Danish Edmund Jørgensen mid-20th century Secretary Marquetry Cylinder Des
By Edmund Jørgensen Møbelfabrik
Located in Store Heddinge, DK
This is a mid-century marquetry cylinder desk, veneered in richly patterned wood, with delicate inlay work (intarsia) featuring floral and leafy motifs.
Brass
18th Century, Italian Neoclassical Marquetry Wood Secretary
Located in IT
18th Century, Italian Neoclassical Marquetry Wood Secretary Dimensions: cm H 143 x W 97 x D 40.
Wood, Boxwood
Antique Italian Marquetry Bureau Desk, Inlaid Secretary Cabinet
Located in BŘECLAV, CZ
Antique Italian marquetry bureau desk, inlaid secretary cabinet, circa 1920, fall-front writing desk define this elegant and highly decorative piece.
Brass
Library /Secretary in Marquetry by Chevrie
By Alexandre Chevrié, Paris 1
Located in Los Angeles, CA
In the middle there is a tablet covered with leather. which opens and you can use it as a secretary,also put a lamp on. The bottom opens on two doors marquetry inside a shelf everyt...
Bronze
19th Century Marquetry Children's Bureau Secretary
Located in Delft, NL
A 19th century marquetry children's bureau secretary A marquetry children's bureau secretary.
Bronze
$2,917Sale Price|25% Off
French Provincial Style Secretary Desk with Marquetry Inlays and Key
Located in Soquel, CA
French Provincial Style Walnut Secretary Desk with Marquetry Inlays and Key. Original Finish.
Walnut
Louis XV period marquetry secretary from the mid-18th century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
The body is veneered with native woods with decorative marquetry featuring geometric motifs on the drop-leaf and doors; a marquetry border emphasizes the contours of the piece.
Marble, Bronze
18th Century Marquetry Bureau Secretary in Rosewood
Located in Lisboa, PT
Portuguese D. José I Period Marquetry Secretary Chest in Rosewood, 18th Century Origin: Portugal Period: Circa 1760–1780 Style: Transitional D.
Rosewood
Louis XVI Style Cylinder Secretary In Marquetry And Gilt Bronze
Located in BARSAC, FR
Very elegant Louis XVI style cylinder secretary in mahogany and light wood marquetry with floral basket decorations on the front of the cylinder and floral arrangements on the sides ...
Carrara Marble, Bronze
18th Century German Baroque Inlaid Marquetry Secretary Bureau
Located in Round Top, TX
18th-century German secretary or "bureau" crafted from walnut, featuring extensive marquetry.
Brass
Late 18th Century German Louis XVI Secretary, Walnut, Marquetry, Cylinder Desk
Located in Greven, DE
The last photo shows the secretary in unrestored condition. Feel free to write me for more photos in the found condition.
Maple, Oak, Walnut
Napoleon III Marquetry Secretary Vitrine Bonheur Du Jour
Located in Lisbon, PT
A unique 19th century Napoleon III table desk Bonheur Du Jour. Upper part showcase with three shelves and lower part with a couple of drawers and extendable top and legs with black...
Metal
$1,760Sale Price|20% Off
Burl & Carved Walnut Slant Front Marquetry Secretary Desk c1900
Located in Big Flats, NY
This exquisite antique secretary desk, crafted circa 1900, showcases a sophisticated combination of burl walnut and carved walnut construction.
Walnut
Baroque Fall-Front Secretary with Marquetry Surface, 18th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Small Baroque fall-front secretary on elegantly curved S-shaped legs, featuring four drawers and a central cabinet door.
Bronze
$12,950Sale Price|31% Off
French Louis XV Style Marquetry & Gilt Bronze-Mounted Secretary Desk with Clock
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine French 19th-20th century Louis XV style tulipwood and mahogany marquetry gilt bronze-mounted petit-bureau de dame (secretary).
Bronze
Napoleon III Secretary In Blackened Pear Wood - Brass Marquetry
Located in Brussels, BE
Napoleon III Secretary In Blackened Pear Wood - Brass Marquetry
Wood
Dutch Rococo Bombe Marquetry Inlaid Drop Front Desk / Secretary
Located in Queens, NY
Dutch Rococo (Late 18th Century) drop front desk / secretary with elaborate foliate marquetry inlay, with the slant front folds down to create a desk surface with a green leather inS...
Wood
Roll Top Secretary Desk, French Walnut with Marquetry Inlay
Located in Toronto, CA
Elegant Edwardian Cylinder Roll Top Secretary Desk, French Walnut with Marquetry & Parquetry Inlay– English Craftsmanship Step back in time with this exquisite Edwardian cylinder ro...
Hardwood
Antique Napoleon III Secretary Desk in Marquetry and Gilt Bronzes
Located in PARIS, FR
legant antique secretary desk from the Napoleon III period, crafted in ebonized wood and richly decorated with fine marquetry in precious woods, highlighted with decorative stringing.
Bronze
Fine Quality Inlaid Marquetry Petite Louis XVI Mahogany Secretary Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This exquisite French Louis XVI secretary desk embodies the refined elegance and timeless craftsmanship of 18th-century design.
Bronze
$7,200Sale Price|44% Off
Louis XV Style Bombe Secretary Inlaid Marquetry, Signed, Henry Dasson.
By Gervais Durand
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Louis XV style bombe secretary inlaid marquetry, Ormolu Mounted. Signed Henry Dasson.
Bronze
Napoleon III bonheur du jour secretary desk in wood and marquetry
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Beautifully crafted with superb details: bone marquetry decoration throughout, wood marquetry with a 3D effect on the two large doors, decorative columns, etc.
Wood, Ivory, Tortoise Shell
Chest of Drawers / Secretary in Dutch Style Marquetry Holland Design
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Chest of drawers in Dutch style from the beginning of the century. Entirely inlaid with floral decoration, with brass handles and a lion paw shaped base. The upper part consists of...
Wood
Signed Maison Forest Marquetry Inlaid Bronze Mounted Secretary Desk with Cubbies
By Maison Forest
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
The fall-front panel is especially handsome, decorated with geometric marquetry patterns that reward patience. The more you look, the more you see.
Bronze
Early 20th Century Secretary with Drawers and Marquetry and Brass Details
Located in New York, NY
This early 20th century secretary has two drawers and a flap, with storage behind the flap. The flap opens by key, which is included. The secretary is approximately 50 inches tall. ...
Brass
Austrian Baroque Secretary Cabinet in Walnut with Marquetry, ca. 1700–1730
Located in Kastrup, DK
A highly impressive and architecturally refined Austrian Baroque secretary cabinet from the first half of the 18th century.
Brass, Iron
Louis XVI Folding Secretary Made of Marquetry Topped with a Carrara Marble
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This beautiful marquetry drop-leaf secretary is made of an oak frame, opening with a drawer, a drop-leaf door and two lower leaves with a Carrara marble slab on top.
Carrara Marble
High mahogany secretary with marquetry and brass fittings from around the 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
High mahogany secretary with marquetry and brass fittings from around the 1840s.
Mahogany
$7,996Sale Price|20% Off
19th C. Napoleon III Boule Marquetry Ebonized Bonheur Du Jour Secretary Desk
Located in Germantown, MD
A rare mid 19th Century Napoleon III Boule Marquetry Ebonized Wood Bonheur Du Jour Secretary Desk.
Mahogany
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
Antique Italian or Dutch Small Rococo Bombe Secretary Desk w/ Marquetry, c 1870
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
Marquetry inlays on the lower sides of the chest depict a winged-female figure.
Mahogany, Satinwood, Kingwood, Tulipwood
German Baroque Secretary Desk, 1750
Located in Leimen, DE
German Baroque Secretary Desk, Circa 1750 A rare mid-18th century German Baroque secretary desk of straight architectural form, crafted circa 1750. The façade is distinguished by an ...
Walnut
English 19th Century Sheraton Secretary
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A slender mahogany bureau bookcase with secretary desk, made in England, circa 1820. The secretary’s upper body is crowned with a broken pediment–a classic Sheraton feature–above gla...
Brass
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.
Walnut
Louis XV Secretary Desk, Paris 1750-60
Located in Leimen, DE
The writing flap showcases an exceptional marquetry design, highlighted by a central cube marquetry medallion, a hallmark of superior craftsmanship.
Bronze
$11,200Sale Price|20% Off
Louis XV Secretary Desk, France 18th century
Located in Belmont, MA
Exquisite 18th-Century Louis XV Secretary Desk This stunning Louis XV Secretary Desk, dating back to 1770, showcases the elegance of 18th-century French craftsmanship.
Kingwood, Rosewood
Antique French Secretary Desk, France 1770-80
Located in Belmont, MA
Antique French Secretary Desk from the Late 18th Century Explore this French 18th century secretary desk, crafted in France circa 1770-80 during the the so called Transition Period, ...
Kingwood, Satinwood
18th Century Louis XV Secretary, France, 1770
Located in Belmont, MA
This exceptional French Louis XV secretary, crafted around 1770, is a stunning example of 18th-century craftsmanship.
Kingwood, Satinwood
$13,200Sale Price|40% Off
Original French Louis XV Secretary Desk, Paris 1760
Located in Belmont, MA
This French Louis XV secretary desk dates back to around 1760 and comes from Paris.
Kingwood, Mahogany
Louis XV Secretary Desk, France 18th Century
Located in Belmont, MA
This original 18th century Louis XVI Secretaire has a stunning veneer and marquetry. The elegant unique slant-top desk or "secretaire en pente" combines different walnut veneer grain...
Birdseye Maple, Maple, Walnut
Courtly ladies' secretary signed F. Linke around 1880 Paris
Located in Berlin, DE
Courtly ladies' secretary signed F. Linke around 1880 Paris Solid oak wood veneered with fine veneer and packaged over a wide area. Fire-gilded and finely chased bronze and cambered.
Bronze
Antique 19th Century Secretary Simulated Chiffonier, Napoleon III Period
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Antique 19th century secretary simulated chiffonier, Napoleon III period A magnificent secretary simulated chiffonier.
Bronze
Outstanding Early 18th Century English George I Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a stunningly gorgeous and outstanding early 18th century English George I Secretary. This is one of the finest old English Secretary’s we have ever had!
Mahogany, Satinwood, Walnut
18th Century Louis Seize Rosewood and Walnut Secretaire Secretary
Located in Münster, DE
Diagonal flap secretary Louis Seize, around 1780/90, rosewood, walnut and other precious woods veneered and marquetry, 1 spacious drawer, original fittings, wax polish Dimension...
Wood, Rosewood, Walnut, Softwood
$16,737Sale Price|20% Off
French Transition Period secretary c. 1760 Jean-Francois Dubut
Located in Münster, DE
Secretary à battant - Jean-Francois Dubut Elaborately crafted bureau à battant, Paris circa 1760, Transition, Jean-Francois Dubut rosewood, amaranth, violet and ebony veneered on o...
Marble
French Secretary Desk, Jean-Georges SCHLICHTIG, Master from 1765
By Jean-Georges Schlichtig
Located in Wien, AT
Louis XVI period, c. 1780, oakwood body, veneered with rosewood and amaranth, and with various, with marquetry panels, ornamental motifs and lattice pattern with partly dyed precious...
Marble
18th Century English Walnut Bureau Bookcase, or Secretary Desk
Located in Winter Park, FL
A fine 18th Century George II Period walnut bureau bookcase, in two parts. The upper section had two doors with original beveled glass panes and opens to one fixed shelf and two adju...
Brass
Top cabinet secretary, Baden, around 1780/90 Walnut and walnut burl
Located in Münster, DE
Secretary à deux corps Top cabinet Baden, around 1780/90 Walnut and walnut burl veneered and marquetry, 3-tier chest of drawers, cylinder lock with automatic pull-out mechanism, o...
Wood, Nutwood
Fine Antique Georgian Mahogany Sheraton Inlaid Secretary Desk Bureau Chest 1780
Located in Portland, OR
A fine antique English George III inlaid Sheraton Mahogany Bureau Secretary Chest, dating to the 18th century, circa 1770. This very elegant secretary chest in the late 18th centur...
Brass
$2,090Sale Price|24% Off
George III or Hepplewhite Style Mahogany Secretary Bookcase with Arch Pediment
By Hekman Furniture
Located in Miami, FL
George III or Hepplewhite Style Mahogany Secretary Bookcase with Arch Pediment Offered for sale is a lovely and elegant Hepplewhite style drop front secretary by Heckman Furniture s...
Brass
Walnut and plum Baroque Secretary à deux corps around 1760
Located in Münster, DE
Secretary à deux corps Baroque around 1760 Walnut and plum veneered on softwood, lower part with concave corrus and three drawers, two-door top with symmetrically arranged compart...
Wood, Nutwood
Late 18th Century Secretaire with Architectural Marquetry, Italy, circa 1770
Located in Greven, DE
Antique top secretary Italy various precious woods second half 18th century Dimensions: H x W x D: 219 x 89 x 50 cm Description: Slender and well-proportioned secretary with archi...
Wood
Pair of Louis XVI Style Dutch Chinoiserie Secretary and High Chest
Located in Greven, DE
Pair of chinoiserie furniture - secretary and chiffonier The Netherlands Satinwood and others, lacquered panels around 1890 Dimensions: H x W x D: 130 x 63 x 39 cm Description: Ve...
Satinwood
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. Ofte...
Wood
18th Century French Louis XV Walnut Secretary Bookcase from Bordeaux
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in Bordeaux, France circa 1760, this exceptional “secrétaire à abattant” with upper display cabinet is built in two sections. The upper portion features a graceful arched bon...
Walnut
Biedermeier Cylinder Secretary Desk, von Arnim/Boitzenburg Provenance, ca. 1810
Located in Berlin, DE
Dieses Biedermeier Zylinderbureau, entstanden am Anfang des 19. Jahrhunderts, stellt ein herausragendes Zeugnis deutscher Ebenistenkunst dar und besticht gleichermaßen durch seine ar...
Oak, Walnut
French Louis XVI Style Burl Wood Secretary Chest with Marble Top, 1930s
Located in BÉTERA, ES
Elegant French secretary chest in Louis XVI style, beautifully crafted with richly figured wood veneer and fine floral marquetry decoration to the fall-front panel.
Bronze
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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