Secretary Desk Bow
Danish Modern Bow Front Secretary Desk In Teak
Located in Berkeley, CA
: 33.25" wide x 16" deep x 42.5" tall, Desk: 21.5" wide, 16.75" deep x 28" tall
Condition: In excellent
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Teak
Danish Teak Pull Out Desk Secretary Desk Bachelor Chest Bookcase Bow Front MINT!
By Dux of Sweden
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Danish Teak Pull Out Desk Secretary Desk Bachelor Chest Bookcase Bow Front MINT!
Inspected vintage
Category
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
Materials
Glass, Teak
H 46 in W 35 in D 18 in
Antique Country French Secretary ~ Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique Country French Secretary ~ Desk is a wonderful example of the combination of fine
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XIV Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Antique German Mahogany Biedermeier Secretary Desk
Located in Round Top, TX
Outstanding early 19th century German Biedermeier secretary desk, circa 1830, with exceptional book
Category
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Wood
1950's Brazilian Rosewood Danish Secretary Desk
Located in Oakland, CA
High-quality Brazilian rosewood secretary desk, 1955, Denmark. The secretary desk is finely crafted
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Materials
Rosewood
Vintage Danish Mid Century Teak Secretary Desk Attributed to Erling Torvits
By Erling Torvits
Located in San Marcos, CA
Here is a beautiful Scandinavian modern teak secretary desk attributed to Erling Torvits, Denmark
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Materials
Teak
H 57 in W 39.5 in D 16.5 in
19th Century Country French Louis XVI Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century Country French Louis XVI secretary is a truly astonishing work of the cabinetmaker's
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
Early 19th century French Louis XVI secretary was fashioned from hand-selected indigenous oak to
Category
Antique Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Federal Style Diminutive Two Part Inlaid Mahogany Bookcase Secretary
Located in Milford, NH
four inlaid square tapered legs. This bookcase / secretary desk dates to the late 19th century and is
Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Federal Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Louis XVI Style Cerused Oak Secretary Bookcase Writing Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fabulous French secretaire bookcase featuring a pull-out leather writing table or petite desk. Mid
Category
20th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Gustavian Antique Painted Desk on Cabinet, Swedish or Danish circa 1820-40
Located in Shippensburg, PA
FINE GUSTAVIAN SECRETARY DESK OVER CABINET IN EARLY RUST AND BLUE PAINT
Probably Swedish or Danish
Category
Antique 19th Century European Gustavian Cabinets
Materials
Pine, Paint
H 48.63 in W 46.88 in D 18.5 in
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Antique Country French Secretary is the perfect answer to an efficient floor plan or a cozy room! Combining storage in the spacious pair of full-width drawers with a drop down desk s...
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Antique French Carved Oak Secretary Desk Bureau Drop Front Louis XV Style
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Antique French carved oak secretary desk bureau drop front Louis XV Style.
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H 43.5 in W 38.75 in D 17 in
19th Century Swedish Secretaire with Secret Compartement, Light Birch Wood
Located in Greven, DE
Antique secretary with secret compartment
Swedish
birch
second half 19th century
Dimensions: H x W x D: 135 x 112 x 52 cm
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Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Secretaires
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H 53.15 in W 44.1 in D 20.48 in
Cristalleries De Baccarat, a Large Pair of French Cut-Crystal Tsarine Torcheres
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Cristalleries De Baccarat, A Large Pair of French Cut-Crystal Twenty-Four Light Tsarine Torcheres, Standing Floor Chandeliers.
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Reclaimed English Stained Glass Windows
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
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Antique Oak Secretary Bureau, Denmark circa 1800-40
Located in Round Top, TX
This oak secretary reflects the refined grace and style of early 1800's Denmark. The fluted carving along the mid-section and half columns at sides adds a decorative touch to the dro...
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English secretary bookcase Arts&Crats 1910
Located in Meulebeke, BE
This English secretary bookcase in arts & crafts style is a beautiful piece of furniture that expresses both elegance and functionality. The secretary bookcase was made around 1910 i...
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19th Century Secretary Desk
Located in Bradenton, FL
A very handsome late American Empire Mahogany Secretary Desk. Very good condition overall with an old refinished surface exhibiting a beautiful color and patina to the figured Mahoga...
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French Art Deco Walnut Veneer Sideboard
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Beautiful sideboard. The sideboard was made of walnut veneer on softwood carcass. It comes from France from the Art Deco period around 1930. The fittings and the locks are original. ...
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Early 20th Century Art Deco Sideboards
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Oak, Softwood
Art Deco Armoire, Amboina Burl and Black Lacquer, France, circa 1930
Located in Regensburg, DE
French Art Deco period Armoire circa 1930s.
Curved front doors with wonderful Amboina Burl veneer. Restored with piano lacquer high-gloss finish.
Some parts are lacquered in black, ...
Category
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H 76.19 in W 49.22 in D 20.87 in
Antique French Detailed Carved Louise XV Double Bed
Located in EDENSOR PARK, NSW
Beautiful carved detailed on headboard, base, and side rails, Louise XV style bed comes with slats. This size bed may require to have a custom mattress made as the size width is ligh...
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19th Century, Country French Louis XV Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century Country French Louis XV secretary is a classic slant-front design, originally conceived as a compact writing desk that could be placed against the wall with a minimal fo...
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Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
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Brass
Black Painted Rococo Secretary from Denmark circa 1760-1800
Located in Round Top, TX
This pine rococo secretary reflects the grace and class of Swedish styling in the early 1800's.
The dramatic serpentine drawers with curvaceous front and carved skirt resting on cabr...
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Antique Late 18th Century Danish Rococo Secretaires
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Yellow Painted Oak Secretary, Denmark circa 1760-80
Located in Round Top, TX
This oak secretary reflects the grace and class of European styling in the early 1800's with four serpentine drawers and curved skirt.
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Category
Antique Late 18th Century Danish Rococo Secretaires
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Oak, Paint
Pair of Secretaire and Cupboard, Epoche Charles X, France, circa 1830
Located in Greven, DE
Rare pair of furniture - secretary and fronted cabinet
France
Maple, rosewood
Charles X around 1830
Dimensions: H x W x D: 135 x 66 x 33 cm
Description:
Extremely rare pair of fur...
Category
Antique 1830s French Charles X Secretaires
Materials
Maple
Recent Sales
Vintage Danish Mid-Century Modern Teak Secretary Desk
Located in San Marcos, CA
Here's a beautiful Scandinavian Modern secretary desk manufactured in Denmark in the 1960s recently
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Materials
Teak
Carved Mahogany Federal Secretaire with Eagles, MA, circa 1820-1830
Located in Providence, RI
This is one of the finest and most monumental secretaries of the period, note the extremely well
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Antique 19th Century American Federal Secretaires
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Mahogany
Antique Mahogany Chippendale Style Bow Front Ball and Claw Tall Secretary Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique mahogany Chippendale style bow front ball and claw tall secretary desk bookcase. Item
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Early 20th Century North American Chippendale Desks and Writing Tables
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Mahogany, Glass
H 80 in W 32 in L 80 in
Danish Modern Teak Pull Out Desk Secretary or Bachelor Chest Bookcase Bow Front
By Dux of Sweden
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice Danish modern cabinet pull-out desk secretary.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
Materials
Glass, Teak
H 46 in W 35 in D 18 in
Danish Modern Rosewood Secretary Desk Bureau
Located in Vancouver, BC
Gorgeous bow front secretary bureau in rosewood with slide out writing table and drawer storage
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Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Wood
Danish Modern Teak Secretary Desk by Erling Torvits
By Erling Torvits
Located in Berkeley, CA
This rare Danish modern teak secretary desk was designed by Erling Torvits for Klim Møbelfabrik in
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Materials
Teak
Erling Torvits Secretary Desk in Brazilian Rosewood, Erling Torvits
By Erling Torvits
Located in Berkeley, CA
modern secretary desk is crafted from Brazilian rosewood. Top desk surface folds down to reveal three bow
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Materials
Rosewood
Vintage Danish Midcentury Teak Secretary Desk in the Manner of Arne Vodder
By Viby J. PMJ
Located in San Marcos, CA
Here is a beautiful scandinavian modern secretary desk in teak wood manufactured by Poul Jessen
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Materials
Teak
H 42.5 in W 36.25 in D 17.5 in
Antique White Painted Oak Carved Secretary Bureau from France
Located in Round Top, TX
drawers function and the secretary is ready to be used and enjoyed. Any old nicks, scratches, slight bow
Category
Antique Early 19th Century French Secretaires
Materials
Oak, Paint, Wood
Modular Teak Wall Unit and Secretary by Finn Juhl for France & Son
By Finn Juhl, France & Søn
Located in Dorchester, MA
drawers, and two cabinets. At center, a drop-down desk reveals three shallow drawers whose fronts echo in
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Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Shelves
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18th Century French Louis XV Carved Bombe Cherry Scriban Secretary from Bordeaux
Located in Dallas, TX
functional. The writing desk is crafted from solid cheery wood and features four bow drawers across the front
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Antique Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
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Leather, Cherry
H 43 in W 50 in D 26 in
Antique American R J Horner Quarter Sawn Oak Carved Griffin Desk China Hutch
By R.J. Horner & Co.
Located in Portland, OR
A good antique American carved quarter sawn oak 'Griffin' china hutch/secretary desk, in the manner
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Antique 1890s American Victorian Cabinets
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H 73.5 in W 45.5 in D 16 in
Henredon Folio 10 Walnut Chippendale Bowfront Secretary and Bookcase Desk
By Henredon
Located in Dayton, OH
A Chippendale style bow front secretary desk by Henredon from their Folio 10 collection. Made of
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Glass, Walnut
H 85.5 in W 32.5 in D 20 in
Directoire Period Hand Carved Painted Bureau De Pente or Secretary Desk
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This exceptional rare Directoire period bureau de pente or writing desk features intricately
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Antique Late 18th Century French Directoire Desks and Writing Tables
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Bronze
Dutch 19th Century Mahogany Secretary
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This stunning Georgian -style mahogany secretary is from the Netherlands, circa 1830s, and displays
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Antique Early 19th Century Dutch Georgian Desks and Writing Tables
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Danish Modern Bow Front Teak Secretary Desk
Located in Berkeley, CA
This lovely drop front Danish modern secretary desk in teak was manufactured in the 1960s. With its
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Materials
Teak
19th Century French Napoleon III Period Lady's Desk with Inlay and Bronze Ormolu
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This Napoleon III period French walnut lady's secretary features a drop down top with an intricate
Category
Antique 1850s French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables
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Bronze, Ormolu
H 36 in W 28 in D 18 in
Danish Modern Bow Edge Teak Drop Front Secretary Desk
Located in Berkeley, CA
This lovely drop front Danish modern secretary desk in teak was manufactured in the 1960s. With its
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Materials
Teak
Danish Modern Midcentury Bow Front Secretary Desk in Rosewood
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Denmark
Designer: Unknown
Manufacturer: Unknown
Era: 1960s
Materials: Rosewood
Measurements: 35? wide x 18.5? deep x 47? tall
Condition: In excellent original conditi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Rosewood
Victorian Golden Oak Side by Side Bow Glass Curio Secretary Desk Bookcase
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Victorian golden oak side by side bow glass curio secretary desk bookcase. Item features bow glass
Category
20th Century American Victorian Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Oak
Antique Mahogany Chinese Chippendale Carved Fretwork Bookcase Secretary Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique mahogany Chinese Chippendale carved fretwork bookcase secretary desk. Item features pierce
Category
Early 20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
Erling Torvits Designed Danish Mid-Century Modern Rosewood Secretaire
By Erling Torvits
Located in BOSTON, MA
Danish Modern secretary desk is crafted from Brazilian rosewood with a locking desk surface that folds
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks
Materials
Mahogany, Rosewood
Vintage Danish Mid-Century Modern Teak Secretary Desk by Pmj Mobelfabrik
By Viby J. PMJ
Located in San Marcos, CA
Here is a beautiful Scandinavian Modern secretary desk - dresser in teak wood manufactured in
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Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Materials
Teak
H 42.25 in W 36.25 in D 16.25 in
Vintage Danish Modern Teak Secretary in the Manner or Erling Torvitz
By Erling Torvits
Located in San Marcos, CA
Here is a beautiful 1960s Scandinavian modern teak secretary desk with a display cabinet attributed
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
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Teak
Vintage Danish Modern Teak Secretary Desk Attributed to Erling Torvitz
By Erling Torvits
Located in San Marcos, CA
Here is a beautiful 1960s Scandinavian Modern secretary desk in teak attributed to famed Danish
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Materials
Teak
Vintage Danish Modern Rosewood Secretary Desk Attributed to Erling Torvitz
By Erling Torvits
Located in San Marcos, CA
Here is a beautiful 1960s Scandinavian modern secretary desk in rosewood attributed to famed danish
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Materials
Rosewood
H 57 in W 39.5 in D 16.5 in
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Secretary Desk Bow For Sale on 1stDibs
Find many varieties of an authentic secretary desk bow available at 1stDibs. Frequently made of wood, hardwood and oak, every secretary desk bow was constructed with great care. Your living room may not be complete without a secretary desk bow — find older editions for sale from the 19th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century. When you’re browsing for the right secretary desk bow, those designed in Louis XVI, Scandinavian Modern and mid-century modern styles are of considerable interest. You’ll likely find more than one secretary desk bow that is appealing in its simplicity, but France & Søn, Finn Juhl and Viby J. PMJ produced versions that are worth a look.
How Much is a Secretary Desk Bow?
A secretary desk bow can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $2,725, while the lowest priced sells for $2,224 and the highest can go for as much as $11,800.
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.
Questions About Secretary Desk Bow
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Secretary desks originated in the early 18th century. They were typically used by secretaries and clerks and featured plenty of compacted drawers for stationary storage. On 1stDibs, find a collection of secretary desks from some of the world’s top sellers.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023A secretary desk is called by its name because of its original function. When the desks first emerged in 19th-century France, the secretaries of estates used them to conduct business. Once they finished paying bills and reconciling accounts, they could raise the hinged writing surface and close the desk. Secretary desks are the workstations of choice in many busy households, especially those with spaces pulling double duty as offices by day and living rooms, dining rooms or bedrooms at night. On 1stDibs, shop an array of secretary desks.
- How does a secretary desk work?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A secretary desk works with the help of hinges that secure the writing surface to the rest of the piece. To use one, you simply pull down on the wooden door to open the hinge and lower the writing surface. Return the desk to its closed position by lifting the writing surface up. You'll find a selection of secretary desks on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021An antique secretary desk will range in value depending on its authenticity and condition. The price can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. On 1stDibs find the antique secretary desk you’re looking for today.
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