Small Swiss Louis XV Secretaire, Walnut, Writing Chest, circa 1760
Located in Greven, DE
SmallLouis XV or Baroque Secretary Switzerland (Bern) Walnut Baroque around 1760. Dimensions: H x W x D: 109 x 93 x 60 cm Description: Writing furniture standing on a ...
Walnut
20th-Century Wooden Empire-Style French Secrétaire Cabinet, 1950
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Small French secretaire from the mid-20th century.
Wood
Bijou Functionalist Finnish Design Folding Secretaire, Flame Birch, 1940s
By Werner West
Located in Helsinki, FI
Nevertheless, a gorgeous small secretaire for a make shift working space in any interior.
Birch
C.F. Harsdorff Louis XVI Secrétaire in Mahogany Exceptional Quality
Located in Kastrup, DK
Harsdorff, 1735–1799 A small, elegant Louis XVI secrétaire designed by the renowned Danish architect C.F.
Brass
$16,509Sale Price|20% Off
Tesselated Black Marble Stone and Brass Inlay Secretaire by Maitland-Smith
Located in Casteren, NL
The upper part of the secretaire features many small drawers surrounding a central compartment with curved double doors.
Marble, Brass
1980s Small Painted Central European Spice Cabinet with Six Drawers
Located in Marbella, ES
A charming spice cabinet—or small tabletop unit—crafted from polychrome wood, featuring six drawers and a front drop-down door that opens to reveal a lower compartment. Hand-decorate...
Wood
SECOND HALF OF THE 19th CENTURY SMALL STANDING DESK
Located in Firenze, FI
Elegant small piece of furniture in carved solid walnut, with a folding top for standing writing. This piece of furniture was created to be used as a vertical desk, the top opens wit...
Walnut
19th Century Swedish Small Gustavian Fall Front Desk with Original Paint
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Swedish Gustavian fall front desk from Burtrask Vasterbotten, Northern Sweden. Scraped by hand to its original color. Small cute model in child size. Fits so nicely i...
Pine
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
Small Antique Italian Drop-Front Scriban Desk In Original Paint And Gilt Accents
Located in London, Park Royal
Circa late 19th century, this small Italian Scriban carries the gentle character of age with its original painted finish and beautifully balanced proportions. The exterior is rendere...
Wood
Small French Travel Secretary Napoleon III in Rosewood and Boxwood Veneer 1860s
Located in Salzburg, AT
Small French travel secretary Napoleon III in rosewood and boxwood veneer. Rare and extremely decorative antique furniture due to its size and finish. Rosewood veneer (body) and rose...
Leather, Boxwood, Rosewood
Antique Italian or Dutch Small Rococo Bombe Secretary Desk w/ Marquetry, c 1870
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
An exquisite 19th century Rococo secretary in mahogany with bombe front & sides, with floral & foliate inlays in tulipwood, kingwood & satinwood on the top, front panels of the drawe...
Mahogany, Satinwood, Kingwood, Tulipwood
A Large French Break Front Bookcase An excellent looking piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Large French Break Front Bookcase An excellent looking piece with a dental cornice arched at the centre, the bookcase has reeded columns bordering open shelving at the upper sec...
Sapele Wood
Small 18th Century Mahogany Secretaire Bookcase
Located in Lymington, GB
A rare, diminutive, late-18th century secretaire bookcase / cabinet. George III-period, circa 1790. Mahogany of very good rich color and well patinated. Inlaid and crossbanded throu...
Mahogany
Small Antique Regency Quality Figured Mahogany Secretaire Bookcase
Located in Suffolk, GB
Small antique Regency quality figured mahogany secretaire bookcase having a quality carved mahogany cornice above a pair of unusual glazed moulded doors opening to reveal two adjusta...
Other
Louis XV Style Bureau de Dame, Walnut & Leather, England, Circa 1840
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
Made court ébéniste to King Louis XV in 1730. This model of small secrétaire was an invention of BVRB, who designed it with smaller interiors, such as bedrooms, in mind.
Bronze
A rare small Regency Mahogany secretaire bookcase by Gillows of Lancaster c 1830
Located in Central England, GB
A Rare Small Regency Mahogany Secretaire Bookcase by Gillows of Lancaster This very rare small sized figured mahogany secretaire bookcase has been beautifully made in the Regency wo...
Mahogany
19th Century Antique Russian Bureau Secretaire in Baroque Pinewood
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Petersburg, in good condition. The vintage secretaire features many small storage drawers within and three large storage drawers, enhanced by detailed wood carvings.
Metal, Bronze
A Fine Old & Ody George I Burr Walnut Secretaire Cabinet
Located in Lymington, GB
The base contains a fall-front fitted secretaire with small drawers, two of which have secret drawers.
Walnut
19th Century Louis XVI Floral Marquetry Writing Cabinet or Lady's Secrétaire
Located in Berlin, DE
19th Century Louis XVI Floral and Musical Instruments Marquetry Writing Cabinet or Lady's Secrétaire, also called "Bonheur du Jour" A 19th century bonheur du jour writing cabinet or...
Wood
Italian Inlaid and Solid Walnut Wood Chest of drawers with Secretaire
Located in IT
The upper part is instead composed of an opening compartment equipped with a small tilting door (secretaire) that, rotating on pins, can be lowered and raised according to the needs.
Bronze
Transforming Ladies Desk, so called Secretaire a Culbute, France, 19th Century
Located in Greven, DE
Convertible small desk - so-called Secrétaire à culbute France 19th c.
Wood
1960s Italian Art Deco Midcentury Walnut Brass Small Desk Writing Table
Located in Carimate, Como
Very elegant Italian Art Deco Mid-Century Modern small desk or writing table secretaire, in beautiful decorated and veneer wood with three drawers and covered sides.
Brass
$12,000Sale Price|20% Off
Rare Jay Spectre "Perceptive" Drop Front Desk
By Jay Spectre
Located in Chicago, IL
Origami angularity turns this extraordinary secretaire into functional art. The perfect desk or secretaire for a smaller apartment or office.
Steel
$4,334Sale Price|30% Off
Circa 1880 Solid Oak & Brass Military Campaign Chest of Drawers Secrataire Desk
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
One of the small drawer handles inside the secretaire section is missing and the top has various marks from genuine age and honest use, I can have it refinished for the cost price ho...
Brass
Portuguese D. Maria Small Secretaire, circa 1800
Located in Lisbon, PT
18th century Portuguese D. Maria small secretaire various woods inlaid.
19th Century Small Secretaire with Faience Medaillons
Located in Wels, AT
A small charming historism secretaire with folding writing area.
Antique Biedermeier Table, Secretaire, 19th Century
Located in Kerepes, HU
We present to you this special small secretaire table in Biedermeier style. This piece of furniture is richly decorated with fine marquetry.
Wood
Diminutive Satinwood Hepplewhite Style Tambour Secretaire
Located in Providence, RI
This small secretaire is composed of satinwood that makes a most eloquent statement and is inlaid with contrasting elements (please click for details to appreciate this aspect).
Satinwood
Small Venetian secretaire-bookcase
Located in San Francisco, CA
A small Venetian rococo polychrome and floral painted drop-front secretaire-bookcase of serpentine outline, the top with broken-arch pediment above two panelled-cabinet doors, the ba...
Wood
Very Fine Small Louis XV Secretaire
Located in Wommelgem, BE
Small size secretaire, with very lovely carving on the drawers and panel.
Oak
Unavailable
H 41.5 in W 20.5 in D 11.25 in
Small Louis XVI Ormulu-Mounted Mahogany Traveling Secretaire
Located in New York, NY
With an independent slant-front writing compartment bearing a three-quarter gallery and marble top which hooks to the body consisting of a two-tiered console, the top fitted with a m...
Marble, Brass
Unavailable
H 38.78 in W 24.02 in D 17.72 in
Rare and Beautiful Small Art Deco Secretaire in Burr Elm by Hille
By Hille
Located in London, GB
Hille Art Deco bureau These Art Deco bureau's are very rare and this is a fine example. Beautiful burr elm and original bakelite handles, curved edge to the side supports, giving t...
Elm
Unavailable
H 59.06 in W 49.61 in D 20.08 in
19th Century Biedermeier Birchwood Sweden Secretaire and Armoires , 1830s
Located in Roma, RM
Rare Biedermeier furniture, seeing it looks like a small cabinet, opening the doors we are on the right side a small, elegant, Secretaire, while on the left side a small wardrobe.
Birch
Unavailable
H 86.62 in W 33.86 in D 18.51 in
English 19th Century Figured Mahogany Secretaire Bookcase by Gillows, Lancaster
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in GB
This very rare small sized figured mahogany secretaire bookcase has been beautifully made in the Regency workshops of Gillows, Lancaster, England.
Mahogany
18th Century small Lacquer Bureau Bookcase
Located in Salisbury Wiltshire, GB
A small early 18th century lacquer bureau bookcase. This is an extremely rare example of a bureau bookcase made in England, and shipped out to China to be lacquered. Whilst in China ...
Brass
George III Small Bureau on Stand
Located in New York, NY
A delightful piece of 18th century mahogany furniture, the upper section with a hinged slant front with applied book rest opening to a leather lined writing surface and fitted interi...
Mahogany
Mahogany Gothic Secretary of Small-Scale, circa 1840
Located in Providence, RI
This secretary employs Classic Gothic arches in its upper doors, which are generally in-filled from behind with either fabric or left open as a bookcase, given the full shelving. The...
Mahogany
Small Mahogany Port Desk, Louis XV period – 18th century
Located in HÉRIC, FR
Beautiful solid Cuban mahogany sloping desk with two drawers on each side, each secured by an internal locking system, in a secret cache. Below, a single drawer with identical handle...
Wood
Unavailable
H 46.07 in W 22.84 in D 12.01 in
Secretary small Transition Louis XV-Louis XVI 18th Century France
Located in Rapperswil-Jona, CH
Small secretary transition Louis XV-Louis XVI 18th century French origin. Rosewood veneer inlaid butterfly wings. The curved front opens with a flap that discovers a locker with five...
Bronze
George I Period Burl Walnut Bureau Cabinet of Small Size
By William Old and John Ody
Located in Fresno, CA
George I period burl walnut and feather banded bureau cabinet of small size. The upper section with arched cornice and bevelled mirror door enclosing adjustable shelves and pigeon-ho...
Walnut
Small Louis XV Oak and Inlaid 18th Century Bureau, circa 1750
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
This is a lovely small Louis XV oak and inlaid mid-18th century bureau with fitted interior and secret compartment, circa 1750. Measures: Height 96cm (37.7") ledge height 66cm (25...
Brass
Unavailable
H 30.71 in W 41.34 in D 18.51 in
Mid century Vintage small TV cabinet by František Jirák, 1960´s, Czechoslovakia
By Tatra Pravenec, Frantisek Jirak
Located in Prague 8, CZ
Mid century Vintage small cabinet or TV table from the 1960´s. It was designed by František Jirák and was manufactured by Tatra nábytok company in the former Czechoslovakia. Walnut v...
Wood, Walnut, Plywood
Midcentury Sideboard or Credenza Secretairie by J.L.Metz
By J. L. Metz Furniture Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
Midcentury sideboard or credenza Secretairie Marble topped credenza; scalloped edges, side cabinets with shelving, and the most beautiful pull-out secretaire desk with small drawers...
Marble
Small Antique French Mahogany Secretaire Bookcase
Located in Winchcombe, Gloucesteshire
A beautiful small French mahogany secretaire bookcase from the first part of the 19th century.
A Small English 18th Century Oak Secretaire Kneehole Desk
Located in Skipton, GB
A small Georgian Oak Secretaire Kneehole Desk with a lovely light honey colour.
Brass
19th Century Regency Mahogany Secretaire
Located in Antwerp, Antwerp
Marvellous mahogany secretaire with small drawers inside. Great patine of the wood.
Mahogany
French Cherrywood Secretaire Desk mid 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
Small French secretaire
Unavailable
H 83 in W 56.5 in D 17.5 in
Antique Baker Glass and Walnut Breakfront and Secretaire, Slim Profile
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Baker breakfront and secretaire - incredible detail and craftsmanship. Our great grandmother's piece has glass fronts, glass shelves for display, side cabinets with shelving,...
Brass
19th Century Régence Kingwood Small Secrétaire à Abattant
Located in Hixson, TN
A Fine Régence Kingwood small secrétaire à abattant with a marble top. The fall front secrétaire with fitted interior and leather writing surface.
Italian 50's Small Secretaire
Located in New York, NY
A very elegant small size desk with diamond shaped ebonized legs. Two drawers and a letters compartment with sliding doors in the upper part.
Sold
H 38.98 in W 37.8 in D 17.33 in
19th Century Swedish Writing Commode, Small Secretaire, Birchwood, Circa 1850
Located in Greven, DE
Small chest of drawers secretary Scandinavia Birch Middle 19th century Dimensions: H x W x D: 99 x 96 x 44 cm Description: Small antique secretary made of solid birch woo...
Birch
Small hand-painted Secretaire, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Small painted secretary with two drawers and curved sloping flap. The interior consists of letter compartments with ogival frames and low drawers. The cream white and light blue sett...
Wood
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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