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Secretaires For Sale
19th Century Ebonised Secretaire
19th Century Ebonised Secretaire

19th Century Ebonised Secretaire

Located in Stahnsdorf, DE

An elegant nineteenth-century secretaire, distinguished by its striking ebonised exterior and refined Neoclassical-inspired brass fittings. The secretaire is constructed with a soli...

Category

1830s Dutch Neoclassical Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

19th Century German Biedermeier standing secretary desk walnut veneer
19th Century German Biedermeier standing secretary desk walnut veneer

19th Century German Biedermeier standing secretary desk walnut veneer

Located in Münster, DE

Biedermeier standing secretary desk, walnut veneer, beautifully mirrored veneer, architectural interior with maple and burl maple veneer, mirrored compartment and secret compartment...

Category

1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Federal Style Inlaid Mahogany Ladies Tambour Writing Desk & Secretary.
Federal Style Inlaid Mahogany Ladies Tambour Writing Desk & Secretary.

Federal Style Inlaid Mahogany Ladies Tambour Writing Desk & Secretary.

Located in Vero Beach, FL

Federal Style Inlaid Mahogany Ladies Tambour Writing Desk & Secretary. An elegant Federal style ladies tambour writing desk and secretary. This classical two-piece case piece is mod...

Category

Early 20th Century English Federal Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Rare Gunnel Nyman for Boman Secretaire in Pyramid Mahogany
Rare Gunnel Nyman for Boman Secretaire in Pyramid Mahogany

Rare Gunnel Nyman for Boman Secretaire in Pyramid Mahogany

Located in Waalwijk, NL

Gunnel Anita Gustafsson-Nyman for Oy Boman Ab, secretaire, pyramid mahogany, Finland, ca. 1937 The Finnish artist Gunnel Anita Gustafsson-Nyman (1909–1948) is best known for her gl...

Category

1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Vintage Henning Kjaernulf Oak Secretary Bureau with Drop Desk Denmark 1970s
Vintage Henning Kjaernulf Oak Secretary Bureau with Drop Desk Denmark 1970s

Vintage Henning Kjaernulf Oak Secretary Bureau with Drop Desk Denmark 1970s

By Henning Kjærnulf

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This oak secretary bureau combines a drop-front writing surface with six small interior drawers and three full-width lower drawers. Sculpted legs and a shaped apron add character to ...

Category

1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Oak

Danish 18th Century Bow-Fronted Rococo Secretary
Danish 18th Century Bow-Fronted Rococo Secretary

Danish 18th Century Bow-Fronted Rococo Secretary

Located in Atlanta, GA

Made in Denmark in the eighteenth century, this bow-fronted rococo secretary has been repainted in black with a blue interior. The rococo form, with its curved bow front, is seen her...

Category

18th Century Danish Rococo Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Antique Georgian Flame Mahogany Slant Front Secretary Writing Desk Bureau
Antique Georgian Flame Mahogany Slant Front Secretary Writing Desk Bureau

Antique Georgian Flame Mahogany Slant Front Secretary Writing Desk Bureau

Located in Dayton, OH

Exquisite antique early 19th century secretary writing storage desk. Made of flame mahogany featuring Georgian styling with three large dovetailed drawers and a drop front that open...

Category

19th Century American American Colonial Antique Secretaires

Materials

Birdseye Maple, Mahogany

19th Century Danish Biedermeier Secretary with Secret Compartements, circa 1830
19th Century Danish Biedermeier Secretary with Secret Compartements, circa 1830

19th Century Danish Biedermeier Secretary with Secret Compartements, circa 1830

Located in Greven, DE

Antique Biedermeier secretary desk with numerous secret compartments Denmark Mahogany, etc. c. 1830 Dimensions: H x W x D: 189 x 108 x 59 cm Description: Antique Scandinavian Bied...

Category

19th Century Danish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Rare 1920's English Art Deco Curved Secretaire Desk Bureau in Oak
Rare 1920's English Art Deco Curved Secretaire Desk Bureau in Oak

Rare 1920's English Art Deco Curved Secretaire Desk Bureau in Oak

Located in Leicester, GB

1920's bureaux with a host of three drawers with wooden handles. The desk can be closed with an attractive rounded lid. The desk area is lined with leather and has a tiny drawer for ...

Category

1920s British Art Deco Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Oak

Antique Folk Art Secretary Desk from Northern Sweden with Original Blue Paint
Antique Folk Art Secretary Desk from Northern Sweden with Original Blue Paint

Antique Folk Art Secretary Desk from Northern Sweden with Original Blue Paint

Located in Kramfors, SE

Antique folk art secretary desk from northern Sweden made by hand in solid pine around 1850. Untouched original condition with unusual light blue paint. The desk has an interior with...

Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Folk Art Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine

Swedish Gustavian Style Secretary and Vitrine
Swedish Gustavian Style Secretary and Vitrine

Swedish Gustavian Style Secretary and Vitrine

Located in Atlanta, GA

A beautifully crafted Swedish Gustavian style secretary vitrine finished in hand-painted black with a softly aged character. The upper cabinet features glazed doors opening to displa...

Category

20th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Wood

George III Period Mahogany Bureau Desk / Bookcase, late 18th / early 19thc
George III Period Mahogany Bureau Desk / Bookcase, late 18th / early 19thc

George III Period Mahogany Bureau Desk / Bookcase, late 18th / early 19thc

Located in Houston, TX

An exceptional English George III period mahogany bureau bookcase, circa 1790. This classic two-body secretary features a slender, well-proportioned silhouette. This versatile piece...

Category

Late 18th Century British George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Antique American Federal Hepplewhite Mahogany Slant Drop Front Secretary Desk
Antique American Federal Hepplewhite Mahogany Slant Drop Front Secretary Desk

Antique American Federal Hepplewhite Mahogany Slant Drop Front Secretary Desk

Located in Dayton, OH

This antique American Federal period Hepplewhite slant-front desk is meticulously crafted from warm, richly grained mahogany dating back to the early 19th century (circa 1800–1820). ...

Category

19th Century American Federal Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Italian Venetian Pink Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Cabinet
Italian Venetian Pink Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Cabinet

Italian Venetian Pink Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Cabinet

Located in LOS ANGELES, CA

Italian Venetian Pink Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Cabinet. It is beautifully hand painted with yellow inside and pink outside. It comes apart in two p...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Wood

18th century Swedish Gustavian secretary cabinet
18th century Swedish Gustavian secretary cabinet

18th century Swedish Gustavian secretary cabinet

Located in Atlanta, GA

An elegant late 18th century Swedish Gustavian secretary cabinet, handcrafted in pine and finished in a softly distressed original white paint with beautiful age and patina throughou...

Category

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

An antique Swedish bureau in antique white.
An antique Swedish bureau in antique white.

An antique Swedish bureau in antique white.

Located in Atlanta, GA

An antique Swedish bureau in antique white. This piece of furniture consists of two stacked sections. The upper section is a bureau with a flap ...

Category

1850s Swedish Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Theodore Alexander Althorp Secretary Desk
Theodore Alexander Althorp Secretary Desk

Theodore Alexander Althorp Secretary Desk

Located in Annville, PA

This Theodore Alexander Althorp Secretary Desk has all the outstanding qualities of an antique original. An extremely functional piece of furniture with useful storage space, this hi...

Category

2010s Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Biedermeier Cherrywood Secretaire, Germany, circa 1825
Biedermeier Cherrywood Secretaire, Germany, circa 1825

Biedermeier Cherrywood Secretaire, Germany, circa 1825

Located in Stahnsdorf, DE

A fine German Biedermeier secretaire dating to circa 1825, distinguished by its elegant architectural form and beautifully preserved period cherrywood veneer. The restrained design ...

Category

1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Cherry, Pine

1960’s Italian Inlaid Secretaire
1960’s Italian Inlaid Secretaire

1960’s Italian Inlaid Secretaire

Located in Bradenton, FL

An Italian inlaid Venetian-style secretaire, circa 1960. Decorated throughout with walnut veneers, the drop front desk and two serpentine drawers are inlaid with satinwood marquetry ...

Category

1960s Italian Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

19th Century English Gothic Revival Slant-Top Secretary
19th Century English Gothic Revival Slant-Top Secretary

19th Century English Gothic Revival Slant-Top Secretary

Located in Allerum, SE

19th-Century English Gothic / Renaissance Revival Ebonized Oak Slant-Top Secretary. Constructed from oak with a dark ebonized finish, this slant-top secretary desk features extensi...

Category

18th Century English Gothic Revival Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Burl & Carved Walnut Slant Front Marquetry Secretary Desk c1900
Burl & Carved Walnut Slant Front Marquetry Secretary Desk c1900

Burl & Carved Walnut Slant Front Marquetry Secretary Desk c1900

Located in Big Flats, NY

This exquisite antique secretary desk, crafted circa 1900, showcases a sophisticated combination of burl walnut and carved walnut construction. The piece features a distinctive slant...

Category

Early 20th Century Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Federal Cherrywood Bureau Cabinet / Desk, circa 1790
Federal Cherrywood Bureau Cabinet / Desk, circa 1790

Federal Cherrywood Bureau Cabinet / Desk, circa 1790

Located in Houston, TX

This Federal Cherrywood Bureau cabinet dates to 1790. It is a beautifully preserved example of early American Federal craftsmanship. The piece combines graceful proportions, warm p...

Category

Late 19th Century American Federal Antique Secretaires

Materials

Cherry

Antique French Secretaire / Bureau in Mahogany
Antique French Secretaire / Bureau in Mahogany

Antique French Secretaire / Bureau in Mahogany

Located in Leicester, GB

Beautiful Antique French flame Mahogany secretaire/bureau/cabinet. The inside is lined with maple and finished with ebonized black details. The cabinet has got lots of charm and char...

Category

1890s French French Provincial Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

French Art Deco Secretary Cabinet by André Arbus
French Art Deco Secretary Cabinet by André Arbus

French Art Deco Secretary Cabinet by André Arbus

By André Arbus

Located in grand Lancy, CH

Andre Arbus Sloping mahogany secreter with two drawers and a drop-leaf door. Sycamore maple interior with six small drawers and a central niche lined with parchment; gilt bronze knob...

Category

1940s French Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Antique French Louis Philippe Burr Walnut Secrétaire à Abattant Desk Chest 1840
Antique French Louis Philippe Burr Walnut Secrétaire à Abattant Desk Chest 1840

Antique French Louis Philippe Burr Walnut Secrétaire à Abattant Desk Chest 1840

Located in Portland, OR

A fine, elegant, antique 19th century French Louis Philippe walnut Secrétaire à Abattant, desk/chest, circa 1840. This fine antique French drop-front walnut secretary chest dates from the late Restoration period and is made of highly figured book-matched walnut. The top with variegated black and white marble and below is a single ogee shaped drawer with an inset brass lock escutcheon, the original key is present and the all the locks work with ease. Below is a locking fall front writing surface enclosing an exquisitely fitted interior: below a minaret shaped arch are several geometrically inlaid drawers. The fall front has the original inlaid dark chocolate colored leather writing surface, with blind tooling and gilded highlights, the drop front is robust & sturdy and is great to work to with your laptop or just to write a letter on. The base has a bank of three drawers providing plenty of useful storage, all of the drawers run smooth and with ease, the secretary chest is raised on ogee shaped block feet. Condition is excellent, all of the original brass hardware is present, the secretary is in excellent condition, no damage or restoration and it has the original warm, mellow honey colored finish. This very elegant antique French secretary...

Category

1840s French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble

19th Century English Sheraton Mahogany Secretary Desk, 1820
19th Century English Sheraton Mahogany Secretary Desk, 1820

19th Century English Sheraton Mahogany Secretary Desk, 1820

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

A slender mahogany bureau bookcase with secretary desk, made in England, circa 1820. The secretary’s upper body is crowned with a broken pediment–a classic Sheraton feature–above gla...

Category

19th Century English Sheraton Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

French Provincial Style Secretary Desk with Marquetry Inlays and Key
French Provincial Style Secretary Desk with Marquetry Inlays and Key

French Provincial Style Secretary Desk with Marquetry Inlays and Key

Located in Soquel, CA

French Provincial Style Walnut Secretary Desk with Marquetry Inlays and Key. Original Finish.

Category

1860s French Provincial Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Late 18th-Century Swedish Secretary, c. 1780-90
Late 18th-Century Swedish Secretary, c. 1780-90

Late 18th-Century Swedish Secretary, c. 1780-90

Located in Kastrup, DK

Beautiful Gustavian secrétaire desk / bureau crafted in oak and finished in a decorative light blue hue with an attractive patina. The piece is constructed in two sections, with an ...

Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass, Iron

Tesselated Black Marble Stone and Brass Inlay Secretaire by Maitland-Smith
Tesselated Black Marble Stone and Brass Inlay Secretaire by Maitland-Smith

Tesselated Black Marble Stone and Brass Inlay Secretaire by Maitland-Smith

Located in Casteren, NL

A monumental secretaire made by Maitland-Smith in the late 20th century. The whole piece was decorated with tessellated black marble and solid brass inlaid Greek key pattern. The low...

Category

1980s Philippine Greek Revival Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Brass

Swedish Rococo Black Painted Fall Front Bureau, Circa 1770
Swedish Rococo Black Painted Fall Front Bureau, Circa 1770

Swedish Rococo Black Painted Fall Front Bureau, Circa 1770

Located in Kastrup, DK

Swedish Rococo fall front bureau crafted in the distinctive Scandinavian Rococo style, featuring elegantly curved sides and balanced proportions. The fall front opens to reveal a bea...

Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

18th Century English Pine Georgian Slant-Front Bureau Secretary Desk
18th Century English Pine Georgian Slant-Front Bureau Secretary Desk

18th Century English Pine Georgian Slant-Front Bureau Secretary Desk

Located in Houston, TX

A handsome late 18th-century English Georgian slant-front bureau crafted in pine, retaining a wonderfully warm, mellow surface and understated character. The fall-front opens to rev...

Category

Late 18th Century British Georgian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Fruitwood, Pine

19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaire with Hidden Compartement, circa 1835
19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaire with Hidden Compartement, circa 1835

19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaire with Hidden Compartement, circa 1835

Located in Greven, DE

Antique Biedermeier secretary desk Rhineland Walnut, etc. Biedermeier, c. 1835 Dimensions: H x W x D: 163 x 108 x 50 cm Description: The tall, rectangular cabinet body rests on ro...

Category

Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut, Burl

Gustavian Black-Painted Bureau Display Cabinet
Gustavian Black-Painted Bureau Display Cabinet

Gustavian Black-Painted Bureau Display Cabinet

Located in Kastrup, DK

Elegant Gustavian black-painted bureau display cabinet in three sections, crafted with fine classical detailing and beautiful patina. The uppe...

Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

French Louis XVI Period Carved Oak Slant-Front Secretary Desk, Liège, Late 18th
French Louis XVI Period Carved Oak Slant-Front Secretary Desk, Liège, Late 18th

French Louis XVI Period Carved Oak Slant-Front Secretary Desk, Liège, Late 18th

Located in Atlanta, GA

A finely carved French Louis XVI period slant-front secretary desk, crafted in natural oak in the Liège region during the late 18th century. This elegant secrétaire à abattant displa...

Category

18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Oak

18th Century French Louis XVI Marquetry Secretaire Desk in Mahogany
18th Century French Louis XVI Marquetry Secretaire Desk in Mahogany

18th Century French Louis XVI Marquetry Secretaire Desk in Mahogany

Located in Winter Park, FL

An 18th century French Louis XVI marquetry secretaire, or secretary desk with bookcase. Beautifully made with book matched veneer of mahogany and fine inlay of walnut and mahogany. I...

Category

Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Early 19th Century French Provincial Pine Secretary
Early 19th Century French Provincial Pine Secretary

Early 19th Century French Provincial Pine Secretary

Located in Astoria, NY

An early 19th century French Provincial pine secretary, sourced in Provence, France. Constructed in solid pine and retaining a warm, naturally aged surface, the piece has a beautiful...

Category

1820s French French Provincial Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine

George III Bureau Desk or Secretary Chest from the 18th Century
George III Bureau Desk or Secretary Chest from the 18th Century

George III Bureau Desk or Secretary Chest from the 18th Century

Located in Austin, TX

A fine George III slant top desk or bureau secretary chest of elm, oak and padouk woods, c.1780 - an inlaid slant front drops to reveal a series of small drawers and document compart...

Category

18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Metal, Brass

Antique German Biedermeier Secretaire, Cherrywood & Burlwood, 1820
Antique German Biedermeier Secretaire, Cherrywood & Burlwood, 1820

Antique German Biedermeier Secretaire, Cherrywood & Burlwood, 1820

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A 19th Century, antique German Biedermeier tall secretaire with a writing flap made of hand crafted shellac polished, partly veneered Cherrywood and Burlwood, in good condition. The ...

Category

Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Metal, Brass

À battant” secretary desk Jean Nicolas Adriaansen Antwerp ca. 1825/30
À battant” secretary desk Jean Nicolas Adriaansen Antwerp ca. 1825/30

À battant” secretary desk Jean Nicolas Adriaansen Antwerp ca. 1825/30

Located in Münster, DE

“À battant” secretary desk, Jean Nicolas Adriaansen, Antwerp, ca. 1825/30 Mahogany, solid and veneered, symmetrically designed body with full columns and bronze capitals, top draw...

Category

1820s French Empire Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Bronze

18th Century Original Painted Writing Desk Secretary, Sweden
18th Century Original Painted Writing Desk Secretary, Sweden

18th Century Original Painted Writing Desk Secretary, Sweden

Located in Haddonfield, NJ

A late 18th Century Folk Art Baroque Scandinavian original painted writing desk secretary. This unique antique storage piece from Sweden features mounted original iron handles as wel...

Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

Mid-19th Century Swedish Painted Secretary in Pine, circa 1840–1850
Mid-19th Century Swedish Painted Secretary in Pine, circa 1840–1850

Mid-19th Century Swedish Painted Secretary in Pine, circa 1840–1850

Located in Atlanta, GA

This classic Swedish antique secretary dates to the mid-19th century and exemplifies the restrained elegance of Scandinavian furniture from the period. Crafted in pine and finished i...

Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine

Antique English Fall Front Secretary Desk in Oak
Antique English Fall Front Secretary Desk in Oak

Antique English Fall Front Secretary Desk in Oak

Located in Meer, VAN

Antique Fall Front Secretary Desk in solid oak, England, late 18th to early 19th Century. This is a wonderful English antique fall front secretary desk in solid oak with brass fitti...

Category

Early 19th Century British George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Early 19th Century Danish Black Painted Oak Baroque Secretary
Early 19th Century Danish Black Painted Oak Baroque Secretary

Early 19th Century Danish Black Painted Oak Baroque Secretary

Located in Round Top, TX

Early 19th century tall Danish Baroque secretary, crafted in oak. A newer professionally applied black painted finish is distressed throughout, revealing areas of the natural wood an...

Category

1780s Danish Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Mahogany Veneer Drop-Front Secretary Desk by René-Jean Caillette
Mahogany Veneer Drop-Front Secretary Desk by René-Jean Caillette

Mahogany Veneer Drop-Front Secretary Desk by René-Jean Caillette

By Rene Gabriel, Marcel Gascoin, René-Jean Caillette, Pierre Guariche

Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR

A beautiful drop-front secretary desk in mahogany veneer, designed by René-Jean Caillette for Rosier SNA furniture, stamped on the back and dating from the 1950s. This piece exemplif...

Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Wood

18th Century French Louis XVI Secretary Desk in Stripped Oak
18th Century French Louis XVI Secretary Desk in Stripped Oak

18th Century French Louis XVI Secretary Desk in Stripped Oak

Located in Dallas, TX

An exceptional 18th century French Louis XVI period secretary crafted from solid oak and now presented in a beautifully stripped finish that reveals the natural grain and hand carvin...

Category

1790s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

19th Century Venetian Lacquer Painted Secretary Bookcase Desk
19th Century Venetian Lacquer Painted Secretary Bookcase Desk

19th Century Venetian Lacquer Painted Secretary Bookcase Desk

Located in Rio Vista, CA

An elegant and imposing late 19th century two-part Italian secretary bookcase cabinet or desk crafted in the Venetian and Rococo Revival period styles. The piece features a beautiful...

Category

Late 19th Century Italian Rococo Revival Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Lacquer, Paint, Glass

Biedermeier Walnut Secretaire, Antique Desk from Germany, Circa 1830
Biedermeier Walnut Secretaire, Antique Desk from Germany, Circa 1830

Biedermeier Walnut Secretaire, Antique Desk from Germany, Circa 1830

Located in Darmstadt, DE

This stunning Biedermeier secretary desk is an authentic antique piece crafted from walnut wood, both inside and out. Dating back to the early 19th century, this masterpiece showcase...

Category

Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine, Walnut

Antique Gentleman's Bureau, English, Walnut, Writing Desk, Secretaire, Georgian
Antique Gentleman's Bureau, English, Walnut, Writing Desk, Secretaire, Georgian

Antique Gentleman's Bureau, English, Walnut, Writing Desk, Secretaire, Georgian

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

This is an antique gentleman's bureau. A fine English, walnut writing desk or secretaire, dating to the Georgian period, circa 1760. Wonderful Georgian example, with a delightful v...

Category

Mid-18th Century British Georgian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Swedish Gustavian Slant-Front Secretary in Original Cream Paint, 19th Century
Swedish Gustavian Slant-Front Secretary in Original Cream Paint, 19th Century

Swedish Gustavian Slant-Front Secretary in Original Cream Paint, 19th Century

Located in Atlanta, GA

A refined Swedish Gustavian slant-front secretary from the early 19th century, presented in a beautifully aged original cream-painted finish with soft green undertones inside. The cl...

Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine

18th century George III English Slant-Front Secretary Desk in Oak
18th century George III English Slant-Front Secretary Desk in Oak

18th century George III English Slant-Front Secretary Desk in Oak

Located in Houston, TX

Handsome 18th Century English (George III) slant-front secretary desk, craftly in richly grained oak and retaining a warm patina developed over centuries of use. The desk features a...

Category

18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Oak

Iconic vintage dutch design CU07 Cabinet by Cees Braakman for Pastoe
Iconic vintage dutch design CU07 Cabinet by Cees Braakman for Pastoe

Iconic vintage dutch design CU07 Cabinet by Cees Braakman for Pastoe

By Cees Braakman, Pastoe

Located in Meulebeke, BE

The Netherlands / CU07 cabinet / Pastoe / Cees Braakman / metal, teak / Vintage / Mid-century Highboard CU07 designed by the Dutch designer Cees Braakman in 1958 for Pastoe. This mo...

Category

1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Metal

Teak secretary desk by Markaryds Möbelindustri, 1950s/1960s
Teak secretary desk by Markaryds Möbelindustri, 1950s/1960s

Teak secretary desk by Markaryds Möbelindustri, 1950s/1960s

By AB Markaryd

Located in Brescia, IT

Teak secretary desk with three large drawers, a pull-out writing surface, and three small upper drawers. Manufactured by Markaryds Möbelindustri, Sweden, 1950s–1960s. Original tag pr...

Category

1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Teak

Arne Vodder Danish Teak Vanity Secretary Desk
Arne Vodder Danish Teak Vanity Secretary Desk

Arne Vodder Danish Teak Vanity Secretary Desk

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Arne Vodder Danish Teak Vanity Secretary Desk Beautifully designed teak vanity secretary desk by Arne Vodder, a celebrated figure in Danish modern design. This multi-functional piec...

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires

Materials

Teak

Antique, New and Vintage Secretaires

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.