Italian Venetian Rococo-Style Painted Secretary Cabinet-Mirrored Doors, c. 1930s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The bombé (bombay) shaped lower cabinet features a fall-front writing surface, opening to reveal a functional workspace ideal for use as a statement desk or bar-style secretary.
Wood
Italian, Emiliana, LXIV Period Paneled Walnut Secretary Cabinet, early 18th cen.
Located in Atlanta, GA
having a multi-level molded cornice atop a two piece cabinet with paneled doors above and below, the bottom seciton with a flp-down front supported by recessed slides, the interiors ...
Walnut
Mid 19th Century French Louis Philippe Carved Walnut Secretary Cabinet, 1890s
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful walnut secretary from the 19th century, it has a top drawer with a key, it also has a central folding door that hides three drawers (2 small and one larger) when opened, an...
Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Secretary Cabinet, Walnut, Flap Door, Secret Drawer - France
Located in Girona, Girona
Walnut secretaire cabinet with a flap door and a secret drawer, French polish. France, circa 1940.
Walnut
Rare Antique Swedish 1800s Rococo Secretary Cabinet with a Clock, Original Paint
Located in Kramfors, SE
Rare antique rococo cabinet with a clock and secretary desk from the 19th century.
Pine
French Art Deco Mahogany Secretary Cabinet by André Arbus and Vadim Androusssov
By André Arbus
Located in Montreal, QC
Frenh Art Deco period mahogany cabinet secretary by André Arbus and Vadim Androussov decorated with a bronze patinated bronze cartouche of a female figure.
Mahogany
19th C. Spanish Leather-Wrapped Secretary Cabinet on a Custom Iron Base
Located in Atlanta, GA
A 19th century Spanish secretary desk, on custom iron base. This antique case piece from Spain has a leather-wrapped exterior which is adorn in nail-head accents, original iron hardw...
Leather, Wood
Art Deco Secretary Cabinet Desk in Book Matched Walnut by Gilbert Rohde
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in New York, NY
This rare and captivating Art Deco Drop Front Secreter Desk in Book-matched Hand-Rubbed Walnut is by the esteemed furniture designer Gilbert Rohde and originates from the United Stat...
Walnut
Oiled Medium Walnut Mid Century Modern Art Deco Drop Down Desk Secretary Cabinet
By Harvey Probber, James Mont
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Square shape lines Mid Century Danish modern drop down front secretary desk console table with large Art Deco style Pulls and storage cabinet on the bottom.
Aluminum
Italian Renaissance Style Walnut Secretary
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Renaissance-style (17th Century) walnut drop front secretary cabinet with 2 doors at base and carved figural column sides
American Victorian Walnut Secretary Glass Front Cabinet
Located in Queens, NY
American Victorian two-piece walnut secretary cabinet with a base having a drawer whose front folds down to create a desktop with interior drawers and green felt over two doors with ...
Glass, Wood, Walnut
$2,580Sale Price|20% Off
1960's Mid Century Modern Obelisk Form Secretary/ Display Case/ Cabinet
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Rare Form 1960's Mid Century Modern Obelisk Display Case/ Secretary/ Cabinet. This is the first time I have seen one like this.
Wood
Antique Austrian Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary Desk Tabernacle Cabinet 1820
Located in Portland, OR
This very elegant Biedermeier secretary cabinet is ready to grace your home or office.
Ormolu
Lovely Vintage Secretary with 3 Drawers and Shelves on Top
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Pretty vintage American secretary cabinet having slant front desk that opens to a 29.5 d surface and cubbies with one little drawer.
Glass, Wood
Dark Gray Baroque Secretary, 18th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Baroque secretary cabinet featuring a two-door glazed display hutch above and a lower section with a slant-front writing desk and three drawers.
Glass, Wood, Softwood
Louis XVI Cabinet with Secretaire, South Germany 1780
Located in Leimen, DE
This remarkable Louis XVI Secretary Cabinet, crafted in South Germany around 1780, showcases a sophisticated blend of walnut, walnut root, and cherry veneer, enhanced with intricate ...
Walnut
Mid Century Modern Danish Teak “Magic Box” Secretary
Located in Oakwood, GA
Mid Century Modern Danish Teak "Magic Box" Secretary, 45"H Authentic Mid-Century Modern Danish design "Magic Box" transforming secretary cabinet Expansive pull-out writing/work surfa...
Wood
19th c. Venetian Painted Secretary
Located in New Orleans, LA
Fantastic Italian Venetian Painted secretary/cabinet. This piece has a wonderful color palette but I believe that was done in the early 20th century.
Wood
Large Red Jappaned Bureau Cabinet
Located in Dubai, AE
Fine Queen Anne style red Japanned Chinoiserie secretary cabinet. The triple domed top with eight urn finials over two doors, opening interior adorned with hand-painted landscape and...
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
19th Century Baroque Revival Secretaire Cabinet, Oak Handcarved, AT ca. 1870
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
A real unique, great sized bureau cabinet/ secretary made of solid oakwood and stained to a very beautiful dark nutwood tone.
Brass
Italian Olive Burl Wood Bombe Secretary Vanity with Display Top & Matching Chair
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous Italian bombe drop front secretary cabinet in olive wood with the matching chair.
Brass
Antique Dutch Rococo Cabinet with Writing Desk, ca. 1750
Located in Antwerp, BE
An exceptional 18th century Dutch Rococo secretary cabinet, dating to circa 1750, distinguished by its elegant proportions and beautifully figured mahogany veneer.
Brass
Vintage Drop Front Secretary Desk with 3 Drawers
Located in Freehold, NJ
It sits freely inside the secretary cabinet and as a result- is removable. 8.5/10
Cherry
Rare Highboy Secretary by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, John Widdicomb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Elevate your home office or study with this monumental secretary cabinet conceived by iconic British-American architect T.H.
Metal, Brass
Hand-Painted Louis XV Style Secretary Display Cabinet
Located in BŘECLAV, CZ
Elegant Louis XV style secretary cabinet featuring a refined combination of display and writing functionality.
Fabric, Glass, Wood
Italian Mid-Century Four-Door Cabinet in Quarter-Sawn Oak, circa 1950-1960
Located in Antwerp, BE
This cabinet forms part of an original Italian suite that also included three matching vitrines and a secretary cabinet.
Iron
18th Century Irish Mahogany Secretaire Cabinet Attributed to Christopher Hearn
Located in Essex, MA
Mid-18th Century Irish Secretary Cabinet. Attributed to Christopher Hearn.
Mahogany
Danish Mid-Century Teak Secretary Desk / Writing Cabinet by Dyrlund, 1960s
By Dyrlund
Located in München, Bavaria
Dimensions: 90 x 50 / 34 x 107 cm (WxDxH) A beautifully crafted Danish mid-century secretary cabinet in teak, produced by Dyrlund in Denmark during the 1960s.
Teak
Louis XV Style Walnut Secretary by Baker Furniture
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Atlanta, GA
20th Century Collector's Edition secretary cabinet by Baker Furniture Company in the French style of Louis XV.
Walnut
Antique Austrian Flame Mahogany Biedermeier Secretary Desk Cabinet Chest 1860
Located in Portland, OR
Condition is excellent, the cabinet is made from the finest flame mahogany, this very elegant antique biedermeier secretary cabinet is ready to grace your space.
Mahogany
$4,396Sale Price|20% Off
Josephinian Austrian Inlaid Walnut Two Piece 1750s Era Rental Cabinet Secretary
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This Josephinian Austrian inlaid walnut two-piece cabinet secretary, circa 1750s, is a remarkable example of fine 18th-century European craftsmanship.
Walnut
English Regency Sheraton-Style Secretary and Bookcase
Located in Dallas, TX
All resting on ebonized paw feet to the front and bracket feet to the back, late 18th / early 19th century NOTE: very similar design elements (large Greek Key trim, lion's paw feet,...
Brass
Italian Art Deco Secretary & Dry Bar with Wood Inlay, Circa 1940s
Located in Beirut, LB
A superb example of mid-century Italian craftsmanship, this "settimanale" style secretary cabinet (circa 1940) represents the transition from high Art Deco to Italian Modernism.
Wood
$1,742Sale Price|20% Off
20th Mid-Century Spanish Buffet Secretaire, Escritoire Cabinet Oak
Located in Labrit, Landes
Vintage buffet escritoire secretary cabinet, made circa 1960 in Spain. Oak, wrough iron, brass and moleskine.
Wrought Iron
Signed Maison Forest Marquetry Inlaid Bronze Mounted Secretary Desk with Cubbies
By Maison Forest
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Placed in a library, study, or formal living space, this Maison Forest secretary cabinet doesn’t ask for admiration. It assumes it.
Bronze
Pair of Custom Antique Continental Mahogany Side Cabinets
Located in Forney, TX
A pair of European mahogany secretary cabinets, fashioned from a double pedestal desk, born in Continental Europe in the early 20th century, each antique office cabinet having a rect...
Brass
18th C. Venetian Secretary Hutch with a Beautiful Hand-Painted Finish
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian Venetian tall secretary cabinet from the 18th century. This antique 7.75 feet tall (approximate) cabinet from Venice, Italy, boasts a beautifully hand-painted and embellis...
Wood
Antique Austrian Flame Mahogany Inlaid Rosewood Biedermeier Secretary Chest 1820
Located in Portland, OR
This very elegant antique Biedermeier secretary cabinet is ready to grace your space.
Mahogany
Poul Cadovius Royal System Teak Modular Wall Unit Danish Mid-Century Modern 1960
By Royal System, Poul Cadovius
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The configuration includes a four-drawer chest, a two-door storage cabinet, a central writing surface with two shallow drawers, a drop-front secretary cabinet with fitted interior co...
Teak
Italian Mid-Century Sideboard with Secretarie by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
By Vittorio Dassi
Located in Buccinasco, MI
On the right side, a distinctive drop-down door transforms the piece into a functional secretary cabinet, combining storage with a writing surface.
Brass
$9,500Sale Price|54% Off
Late 17th C Louis XIV Italian Walnut Scrittorio Con Scarabattolo, Burl & Inlay
Located in Encinitas, CA
Late 17th Century Louis XIV Italian walnut secretary cabinet, termed a Scrittorio con Scarabattolo, with thick burled walnut drawer fronts and striking carved fruitwood inlay.
Wrought Iron
18th Century Mahogany Secretaire Bookcase China Cabinet
Located in Lymington, GB
A fine English mid-18th century mahogany secretaire / secretary / bookcase / china cabinet. Of lovely, deep, rich color, patina and quality.
Mahogany
Mid-Century Italian Oak Vitrine Cabinet with Green Leaded Glass, circa 1950-1960
Located in Antwerp, BE
The collection comprises three matching vitrines, one secretary cabinet, and one four-door cabinet, all crafted in the same distinctive quarter-sawn oak with textured carved surfaces.
Iron
Newly Refinished - Scandinavian Modern Drop-Leaf Desk by Yngve Ekström for Dux
By Yngve Ekström, Dux of Sweden
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Compact yet highly functional, this c.1960s desk is ideal for use as a writing desk, secretary cabinet, home office piece, or stylish storage accent.
Brass
Vintage Louis XVI Directoire Style Brass Mounted High Chest By Kindel
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Beneath this compartment is a pull-out writing surface or serving tray, allowing the piece to function equally well as a gentleman's chest, secretary cabinet, executive storage piece...
Metal, Brass
Louis XV-Style Cabinet with Secretary
Located in Belmont, MA
Introducing a truly exceptional cabinet with a hidden writing desk. This exquisite piece of furniture showcases a captivating combination of rosewood, kingwood, and mahogany block ma...
Mahogany, Rosewood
Danish Modern Secretary Desk or Cabinet
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Danish Modern Secretary Desk with Pull out shelf. Small drawers on top and big drawers on bottom. Height of pull out desk is 29h
Wood
$3,120Sale Price|20% Off
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.
Wood
Louis Majorelle rosewood cabinet secretary desk circa 1910
By Louis Majorelle
Located in Paris, IDF
Superb cabinet secretary desk executed by the Ateliers Majorelle in Nancy circa 1910.
Rosewood
$27,275 / item
Pesaro Secretary Electric Blue with Palm Motif Cabinet
By Porte Italia
Located in Milan, IT
A striking cabinet in vivid electric blue lacquer, finished with luminous palm motifs that lend depth, movement and a tropical note to its refined silhouette. The arched upper cabine...
Wood
French Provincial-style Pine Secretary Armoire and Cabinet
Located in Dallas, TX
A handsome French provincial-style secretary armoire. The primary wood is pine (with some plywood elements in the back).
Pine
Paolo Buffa Pair of Cabinets, Dry-Bar Cabinet and Secretary, circa 1950
By Paolo Buffa
Located in New York, NY
One, a dry-bar cabinet and the other a secretary. (Can be purchased individually).
Brass
$9,230Sale Price|20% Off
Baroque Cabinet with Secretary Desk, Germany 1760-70
Located in Leimen, DE
Baroque cabinet with Secretary desk, coming from Southern Germany and dating back to end of the 18th century.
Walnut
$2,213Sale Price|20% Off
Display Cabinet/Secretary/Licquor Cabinet From the Late 20th Century
Located in Opole, PL
Display Cabinet/Secretary/Licquor Cabinet From the Late 20th Century A piece of furniture from the 1980s in the French style, consisting of two parts: a two-door base on high curved...
Glass, Wood
Scandinavian 18th Century Mahogany Secretary Bureau Cabinet
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Impressive Louis XVI style bureau secretary with quality rich in age, charm, and character with its elegant design. This secretary has two secret drawers features parquerty design, g...
Bronze
Secretary / Bookcase Cabinet by Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Lyndhurst, NJ
A Macassar ebony Secretary / Bookcase cabinet with a rectangular stepped top above an open recess and a fall front enclosing a fitted interior, flanked by cupboard doors enclosing sh...
Macassar, Ebony
$5,850Sale Price|25% Off
18th Century Dutch Neoclassical Apothecary Cabinet, Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
18th century Dutch neoclassical apothecary cabinet ~ secretary was obviously a product of sublimely talented artisans, indeed!
Brass
$11,600Sale Price|20% Off
Rare Lajos Kozma Bar Cabinet or Secretary
By Lajos Kozma
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
A visually arresting and exquisitely crafted bar cabinet or secretary, attributed to Hungarian architect and artist Lajos Kozma, dating to the 1930s.
Walnut, Rosewood
English Chinoiserie Georgian Style Japanned Scarlet Vermillion Cabinet Secretary
Located in New York, NY
Vintage bureau cabinet secretary in the English chinoiserie style with elements of Queen Anne and George I design, japanned finish in red vermillion/scarlet with hand-painted and gil...
Wood
$3,120Sale Price|20% Off
Aesthetic Movement Bonheur du Jour Secretary Desk Cabinet
Located in Pasadena, TX
Bonheur du Jour secretary desk cabinet, circa late 1880s. Dark walnut with finial accents and turned legs.
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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