19th Century Swedish Clock Secretary Circa 1820
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exceptional 19th-century Swedish clock secretary, circa 1820, combines functionality with timeless Gustavian elegance.
Pine, Paint
18th Century Georgian Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
Located in Solebury, PA
An exquisite 18th-century Georgian mahogany secretary bookcase, meticulously painted in the style of Angelica Kaufmann and intricately inlaid throughout, showcases exceptional crafts...
Mahogany
18th Century English Georgian Bleached Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
Located in Viterbo, VT
The secretary features a top bookcase section with glass doors and two shelves, the internal part of the bookcase was painted a light blue, which works very well with the colors of t...
Brass
Slant Front Secretary Bookcase In French Country Style
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Very well made and finished slant front secretary on four carved saber form legs with carved, scalloped apron.
Brass
English Regency Sheraton-Style Secretary and Bookcase
Located in Dallas, TX
English Regency period mahogany and satinwood two-piece secretary cabinet. Pine secondary wood. Top section having a shaped cornice with an ebonized lion medallion flanked by sphinxe...
Brass
$2,396Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Writing Desk Secretary
Located in San Angelo, TX
This beautiful and unique 19th century Swedish Gustavian writing desk is perfect for any room or hallway. The colors are amazing with the distress and dry scrapping for a perfect loo...
Wood, Pine, Paint
Early 19th Century Tall Swedish Black Secretary Bureau
Located in Round Top, TX
Late 19th-century 8' tall Swedish oak bureau or secretary featuring a newer professionally applied black layered painted finish, lightly distressed to reveal natural oak beneath and ...
Brass
19th Century Swedish Bureau Secretary Cabinet with Clock
Located in Round Top, TX
19th century Swedish pine bureau or "secretary cabinet" incorporating an upper clock feature.
Metal
Late 18th Century Blue Swedish Oak Secretary Bureau
Located in Round Top, TX
Late 18th Century Blue Swedish Oak Secretary Bureau Late 18th-century Swedish oak secretary bureau featuring a tall, elegant form with a graceful carved curved crown and three large ...
Wood, Oak, Paint
Early 19th Century White Danish Oak Secretary Bureau
Located in Round Top, TX
Early 19th-century Danish oak secretary bureau with a newer professionally applied antique white painted exterior finish and a contrasting muted gray interior.
Brass
Venitian style Secretary desk with drop front
Located in Miami, FL
Hand painted Venitian style Secretary desk with a drop front Made by Patina, Italy.
Wood
Late 18th-Century Swedish Two-Part Secretary, Circa 1780
Located in Charleston, SC
Late 18th century Swedish two-part secretary with most original glass panes. The upper portion has paneled doors with most original glazed panes, a fall-front desk with writing surf...
Bronze
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.
Metal
Baroque Secretary with Black Exterior and Blue Interior, Circa 1760
Located in Atlanta, GA
An impressive period Baroque secretary dating to circa 1760. This substantial piece has been historically repainted, featuring a black exterior contrasted by a distinctive blue-paint...
Wood
Napoleon III Marquetry Secretary Vitrine Bonheur Du Jour
Located in Lisbon, PT
A unique 19th century Napoleon III table desk Bonheur Du Jour. Upper part showcase with three shelves and lower part with a couple of drawers and extendable top and legs with black...
Metal
German Biedermeier Olivewood Inlaid and Parcel Gilt Secretary / Bookcase
Located in Queens, NY
German Biedermeier (18th Century) olivewood secretary / bookcase in shaped rectangular with the top section having a hinged 2-door shelved cabinet with glass windows bordered by parc...
Wood
19th Century Vermis Martin Style Bonheur Du Jour Secretary Desk
Located in Germantown, MD
A 19th Century Vermis Martin Style Bonheur Du Jour Secretary Desk. Hand Painted and with original functional key.
Velvet, Hardwood, Paint, Ribbon
8th Century Period Swedish Rococo Two-Section Secretary Cabinet From Värmland
Located in Charleston, SC
While natural oak or pine were used, painted finishes in grays, palest blues and white creams are classic..
Bronze
$14,000Sale Price|22% Off
Venetian Rococo Style Walnut Secretary Lacquered by Ira Yeager
By Ira Yeager
Located in Rio Vista, CA
The dresser is surmounted by a bookcase with a painted door depicting a nobleman holding a chicken.
Brass
19th Century American Mahogany Serpentine Slant Front Secretary Desk
Located in Germantown, MD
A late 19th Century American mahogany serpentine slant front secretary bureau desk. Nice quality mahogany, dovetails drawers and ball and claw feet.
Brass
19th Century Louis Philippe Style Fall Front Secretary Chest
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Beautiful craftsmanship Louis Philippe style secretary chest cabinet desk in a satin / burl wood with exterior front inlay musical instruments and flowers marquetry scene details. Th...
Marble, Brass
Impressive Rolling Secretary in Louis XVI, 20th Century, Mahogany
Located in Berlin, DE
Impressive rolling secretary in Louis XVI, 20th Century. Scroll function with a Watteau painting, signed. Extendable writing surface covered with leather. Rich marquetry on the si...
Brass
18th Century Black Swedish Gustavian One Part Pine Bureau - Antique Secretary
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
The upper part of the secretary consist nine storage spaces, enhanced with the original chrome hardware and key, particularized in the Neoclassical Greek style.
Metal, Bronze
Baker Furniture Style Georgian Burl Wood Secretary Desk With Bookcase Hutch Top
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding Georgian, Chippendale, or Neoclassical style bureau with drop front secretary desk and bookcase hutch top In the manner of Baker Furniture Italy, Circa 1980s Gorgeo...
Brass
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretary with Fall-Front, Black and Coral
Located in Kastrup, DK
A fine Gustavian secretary crafted in black-painted pine with a striking coral-red interior.
Brass
George II-Style Chinoiserie Secretary / Collector's Cabinet by Antonio's SF
By Antonio's
Located in Dallas, TX
a George II-style black lacquer secretary / desk with Collector's Cabinet above, gilt Chinoiserie decoration overall, some raised, cabinet above fitted out with display shelves for C...
Wood
Faux Bamboo Rattan Enamel and Decorated Slant Top Secretary Desk
Located in Germantown, MD
An Exquisite hand-crafted Faux Bamboo Rattan, hand enamed and Decorated Slant Top Secretary Desk with open bottom lower tier and high knee clearance of 29.5". Measures 31" in width, ...
Enamel
Fine 19th Century English Chinoiserie and Red Lacquered Slant Front Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
A very fine and elaborated 19th century Chinoiserie red lacquered slant front secretary. Hand painted and raised decoration. The interior with pigeon holes and drawers and a writing ...
Wood
French Provincial Vanity Secretary or Ladies Desk w/Distressed Antiqued Finish
Located in Topeka, KS
This is a FANTASTIC vintage vanity, secretary, or Ladies Desk wearing a soft sea green tinted all-over distressed or ceruse painted finish and let me just say… there’s a LOT to talk ...
Brass
American Hepplewhite Mahogany Inlaid Fall Front Secretary with Bookcase, C. 1790
Located in Charleston, SC
American Hepplewhite mahogany satinwood string inlaid secretary bookcase with a hinged fall front leather writing surface, central arched tulip wood inlaid cornice with original bras...
Brass
Yellow Secretary Desk with storage, design by Eric Gizard - Paris
By Éric Gizard
Located in Landivy, FR
This secretary Desk belongs to our ÉGÉE COLLECTION designed by the Parisian designer Eric Gizard. Eric adopts for this collection the refined codes of Scandinavian design, combin...
Wood, Ash, Lacquer
Louis XV style lady’s secretary with red and gold chinoiserie decoration
Located in Wien, AT
Louis XV style, France, end of the 19th century. Various hardwoods and softwoods, veneered, primed in red, decorated in lacquer technique in the form of landscape scenes on the rever...
Wood
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 lacquer, ornamented with flowers, birds and butterflies.
Wood, Paint
French Louis XVI Bronze Mounted Vernis Martin Secretary Desk By Henri Picard
By Henri Picard
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions: 60.5 inches high x 30.5 inches wide x 16.5 inches deep Absolutely exceptional antique 19th century French Louis XVI style secretaire à abattant by Henri Picard, a piece ...
Bronze, Ormolu
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Drop Front Secretary Desk by Raymond Loewy for Mengel
By Raymond Loewy
Located in Palm Springs, CA
1950’s Mid-Century modern oak drop front secretary desk by Raymond Loewy for Mengel The outside oak was replaced, the interior is original condition, shows some wear consistent with...
Steel
Large blue Secretary Desk - design Eric Gizard, Paris - made in France
By Éric Gizard
Located in Landivy, FR
This large secretary desk is designed by the famous parisian Designer Eric Gizard and delivered fully mounted. The overall dimensions of the box itself are Width 120 cm / 47.2''...
Wood, Ash, Lacquer
Light blue French secretary desk, designed by Eric Gizard in Paris
By Éric Gizard
Located in Landivy, FR
This secretary Desk belongs to our ÉGÉE COLLECTION designed by the Parisian designer Eric Gizard. Eric adopts for this collection the refined codes of Scandinavian design, combinin...
Wood, Ash, Lacquer
Adams Style Mahogany Half Cylinder Secretary Writing Desk Hutch Curio 92"
Located in Dayton, OH
The secretary features a painted Neoclassical floral theme with scrolled flower bouquets, acanthus leaves, ribbons and trophy urns.
Mahogany
Dark blue secretary desk in wood, scandinavian design by Eric Gizard, Paris
By Éric Gizard
Located in Landivy, FR
ÉGÉE collection This secretary desk is part of the ÉGÉE collection designed by Eric Gizard in Paris. Eric combines the sleek and refined codes of Scandinavian design with natural mat...
Ash, Wood, Lacquer
Blue gray secretary desk in wood, with storage - design Eric Gizard, Paris
By Éric Gizard
Located in Landivy, FR
This secretary Desk belongs to our ÉGÉE COLLECTION and is designed by the Parisian designer Eric Gizard. Eric adopts for this collection the refined codes of Scandinavian design, c...
Wood, Ash, Lacquer
Red Secretary Desk, designed in Paris by Eric Gizard, made in France
By Éric Gizard
Located in Landivy, FR
This secretary Desk belongs to our ÉGÉE COLLECTION designed by the Parisian designer Eric Gizard. Eric adopts for this collection the refined codes of Scandinavian design, combin...
Wood, Ash, Lacquer
Turn of the 18th -19th C. Swedish Rococo Style Slant Front Secretary w/ Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A late 18th century-early 19th century Rococo style slant front painted fir Swedish secretary with bonnet top, two doors and multiple drawers.
Fir
A fine late 18th c to early 19th c William and Mary black Chinoiserie secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
A very fine late 18th century William and Mary black lacquered secretary. Fine Chinoiserie hand decorated scenes. Fine quality . Excellent condition
Wood
Gray design Secretary desk designed in Paris by Eric Gizard, made in France
By Éric Gizard
Located in Landivy, FR
This secretary Desk belongs to our ÉGÉE COLLECTION designed by the Parisian designer Eric Gizard. Eric adopts for this collection the refined codes of Scandinavian design, combin...
Wood, Ash, Lacquer
18th Century Italian Painted Drop Front Secretaire
Located in Charleston, SC
18th century large Italian charming rustic later painted drop front secretary with multiple cubby holes and drawers above two large base drawers on short tapered legs. circa 1780, It...
Iron
Danish Modern Model 68 Secretary Desk in Teak by Arne Wahl Iversen Vinde, 1960's
By Arne Wahl Iversen, Vinde Møbelfabrik
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing a freshly restored Model 68 secretary desk designed in the 1960s by the influential Arne Wahl Iversen for Vinde Møbelfabrik. Constructed from a mix of solid and veneered ...
Wood, Teak, Paint
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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