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
$5,005
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
$5,005
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
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
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...
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 Stamford, CT
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
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
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
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 One LED E26 base socket. Black glass sphere and brass fittings. Textured Murano glass, Wired to the American sta...
Brass
Antique Swedish WH Cabinet
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This antique painted cabinet from Sweden dates back to the 19th century. While its elegant arched crown and curved door decorations show influences from the French Rococo style, its ...
Wood
$7,900
H 74 in W 40.25 in D 18.25 in
Antique Swedish Gustavian Cabinet, Handcrafted Pinewood, Circa 1810
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An early 19th Century, white-grey antique Swedish Gustavian living room cabinet made of hand crafted painted Pinewood, in good condition. The upper part of the Scandinavian buffet is...
Metal
Amuneal's Brass Pantry Cabinetry
By Amuneal
Located in New York, NY
Amuneal's Brass Pantry Cabinetry, part of our metal Kitchen Collection, is designed as a feature element for any space. The three doors on the upper cabinets are fabricated with a kn...
Brass
$4,125
H 85 in W 46.5 in D 13 in
1980s Georgian Style Chinese Chippendale Red & Gilt Chinoiserie Display Cabinet
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a Georgian Chinese Chippendale style red and gilt painted display cabinet or vitrine. It is two pieces with two adjustable interior glass shelves. The pieces has elaborate fr...
Brass
$1,995
H 88.38 in W 43 in D 21 in
Chinoiserie Black Lacquered Drop Front Secretary Desk With Bookcase Hutch
By Jasper Furniture Company
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous Georgian Chinoiserie style bureau with drop front secretary desk and bookcase hutch top In the manner of Jasper Furniture Company USA, Late 20th Century Black lacquered...
Brass
Vintage Adams Style Paint Decorated Display China Cabinet
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Vintage Adams Style Paint Decorated Display China Cabinet Beautiful 20th century hand painted satinwood cabinet on console base by Yorkshire House. Neoclassical style featuring fin...
Glass, Satinwood
$5,300
H 74 in W 43.5 in D 19 in
18th C. Italian Renaissance Walnut "Studiolo" Cabinet with 38 Drawers & Secrets
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in Italy circa 1760, this rare walnut “studiolo” cabinet — also known as a Cabinet of Curiosities — represents the height of 18th century craftsmanship, inspired by the Renai...
Walnut
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
$5,447
H 50.01 in W 59.85 in D 16.15 in
Art Deco Dressing Table Attributed to Betty Joel, Rare, c 1930s
By Betty Joel
Located in Devon, England
For those with a more refined taste in quality we are pleased to be able to offer you this Sycamore Art Deco dressing table attributed to Betty Joel. Beautiful quality, lovely condit...
Steel
Swedish Gustavian Commode, circa 1800
Located in Huntington, NY
A three drawer Swedish Gustavian commode. Front corners are canted and fluted. Back corners are fluted as well. Sits atop tapered rectangular feet. Later iron pulls and original iron...
Iron
$290,000
H 136 in Dm 108 in
Exquisite Rotunda Structure Kiosk Copper & Carved Stone Bench Seating Columns
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Exquisite Rotunda Structure Kiosk Copper & Carved Stone Bench Seating Columns . Monumental Exquisite refined work King Charles X Period Rotunda rotundus building structure with a...
Stone, Copper
$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
$2,200
H 86 in W 39.5 in D 16 in
Vintage French Provincial Blue Painted Bookcase Tall Secretary Desk by Danby
By Danby
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Provincial Blue Distress Painted Bookcase Tall Secretary Desk by Danby. Item features shell carved accents, working lock and key, solid wood construction, great style ...
Wood
$347,200
H 68 in W 55 in
A Magnificent Pair of French Royal Paintings "Aurora and Diana" "Night and Day"
Located in Queens, NY
Jacques-Francois Delyen (1684-1761), Court Painter of King Louis XV. A Magnificent Pair of Palatial "French Royal" Allegorical Paintings "Aurora and Diana" "Night and Day" A truly ...
Oil
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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