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Secretaires For Sale
English 19th Century George III Mahogany Secretary
English 19th Century George III Mahogany Secretary

English 19th Century George III Mahogany Secretary

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 straight cornice over two glass-front doors assemble...

Category

19th Century English George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

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

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

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

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

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

Antique Danish Oak Secretary Desk with Marquetry Interior, Early 19th Century
Antique Danish Oak Secretary Desk with Marquetry Interior, Early 19th Century

Antique Danish Oak Secretary Desk with Marquetry Interior, Early 19th Century

Located in Odense, DK

A charming antique Danish secretary desk crafted in oak during the early 19th century. The piece features a classic fall-front writing surface that opens to reveal an exceptionally d...

Category

Early 19th Century Danish Georgian 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

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

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

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

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

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

Victorian Mahogany Fall Front Secretaire Desk, Antique, 1890
Victorian Mahogany Fall Front Secretaire Desk, Antique, 1890

Victorian Mahogany Fall Front Secretaire Desk, Antique, 1890

Located in Leicester, GB

This is a wonderful English antique fall front secretary desk with Mahogany finish. The secretaire is elegantly designed with beautiful sculpted feet. Beautiful colour and patina to ...

Category

1890s British Victorian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany, Pine

Antique Early 19th Century Plantation Desk Secretary + Bookcase Hutch Cabinet
Antique Early 19th Century Plantation Desk Secretary + Bookcase Hutch Cabinet

Antique Early 19th Century Plantation Desk Secretary + Bookcase Hutch Cabinet

Located in Dayton, OH

An exceptional mid to early 19th century primitive American Plantation writing desk / hutch / cupboard / cabinet. Made from Pine and Poplar with a cherry finish. Featuring two piec...

Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Secretaires

Materials

Poplar, Pine

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

Parma Blue Doge Secretary with Gold Chinoiserie Dresser
Parma Blue Doge Secretary with Gold Chinoiserie Dresser

Parma Blue Doge Secretary with Gold Chinoiserie Dresser

By Porte Italia

Located in Milan, IT

The Parma Blue Doge secretary showcases exquisite chinoiserie artistry with delicate golden figures and serene landscapes. Its elegant double-door top reveals an interior in calming ...

Category

2010s Italian Secretaires

Materials

Wood

George III Mahogany Secretary
George III Mahogany Secretary

George III Mahogany Secretary

Located in Laguna Beach, CA

George III mahogany secretary, circa 1800. The pediment with dental moldings, two glass doors with through mullions, a slant top, desk interior with central prospect door flanked by ...

Category

Early 1800s English George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Biedermeier Walnut Secretary Desk, Veneered, Restored, Circa 1840
Biedermeier Walnut Secretary Desk, Veneered, Restored, Circa 1840

Biedermeier Walnut Secretary Desk, Veneered, Restored, Circa 1840

Located in Greding, DE

Biedermeier secretary desk veneered in walnut, featuring three lower drawers, a flat fall-front writing surface, and a top drawer. The pilasters are designed as columns with baluste...

Category

1840s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

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

French 19th Century Louis Philippe Style Commode with Secretary
French 19th Century Louis Philippe Style Commode with Secretary

French 19th Century Louis Philippe Style Commode with Secretary

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

A gorgeous 19th century French mahogany secretary style desk, designed as a classic Louis Philippe commode incorporating the work surface and storage compartments into the top “drawe...

Category

19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Iron

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

Mid-Century Georgian Style Red & Gilt Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Mid-Century Georgian Style Red & Gilt Chinoiserie Secretary Desk

Mid-Century Georgian Style Red & Gilt Chinoiserie Secretary Desk

Located in Kennesaw, GA

This is a Chinese red Georgian style chinoiserie secretary. It is a mid-century find that is heavily painted with pastoral scenes and go,t accents. It is most likely American and is ...

Category

Mid-20th Century American George III Secretaires

Materials

Wood

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

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

Swedish Gustavian Secretary Desk, Solid Pine, Antique, Circa 1850
Swedish Gustavian Secretary Desk, Solid Pine, Antique, Circa 1850

Swedish Gustavian Secretary Desk, Solid Pine, Antique, Circa 1850

Located in Kramfors, SE

Swedish country secretary desk in gustavian style from around 1850. Beautiful and genuine country furniture made by hand in solid pine in northern Sweden. The piece is made in a clas...

Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine

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

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

George III Double Secretary Bookcase of Mahogany
George III Double Secretary Bookcase of Mahogany

George III Double Secretary Bookcase of Mahogany

Located in Austin, TX

A fine English double secretary bookcase of mahogany from the late Georgian era, c.1780, featuring a crown moulded top with two astragal glazed doors, each side opening to four long ...

Category

Late 18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass, Metal

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

South German Biedermeier Secretary in Walnut, circa 1825
South German Biedermeier Secretary in Walnut, circa 1825

South German Biedermeier Secretary in Walnut, circa 1825

Located in Darmstadt, DE

This South German Biedermeier secretary from around 1825 displays a particularly striking walnut veneer with strong, mirrored patterns across the entire front. The warm, expressive g...

Category

Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

18th Century George III Quartersawn Oak Slant-Front Bureau / Desk
18th Century George III Quartersawn Oak Slant-Front Bureau / Desk

18th Century George III Quartersawn Oak Slant-Front Bureau / Desk

Located in Houston, TX

This handsome George III slant-front bureau, dating to the late 18th century (circa 1780), is a quintessential example of English provincial craftsmanship. Constructed from solid oa...

Category

18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Oak

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

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, Pierre Guariche, Marcel Gascoin, René-Jean Caillette

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

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

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 Swedish Gustavian Writing Bureau in Dry-Scraped Pine
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Writing Bureau in Dry-Scraped Pine

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Writing Bureau in Dry-Scraped Pine

Located in Mckinney, TX

18th-century Swedish bureau crafted in pine with a fixed, writing-height top and original dry-scraped surface. Multiple small drawers over deeper storage below, finished with simple ...

Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine, Paint

Danish Gustavian Green Secretary Cabinet, 1780s.
Danish Gustavian Green Secretary Cabinet, 1780s.

Danish Gustavian Green Secretary Cabinet, 1780s.

Located in Asaa, DK

Danish Gustavian Green Secretary, 1780s. Extremely rare of the period Gustavian two-part secretaire cabinet made by master carpenter in southern Denmark circa 1780. This genuine an...

Category

Late 18th Century Danish Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine

French Empire Secrétaire á Abattant
French Empire Secrétaire á Abattant

French Empire Secrétaire á Abattant

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

A handsome 19th century French Empire secrétaire à abattant made of richly figured, bookmatched walnut. This desk has a black fossil marble top resting above a hidden drawer, free of hardware and opening by a shallow groove on the bottom of the drawer front. Below is a fold-front door revealing a fitted interior with a functional writing surface, inset with worn green leather with gold tooling. The interior has an open storage shelf flanked by Empire style columns over a set of six drawers of varying sizes. The writing surface is supported with rounded brass hinges. Below are three easy to use drawers...

Category

19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble, 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

Mid 20th Century, Danis Modern Oak Drop‑Front Secretary Desk / Bureau
Mid 20th Century, Danis Modern Oak Drop‑Front Secretary Desk / Bureau

Mid 20th Century, Danis Modern Oak Drop‑Front Secretary Desk / Bureau

Located in Odense, DK

An elegant mid 20th century Danish oak drop‑front secretary desk / bureau featuring a classic fall‑front writing surface with beautiful, decorative brass handles that enhance its vin...

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Antique 19th century English oak secretary / bureau
Antique 19th century English oak secretary / bureau

Antique 19th century English oak secretary / bureau

Located in Eindhoven, NL

A very fine antique secretary/ bureau. With writing desk, 2 large and 2 small drawers and hidden secret letter compartments. Decorated with original brass ornaments and handles. Two ...

Category

19th Century English George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

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

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 Pastoe, Cees Braakman

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

Niccolini Venetian Rococo Hand Painted Bombay Secretary Desk Signed 20thC
Niccolini Venetian Rococo Hand Painted Bombay Secretary Desk Signed 20thC

Niccolini Venetian Rococo Hand Painted Bombay Secretary Desk Signed 20thC

Located in Big Flats, NY

This distinguished Niccolini Venetian Rococo secretary desk, originating from the 20th century, is a testament to exquisite Italian craftsmanship and decorative artistry. The piece i...

Category

20th Century Secretaires

Materials

Wood

English Arts and Crafts Secretary Bookcase, ca. 1910s
English Arts and Crafts Secretary Bookcase, ca. 1910s

English Arts and Crafts Secretary Bookcase, ca. 1910s

Located in Meulebeke, BE

An elegant and finely crafted example of early 20th‑century British design, this English Arts and Crafts secretary bookcase from the 1910s. I...

Category

1910s English Arts and Crafts Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Copper

Mid-Century Danish Modern Teak Secretary Desk, Bar Cabinet Made in Denmark 1960s
Mid-Century Danish Modern Teak Secretary Desk, Bar Cabinet Made in Denmark 1960s

Mid-Century Danish Modern Teak Secretary Desk, Bar Cabinet Made in Denmark 1960s

Located in Detroit, MI

This vintage mid-century Danish modern teak secretary desk or bar cabinet was made in Denmark in the 1960s. The cabinet has refined, compact proportions and is well constructed with ...

Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Antique Georgian Mahogany Bookcase Secretary Collectors Doctors Cabinet 1790
Antique Georgian Mahogany Bookcase Secretary Collectors Doctors Cabinet 1790

Antique Georgian Mahogany Bookcase Secretary Collectors Doctors Cabinet 1790

Located in Portland, OR

A very rare antique George III English Mahogany secretary bookcase, with a fitted collector's or doctor's cabinet to the base, circa 1790. The bookcase in two sections; the top section with a flared cornice with a frieze of dentil molding below, the bookcase with twin glazed doors with intersecting curvilenear astragals, the doors enclosing a pair of adjustable shelves. The base having a deep drawer with a locking fall front desk, fitted with a tooled & gilded leather writing surface, and a fitted interior with pigeonholes with removable doors and drawers each fitted with an oval gilded name label. Below are a pair of locking doors enclosing an elaborately fitted interior; comprising one long shallow tray shaped drawer above a host of 13 drawers of various sizes, all with the original brass hardware and corresponding oval gilded name tag, to the left side is a file space. The secretary bookcase is raised on bracket feet with a shaped skirt, it is made from the finest figured Cuban mahogany, all original finish and hardware. Georgian bookcase secretaries...

Category

1790s English Georgian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Antique Swedish Gustavian Secretary Desk, Pinewood, Circa 1840-1860
Antique Swedish Gustavian Secretary Desk, Pinewood, Circa 1840-1860

Antique Swedish Gustavian Secretary Desk, Pinewood, Circa 1840-1860

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

A 19th Century, antique Swedish Gustavian one part bureau, secretary made of hand crafted painted Pinewood, in good condition. The Scandinavian writing table, desk is composed with a...

Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Italian Venetian Coral Gilt Hand Painted Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Mid-Century Italian Venetian Coral Gilt Hand Painted Chinoiserie Secretary Desk

Mid-Century Italian Venetian Coral Gilt Hand Painted Chinoiserie Secretary Desk

Located in Kennesaw, GA

This is a beautiful piece! This is a mid-century hand painted Italian secretary desk with elaborate hand painted chinoiserie scenes. The bombe front features three paper lined drawer...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Wood, Poplar

Danish Modern, Unique Handcrafted Oak Secretary Cabinet, Mid 20th Century
Danish Modern, Unique Handcrafted Oak Secretary Cabinet, Mid 20th Century

Danish Modern, Unique Handcrafted Oak Secretary Cabinet, Mid 20th Century

Located in Odense, DK

An elegant rare Danish oak secretary cabinet in Baroque style, crafted in the 1930s by a skilled Danish Cabinetmaker. The piece features a drop-front writing surface that opens to re...

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Oak

Rare Antique Barrister's Bureau, English Secretary, Escritoire, Georgian, C.1760
Rare Antique Barrister's Bureau, English Secretary, Escritoire, Georgian, C.1760

Rare Antique Barrister's Bureau, English Secretary, Escritoire, Georgian, C.1760

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

This is a rare antique barrister's bureau. An English, mahogany and boxwood fall-front writing cabinet or secretary with myriad concealed storage, dating to the high Georgian period,...

Category

1760s British Georgian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Boxwood, Mahogany

Late 18th-Century Scandinavian Two-Part Secretary, Circa 1790
Late 18th-Century Scandinavian Two-Part Secretary, Circa 1790

Late 18th-Century Scandinavian Two-Part Secretary, Circa 1790

Located in Atlanta, GA

This rare Scandinavian two-part secretary dates to the late 18th century and exemplifies the refined craftsmanship of Northern European furniture from the Gustavian era. The upper se...

Category

18th Century Scandinavian Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Wood

Antique Austrian Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary Desk Tabernacle Cabinet 1820
Antique Austrian Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary Desk Tabernacle Cabinet 1820

Antique Austrian Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary Desk Tabernacle Cabinet 1820

Located in Portland, OR

A fine, elegant, antique Austrian mahogany Biedermeier secretary desk cabinet, circa 1820. The cabinet in two sections, the top with a curved architectural pediment, below is a curved door tabernacle cupboard, flanked by a pair of columns with gilt bronze bases and capitals. The base with a series of four graduated drawers with shield shaped lock-plate escutcheons inlaid with bone, to the center is a fall front writing surface enclosing a fitted interior with a series of drawers, pigeon holes and a central locking door, the doors and drawers are inlaid with satinwood stringing. All the locks are fully operational and keys are present. The cabinet is raised upon a plinth base, the secretary cabinet is made from the finest figured Cuban mahogany, condition is very good, no condition issues or restoration. This very elegant Biedermeier secretary cabinet...

Category

1820s Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Ormolu

Biedermeier Walnut and Root Walnut Secretary, South Germany circa 1840
Biedermeier Walnut and Root Walnut Secretary, South Germany circa 1840

Biedermeier Walnut and Root Walnut Secretary, South Germany circa 1840

Located in Darmstadt, DE

Charming small Biedermeier Secretary from Southern Germany, crafted around 1840. The piece impresses with its fine walnut and walnut-root veneer on a solid pine body, polished to a w...

Category

Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Birch, Pine, Walnut

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.