Renaissance Revival Secretary, Hand-Crafted Walnut, Sweden, Circa 1850
Located in New York, NY
Design details indicate that this secretary was made at the end of the Biedermeier period as interest in historical periods bloomed. The uppermost drawer is curved in the classic Bie...
Walnut
Vintage Secretary Desk by SMI, Teak and Brass, Sweden, 1960s Design
Located in Lemmer, NL
vintage secretary desk SMI Sweden period 1960s design SMI Sweden condition good light signs of use size 97 x 90 x 46 (hxwxd) details teak; brass; item number 3084
Brass
Mid-19th Century Swedish Painted Secretary in Pine, circa 1840–1850
Located in Atlanta, GA
This classic Swedish antique secretary dates to the mid-19th century and exemplifies the restrained elegance of Scandinavian furniture from the period.
Pine
Antique Swedish Country Secretary Desk, Empire Period with Original Faux Paint
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish antique country secretary desk from the empire period.
Pine
Antique Swedish Country House Secretary Chest, Faux Mahogany Paint, Circa 1840
Located in Kramfors, SE
Country house secretary chest from the early 1800s. Made by hand in northern Sweden around 1840 with two large and functional drawers.
Pine
Black Painted Baroque Swedish Oak Secretary Bureau, circa 1780-1810
Located in Round Top, TX
This striking oak secretary is an elegant statement piece crowned with a curved bonnet. Note the heavily carved panel doors and the large curvaceous lower three serpentine drawers. T...
Brass
19th Century Swedish antique rustic Gustavian Secretary with Original Paint
Located in Boden, SE
A Swedish antique rustic Gustavian slant front secretary from early 19th century that is perfect for any home.
Pine
Swedish Gustavian Slant-Front Secretary in Original Cream Paint, 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
A refined Swedish Gustavian slant-front secretary from the early 19th century, presented in a beautifully aged original cream-painted finish with soft green undertones inside.
Pine
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Two Part Painted Secretary
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Grand late 18th century Swedish gustavian period two-part secretaire cabinet or bookcase crafted from pine and beech.
Iron
Swedish Gustavian Period 1790s Painted Slant Front Secretary with Three Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
Created in Sweden during the last decade of the 18th century, this painted secretary showcases the stylistic traits typical of the Gustavian era.
Brass
18th Century Period Swedish Rococo Two-Section Secretary Cabinet From Värmland
Located in Charleston, SC
18th century period Swedish rococo secretary cabinet in two parts with bonnet top, raised panel doors, three shelves, and a notched spoon shelf, The base cabinet with writing surface...
Bronze
c19th Swedish pine three drawer fall front Secretary/bureau with iron handles
Located in London, GB
A charming and more unusual C19th Swedish fall front three drawer pine bureau / Secretary on bracket feet.
Iron
Mid-Century Teak Rolltop Secretary Desk by Egon Ostergaard, Made in Sweden
By Egon Ostergaard
Located in Detroit, MI
This vintage mid-century Swedish modern Egon Ostergaard teak rolltop secretary desk cabinet was made in Sweden circa 1960.
Wood, Teak
18th Century Black Swedish Gustavian One Part Pine Bureau - Antique Secretary
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Wear consistent with age and use. Circa 1720 - 1740, Sweden, Scandinavia.
Metal, Bronze
Light Grey 18th Century Period Swedish Two Part Secretary with Carved Pediment
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
18th century period two part wood secretary with a decorative carved pediment. Two carved front doors open to storage, and beneath a fall front door opens to a writing desk with var...
Wood
Swedish Art Deco Secretary by Axel Larsson, Birchwood, Circa 1920-1930
By Axel Larsson
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Swedish Art Deco secretary made of hand crafted polished, partly veneered Birchwood, designed most likely by Axel Larsson in good condition.
Metal, Brass
$9,560Sale Price|20% Off
Swedish Rococo Style Chapeau de Gendarme 1820s Gray Painted Tall Secretary
Located in Atlanta, GA
This Swedish Rococo-style tall secretary, dating back to around 1820, is a testament to timeless design and exceptional craftsmanship.
Wood
Rare Antique Swedish 1800s Rococo Secretary Cabinet with a Clock, Original Paint
Located in Kramfors, SE
Rare antique rococo cabinet with a clock and secretary desk from the 19th century. Made by hand in Arbrå in northern Sweden with a frame in solid pine, around 1820.
Pine
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretary with Fall-Front, Black and Coral
Located in Kastrup, DK
Sweden, 1780–1800
Brass
Antique Folk Art Secretary Desk from Northern Sweden with Original Blue Paint
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique folk art secretary desk from northern Sweden made by hand in solid pine around 1850.
Pine
Swedish Mid Century Teak Secretary Desk Dresser by Broderna Gustafsson in Teak
Located in San Diego, CA
Elegant beautiful desk secretaire dresser made in Sweden , circa 1960's in teak very clean and nice condition with key drawer and yes we do have the key for the drawer with a pull ou...
Teak
19th Century Swedish Vitrine Secretary Bureau with Original Paint
Located in Wichita, KS
A charming Swedish vitrine bureau secreatry made in two parts from the 19th century. Original paint on the exterior and later interior paint. The glass was replaced some time ago. Th...
Wood, Paint
Vintage Swedish Mid-Century Modern Mahogany Cabinet Drop Leaf Desk Secretary
Located in Atlanta, GA
Good things do come in small packages! In a great size to fit almost anywhere, this multifunctional cabinet gives you shelf space, drawers and a small desk top. An unusual secretary,...
Mahogany
$9,560Sale Price|20% Off
Swedish 1770s Baroque Period Light Gray Painted Secretary with Slant Front Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Baroque tall secretary from circa 1770, with slant front desk, light Gustavian gray painted finish, two doors and four drawers.
Glass, Wood
Scandinavian Teak Wood Rolltop Secretary Desk by Egon Ostergaard, Made in Sweden
By Egon Ostergaard
Located in Detroit, MI
This vintage mid century Scandinavian modern teak wood rolltop secretary desk cabinet by Egon Ostergaard was made in Sweden circa 1960.
Brass
Egon Ostergaard for SMI Sweden Bookmatched Teak Roll Top Desk or Secretary
By Egon Ostergaard
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed in the 1960s by Egon Ostergaard, this desk was made by SMI, a somewhat nebulous figure in MCM production. We've had a number of SMI pieces, and the quality is always excelle...
Brass
19th Century Gustavian-style Secretary Bookcase
Located in Solebury, PA
Size: 77” H x 37.5” W x 17.5” D C. 1800, Sweden
Wood, Paint
Mid Century Modern Scandinavian Teak Secretary Desk
By Egon Ostergaard
Located in San Jose, CA
Vintage secretary desk in teak circa 1970's, made in Sweden.
Birch, Teak
Egon Östergaard Curved Top Secretary Desk in Teak
By Egon Ostergaard, SMF Svenska Möbelfabriken Bodafors
Located in Berkeley, CA
This secretary desk, with its distinctive curved top, was designed by Egon Östergaard and produced by Svensk Möbelindustri (SMI) in Sweden during the 1960s.
Teak
Baroque Secretary with Black Exterior and Blue Interior, Circa 1760
Located in Atlanta, GA
An impressive period Baroque secretary dating to circa 1760. This substantial piece has been historically repainted, featuring a black exterior contrasted by a distinctive blue-paint...
Wood
Gustavian Style 1840s Gray Painted Drop Front Secretary with Graduated Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian style drop front secretary from circa 1840 with gray painted finish, writing area and three graduated drawers.
Wood
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
19th Century Scandinavian Birch Empire Bureau Secretary with Bookcase, c. 1820
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A very fine Scandinavian Empire/Biedermeier secretary in beautiful birch wood with mahogany interior, Denmark, circa 1820. The highly sculptural form makes this piece an outstanding ...
Birch
Mid-Century Modern Two-Piece Teak Secretary Cabinet / Desk by Borge Mogensen
By Børge Mogensen
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Designed by Borge Mogensen for Karl Andersson in the 1960s, this Swedish two-piece teak secretary cabinet embodies the enduring principles of Scandinavian Modern design, where beauty...
Brass
19th Century Swedish Mahogany Chiffonje, Writing Agency - Cabinet by Karl Johan
By Karl Johan
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 19th Century, antique Swedish Biedermeier writing agency, secretary table made of hand crafted polished, partly veneered Mahogany with a writing flap, designed by Karl-Johan in goo...
Metal, 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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