Skip to main content

Japanese Secretary

Early 18th Century Queen Anne Japanned Secretary Bookcase
Early 18th Century Queen Anne Japanned Secretary Bookcase

Early 18th Century Queen Anne Japanned Secretary Bookcase

Located in Essex, MA

Early 18th Century Queen Anne Japanned Secretary Bookcase, possibly Continental.

Category

Antique Early 18th Century English Queen Anne Secretaires

Materials

Hardwood

Queen Anne Japanned Secretary Bookcase
Queen Anne Japanned Secretary Bookcase

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 ...

Category

Antique 1720s English Queen Anne Secretaires

Materials

Oak

English Chinoiserie Georgian Style Japanned Scarlet Vermillion Cabinet Secretary
English Chinoiserie Georgian Style Japanned Scarlet Vermillion Cabinet Secretary

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 George I design, japanned finish in red vermillion/scarlet with hand-painted and gil...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Queen Anne Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Japanese Style Cabinet-Secretary Attributed to G. Viardot, France, Circa 1880
Japanese Style Cabinet-Secretary Attributed to G. Viardot, France, Circa 1880

Japanese Style Cabinet-Secretary Attributed to G. Viardot, France, Circa 1880

By Gabriel Viardot

Located in PARIS, FR

Opening onto two drawers and a paper filer, the upright-secretary door is also fitted with red velvet. Surmounted by a drawer and asymmetrical shelves, composed in the Japanese 'zen'...

Category

Antique 1880s French Japonisme Cabinets

Materials

Wood, Paint

Japanese Style Cabinet-Secretary Att. to Perret & Vibert, France, circa 1880
Japanese Style Cabinet-Secretary Att. to Perret & Vibert, France, circa 1880

Japanese Style Cabinet-Secretary Att. to Perret & Vibert, France, circa 1880

By Perret et Vibert

Located in PARIS, FR

Opening onto two drawers and a paper filer, the upright-secretary door is also fitted with red velvet. Surmounted by a drawer and asymmetrical shelves, composed in the Japanese « zen...

Category

Antique 1880s French Japonisme Secretaires

Materials

Wood

19th Century English George III Style Chinoiserie Lacquered Secretary
19th Century English George III Style Chinoiserie Lacquered Secretary

19th Century English George III Style Chinoiserie Lacquered Secretary

Located in Essex, MA

George III-Style Red-Lacquered Chinoiserie Secretary Bookcase 19th century, the upper case with a broken-arch pediment over a pair of arched doors, the base with a slant lid opening ...

Category

Antique 19th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Oak, Lacquer

Large Red Jappaned Bureau Cabinet
Large Red Jappaned Bureau Cabinet

Large Red Jappaned Bureau Cabinet

Located in Dubai, AE

Fine Queen Anne style red Japanned Chinoiserie secretary cabinet. The triple domed top with eight urn finials over two doors, opening interior adorned with hand-painted landscape and...

Category

Antique 18th Century European Queen Anne Cabinets

Materials

Wood, Giltwood, Paint

Recent Sales

Large Japanese Secretary
Large Japanese Secretary

Large Japanese Secretary

Sold

H 84 in W 54 in D 30.5 in

Large Japanese Secretary

Located in Stamford, CT

Asian hardwood desk in English form painted with scenes from woodblock prints.

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Secretaires

George III Scarlet Japanned Secretary
George III Scarlet Japanned Secretary

George III Scarlet Japanned Secretary

Sold

H 81.75 in W 39.25 in D 222 in

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 ...

Category

Antique 1770s English George III Secretaires

Materials

Wood

George III Scarlet Japanned Secretary Cabinet
George III Scarlet Japanned Secretary Cabinet

George III Scarlet Japanned Secretary Cabinet

Sold

H 84.5 in W 38.5 in D 22 in

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 pair of arched doors with beveled glass. Opening to an elaborate interior with variou...

Category

Antique 1750s English George III Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Oak

George II Green Japanned Secretary Desk
George II Green Japanned Secretary Desk

George II Green Japanned Secretary Desk

Sold

H 81.5 in W 38.25 in D 22 in

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...

Category

Antique 1740s English George II Secretaires

Venetian Rococo Green Japanned Secretary Desk
Venetian Rococo Green Japanned Secretary Desk

Venetian Rococo Green Japanned Secretary Desk

Sold

H 89.25 in W 41.5 in D 19.5 in

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 ...

Category

Antique 1760s Italian Rococo Secretaires

Materials

Wood

18th Century Northern Italian Japanned Secretary Bookcase, 18th Century
18th Century Northern Italian Japanned Secretary Bookcase, 18th Century

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, ...

Category

Antique 18th Century Italian Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Fine George 111 Period Japanned Black Lacquered Secretary
Fine George 111 Period Japanned Black Lacquered Secretary

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 lacquered upper interior.

Category

Antique Late 18th Century English George III Secretaires

Materials

Wood

English Bamboo Secretary with Japan-Lacquered Accents
English Bamboo Secretary with Japan-Lacquered Accents

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 decorative Chinoiserie designs of birds and flowers.

Category

Antique 19th Century English Secretaires

Georgian Style, Chinoiserie, Beige Secretary Desk, Bureau Cabinet, Japanned
Georgian Style, Chinoiserie, Beige Secretary Desk, Bureau Cabinet, Japanned

Georgian Style, Chinoiserie, Beige Secretary Desk, Bureau Cabinet, Japanned

Located in Stamford, CT

Japanned, Georgian Style Chinoiserie, Beige Secretary Desk, Bureau Cabinet This is a highly decorative and stylish Japanned beige or tan painted bureau bookcase decorated overall wi...

Category

1990s Chinoiserie Desks

Materials

Wood

Georgian Chinoiserie Secretary
Georgian Chinoiserie Secretary

Georgian Chinoiserie Secretary

Sold

H 85 in W 36 in D 25 in

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...

Category

Antique Late 18th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Oak, Pine

Very Fine George 11 Style 19th C Grand Tortoise and Chinoiserie Secretary
Very Fine George 11 Style 19th C Grand Tortoise and Chinoiserie Secretary

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 painted and lacquered and decorated with Chinoiserie scenes. The exterior is a combi...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English George II Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Georgian Japanned Secretary
Georgian Japanned Secretary

Georgian Japanned Secretary

Sold

H 90.88 in W 34.75 in D 19.25 in

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...

Category

Antique 1770s English Georgian Secretaires

Queen Anne Japanned Secretary
Queen Anne Japanned Secretary

Queen Anne Japanned Secretary

Sold

H 84.5 in W 43.63 in D 23 in

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...

Category

Antique 1720s Dutch Queen Anne Bookcases

Materials

Oak, Paint

English Chinoiserie Black and Gold Tall Secretary / Slant Front Desk
English Chinoiserie Black and Gold Tall Secretary / Slant Front Desk

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 chinoiserie décor with drop slant front desk.

Category

Vintage 1930s English Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Gold, Brass

English Chinoiserie 1920s Black and Gold Tall Secretary with Slant Front Desk
English Chinoiserie 1920s Black and Gold Tall Secretary with Slant Front Desk

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 décor, slant front desk, broken arch pediment and multiple drawers.

Category

Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Baker Red Chinoiserie Japanned 1593 Venetian Secretary Desk Collectors Edition
Baker Red Chinoiserie Japanned 1593 Venetian Secretary Desk Collectors Edition

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.

Category

Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Wood

A Spectacular English Chinoiserie Secretary
A Spectacular English Chinoiserie Secretary

A Spectacular English Chinoiserie Secretary

Sold

H 91 in W 47 in D 22.25 in

A Spectacular English Chinoiserie Secretary

Located in Lyndhurst, NJ

This impressive and grand Chinoiserie Secretary having an intricate detailed decoration both on the exterior and interior, the top section with 2 doors opening to reveal a fitted i...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Giltwood, Lacquer, Paint

19th C. Bamboo Chinoiserie Secretary or Cabinet
19th C. Bamboo Chinoiserie Secretary or Cabinet

19th C. Bamboo Chinoiserie Secretary or Cabinet

Located in Atlanta, GA

Elegant 19th Century Bamboo Chinoiserie Secretary or Cabinet, England, circa late 19th century. This piece is a versatile size and could be used as a secretary, bookshelf, or bar cab...

Category

Antique 19th Century British Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Bamboo, Glass, Wood

English Black and Gilt Japanned Drop Front Secretary
English Black and Gilt Japanned Drop Front Secretary

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 Beveled Antique Mirror Opening to a Fitted Interior Above a Short and Long Drawer ...

Category

20th Century Secretaires

Francis Elkins English Japanned Secretary
Francis Elkins English Japanned Secretary

Francis Elkins English Japanned Secretary

Sold

H 87 in W 39.5 in D 22.5 in

Francis Elkins English Japanned Secretary

Located in Lake Forest, IL

A late 18th Century Lacquered Slant Front Bevelled Mirrored Secretary with later refreshed Japanned Decoration executed in London under the direction of Francis Elkins for the famed ...

Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Secretaires

Materials

Oak, Paint

Magnificent Drexel Chinoiserie Japanned Secretary Desk Cabinet
Magnificent Drexel Chinoiserie Japanned Secretary Desk Cabinet

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 from a Palm Beach estate, and is in it's original excellent condition, without issues.

Category

Vintage 1960s American Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Japanned Red Secretary
Japanned Red Secretary

Japanned Red Secretary

Sold

H 79 in W 33.75 in D 19 in

Japanned Red Secretary

Located in Stamford, CT

Japanned red secretary (two parts)

Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Secretaires

Japanned Federal Slant-front Secretary
Japanned Federal Slant-front Secretary

Japanned Federal Slant-front Secretary

Sold

H 43 in W 35.5 in D 20 in

Japanned Federal Slant-front Secretary

Located in Woodbury, CT

A Rhode Island tiger maple slant-front secretary, dated on its bottom board; with Japanning to the Boston taste executed 2nd quarter of the 19th century.

Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier Secretaires

Materials

Chestnut, Lacquer, Gesso

19th Century Japanese Lacquer Secretary Desk Richly Decorated
19th Century Japanese Lacquer Secretary Desk Richly Decorated

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 lacquered flap, rich decor of birds and koi carps in a lake landscape.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Anglo-Japanese Lacquer

Materials

Wood

Red Japanned Lacquer Work Chinoiserie Secretary
Red Japanned Lacquer Work Chinoiserie Secretary

Red Japanned Lacquer Work Chinoiserie Secretary

Located in Washington, DC

"Japanned" Chinoiserie Secretary Probably Italian, two-doors over fall-front desk with interior drawers and cubby holes, over two small drawers and three long drawers.

Category

20th Century Italian Secretaires

Materials

Wood

18th Century English Chinoiserie Secretary Bookcase, George III
18th Century English Chinoiserie Secretary Bookcase, George III

18th Century English Chinoiserie Secretary Bookcase, George III

Located in Charleston, SC

Mid-18th century Georgian secretary bookcase with green lacquered Japanning.

Category

Antique Mid-18th Century English George III Secretaires

Materials

Pine

Anglo-Japanese Secretary
Anglo-Japanese Secretary

Anglo-Japanese Secretary

Sold

H 57 in W 46 in D 28 in

Anglo-Japanese Secretary

Located in Cookeville, TN

Intricate hand-carved flowers made of ivory grace this lovely ornate secretary from the early 20th century. The secretary has elaborate detailing in the black lacquered wood. Has sev...

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Art Nouveau Secretaires

Materials

Ivory, Wood

Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Japanese Secretary", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Japanese Secretary For Sale on 1stDibs

Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the Japanese secretary you’re looking for at 1stDibs. Each Japanese secretary for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, bone and ivory. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect Japanese secretary — we have versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century are available. Each Japanese secretary bearing Georgian, Art Nouveau or Rococo hallmarks is very popular. A well-made Japanese secretary has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Baker Furniture Company are consistently popular.

How Much is a Japanese Secretary?

Prices for a Japanese secretary can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $1,495 and can go as high as $39,500, while the average can fetch as much as $12,225.

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.

Read More

37 Cheerful Home Bars, Where Everybody (Literally) Knows Your Name

Simple or sophisticated, equipped with console, cart or custom cabinetry, these stylish bar areas deserve a toast.

The Ultimate Guide to Types of Tables for the Home

Whether you’re just moving in or ready to give your home a makeover, our guide will give you pointers on tables that are fitting for every room, nook and hallway.

What Exactly Is a Secretary Desk, and What Is It Used For?

The furniture equivalent of a Swiss Army knife, it's the multifunctional piece you didn't know you needed.

This Shelving System with Oxidized Brass Tubes Is Retro and Futuristic at Once

Italian studio DimoreMilano mustered great ingenuity when crafting these sculptural shelves, which are built without any screws.

Ask an Interior Designer: Work-from-Home Edition

Leaping into a design project, whether it's refreshing the bedroom or redoing the whole house, can be overwhelming. Luckily, we know more than a few interior designers. You asked questions on Instagram, and now they're answering.

Collected and Eclectic, ‘Wunderkammern’ Are Back in a Big Way

Introduced nearly 500 years ago, curiosity cabinets are finding new fans among today's collectors and designers.

Meet the Incredible Woman Transforming Fallen Trees into Sleek Furniture

In the hands of New York Heartwoods cofounder Megan Offner, unwanted local trees become works of design art.

These New York Architects Love a Complicated Project

From Brooklyn townhouses to Maine campgrounds, Trattie Davies and Jonathan Toews relish a challenge, like transforming a former warehouse space into the new 1stdibs Gallery.