Early 18th Century Queen Anne Japanned Secretary Bookcase
Located in Essex, MA
Early 18th Century Queen Anne Japanned Secretary Bookcase, possibly Continental.
Antique Early 18th Century English Queen Anne Secretaires
Hardwood
Early 18th Century Queen Anne Japanned Secretary Bookcase
Located in Essex, MA
Early 18th Century Queen Anne Japanned Secretary Bookcase, possibly Continental.
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
$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 George I design, japanned finish in red vermillion/scarlet with hand-painted and gil...
Wood
$4,914
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
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'...
Wood, Paint
$4,914
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
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...
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 urn finials over two doors, opening interior adorned with hand-painted landscape and...
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 pair of arched doors with beveled glass. Opening to an elaborate interior with variou...
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 lacquered upper interior.
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 decorative Chinoiserie designs of birds and flowers.
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 decorative and stylish Japanned beige or tan painted bureau bookcase decorated overall wi...
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 painted and lacquered and decorated with Chinoiserie scenes. The exterior is a combi...
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 chinoiserie décor with drop slant front desk.
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 décor, slant front desk, broken arch pediment and multiple drawers.
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.
Wood
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...
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. This piece is a versatile size and could be used as a secretary, bookshelf, or bar cab...
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 Beveled Antique Mirror Opening to a Fitted Interior Above a Short and Long Drawer ...
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 ...
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 from a Palm Beach estate, and is in it's original excellent condition, without issues.
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 to the Boston taste executed 2nd quarter of the 19th century.
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 lacquered flap, rich decor of birds and koi carps in a lake landscape.
Wood
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.
Wood
18th Century English Chinoiserie Secretary Bookcase, George III
Located in Charleston, SC
Mid-18th century Georgian secretary bookcase with green lacquered Japanning.
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 century. The secretary has elaborate detailing in the black lacquered wood. Has sev...
Ivory, Wood
$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
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
$4,334Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 27.56 in W 19.69 in D 15.75 in
Pink Murano Glass & Brass Luxury Bedside Tables: Italian Artistry Modern Bedroom
Located in Guazzora, IT
These luxury bedside tables in pink Murano glass and brass exemplify exquisite Italian craftsmanship and Mid-Century Modern style. Handcrafted in Italy exclusively for Milan Fashio...
Brass
19th Century Cast Iron Tiled Fireplace Insert
Located in London, GB
19th Century Cast Iron Tiled Fireplace Insert. Original English Made Victorian Cast Iron Fireplace Insert. Blackened Finish With Front Bars, Hood & Back. Including English Wild Rose...
Iron, Wrought Iron
$4,450
H 33.25 in W 48 in D 19.25 in
French Louis XVI Mahogany Chest of Drawers, Serpentine Front, 1920
Located in Austin, TX
French Chest of drawers/commode in the Louis XVI style with a “serpentine” front. The chest is made of Mahogany and finished with a Museum quality French polish. Original Bronze hard...
Mahogany
$4,200
H 36 in W 37 in D 21 in
19th Century French Louis XVI Style Oversized Bergere Marquise Armchair
Located in Charleston, SC
19th century French Louis XVI style bergère marquise upholstered armchair in painted wood frame with neoclassical architecture embellished hand-carved foliates, rosettes and tapered ...
Fabric, Wood, Paint
Chinese Woven Top Canopy Bed, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
A Chinese canopy bed was typically part of a bride's dowry or a gift to a courtesan. It grew to be an important household status symbol, and the subject of rivalry among wives and co...
Rattan, Elm
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
$8,500
H 36 in W 36.5 in D 15 in
Biedermeier Period Burlwood Table Cabinet Of Curiosities Wunderkammer 19th C.
Located in Forney, TX
A fine Biedermeier Period (1815-1848) walnut maple burlwood marquetry table cabinet - wunderkammer (cabinet of curiosities) with fifteen drawers and concealed secret compartments, ci...
Iron
$76,095
H 14 in W 11.8 in
Two royal portraits (the Duc d'Angoulême and the Duc de Berry) by H.P. Danloux
Located in PARIS, FR
These two royal portraits are a major historical testimony to the stay of the Comte d'Artois (the future Charles X) and his family in Edinburgh in 1796-1797. Given by the sitters to ...
Canvas, Oil, Wood Panel
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
$337,467
H 100.6 in W 66.93 in D 24.81 in
Rare Moses Michelangelo Guggenheim & Pauly Cie Et Venice Antique Carved Armoire
By Pauly et Cie, Guggenheim Museum
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare one of a kind Pauly CIE Et stamped hand carved walnut armoire made by the genius that was Moses Michelangelo Guggenheim 1837-1910 W...
Walnut
$6,438
H 96.46 in W 51.97 in D 19.69 in
Rare and Beautiful Architectural Pagode Display Cabinet, China
Located in Antwerp, BE
Made of carved wood with transparent fences and scrollwork panels, two dragons at the front and pagoda roofs on top. A beautiful realization by the Chinese woodcarver and furniture m...
Sapele Wood, Ivory
$5,062
H 58.86 in W 31.5 in D 19.69 in
Antique Harrods Green Lacquered Cocktail Cabinet on Stand Mid 20th Century
Located in London, GB
A fabulous polychromed Green lacquered and gilt japanned cocktail cabinet-on-stand, retailed by Harrods and bearing their ivorine label, circa 1940's in date. The two-door cabinet ...
Wood, Giltwood
$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
Art Nouveau Wall Cabinet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Art nouveau carved wall cabinet in excellent original condition.
Wood
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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