18th Century Walnut Scriban Secretary
Located in Marseille, FR
Secretary scriban walnut 18th century Provençal work in used condition.
Antique 18th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Walnut
18th Century Walnut Scriban Secretary
Located in Marseille, FR
Secretary scriban walnut 18th century Provençal work in used condition.
Walnut
Classicist Vienna Secretary, circa 1790
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Richly inlaid classicist secretary circa 1790-1800 original from Vienna. Some repairs in the past. Very good original condition with sigs of usage.
Wood
Swedish Gustavian Style Secretary and Vitrine
Located in Atlanta, GA
A beautifully crafted Swedish Gustavian style secretary vitrine finished in hand-painted black with a softly aged character.
Glass, Wood
Fine Chippendale Secretary Desk “American Independence”
Located in Shippensburg, PA
AMERICAN CHIPPENDALE CHERRY SECRETARY DESK AND BOOKCASE With "American Independence" leather faux-bookends Probably Pennsylvania or New Jersey, late 18th century 82" H x 22" D x 4...
Brass
English Georgian Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
Located in Queens, NY
English Georgian (18/19th Century) mahogany secretary bookcase having a 2 glass mullioned doors over multiple drawers & a fall-front center with brass handles.
Brass
Biedermeier Maple Drop Front Secretary
Located in East Aurora, NY
A very attractive early 19th century Maple and Ebony German Biedermeier drop front secretary. Nice deep rich color and patina to the Maple surface. Pine secondary wood on the case ...
Maple
Danish Brutalist Oak Secretary Desk, 1970s
By Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Nørre Aaby, DK
Elegant Danish Brutalist secretary desk from the 1970s, crafted in oak and featuring beautiful details and practical functionality. The drop-down writing surface provides a convenien...
Oak
Vintage Empire Drop Front Secretary Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Add this stately Empire secretary to your collection today.
Brass
19th Century English Mahogany Secretary
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early 19th century English heavily carved mahogany secretary with bronze drawer and door hardware. The key is original. Signed in the top drawer: Edwards and Roberts.
Bronze
18th Century French Secretary Desk
Located in Belmont, MA
This gorgeous Louis XV Secretary desk dates back to around 1750-60 and was made in France. The secretaire de dame has a kingwood veneer and a very pretty marquetry with a diamond sha...
Kingwood
French Empire Secretary Desk, 1810-20
Located in Leimen, DE
French Empire Secretary Desk, 19th Century – Mahogany Veneer, Marble Top, Bronze Details This stunning 19th-century French Empire secretary desk is a true statement piece, showcasin...
Marble
1960s Bureau, WK Möbel Secretary
By WK Möbel
Located in Neuss, NW
Classic two-part bureau from the 1960s. High-quality corpus in teak veneer with a hinged work surface, two doors, two shelves, a book compartment and new hairpin legs in black. - Ve...
Teak
Antique 19th Century Biedermeier Secretary Desk
Located in Osnabrück, NDS
Secretary from the late Biedermeier period, approx. 1845-1860. With 4 lockable drawers and a writing flap. Behind the flap are 15 smaller drawers and a small door veneered with burl ...
Wood
Unique French Style Ebonized Secretary
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Refined French abattant in the Empire style, featuring a striking black finish with elegant gold accents. The piece showcases a structured silhouette and traditional detailing, offer...
Wood
Vintage Danish Modern Rosewood Secretary Desk
Located in Gardiner, NY
Authentic vintage mid century Danish / Scandinavian Modern rosewood secretary desk / dresser / chest of drawers / cabinet / sideboard.
Rosewood
Tall 18th Century Swedish Rococo Secretary
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Tall 18th Century Swedish Rococo secretary of elegant proportions. With decorative carved pediment and two original glass glazed doors, opening to useful storage. Below, a fall fron...
Wood
18th Century George III Secretary Bookcase
Located in Solebury, PA
A distinguished 18th-century George III mahogany astragal glazed bureau bookcase, also referred to as a secretary desk or writing cabinet, is crafted from rich plum pudding mahogany.
Mahogany
19th Century Chinoiserie Secretary (Secretaire Abbatant)
Located in New Orleans, LA
This striking black lacquered Chinoiserie secretaire abbatant (fall front secretary) is beautifully adorned in golden raised Chinese scenes with flora and fauna. The 19th century pi...
Fruitwood, Lacquer
$18,579 / item
George III Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
Located in Westwood, NJ
Elegant Georgian style cabinet with classical pediment, geometric glazing bars over the twin doors with three adjustable shelves within, the lower section with a fall front, fully li...
Mahogany
Louis XVI Secretary Desk, Germany 1780
Located in Leimen, DE
Louis XVI Secretary Desk, Germany, Circa 1780 A finely proportioned Louis XVI secretary desk, crafted in Germany circa 1780. Executed in walnut veneer with precise geometric marquetr...
Walnut
Abattant Secretary Desk began 20th-century Portuguese Style
Located in Madrid, ES
Abattant Secretary Desk 20th-century Portuguese style, made of mahogany root wood. Top section with two drawers, with a leather-covered flip-top, interior with a central door, four...
Wood
$25,000 / item
Butler's Desk or Walnut Secretary
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
A contemporary take on the butler's desk. A butler's desk is a cabinet that converts into a desk, concealing its function. A desk, standing on its own looks out of place without an a...
Brass
$4,500Sale Price|43% Off
Dutch Secretary Desk, Around 1800, Mahogany
Located in Belmont, MA
Dutch secretary desk, Netherlands, around 1800. This elegantly curved secretary desk has three spacious drawers in the lower part. The writing flap opens to a beautiful interior w...
Mahogany
Empire or Biedermeier Secretary Mahogany, 1815
Located in Berlin, DE
Very well preserved conical secretary with stepped head Front with multiply mirrored pyramid mahogany entire surface with original shellac hand polish high-quality cabinet part wi...
Mahogany
19th Century English Pine Secretary Bookcase
Located in Charlottesville, VA
Astragal glazed doors above open to shelves painted a soft green, and the fall front below drops to a fitted interior of pigeonholes and small drawers in the same green. Four long dr...
Brass
French Louis XV Secretary Desk, 1750
Located in Leimen, DE
Step back in time with our exquisite 18th-century Louis XV Secretary Desk, a true masterpiece of French craftsmanship. This elegant piece of history stands gracefully on four slender...
Mahogany
Mahogany Bookcase With Secretary - 18th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb English mahogany bookcase from the end of the 18th century circa 1780 with a secretary Very beautiful English work in mahogany which stands out by its very good quality, its ...
Mahogany
18th Century Painted Oak Secretary, Denmark
Located in Round Top, TX
It is built in two sections allowing for easier transportation and installation; original heavy iron side handles on lower base cabinet. All scratches, cracks, dings, and age related...
Brass
$640Sale Price|20% Off
Mid Century Modern Danish Teak Secretary Desk
Located in Cordova, SC
This listing is for the top portion only of a two piece set. There is no base. The base is a very ordinary teak cabinet, in the shape of a cube. Out of the two pieces, this piece is ...
Metal
19th Century Swedish Painted Pine Secretary
Located in Round Top, TX
Lower section has one narrow drawer over three large drawers. This secretary stands just under 7' tall. Top cabinet opens/locks with key, as desk top is easier to use key as pull only.
Pine, Paint
19th Century English mahogany secretary desk
Located in Charleston, SC
This is a refined example of an early 19th-century English mahogany secretary bookcase, likely dating to the late Georgian or early Regency period.. The upper section features a pai...
Mahogany, Ivory
Napoleon III-era Marquetry Secretary Desk
Located in Beaune, FR
A superb small writing desk featuring marquetry from the Napoleon III period, dating from the 19th century. This writing desk is crafted from various types of wood and adorned with c...
Marble
Biedermeier Secretary, Bookcase, Cherry, Walnut, 1840s
Located in Greven, DE
Antique cabinet secretary from the biedermeier period around 1845.
Cherry, Walnut
Hand-Painted Baroque Secretary, 18th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Baroque secretary with three drawers and slant-front writing flap decorated with recessed panels. Fitted with iron side handles and brass mounts. Below the upper section are two pull...
Brass, Iron
Federal Style Crotch Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
Located in Germantown, MD
A Federal Style Mahogany Secretary Bookcase, Circa 1950s. Size is 38" wide, 16" deep and 69" tall.
Mahogany
Majestic Blue painted Rococo Bureau / Secretary
Located in Kastrup, DK
A Rococo secretary desk with a cabinet or bookcase top, beautifully painted in blue with a black-painted interior.
Metal, Brass
Swedish Pine Secretary, Circa 1820-40
Located in Round Top, TX
Lower section has four shorter drawers over two long drawers. This secretary stands just over 6' tall. Top cabinet opens/locks with key, as does desk top.
Pine
Biedermeier secretary, Western Europe, around 1840.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Biedermeier secretary, Western Europe, around 1840. Furniture in very good condition, after professional renovation. Wood: mahogany dimensions height 169 cm width 106 cm depth 59 cm
Walnut
Biedermeier Secretary Desk, Mid-19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Secretary desk with exquisite ash veneer and a three-drawer commode base. Behind the leather-covered writing surface lies a spacious arched compartment, complemented by six small dra...
Bronze
Queen Anne Japanned Secretary Bookcase
Located in Essex, MA
With double arched top over a pair of arched mirror doors opening to a red interior fitted with drawers and shelves, the base with slant lid desk opening to expose a fitted interior ...
Oak
19th Century Biedermeier Column Secretary
Located in Berlin, DE
Cuba mahogany on pine tree. Architecturally arranged front. High-right body on padfoot feet. Fitted with three drawers of different sizes, the base drawer is curved. Straight writing...
Mahogany, Wood
Boulle Style Secretary, Napoleon III Period
Located in PARIS, FR
Superb Boulle-Style Secrétaire, Napoleon III Period Magnificent Napoleon III period secrétaire, dating from the late 19th century, crafted in the renowned Boulle style. This refined...
Bronze
Vintage Italian Neoclassical Paint Decorated Secretary Desk
Located in Perkasie, PA
Vintage Italian Neoclassical Paint Decorated Secretary Desk – Item L73538 This beautiful vintage Italian secretary desk showcases the refined elegance of Neoclassical design with a ...
Wood
19th Century Gustavian-style Secretary Bookcase
Located in Solebury, PA
A stunning 19th-century Gustavian painted secretary bookcase, adorned with an elegant arched top above two matching glazed doors, each embellished with six delicate mullions and gene...
Wood, Paint
Mid-Century Danish Teak Secretary Desk, 1960s
Located in Puslinch, ON
Mid-century Danish teak secretary desk, circa 1965. The compact design stacks upper cubbies above a slide-out writing surface and a set of lower drawers, so it works as a desk, a sto...
Teak
Art Deco secretary desk with walnut veneer
Located in NAVILLY, FR
Art Deco secretary desk in walnut and walnut veneer. Dimensions: width 40 cm, height 130 cm, depth 40 cm. Depth of open top 47 cm. Weight 100 kg. Good condition. Varnish needs refini...
Walnut
English Mahogany Secretary Desk, 19th Century
Located in Southampton, NY
English Mahogany secretary desk, 19th century Three pieces: Crown, upper drawers and lower cabinet.
Mahogany
PORTUGUESE SECRETARY 19th Century in Rosewood
Located in Madrid, ES
SECRETARY Portuguese 19th Century in rosewood and other woods. Twisted and shaky, front with eight drawers and one drawer, sides and padded back. Brass hardware. Dim.: 80 x 140 x 75...
Wood
$17,636 / item
Secretary With Drawer by Mylene Niedzialkowski
Located in Geneve, CH
Secretary With Drawer by Mylene Niedzialkowski Dimensions: W 59 x H 160.
Steel
18th Century American Cherry Chippendale Secretary, Connecticut
Located in Essex, MA
18th Century American Chippendale Cherry Secretary Desk in Two Parts, ca 1770. Connecticut Top was added in the 18th century to "upgrade" the desk base into a more substantial full...
Cherry
Antique British Colonial Campaign Chest Secretary
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome 19th century campaign chest secretary handcrafted in mahogany in a two-piece construction featuring a pull-out leather top secretary desk with nooks and drawers, three stora...
Brass
Louis Philippe mahogany secretary with mahogany veneer
Located in NAVILLY, FR
Louis Philippe period mahogany secretary with mahogany veneer. The top is covered with Carrara white marble. The interior, mounted on oak, is of very fine quality with its Amboyna bu...
Marble
18th Century, Veneered and Inlaid Secretary
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The two-door top cabinet sits above a serpentine, bow-front base featuring a scrolling apron, and delicate feet.
Wood, Fruitwood, Walnut
1960s Vintage Mid-Century Danish Teak Secretary
Located in Wesseling, DE
Special vintage secretary original from the 1960s. Danish modern design made of teak wood. Many small details with an integrated desk surface. Well-maintained condition with age-rela...
Teak
$27,275 / item
Pesaro Secretary Pink And Light Green Dresser
By Porte Italia
Located in Milan, IT
The Pesaro Secretary Dresser is a refined tribute to historical artistry and meticulous craftsmanship, drawing inspiration from the intricate mosaics of the Basilica di San Marco.
Wood
1960s Vintage Danish Teak Secretary by Dyrlund
By Dyrlund
Located in Wesseling, DE
Vintage classic Danish drop-front secretary in teak from Dyrlund. Super functional drawers and cubbies in the top, and three drawers below. The desk surface opens via a superbly eng...
Teak
Baroque Secretary Desk, Switzerland 1750, Walnut
Located in Belmont, MA
Baroque secretary desk, Switzerland, 1750. This gorgeous baroque secretary desk stands out for its very pretty walnut veneer. The writing flap opens to an elegant interior with vari...
Walnut
Napoleon III Secretary Desk from 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Napoleon III Secretary Desk Made of oak, from the 19th century, a secretary desk with eight drawers and one large drawer, bronze appliqués representing female figures and vegetal mo...
Wood
Danish 18th Century Bow-Fronted Rococo Secretary
Located in Atlanta, GA
Made in Denmark in the eighteenth century, this bow-fronted rococo secretary has been repainted in black with a blue interior. The rococo form, with its curved bow front, is seen her...
Wood
$1,432Sale Price|20% Off
4 Drawer Willett Wildwood Cherry Secretary
By Willett Furniture Company
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is a secretary bureau by the Willett Furniture Co. It's made of a richly cherry wood with brass pulls. It has a slant top that opens up to expose drawers and cubbyholes to store...
Brass
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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