in Opa Locka, FL
c1900 French Antique Louis XVI style Petite Secretary/ Desk. Louis XVI style and made from Exotic Burl Wood. Upper cabinet book storage/ display. Drawer storage below.
Burl
French Louis XVI Provençal Settee, 18th Century
Located in Montreal, Quebec
French Louis XVI Provençal settee, 18th century Painted and patinated wood frame, recent Provençal upholstery in vintage pattern. A very beautiful, perfectly proportionned model in ...
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century Swedish Blue Oak Secretary Bureau
Located in Round Top, TX
This oak secretary is a striking statement piece with panel doors, dramatic bonnet, and traditional lower three large drawers. The entire secretary has been given a professional cust...
Brass
$15,975
H 103 in W 44 in D 24 in
18th C Style George I Red Chinoiserie Decorated Secretary Desk by Burton-Ching
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
18th C Style George I Red Chinoiserie Decorated Secretary Desk by Burton-Ching.
Wood
$3,450
H 33 in W 57 in D 22 in
21st C.Theodore Alexander, 'The Opulent East' Red Lacquer Serpentine Bombe Chest
By Theodore Alexander
Located in Morristown, NJ
Early 21st c., "The Opulent East" commode from Theodore Alexander .A faux-craquelure red lacquer serpentine bombe chest of drawers, with brass mounts and pulls, drawer fronts, top, a...
Brass
$8,400
H 33 in W 44 in D 28 in
French Louis XVI Style 19th Century Giltwood Upholstered Canapé en Corbeille
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Louis XVI style giltwood canapé en corbeille from the 19th century, with carved flowers and new upholstery. Created in France during the 19th century, this gilded canapé fea...
Upholstery, Giltwood
$187,500
H 102 in W 84.5 in D 22.5 in
Exceptional 19th Century English Chinoiserie Pagoda Display Cabinet
Located in Houston, TX
Large-scale 19th century English display cabinet executed in the Chinoiserie tradition. Constructed in carved mahogany and conceived as a tripartite architectural façade, each glazed...
Glass, Mahogany
$9,995 / set
H 36.5 in W 21.5 in D 23.5 in
Rare Set of 10 Attributed Maison Jansen Cameo Back Painted Leather Dining Chairs
By Maison Jansen
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This rare set of 10 attributed Maison Jansen dining chairs is a stunning example of neoclassical elegance and craftsmanship. Designed with exquisite attention to detail, these cameo ...
Leather, Walnut
$1,438,130
H 42.92 in W 108.27 in D 61.03 in
1894 Steinway & Sons Concert Grand Piano, Louis XV Style, Giltwood
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
This extraordinary concert grand piano with 88 keys was made by the prestigious firm Steinway & Sons around 1894. The case's decoration was entrusted to the company Cuel & Ci...
Wood, Giltwood
19th Century French Louis XVI Painted Wardrobe
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Louis XVI Painted Wardrobe is a true marvel of the cabinetmaker's art! Hand-crafted from solid French walnut which was still in abundance during the Napoleon III...
Carrara Marble
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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