Polychrome Secretaire
Dutch Bureau/Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Dutch Bureau/Desk polychrome painted with elaborate scrolls, dutch harbor and country scenes. Fall
Category
Antique 19th Century Secretaires
English Scarlet Gilt and Polychrome Japanned Secretary
Located in Stamford, CT
A marvelous 18th century scarlet gilt and poly chrome secretary later Japanned. This English secretary has a double domed cornice over a pair of mirrored doors opening to fitted inte...
Category
Antique 18th Century English Secretaires
Materials
Wood
19th Century Mexican Polychromed Metal Chest with Drawers and Decorations
Located in Marbella, ES
19th century Mexican Polychromed Metal Chest with Drawers and Decorations.
Category
Antique 19th Century Mexican Secretaires
Materials
Metal
H 17.72 in W 23.63 in D 11.82 in
18th Century Spanish Colonial Vargueno Set on a 19th Century Mission Chest
Located in Hudson, NY
which has toned to nice mellow color now. With incised decorative patterns and polychromed to look like
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century Mexican Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
H 56.75 in W 43.5 in D 17.5 in
Pair of Louis XVI Style Dutch Chinoiserie Secretary and High Chest
Located in Greven, DE
furniture pair are the "goût chinois" panels with fine gold-polychrome lacquer painting on a black
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Dutch Secretaires
Materials
Satinwood
Chinoiserie Cabinet by Giambattista Gianotti, Unique piece
By Paolo Buffa, Serafino Arrighi
Located in Milano, IT
Rare chinoiserie cabinet with polychrome decorations made in Giambattista Gianotti's Officine
Category
Vintage 1920s Italian Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Chinese Export Lacquer Bureau on Stand and Toilet Glass Dressing Table
Located in London, by appointment only
A Chinese export lacquer bureau on stand decorated with an unusual polychrome flower design
This
Category
Antique Early 18th Century Chinese Chinese Export Secretaires
Materials
Lacquer
H 66.15 in W 27.56 in D 16.93 in
Antique Venetian Paint Decorated Secretary Bookcase
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A tall cabinet made in two parts in blue paint with polychrome painted floral and gilt figural
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Wood
English Satinwood Bookcase Cabinet in the Neoclassical Style
By Robert Adam
Located in London, GB
, and polychrome hand-painted decoration; rising from tapering spade feet, the incurved lower section
Category
Antique 19th Century English Neoclassical Bookcases
Materials
Satinwood, Paint
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18th Century Spanish Guard Room Dining Table w/ Trestle & Forged Iron Stretcher
Located in Miami, FL
A beautiful 18th century Spanish baroque guard room /dining table in walnut with plank-top resting on carved H-form trestle legs and hand-forged iron stretchers forged in Toledo. Spa...
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Antique Mid-18th Century Spanish Baroque Farm Tables
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Walnut
H 28.75 in W 79.5 in D 32 in
Antique 6ft 6" Victorian 6 Drawer Partners Writing Library Table Desk 19th C
Located in London, GB
This gorgeous Victorian antique partners library table is crafted from beautiful flame mahogany and dates from Circa 1860.
It features a striking inset green leather writing surface...
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Antique 1860s English Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
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Mahogany
H 31.11 in W 77.17 in D 44.1 in
French 19th Century Empire Daybed & Bed Crown
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A gorgeous French Empire mahogany alcove daybed and bed crown hand-crafted in France in the 19th Century. A rare lit de repos made of mahogany most likely from Cuba or the Antilles a...
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Antique 19th Century French Empire Beds and Bed Frames
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Brass
19th Century Walnut Pair of Bookcases Boiserie de Bibliothèque
Located in Vosselaar, BE
A rare pair of heliocodal French Directoire library bookcases in solid walnut. This type of bookcases is also known as 'boiseries de Bibliothèque' as they often, together with pannel...
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Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Bookcases
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18th Century Lacquer and Gilt Chinoiserie Bureau Bookcase
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a good quality 18th century chinoiserie Secretary bookcase. The top of the bookcase has an ornately shaped and carved pediment, above a single arched mirror door, opening...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century English George III Bookcases
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Oak
Lo Studiolo di Ponziani Florentine Chinoiserie HandPainted Secretary Desk Italy
By Ponziani
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Chinoiserie hand-painted secretary, Lo Studiolo di Ponziani, Florence, Italy. Chinoiserie painted secretary desk Ponziani Firenze. Painted brilliant lemon yellow, beautiful and subst...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Secretaires
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Wood
H 92 in W 41 in D 17 in
17th Century Italian Baroque Lacquered Spruce Religious Furniture 1600
Located in Roma, RM
This monumental piece of furniture, of Veneto-Alto Veneto provenance, made entirely of lacquered fir wood. Full seventeenth century (ca. 1650) is presented as an imposing double-bodi...
Category
Antique 17th Century Italian Baroque Bookcases
Materials
Spruce
Free Shipping
H 88.59 in W 145.67 in D 39.38 in
French Louis XV-Style Fauteuil Armchair, C. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This 19th-century French upholstered armchair wonderfully embodies the Louis XV style with rich ornamentation and nary a straight line in sight. The chair has a sinuous wooden frame ...
Category
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Armchairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Chinese Square Corner Locking Cabinet
Located in Chicago, IL
Perfecting line and proportion, the simple design of this low locking chest celebrates the restraint of classic Chinese furniture forms. Crafted from reclaimed elmwood, the cabinet i...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Cabinets
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Brass
Louis XVI Cylinder Secretary, Writing Desk, Walnut, circa 1800
Located in Greven, DE
Louis XVI cylinder secretary in walnut, writing desk
West Germany
Walnut and others
Louis XVI around 1800
Dimensions: H x W x D: 112 x 96 x 62 cm
Description
Writing furn...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century German Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Antique German Mahogany Biedermeier Secretary Desk
Located in Round Top, TX
Outstanding early 19th century German Biedermeier secretary desk, circa 1830, with exceptional book matched mahogany drawer and desk front. The wood grain appears to glow from within...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Wood
French Louis XVI Style Bookcase/China Cabinet, Ebonized Mahogany with Brass Trim
Located in Chicago, IL
This is a perfect example of Classic French Louis XVI design and available in your specific dimensions and finishes. Our Old Plank Workshop will build to suit, the old fashion way, b...
Category
2010s American Louis XVI Bookcases
Materials
Bronze
H 100 in W 108 in D 16 in
George III Chinoiserie Japanned Longcase Clock
By William Scafe
Located in London, GB
The dial signed William Scafe, London, the arched hood with an elaborate caddy top surmounted by three carved giltwood flambeau pedestal urns above a gilt scroll pierced sound frieze...
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century British George III Grandfather Clocks and Longc...
Chinese Square Corner Locking Cabinet
Located in Chicago, IL
Perfecting line and proportion, the simple design of this low locking chest celebrates the restraint of classic Chinese furniture forms. Crafted from reclaimed elmwood, the cabinet i...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinese Export Cabinets
Materials
Brass
Extraordinary Colorful Rococo Style Painted Secretary Cabinet with Chair
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Custom painted in a striking blue exterior with an electric and contrasting green interior and having a strong form, ornate gilt hinges and pulls, escutcheons (with keys) and Top fin...
Category
Vintage 1940s Rococo Revival Secretaires
Materials
Metal
H 94 in W 38.75 in D 19.5 in
17th Century Spanish Leather Trunk
Located in Rochester, NY
Antique Spanish hand tooled leather covered wood trunk w/ period hand wrought iron hardware, locks, handles, escutcheons. Beautifully aged original surface w/ finely detailed decorat...
Category
Antique 17th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Blanket Chests
Materials
Iron
Recent Sales
Rare 18th Century Venetian Polychrome Secretaire
Located in San Francisco, CA
A rare 18th century venetian polychrome secretaire of exceptional quality and condition with three
Category
Antique 18th Century Italian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Small Venetian secretaire-bookcase
Located in San Francisco, CA
A small Venetian rococo polychrome and floral painted drop-front secretaire-bookcase of serpentine
Category
Antique 19th Century Italian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Incomparable 18th Century Venetian Chinoiserie Secretaire
Located in San Francisco, CA
An incomparable 18th century Venetian chinoiserie secretaire with full shaped domed cornice above
Category
Antique 18th Century Italian Secretaires
19th Century, Early Biedermeier Secretaire a Abattant
Located in Wels, AT
Early Austrian Biedermeier Secretaire a abattant bearl Wood veneered, with carved, polychrome
Category
Antique 1820s Austrian Biedermeier Secretaires
Pier Luigi Colli, Giovanni Gariboldi Secretaire Ribalta
By Pier Luigi Colli
Located in Rome, IT
Secretaire ribalta by Pier Luigi colli and Giovanni Gariboldi, with four hidden drawers, large
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Secretaires
American Art Deco Skyscraper Drop-Front Veneer and Black Lacquer Bar/Secretaire.
By Paul Frankl
Located in Port Hope, ON
This American Art Deco drop-front bar or secretaire is in the Skyscraper style of Paul Frankl. We
Category
Vintage 1930s American Secretaires
Materials
Lacquer
H 47 in W 30 in D 15 in
William & Mary Red and Polychrome Japanned Bureau Bookcase, English, circa 1690
Located in New York, NY
A fine William & Mary Red Japanned bureau bookcase with moulded cornice above two mirror glazed doors enclosing shelves, decorated in gold with birds, foliage and diaper pattern, the...
Category
Antique 1690s British William and Mary Secretaires
Materials
Blown Glass, Wood
H 80.5 in W 39.75 in D 21.75 in
Art Deco Secretary on Long Feet in Black High Gloss Piano Lacquer with Drawers
Located in Baden-Baden, Baden-Württemberg
A puristic secretary in black piano lacquer
High quality restoration.
Hand-polished inside.
Two drawers with nickeled fittings
Front door with key lock
Clear wood with red leath...
Category
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Secretaires
Materials
Metal
H 46.07 in W 27.56 in D 17.72 in
18th C Spanish Colonial Leather Covered Vargueño /Traveling Desk
Located in Nogales, AZ
valuables.
Has polychromed and gilt drawers with unusual painted lid.
This is one of many in
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Peruvian Secretaires
Materials
Iron
A 19th Century Painted and Decoupage Secretary
Located in New York, NY
A 19th Century Painted and Decoupage Secretary
Italian Polychrome and Decoupage Bureau, the drop
Category
Antique 19th Century Italian Secretaires
Venetian High Palace Secretary Desk, circa 1945
Located in Liverpool, GB
A palace-like, tall Venetian secretary, with a light olive-colored polychrome, beautiful gilding
Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Neoclassical Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Secretaire, Dresden 2nd Rococo, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Small secretary of the 2nd rococo with rocaille fittings and polychrome porcelain plaques with
Category
Antique 19th Century German Rococo Revival Secretaires
Materials
Porcelain, Walnut
19th Century, Italian Painted Secretaire, Desk and Bookcase
Located in Milford, NH
Late 19th century polychrome painted Italian secretary. Nicely painted with medallions and enameled
Category
Antique 19th Century Italian Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Paint
H.W. Batley Gillows & Co an Aesthetic Movement Walnut & Gilt Secretaire Bookcase
By Gillows of Lancaster & London, Henry William Batley
Located in London, GB
'.
Made by Gillows & Co.
An important Aesthetic Movement secretaire bookcase in walnut, parcel gilt and
Category
Antique Early 1900s English Aesthetic Movement Secretaires
Materials
Walnut, Giltwood
H 82.5 in W 39.5 in D 20.5 in
17th Century Spanish Hand Carved and Polychrome Wooden Chest with Locker
Located in Marbella, ES
17th Century Spanish hand carved and polychrome wooden chest of drawers with locker.
Category
Antique 17th Century Spanish Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Walnut
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H 53.15 in W 37.01 in D 18.12 in
Varnished Secretary Desk with Chinoiserie Décor, England, 1730
Located in Greding, DE
The lacquered Secretary Desk stands on four feet and is decorated with polychrome Chinese sceneries
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century English Secretaires
English George III Style Chinoiserie Lacquered Secretaire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
secretaire hand painted with a polychrome gilt lacquer finish. Decorated in the chinoiserie revival period of
Category
Antique 19th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Brass
19th Century Venetian Italian Style Polychrome Secretary Bookcase
Located in Tarry Town, NY
This is a Classic Venetian style Italian polychrome lacquered bookcase with hand painted floral
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Secretaires
Materials
Brass
English Georgian Style Chinoiserie Lacquered Secretary Bookcase
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Brilliant English George III style secretaire bookcase featuring a polychrome parcel gilt lacquer
Category
20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Brass
19th Century Painted Venetian Secretary or Desk
Located in Winter Park, FL
An early 19th century Baroque style Venetian polychrome painted pine tall secretary, in two parts
Category
Antique 19th Century Italian Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Pine
19th Century French Polychrome Secretaire
Located in New Orleans, LA
19th century French painted secretary with cabriole legs and a drop front desk and two drawers.
Mix of cream and blue colors on carved wood with foliage motif.
Category
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Polychromed Venetian Secretary
Located in Oaks, PA
Polychromed Venetian Secretary Painted with Florals , With two Blind doors above a lower case with
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Gorgeous Polychromed 17th Century Spanish Vargueno
Located in Montecito, CA
Outstanding 17th Century Spanish Vargueno on stand. Beautiful polychromed doors and cabinets
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Spanish Secretaires
Materials
Iron
Neo-Classical Hand Painted Secretary
Located in New York, NY
Secretary with Drop Front, Original Paint, some earlier paint restoration
Category
Early 20th Century Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Empire Revival Handpainted Secretary -Cabinet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Secretary with Drop Front, Original Paint some earlier paint restoration
Category
Early 20th Century Secretaires
Materials
Wood
N'uovo Italian Cabinet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian Handpainted 3 Piece Cabinet
custom design available
custom design available
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
17th Century Spanish Vargueno
Located in Montecito, CA
Beautiful 17th Century Spanish Vargueno on stand. Polychrome decorative elements throughout drawers
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Spanish Secretaires
Materials
Iron
A Very Nice 19th Century Scriban
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Chinoiserie black ,gilt and polychrome lacquer
Category
Antique 19th Century British Queen Anne Secretaires
1920s Vargueno with Matching Chair
Located in Pasadena, CA
Classic 1920s Spanish Revival vargueno and matching chair. It features original polychrome painting
Category
Vintage 1920s North American Spanish Colonial Secretaires
Materials
Bog Wood
Important Venetian Red Japanned Chinoiserie Bureau Bookcase, circa 1750
Located in New York, NY
, with overall gilt and polychrome chinoiserie decorated with flora, fauna and figures in landscapes
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Italian Rococo Secretaires
H 90.75 in W 41.25 in D 22.88 in
Desk 19th Century Italian Bibliotheque
Located in San Francisco, CA
19th century Italian Bibliotheque desk. (cabinet, drop front desk).
wonderful shape Polychrome
Category
Antique 19th Century Italian Rococo Secretaires
Materials
Wood
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Polychrome Secretaire For Sale on 1stDibs
Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the polychrome secretaire you’re looking for at 1stDibs. Frequently made of wood, metal and walnut, every polychrome secretaire was constructed with great care. There are many kinds of the polychrome secretaire you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 21st Century. A polychrome secretaire made by Art Deco designers — as well as those associated with Baroque — is very popular.
How Much is a Polychrome Secretaire?
The average selling price for a polychrome secretaire at 1stDibs is $9,681, while they’re typically $2,900 on the low end and $360,000 for the highest priced.
Finding the Right secretaires for You
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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