$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
Oak Secretary Desk with Glazed Display Cabinet and Brass Fittings
Located in Lejre, DK
Antique secretary desk crafted from oak with brass fittings and an upper glazed display cabinet.
Oak
$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
Italian Baroque Style Burl Walnut Secretary Desk Cabinet
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fine Italian baroque burl walnut secretary desk with a cartouche form mirrored panel beneath a deep scrolled pediment top and above two mirrored doors.
Brass
18 Century Gustavian Swedish Painted Secretary Desk with Cabinet
Located in Brenham, TX
Beautifully aged Swedish secretary desk with a pair of multi-pane doors. The cabinet is topped with an elaborate pierced gallery, creating an architectural silhouette.
Pine
1950s English Modern Bar Cabinet + Secretary Desk in Mahogany
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: England Designer: Unknown Manufacturer: Lebus Era: 1950s Materials: Mahogany, Glass Measurements: 54" wide x 15" deep x 42.5" tall
Glass, Mahogany
Rare Monumental Architectural 18th Century Painted Corner Cabinet Secretary
Located in Houston, TX
A monumental mid-18th century corner cabinet of architectural scale and sophistication, likely New England in origin, with rare integrated secretary interior.
Pine, Paint
Mid-Century Danish Modern Teak Secretary Desk Cabinet 1960s
By H.P. Hansen
Located in Detroit, MI
This handsome and unique piece may be used as a secretary desk, bar cabinet, or storage cabinet — perfect for home or office settings.
Brass
Antique Barley Twist English Oak Secretary with Display Cabinet
Located in Pasadena, TX
This cabinet/secretary comes from England. The cabinet is made from English oak.
Brass
Rosewood secretary or bar cabinet by Poul Hundevad, 1960s
By Poul Hundevad
Located in MONTESSON, FR
This Scandinavian rosewood secretary or bar cabinet is designed by Poul Hundevad.
Wood
Paul Iribe attr. amboyna burl cabinet secretary desk circa 1920
By Paul Iribe
Located in Paris, IDF
Magnificent cabinet attributed to Paul Iribe, created in the 1920s, powerfully illustrating the artist’s singular vocabulary at the crossroads of the decorative arts, drawing, and il...
Wood
White-Painted Secretary Desk with Glazed Cabinet, 18th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Elegant secretary desk with glazed upper cabinet and a gracefully broken arched pediment.
Brass
Large Antique Display Cabinet / Secretary Made In Mahogany From 1930s
Located in Lejre, DK
This large antique display cabinet, doubling as a secretary, showcases timeless elegance and functional design.
Mahogany
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.
Leather, Mahogany
$2,975Sale Price|30% Off
Danish Modern Mummenthaler & Meier Style Teak Secretary Desk Cabinet
By Mummenthaler and Meier
Located in Germantown, MD
A Mid Century Danish Modern Mummenthaler & Meier Style Teak Secretary Desk Cabinet . Measures 39.5" in width, 20.5" in depth and 40.25" in height.
Teak
Milo Baughman Style Rosewood & Walnut Secretary Desk Chest Cabinet Server
By Milo Baughman, Bernhardt Design
Located in Wayne, NJ
A stunning mid-century modern small Secretary desk / chest / cabinet / server, etc designed in the manner of Milo Baughman circa 1960s.
Rosewood, Walnut
Victorian Oak Side by Side Secretary Desk Bookcase Cabinet
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning and rare, arched glass bookcase cabinet you could hope to find. Outstanding design is exhibited throughout. The beautiful bookca...
Brass
Gilbert Rohde Art Deco Paldao Cabinet Refinished Drop Front Secretary Bookcase
By Herman Miller, Gilbert Rohde
Located in Atlanta, GA
Please note this listing is for one cabinet only.
Metal
Antique Early 19th Century Plantation Desk Secretary + Bookcase Hutch Cabinet
Located in Dayton, OH
Featuring two piece construction with upper bookshelf cabinet supported by a lower drop front secretary with long turned legs and two drawers.
Poplar, Pine
Antique Swedish Baroque Pine Clock Cabinet or Secretary with Authentic Patina
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique northern Swedish secretary clock cabinet from the mid 1800s. The cabinet is dated 1863 but is likely older than that, from around 1840 to 1860.
Pine
Georgian Red Lacquered Lighted Breakfront Bookcase Cabinet With Secretary Desk
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Georgian or Chippendale style lighted breakfront bookcase cabinet with drop front secretary desk By Jasper Cabinet Co.
Brass
1960s Danish Secretary/Writing Cabinet by BRDR Larsen in Palisander
Located in Praha, CZ
- excellent craftsmanship - carefully refurbished
Palisander
Paul McCobb Connoisseur Collection Bleached Mahogany, Cane Secretary Bar Cabinet
By Paul McCobb
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul McCobb Connoisseur Collection Mid Century Bleached Mahogany and Cane Secretary Bar Cabinet This secretary measures: 38 wide x 18 deep x 77 inches high Good Vintage Condition -...
Cane, Mahogany
Baroque Secretary with Upper Cabinet in Walnut, 18th/19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
The upper cabinet has two doors and a shaped cornice, fitted inside with shelves.
Bronze
Biedermeier Secretary Desk with Upper Cabinet, Central Germany, circa 1820
Located in Greding, DE
Biedermeier secretary desk featuring a three-drawer lower case, a fall-front writing surface, and a top drawer. The case is veneered in cherrywood and exemplifies the restrained, arc...
Cherry
$6,296Sale Price|30% Off
Italian Biedermeier Style Mixed Fruitwood Two-Part Secretary Bookcase Cabinet
Located in Germantown, MD
Late 19th Century Italian Biedermeier Style Walnut Mixed Fruitwood Two-Part Secretary Bookcase Cabinet. Veyr light weight. Measures 24" in width, 17" in depth and stands 75" tall.
Fruitwood, Walnut, Wood
Large Walnut Victorian Secretary Bureau Cabinet Letter Shelves Bottom Storage
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Large Walnut Victorian Secretary Bureau cabinet lots of letter shelves bottom storage MINT!.
Walnut
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
Antique Victorian Mahogany Cylinder Roll Top Bookcase Secretary Desk Cabinet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Beautiful Antique Victorian Mahogany Cylinder Roll Top Bookcase Secretary Desk. Item ...
Glass, Mahogany
Japanese Style Cabinet-Secretary Attributed to G. Viardot, France, Circa 1880
By Gabriel Viardot
Located in PARIS, FR
Opening onto two drawers and a paper filer, the upright-secretary door is also fitted with red velvet. Surmounted by a drawer and asymmetrical shelves, composed in the Japanese 'zen'...
Wood, Paint
George Nelson Thin Edge Secretary Desk Cabinet for Herman Miller
By George Nelson
Located in Lake Worth, FL
1950s original Thin Edge secretary desk cabinet designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller.
Walnut
Kai Winding Mahogany Secretary and Display Cabinet for P. Jeppesen, 1950s
By Poul Jeppesen, Kai Winding
Located in Nørre Aaby, DK
Beautiful Danish mahogany secretary and display cabinet designed by Kai Winding and manufactured by P.
Mahogany
Mid-Century Red Cabinet Secretary by Michel Pigneres, Brass Chrome and Lacquer
By Michel Pigneres
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Red Cabinet Secretary by Michel Pigneres, Brass Chrome and Lacquer, France, 1970s
Brass, Chrome
Early 19th Century English Hepplewhite Regency Secretary Bookcase and Cabinet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Exquisite, singularly unique Hepplewhite secretary bookcase in mahogany, satinwood, and boxwood. The cornice exhibits urns and panels, and the center is punctuated by octagonal panel...
Mahogany
Solid Dark Mahogany Ball & Claw Chippendale Style Secretary Desk Bureau Cabinet
By Thomas Chippendale
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Solid Dark Mahogany Ball & Claw Chippendale Style Secretary Desk Bureau Cabinet CLEAN!
Mahogany
Henredon Burl Wood Walnut Linen Press Lighted Cabinet Credenza Hutch Secretary
By Henredon
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Henredon Burl Wood Walnut Linen Press Lighted Cabinet Credenza Hutch Secretary
Brass
Baker Furniture French Library Cabinet Lighted Secretary Desk Stacking Unit
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in West Chester, PA
Baker Furniture from the 18th century French Stacking Units Collection as shown in the Baker Catalogue Volume 1 page 62. Upper wire door cabinet section with adjustable shelf topped ...
Brass
Mid Century Walnut Burl Carved Secretary Writing Desk Bookcase Bureau Cabinet
Located in Dayton, OH
Features a rectangular frame made from walnut with burlwood front that opens via a drop front for use as a desk. Secretary desk interior has pigeon holes along the top and a cabinet...
Glass, Walnut, Burl
$3,430
Baroque secretary
Located in Kraków, Małopolska
Baroque secretary from the 18th century, in very good condition.
Oak
Danish Mid-Century Teak Secretary Desk / Writing Cabinet by Dyrlund, 1960s
By Dyrlund
Located in München, BY
Dimensions: 90 × 46 × 110 cm (35.4" × 18.1" × 43.3") Width × Depth × Height Elegant Danish secretary desk by Dyrlund, a refined example of Scandinavian mid-century craftsmanship com...
Teak
$3,028Sale Price|20% Off
Italian Cabinet/ Secretary in Teak, Metal and Black Laminate, 1960's.
Located in Uithoorn, NL
Italian Cabinet / Secretary in Teak, Metal and Black Laminate, 1960's.
Metal
Berkey & Gay Painted Decorated Petit Secretary Display Cabinet with Shelves Burl
By William A. Berkey Furniture Co.
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Berkey & Gay Painted Decorated Petit Secretary Display Cabinet with Shelves Burl MINT!
Burl
Biedermeier Chest, Secretary or Cabinet, Walnut, Southern Germany, circa 1830
Located in Greven, DE
Biedermeier chest of drawers with writing drawer and raised compartment Southern Germany Walnut, birch Biedermeier around 1830 Dimensions: H x W x D: 191 x 126 x 64 cm Description...
Walnut
$6,600Sale Price|20% Off
Art Deco Macassar Ebony Vitrine Cabinet with Bar and Secretary Desk
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Rare late Art Deco vitrine cabinet with a medium stained Macassar veneer and mirror backed bar on top.
Steel
Secretary Desk In English Style With Drop-Front & Display Cabinet In Mahogany
Located in Lejre, DK
Secretary desk in mahogany with drop-front and display cabinet in classic English style from around 1890.
Mahogany
Vintage Swedish Mid-Century Modern Mahogany Cabinet Drop Leaf Desk Secretary
Located in Atlanta, GA
In a great size to fit almost anywhere, this multifunctional cabinet gives you shelf space, drawers and a small desk top.
Mahogany
Small Secretary or Cabinet in Burl Walnut with Dome, 18 ° Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
rare small secretary in walnut from the 18th century of very good quality with its dome English piece of furniture which stands out by its period, from the 18th century, its wood (b...
Walnut
Danish Cabinet serving as a bar and secretary in rosewood Hans Olsen 1960.
By Hans Olsen, C.S. Mobler
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Exceptional Scandinavian multifunctional piece of furniture. A fold-out top, held by brass tenons, opens to reveal a writing desk section and, at the back, a bar area for storing bot...
Formica, Rosewood
Japanese Style Cabinet-Secretary Att. to Perret & Vibert, France, circa 1880
By Perret et Vibert
Located in PARIS, FR
Opening onto two drawers and a paper filer, the upright-secretary door is also fitted with red velvet. Surmounted by a drawer and asymmetrical shelves, composed in the Japanese « zen...
Wood
Solid Cherry Multi Compartment Drop Front Secretary Desk w/ Drawer File Cabinet
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Solid Cherry Multi Compartment Drop Front Secretary Desk w/ Drawer File Cabinet
Cherry
George III 19th C Style Burl Walnut Double Bonnet Secretary Desk Cabinet
By John Widdicomb
Located in Jensen Beach, FL
The top of the cabinet features a double bonnet design in a sophisticated Burl walnut wood.
Hardwood
$10,800
Italian Walnut Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
19th c. Italian Walnut Secretary. A 19th‑century Italian walnut secretary is typically a burl‑walnut, drop‑front or slant‑front writing desk combining storage, marquetry, and sculptu...
Walnut
$2,996Sale Price|25% Off
Scandinavian Modern Teak 4 Part Triple Stacked Secretary Display Cabinet Dry Bar
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome vintage Scandinavian Modern teak 4-part triple stacked display cabinet, or secretary, or dry bar made in Denmark.
Glass, Teak
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.
Brass
Donald Deskey Style Art Deco Skyscraper Design Secretary Wall Cabinet or Desk
By Donald Deskey
Located in Westport, CT
In the style of Donald Deskey, Art Deco skyscraper design, cabinet/secretary desk, with draw compartments and desk, book shelf compartment.
Nickel
Louis XV Style Dore Bronze Mounted Boulle Marquetry Secretary Desk or Cabinet
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in New York, NY
A gorgeous Louis XV style French dore bronze mounted Boulle Marquetry secretary desk or cabinet. With a cylindrical form in ebonized veneer and boulle with dore bronze mounts on a go...
Bronze
$4,500
Danish Secretary's Desk
Located in Chicago, IL
Vitze Secretary's Dresser. Teak wood with oil finish. Drop down desk with key. 3 spacious drawers.
Teak
$12,800
Secretary Baroque Sweden
Located in New York, NY
A secretary made during the baroque period 1650 - 1750 in Sweden. Made from oak. All original. Three drawers and upper interior with drawers and compartements.
Oak
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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