Sweden Secretary
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Wood
Antique 19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Wood
Vintage 1930s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Rosewood
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Wood
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Wood
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Glass, Wood, Paint
Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Mahogany
Vintage 1920s Swedish Art Deco Secretaires
Birch
Antique 1830s Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Pine, Wood
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks
Brass
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Brass
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Secretaires
Fir
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Brass
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Secretaires
Glass, Wood, Paint
Antique 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Wood, Paint
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Brass
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Country Secretaires
Pine
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Cabinets
Pine
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Desks
Birch, Jacaranda
Antique 1810s Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Oak
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Wood
Antique 1870s Swedish Baroque Secretaires
Wood
Antique 1780s Swedish Rococo Secretaires
Wood
Vintage 1920s Swedish Art Deco Secretaires
Birch
Antique 18th Century Swedish Rococo Cabinets
Wood
Vintage 1960s Swedish Secretaires
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Country Sideboards
Pine
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks
Wood
Vintage 1920s Swedish Chippendale Secretaires
Oak
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Secretaires
Brass
Antique 1790s Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Steel
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Wood, Pine, Paint
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Country Secretaires
Pine
Early 20th Century Swedish Neoclassical Desks
Elm, Mahogany
Antique 1880s Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Mahogany
Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Antique 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Wood, Paint
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Country Corner Cupboards
Pine
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
Glass, Teak
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Secretaires
Pine
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Wrought Iron
Antique 1760s Swedish Rococo Cabinets
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Country Secretaires
Pine
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Country Cabinets
Pine
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Secretaires
Wood, Paint
Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Brass
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Birch
Antique 18th Century Swedish Baroque Secretaires
Wood, Paint
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Pine
Antique 1820s Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Ash, Ebony
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Wood
Vintage 1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Wood
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Wood
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Secretaires
Wood
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Brass
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Brass
Antique Early 1800s Swedish Gustavian Cabinets
Pine
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Metal, Brass
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Sweden Secretary For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Sweden Secretary?
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.
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