Paolo Buffa Italian Mid-Century Brass Inlaid Secretary
By Paolo Buffa, Marelli & Colico, Giovanni Gariboldi
Located in Atlanta, GA
Paolo Buffa, Secretary, Italy c. 1948, Brass Intarsia by Giovanni Gariboldi, Manufactured by
Brass
Italian secretary attributed to Paolo Buffa circa 1950
By Paolo Buffa
Located in PARIS, FR
A beautiful Italian secretary attributed to Paolo Buffa circa 1950 Top with brass stars decorations
Brass
$12,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 85.75 in W 42.5 in D 19.5 in
Italian Mid-Century Brass Inlaid Secretary, by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Lyndhurst, NJ
A fine example of a Mid-Century rosewood secretary by Italian designer, Paola Buffa (1903-1970) and
Brass
$51,000 / set
H 46 in W 40.75 in D 15.75 in
Paolo Buffa Pair of Cabinets, Dry-Bar Cabinet and Secretary, circa 1950
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
An exceptional and rare pair of Paolo Buffa, Italy, circa 1950 mahogany cabinets with molded front
Brass
$12,500Sale Price|30% Off
H 87 in W 42.5 in D 20 in
Paolo Buffa & Giovanni Gariboldi Inlaid Brass Secretary Cabinet c 1950, Restored
By Giovanni Garibaldi, Paolo Buffa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
secretary cabinet, crafted circa 1950. Designed by the renowned Italian artist Paolo Buffa (1903-1970), and
Brass
Unavailable
Paolo Buffa Secretary Palisander
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Rimini, IT
important palisander Bar/Secretary by Paolo Buffa Brass feet,mirrored The price including
Paolo Buffa Rosewood Secretary
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Custom two-piece rosewood secretary with bronze inlay by Giovanni Garibaldi. Original finish
Brass
PAOLO BUFFA Secretary
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very unique and rare piece from one of the greats--Paolo Buffa. Be the only one with this
Bronze
Paolo Buffa Italian Mid-Century Kingwood Secretary
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Queens, NY
panel doors over a slant front desk with drawers and bronze trim (Attributed to PAOLO BUFFA)
Bronze
1950's Paolo Buffa Brass-Inlaid Mahogany Secretary
By Giovanni Gariboldi, Paolo Buffa
Located in Queens, NY
Attributed to Italian designer Paolo Buffa, this mahogany slant front secretary cabinet has a
Brass
Sold
H 47.64 in W 31.5 in D 16.15 in
Art Deco Italian Paolo Buffa black and white couple of Cabinets Secretaries
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Valladolid, ES
Buffa (Milan, Italy, 1903-1970). The furniture designed by the Milanese architect and designer Paolo
Leather, Wood, Lacquer, Parchment Paper
Sold
H 49.61 in W 31.5 in D 17.33 in
Paolo Buffa Important Cabinet Secretarie in Maple and Brass, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Milano, IT
Important secretary by Paolo Buffa in maple and brass from 1950. The cabinet is made of maple wood
Brass
Rare Secretary - Custom Designed by Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful Rosewood Cabinet with Bronze Inlays and Sabotz. Ribbed lower doors open to reveal mirrored shelving. Center drop front door opens to a satinwood lined desk with 6 drawers...
Drop Front Secretary Custom Designed by Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful Rosewood Cabinet w/ Classic Lines & Bronze Inlays. Bombay Front w/ Ribbed Cabinet Doors that Open to Reveal Mirrored Interior. Center Section w/ Drop Front Door Opens to Re...
Secretary by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Chicago, IL
Secretary by Paolo Buffa
Brass
Paolo Buffa Italian Secretary Rosewood, Restored
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Jersey City, NJ
Paolo Buffa Italian Rosewood Secretary Trumeau with Giovanni Gariboldi inlay, circa 1948, two
Rosewood
An Important Rosewood Secretary By Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
An important veneered and carved rosewood fall front secretary. The maple veneered interior with
A bar and secretary sideboard by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
An extraordinary shaped flap front rosewood veneered sideboard by Milanese architect Paolo Buffa
Brass
Important Rosewood Drop Front Bureau or Secretary by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
Veneered and carved impressive rosewood secretary by Paolo Buffa, on elegant tapered legs. Drop
Maple, Rosewood
A Secretary by Paolo Buffa with inlays by Giovanni Gariboldi
By Giovanni Garibaldi, Paolo Buffa
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
A small secretary by Paolo Buffa with a floral inlay on the flap front by Giovanni Gariboldi
Brass
Pair of 70s Style Italian Bamboo and Brass Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Monumental size Bamboo lamps. Crafted in Italy and made to order, these lamps are modern and chic. Production lead time 2-4 weeks. Base diameter 8 inches, hat diameter 20 inches, he...
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
$1,650 / item
H 16.1 in Dm 11.5 in
'Plissé White Edition' Pleated Textile Table Lamp by Folkform for Örsjö
By Örsjö Industri AB
Located in Glendale, CA
'Plissé White Edition' pleated textile table lamp by Folkform for Örsjö. This unique table lamp was awarded “Lighting of the Year 2022” by Residence Magazine Sweden, who called it “...
Textile
Chic 'Méandre' Gilt Bronze Side Chair by Design Frères
By Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Undulating 'Méandre' gilt bronze finish side chair by Design Frères. Gilt bronze finish over steel frame. Natural linen upholstered cushion with contrasting piping. Chic and unders...
Steel
Rare Pendant Lamp attributed to Angelo Lelli for Arredoluce, 1950s
By Arredoluce
Located in Hagenbach, DE
This rare pendant lamp, attributed to the renowned Italian manufacturer Arredoluce in the 1950s, is an exceptional example of mid-century Italian design. The lamp features a softly g...
Metal, Brass
Mid-Century Modern 1950s Italian Cabinet in Mahogany
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Cabinet, mahogany, mirrored glass, glass, brass, Italy, 1950s This charming cabinet stands out with its graphical door panels, featuring carved horizontal lines that add character ...
Brass
$10,764
H 118.12 in W 35.44 in D 15.75 in
Midcentury LB7 modular bookcase designed by Franco Albini for Poggi, Italy 1957
By Franco Albini, Poggi
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Modular bookcase model LB7 designed by Franco Albini for Poggi. Marked Poggi Pavia. An extremely flexible bookcase, with different modular options, suited to being against a wall or...
Wood
$16,991 / item
H 53.15 in W 125.99 in D 59.06 in
Oval Brass and Parchment Chandelier by Diego Mardegan for Glustin Luminaires
By Diego Mardegan
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Beautiful chandelier by Diego Mardegan for Glustin Luminaires, this other version of the spider chandelier has longer arms on the sides giving the oval shape. The metal arms paint...
Metal, Brass
$4,900 / item
H 34 in W 86 in D 42 in
Custom Made Modern English Arm Sofa in Performance Linen Velvet - 86"
By Bloom Home Inc
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
This beautiful english arm sofa has a modern twist, with its single bench cushion, and beautiful curved apron sides. It’s upholstered in a Linen Velvet Performance fabric. Shown in...
Linen, Velvet
$6,341 / set
H 24.01 in Dm 13.78 in
Pair of Constant Night Stands in Iroko Wood by Master Studio for Lemon
By Lemon
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Neatly proportioned with exceptional detailing, the constant nightstand is your perfect bedside partner. In our furniture making, the IDEA is to create special pieces that you can bu...
Hardwood
IVY Cabinet, Cherry, Brass, Josef Frank
Located in Miami, FL
IVY Cabinet by Dosbananos. Two-door cabinet covered in original Josef Frank 'Paradiset' wallpaper. Cherry wood with brass hinges and brass stretchers. Cabinet has four adjustable she...
Brass
$13,754 / item
H 49.22 in Dm 70.87 in
Brass and Parchment Paper Chandelier by Diego Mardegan for Glustin Luminaires
By Diego Mardegan
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Impressive chandelier made of white enameled brass arms holding six beautiful parchment paper shades, which can be adjusted thanks to the handle of each socket. Signed by the arti...
Brass
$7,700
H 52 in W 48 in D 20 in
19th Century Swedish Mahogany Chiffonje, Writing Agency - Cabinet by Karl Johan
By Karl Johan
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 19th Century, antique Swedish Biedermeier writing agency, secretary table made of hand crafted polished, partly veneered Mahogany with a writing flap, designed by Karl-Johan in goo...
Metal, Brass
$10,400 / set
H 23.75 in W 24.5 in D 14.25 in
Vintage Italian Nightstands by Paolo Buffa, Mahogany & Glass, 1940s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century modern Italian pair of bed side tables made of hand crafted polished, partly veneered Mahogany, designed by Paolo Buffa in good condition. The nightstands are c...
Metal, Brass
$179,487
H 45.28 in W 56.3 in D 17.33 in
Italian Art Deco Bar Cabinet in Parchment with Inlays Signed by Anzani, 1930s
By Giuseppe Anzani
Located in Meda, MB
This bar cabinet was produced in Italy, in the late 1930s and is a really unique and special piece. Its tremendous historical and artistic value is what makes this item a real piece...
Glass, Mirror, Wood, Maple, Walnut, Parchment Paper
Paolo Buffa, Walnut Mid-Century Daybed, Italy 1940s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Argelato, BO
Paolo Buffa (1903-1970) Rare and very elegant wooden daybed Varnished walnut and fabric Model created circa 1940 H 58 × L 205 × W 95 cm Paolo Buffa was an Italian furniture des...
Velvet, Walnut
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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