Edwardian, Tall Secretaire, Black Lacquer, Bronze, Abalone Inlay, Marble, 1880s
Located in Stamford, CT
This spectacular Edwardian Bouille inlaid And bronze-mounted Abattant chest desk has been meticulously refinished and hand rubbed French polished to its original form. Having wonderf...
Wood
Louis XVI Tall Secretaire (Retains Original Leather on Desk-Top), 18th C. French
Located in Atlanta, GA
A beautiful French Louis XVI carved-cherry wood tall secretarie cabinet, with original leather on desk, from the 18th century.
Wood
Antique German Biedermeier Secretaire, Cherrywood & Burlwood, 1820
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 19th Century, antique German Biedermeier tall secretaire with a writing flap made of hand crafted shellac polished, partly veneered Cherrywood and Burlwood, in good condition.
Metal, Brass
French Empire Secretaire À Abattant With Faux Book Front
Located in Charlottesville, VA
Tall French Empire secretaire à abattant featuring a drop-front writing surface and faux book facade.
Stone
Tall 18th Century Swedish Rococo Secretary
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Tall 18th Century Swedish Rococo secretary of elegant proportions. With decorative carved pediment and two original glass glazed doors, opening to useful storage. Below, a fall fron...
Wood
19th Century Danish Mahogany Tall Secretary Bureau
Located in Round Top, TX
19th century Danish tall secretary bureau, crafted in mahogany with burlwood veneer. The upper section features three doors with concave and convex shaping, while the hinged desktop ...
Mahogany, Burl
Early 19th Century Tall Swedish Black Secretary Bureau
Located in Round Top, TX
Late 19th-century 8' tall Swedish oak bureau or secretary featuring a newer professionally applied black layered painted finish, lightly distressed to reveal natural oak beneath and ...
Brass
Tall Mid-Century Highboy Drop Front Secretary
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Unique highboy dresser with burl wood drop font writing surface with fitted insert. Additional storage drawers above and below. Please confirm item location (NY or NJ) with dealer.
Walnut, Burl
Tall Walnut Cabinet with a Bureau Desk Compartment
Located in Dubai, AE
Tall walnut desk cabinet in Baroque style with gilded brass ornamentation. The upper glazed part reveals seven drawers, a leaf, and fifteen lockers, the flap revealing six drawers, s...
Brass
Tall Craft Cabinet by Robert and Joanne Herzog
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautifully crafted walnut tambour door cabinet with interior drawers. Made by Robert and Joanne Herzog, 1970s, California.
Walnut
$5,796Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Tall Davenport, English, Walnut, Bureau Cabinet, Victorian, Circa 1860
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a fine antique tall Davenport. An English walnut, boxwood and rosewood bureau cabinet, dating to the mid Victorian period, circa 1860. A strikingly decorative and practical w...
Boxwood, Rosewood, Walnut
Chapman Italian Neoclassical Burl Wood Patchwork Olivewood Tall Secretary Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Italian Neoclassical Burl Wood Patchwork Olivewood Tall Secretary Desk by Chapman. Item features 2 part construction, lighted interior with dimmer switch, 2 lower cabinet doo...
Glass, Wood
Vintage French Provincial Blue Painted Bookcase Tall Secretary Desk by Danby
By Danby
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Provincial Blue Distress Painted Bookcase Tall Secretary Desk by Danby. Item features shell carved accents, working lock and key, solid wood construction, great style ...
Wood
32" Wide & 79" Tall Solid Cherry Cylinder Style Secretary Desk Beveled Glass
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Narrow 32" Wide & 79" Tall Solid Cherry Cylinder Style Secretary Desk w/ Beveled Glass Bookcase MINT
Brass
$9,560Sale Price|20% Off
Swedish Rococo Style Chapeau de Gendarme 1820s Gray Painted Tall Secretary
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Rococo style tall secretary from circa 1820 with gray painted finish, chapeau de gendarme bonnet top, two doors, slant-front desk and four drawers below. This Swedish Rococ...
Wood
1960s Danish Modern Tall Wardrobe / Entry Piece / Hall Stand in Rosewood
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Denmark Designer: Unknown Manufacturer: Unknown Era: 1960s Dimensions: 35.5? wide x 12.5? deep x 71? tall Condition: In excellent original condition with some light vi...
Rosewood
Danish 1810s Beige Gray Painted Two-Part Tall Secretary with Slant-Front Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Danish painted wood two-part secretary from circa 1810 with beige / light gray painted finish, slanted desk, four doors and carved reeded panels. A testament to timeless Danish cra...
Wood
Mid Century Tall Boy or Secretary in tortoise shell and black lacquer by Ottini
Located in Beograd, RS
This unique Mid Century Tall Boy and/or Secretary, made from solid oak covered by real tortoise shells fully varnished, was made in Milano by a small design studio called Ottini. It ...
Tortoise Shell, Oak
18th C. Louis XV Bureau Scriban Bibliothèque Secretary Cabinet Mahogany Antique
Located in West Hollywood, CA
A very important rare and Tall Scribing bibliotic secretaire Library desk of a Gentleman or a Lady.
Metal, Wrought Iron, Metallic Thread
Tall 19th century elm secretaire chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Tall 19th century elm secretaire chest of drawers circa 1870.
Birch, Elm, Pine
18th century Tall and shallow Secretaire Chest of Drawers
Located in Folkestone, GB
A fine quality 18th century tall and shallow secretaire chest of drawers. The top drawer above a double fronted, fold down secretaire drawer with four further drawers below.
Mahogany
19th Century burr walnut secretaire tall chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Striking walnut and burr walnut 7 drawer chest, which is often known as a seminere, albeit this one has the addition of a secretaire. Top drawer slightly overhangs the other drawers...
Walnut
French Louis XVI Period Walnut Secretaire Desk, circa 1780
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This impressive and unusually tall French secretaire scriban dates from the late 18th century, circa 1780, and is crafted primarily in solid walnut, with secondary woods in pine.
Bronze
Unavailable
H 78.75 in W 44.89 in D 20.87 in
Secretaire Tabernacle Early 19th Century Biedermeier Signed
Located in Santander, ES
Outstanding figured mahogany Biedermeier tall secretaire with columned tabernacle and rounded Doric Schinkel type pediment.
Mahogany
Unavailable
H 91.07 in W 47.68 in D 21.7 in
Tall English Secrétaire Bureau Bookcase Astragal Glazed Mahogany Library Cabinet
Located in Newcastle upon Tyne, GB
An attractive 19th century flamed mahogany glazed secrétaire. The mahogany boasting a well figured flamed grain and rich patina. The upper section with a projecting cornice abo...
Mahogany
1800s Tall Secretary with Lower Chest of Drawers
Located in Memphis, TN
1800s tall secretary with lower chest of drawers. Gorgeous wood grain on dresser face, bun feet, original hardware (some hardware missing). H 56.5" W 45" D 19.5"
Wood
Unavailable
H 60 in W 39.49 in D 20 in
1800s Burl Wood Veneered Tall Secretary with Black Trim Throughout
Located in Memphis, TN
Tall secretary from 1800s. Beautiful burl wood veneered drawer and cabinet facing with detailed inlay and glossy black trim throughout the piece. Original hardware (except one drawer...
Wood, Burl
Irish George III Tall Secretaire Chest.
Located in Long Island City, NY
Irish George III Mahogany Tall Secretaire Chest on Bracket Feet.
Mahogany
Sold
H 81.75 in W 49.5 in
Swedish 1810s Late Gustavian Painted Two-Part Tall Secretaire with Bonnet Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
Created in Sweden during the early years of the 19th century, this tall painted secretaire features a bonnet-shaped cornice sitting above two doors opening to reveal inner shelves.
Wood
Tall Swedish Secretaire with clock
Located in Atlanta, GA
Tall Swedish Secretaire with clock on left side.
19th Century Swedish Tall Case Antique Secretaire
Located in New Orleans, LA
A stately Swedish tall case secrétaire with classic neoclassical proportions, featuring paneled doors, interior writing surface, and ample storage—all wrapped in a soft, timeworn pai...
Wood
Tall Ebonized Secretaire with White Marble Top
Located in Troy, MI
Found in England, this circa 1920s mahogany cabinet has a locking front panel that opens into a writing desk. Locking storage compartment below and a narrow top drawer with brass har...
Marble, Brass
Tall Writing Desk or Secretaire, Swedish, 19th Century
Located in New Orleans, LA
Paying bills is almost inspirational at the Swedish secretaire! Graceful curved crown atop beautifully faded patina; surely a hero piece of the room. Charming light blue painted cabi...
Wood
Tall Thin Secretary Secretaire Desk Banded Mahogany One-Piece
Located in West Hartford, CT
Great scale and size to thin banded mahogany secretary with veneer, circa mid-1970s and comes in one piece. Features desk that flips open and glass display cabinet at top with shelv...
Mahogany
Sold
H 85.04 in W 42.13 in D 21.26 in
19th Century Gustavian Tall Black Writing Desk Secretaire, Sweden 1820
Located in Berlin, DE
This beautiful 19th century Gustavian tall black writing desk secretaire was made in Sweden around 1820.
Pine
Sold
H 47 in W 39.5 in D 18 in
Rare Danish Modern Borge Mogensen Tall Secretary Secretaire Desk Cabinet
By Børge Mogensen
Located in West Hartford, CT
Mid century Borge Morgensen teak secretary desk is part desk, part storage. Bottom part has three drawers. Top leaf drops down into a writing surface. Multifunctional and elegant, th...
Wood, Teak
Chinese Export Secretaire Chest
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Tall Chinese secretaire chest, similar to a campaign chest.
Wood
Early 19th Century Swedish Secretaire
Located in Mckinney, TX
Handcrafted in Sweden during the early years of the 19th century, this tall painted secretaire features a bonnet-shaped cornice sitting above two doors opening to reveal 2 inner shel...
Wood
Antique French Kingwood Secretaire Abattant c.1880
Located in London, GB
Literature: Secretaire a abattant - tall French writing-desk, the top part of which resembles an armoire, having a door at its base.
Kingwood, Rosewood
French Walnut and Ebonized Birch Renaissance Revival Secretaire
Located in New York, NY
This tall, slim secretaire is crafted of solid walnut and fir, and exquisitely veneered and inlaid with French Walnut and ebonized birch.
Birch, Walnut
Antique French Marquetry Secretaire a Abattant C 1880
Located in London, GB
The whole piece is beautifully decorated with marquetry. Secretaire a abattant - tall French writing-desk, the top part of which resembles an armoire, having a door at its base.
Kingwood, Rosewood
Swedish Tall Baroque Secretary
Located in New York, NY
A tall Swedish Baroque Secretary with top of glass doors on a chest of drawer base.
Brass
Danish Modern Tall Secretary
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Danish modern pull-out style desk, drawer and incidental storage and bookshelves to boot. Professional, skilled furniture restoration is an integral part of what we do every day....
Teak
French Patinated Tall Secretary Cabinet
Located in High Point, NC
A hardwood secretary cabinet from France, circa 1900. This two-door cabinet features a unique tall desktop. A wooden surround is carved with a subtle scallop, enhancing the patina an...
Oak
Sold
H 71.66 in W 39.38 in D 16.93 in
Danish Design Teak Secretaire by Johannes Sorth for Bornholm Møbelfabrik, 1960s
By Bornholm Møbelfabrik
Located in Breda, Netherlands
Danish Design Secretaire This tall Danish chest of shelves with pull out desk is manufactured Bornholms Møbelfabrik from a pressed wood teak veneer composite.
Teak
Sold
H 14.97 in W 31.89 in
1950, Slim Scandinavian Art & Craft Secrétaire Vanity in Elm and Rosewood Sweden
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Beautiful slim high quality Arts & Craft Gustavian style secrétaire / vanity on tall legs in elm with beautiful inlay.
Elm, Rosewood
Gray Painted Antique Swedish Tall Secretary
Located in Round Top, TX
The simple stately lines of this tall Swedish secretary are accented well by the (recent) soft dove gray painted finish. The interior has been painted black, providing a lovely contr...
Wood
White Painted Danish Oak Tall Secretary Dated 1805
Located in Round Top, TX
Antique oak secretary with graceful carved and curved crown displaying monogram and date of 1805. Newer, professionally applied layered antique white exterior with gray undertones an...
Metal, Brass
Antique Tall Blue Painted Secretary Bureau from Sweden
Located in Round Top, TX
This stately tall secretary is an elegant and classic statement piece. The entire secretary has been given a (newer) blue painted finish, which has been gently rubbed off along edges...
Wood
Tall Oak Secretary Bureau from Sweden, circa 1800-20
Located in Round Top, TX
This 7' tall oak secretary is an elegant statement piece crowned with an elaborate carved pediment over paneled cabinet doors. The secretary has been given a professional custom laye...
Brass
Secretary Tall Swedish Gustavian White, 19th Century, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Secretary Swedish Gustavian white, 19th century, Sweden. A secretary made during the 19th century in Sweden. Painted in a distressed white. Cabinet with shelving interior.
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.
Simple or sophisticated, equipped with console, cart or custom cabinetry, these stylish bar areas deserve a toast.
Whether you’re just moving in or ready to give your home a makeover, our guide will give you pointers on tables that are fitting for every room, nook and hallway.
The furniture equivalent of a Swiss Army knife, it's the multifunctional piece you didn't know you needed.
Italian studio DimoreMilano mustered great ingenuity when crafting these sculptural shelves, which are built without any screws.
Leaping into a design project, whether it's refreshing the bedroom or redoing the whole house, can be overwhelming. Luckily, we know more than a few interior designers. You asked questions on Instagram, and now they're answering.
Introduced nearly 500 years ago, curiosity cabinets are finding new fans among today's collectors and designers.
In the hands of New York Heartwoods cofounder Megan Offner, unwanted local trees become works of design art.
From Brooklyn townhouses to Maine campgrounds, Trattie Davies and Jonathan Toews relish a challenge, like transforming a former warehouse space into the new 1stdibs Gallery.