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Secretaires For Sale
French Art Deco Secretary Cabinet by André Arbus
By André Arbus
Located in grand Lancy, CH
Andre Arbus Sloping mahogany secreter with two drawers and a drop-leaf door. Sycamore maple interior with six small drawers and a central niche lined with parchment; gilt bronze knob...
Category
1940s French Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Italian Venetian Hand Painted Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a beautiful piece. This is a lovely mid-century Italian chinoiserie secretary desk. The coral and gilt interior makes such a vibrant statement. Each panel of the serpentine f...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Poplar
Vintage Maddox Hepplewhite Style Mahogany Tambour Secretary Desk & Bookcase
Located in Dayton, OH
An exceptional vintage Hepplewhite-style secretary by Maddox, circa 1930s. This beautiful specimen is made from mahogany with an upper bookcase having double mullioned glass doors ov...
Category
1930s American Hepplewhite Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
A Swedish Gustavian blue painted pine secretary, C. 1800.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This beautiful slant front secretary desk is in two pieces with a stunning blue surface. The top cornice is of a Rococo design with two doors opening to reveal shelves. The slant f...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Pine, Paint
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...
Category
19th Century English Sheraton Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Swedish Rococo Black Painted Secretary Bureau Dated 1778
Located in Round Top, TX
This rococo secretary has a monogram of KNS and date of 1778 seen along the front desk top and rests on bun feet.
The dramatic serpentine drawers with curvaceous front and brass pull...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Antique English Fall Front Secretary Desk in Oak
Located in Meer, VAN
Antique Fall Front Secretary Desk in solid oak, England, late 18th to early 19th Century.
This is a wonderful English antique fall front secretary desk in solid oak with brass fitti...
Category
Early 19th Century British George III Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
English Painted Bookcase Secretaire
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Early 20th century English painted bookcase secretaire with later paint and bevelled glass. 1910.
Upper interior shelves: 8.5-inches
Height to the underside of desk: 28.5-inches
...
Category
20th Century English Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Oak, Pine
1960’s Italian Inlaid Secretaire
Located in Bradenton, FL
An Italian inlaid Venetian-style secretaire, circa 1960. Decorated throughout with walnut veneers, the drop front desk and two serpentine drawers are inlaid with satinwood marquetry ...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Antique Gentleman's Bureau, English, Walnut, Writing Desk, Secretaire, Georgian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique gentleman's bureau. A fine English, walnut writing desk or secretaire, dating to the Georgian period, circa 1760.
Wonderful Georgian example, with a delightful v...
Category
Mid-18th Century British Georgian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Scottish Stained Glass Carved Secretary Desk Cabinet
By Robert Adam
Located in Bensalem, PA
Stunning Scotch secretary in oak and stained glass very unique and will make a statement in any room feel free to reach out with any questions
Category
Late 19th Century Scottish Gothic Antique Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Georgian Style Red & Gold Chinoiserie Decorated Burton-Ching Secretary Desk
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Georgian Style Red & Gold Chinoiserie Decorated Burton-Ching Secretary Desk.
Category
2010s Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Wood
19th Century Empire Secrétaire à Abattant
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
We present this elegant antique Italian Secretaire dating back to the early 19th century, Empire period. An extremely refined Secretaire.
Made of fine solid mahogany wood (accompani...
Category
19th Century Italian Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Marble
English Antique Art Deco Bureau Secretaire Oak Cabinet
Located in Leicester, GB
Beautiful English Antique bureau from the 1920's. The compact Art Deco piece of furniture hosts a writing table and pigeon holes for small items behind a drop-down door. Three drawer...
Category
1920s British Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Antique Rosewood Secretary Dresser Desk
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Rectangular Secrétaire in rosewood in frames of rosewood.
It opens with a drawer in the upper part and a flap discovering two drawers,
Feet with cut sides.
In the lower part ornamen...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Rosewood
Red Queen Anne Style Burton-Ching Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Red Queen Anne Style Burton-Ching Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase.
Category
2010s American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
19th c. Swedish Bureau Desk / Secretary in Original Paint
Located in Wichita, KS
A Swedish bureau secretary with a scalloped base in original paint. Circa 1870. Behind the drop-down desk there are three graduated drawers on either side of a center pigeon hole wit...
Category
19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Paint
18th Century Painted Oak Secretary, Denmark
Located in Round Top, TX
This striking oak secretary is an elegant statement piece with paneled doors, crown and three large lower serpentine drawers.
The entire secretary has been given a professional custo...
Category
Mid-18th Century Danish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
George II Style Black & Gold Lacquer Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
George II Style Black & Gold Lacquer Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase.
Category
2010s American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Giltwood, Lacquer
19th Century Victorian Bamboo Chinoiserie Lacquered Secretaire Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Victorian secretaire desk, in the Brighton Pavilion style. Having a frame of burnt bamboo, inset with lacquered panels hand-painted with birds and floral motifs. Its top panel hinged...
Category
1880s British Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
18th C Style George I Red Chinoiserie Decorated Secretary Desk by Burton-Ching
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
18th C Style George I Red Chinoiserie Decorated Secretary Desk by Burton-Ching.
Category
2010s American Georgian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Burton-Ching Georgian Black & Gold Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Burton-Ching Georgian Black & Gold Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Category
2010s American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Wood
French Empire Secrétaire á Abattant
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A handsome 19th century French Empire secrétaire à abattant made of richly figured, bookmatched walnut. This desk has a black fossil marble top resting above a hidden drawer, free of hardware and opening by a shallow groove on the bottom of the drawer front. Below is a fold-front door revealing a fitted interior with a functional writing surface, inset with worn green leather with gold tooling. The interior has an open storage shelf flanked by Empire style columns over a set of six drawers of varying sizes. The writing surface is supported with rounded brass hinges. Below are three easy to use drawers...
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Marble, Brass
Retro Mid Century Teak Secretaire Bureau
Located in Leicester, GB
We can ship directly to you - please contact us with your country & postcode for an accurate delivery price.
A cute retro teak bureau desk with thr...
Category
1970s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Teak
Early 19th Century Swedish Secretary from Skåne
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
An early 19th Century Gustavian secretary from Skåne, Sweden.
With decorative carved pediment and decorated doors opening to storage. Below, a fall front desk opening to workspace an...
Category
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
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.
Category
1860s Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Italian Florentine Giltwood Bureau Secretary Butlers Desk Chest
Located in Forney, TX
A Florentine carved cream painted parcel gilt slant-top desk bureau with nicely aged dark warm distressed patina over the whole!
Crafted in Florence, Italy, circa pre-1940, executed...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Two Piece
Located in Bradenton, FL
Spanish Chinoiserie Secretary Desk, two parts. Desk features a lower chest with four storage drawers (two small drawers over two larger drawers), p...
Category
Mid-20th Century Spanish Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Antique French Charles X Classical Secrétaire à Abattant Desk Chest Walnut 1825
Located in Portland, OR
A fine & elegant antique French Charles X figured walnut secretaire abattant, circa 1825.
A high quality French figured walnut secretary chest from the first quarter of the 1800s, the slightly over hanging top with canted edges and a conforming shaped base, with a single long drawer to the top. Below is a locking fall front writing surface enclosing a fitted interior, the original key is present, it is fitted with pigeon holes & six drawers, with the original ebony pulls. The writing surface is supported with a pair of arched shaped brass supports, the writing surafce is robust & sturdy and is great to work to with your laptop or just to write on!
To the base are three graduated drawers providing plenty of useful storage, all of the drawers run smooth and with ease, the secretary chest is raised on bracket feet.
Condition is excellent, all of the original brass hardware is present, the secretary is in excellent condition, no damage or restoration and it has the original warm, mellow finish.
This very elegant antique French secretary...
Category
1820s French Charles X Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
NVIN0518 Vintage Mahogany Secretary Desk
Located in Annville, PA
A Vintage Mahogany Secretary Desk brought to you by Niagara Furniture. This desk is impressive in both it’s design and scale. Made of beautifully grained mahogany and mahogany veneer...
Category
Late 20th Century Renaissance Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Danish Modern Mummenthaler & Meier Style Teak Secretary Desk Cabinet
Located in Germantown, MD
A Mid Century Danish Modern Mummenthaler & Meier Style Teak Secretary Desk Cabinet .
Measures 39.5" in width, 20.5" in depth and 40.25" in height. Knee clearance is 28.5 and pull out...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Teak
Early 19th Century Neoclassical Karelian Birch Secretary
Located in Houston, TX
An extraordinary early 19th Century Neoclassical style Karelian birch secretary. This wonderful cabinet features four ebonized columns supporting giltwood caryatids, two gothic arched cabinet...
Category
Early 19th Century Baltic Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Ormolu
Chinoiserie Black Lacquered Drop Front Secretary Desk With Bookcase Hutch
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous Georgian Chinoiserie style bureau with drop front secretary desk and bookcase hutch top
In the manner of Jasper Furniture Company
USA, Late 20th Century
Black lacquered...
Category
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Brass
18th Century Antique Federal Sheraton Mahogany Fall Front Secretary Writing Desk
Located in Dayton, OH
An exquisite and rare late 18th century American Federal Sheraton library secretary desk. Made of mahogany featuring velvet drop front writin...
Category
Late 18th Century American Sheraton Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Georgian Mahogany Bookcase Secretary Collectors Doctors Cabinet 1790
Located in Portland, OR
A very rare antique George III English Mahogany secretary bookcase, with a fitted collector's or doctor's cabinet to the base, circa 1790.
The bookcase in two sections; the top section with a flared cornice with a frieze of dentil molding below, the bookcase with twin glazed doors with intersecting curvilenear astragals, the doors enclosing a pair of adjustable shelves.
The base having a deep drawer with a locking fall front desk, fitted with a tooled & gilded leather writing surface, and a fitted interior with pigeonholes with removable doors and drawers each fitted with an oval gilded name label. Below are a pair of locking doors enclosing an elaborately fitted interior; comprising one long shallow tray shaped drawer above a host of 13 drawers of various sizes, all with the original brass hardware and corresponding oval gilded name tag, to the left side is a file space.
The secretary bookcase is raised on bracket feet with a shaped skirt, it is made from the finest figured Cuban mahogany, all original finish and hardware. Georgian bookcase secretaries...
Category
1790s English Georgian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
18th Century Dutch Burr Walnut Floral Marquetry Bureau
Located in London, GB
This is a wonderful antique late 18th century Dutch burr walnut and marquetry bombe' bureau.
It has been accomplished in burr walnut, with exquisite hand cut floral marquetry typica...
Category
1780s Dutch Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Exceptional Mahogany Bureau Bookcase from Baltimore Maryland, circa 1830
By Circle of John Needles
Located in New York, NY
Mahogany bureau bookcase from Baltimore, Maryland of exceptional quality. Design is most like examples from shop of John Needles while tapering columnar supports and finely carved el...
Category
Early 19th Century American American Classical Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Chinoiserie Lacquer Secretaire Bookcase
Located in Bradenton, FL
This Chinoiserie secretary is an elegant and intricately designed piece of furniture that combines the functional aspects of a writing desk with the aesthetic elements of Chinoiserie...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Lacquer
Scandinavian 18th Century Mahogany Secretary Bureau Cabinet
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Impressive Louis XVI style bureau secretary with quality rich in age, charm, and character with its elegant design. This secretary has two secret drawers features parquerty design, g...
Category
Late 18th Century Danish Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
Biedermeier Secretaire From the 2nd Half of the 19th Century
Located in Opole, PL
Biedermeier Secretaire From the 2nd Half of the 19th Century
Imagine a piece of furniture that marries the clean lines of Northern European design with the warm glow of richly figur...
Category
Late 19th Century Scandinavian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Antique American Federal Flame Mahogany Secretary Writing Desk Gothic Bookcase
Located in Dayton, OH
A fine and impressive antique early 19th century Federal Period flame Mahogany secretary and bookcase. The bookcase features an eighteen pane Gothic arched cabinet...
Category
Early 19th Century Federal Antique Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
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...
Category
1860s British Victorian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Boxwood, Rosewood, Walnut
20th Century Painted Wood Venetian Bureau Desk, 1960
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Venetian bureau from the second half of the 20th century. Beautifully designed furniture, pleasantly lacquered and hand painted with floral decorations. High leg bureau equipped with...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Large blue Secretary Desk - design Eric Gizard, Paris - made in France
By Éric Gizard
Located in Landivy, FR
This large secretary desk is designed by the famous parisian Designer Eric Gizard and delivered fully mounted.
The overall dimensions of the b...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Ash, Lacquer
19th Century French Empire desk Secretaire a Abattant
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Beautiful upright secrétaire from the French Empire period. The desk is made of oak with burr walnut veneer, decorated with bronze ormolu elements. These are typical of the French Em...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
WALL CONSOLE, DRESSING TABLE Stainless steel France, 1970
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Wall-mounted console or dressing table, France, circa 1970, crafted in polished stainless steel. This sleek and elegant piece embodies the refined minimalism and bold materiality cha...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Stainless Steel
20th Century Inlaid Wood Italian Bureau Desk, 1920s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Italian bureau from the first half of the 20th century. Antique-style furniture carved and inlaid in walnut, maple and fruitwood of beautiful line and pleasant furnishings. Bureau eq...
Category
1920s Italian Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Lovely Mixed Wood Inlay French Secretary
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Exceptional classic French secretary having stunning floral inlay on all sides with a variety of different color woods. The interior features 6 drawers, an open shelf, and addition...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Kingwood, Satinwood
c1900 French Antique Louis XVI Style Burl Wood Secretary/ Desk - Petite Size
Located in Opa Locka, FL
c1900 French Antique Louis XVI style Petite Secretary/ Desk. Louis XVI style and made from Exotic Burl Wood. Upper cabinet book storage/ display. Dr...
Category
Early 1900s Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Burl
Antique Italian Renaissance Revival Walnut Figural Carved Writing Desk 52"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Neo-Renaissance Revival writing desk. Made of walnut featuring Neoclassical styling with high relief figural carvings of cher...
Category
Late 19th Century Renaissance Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Antique Austrian Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary Desk Tabernacle Cabinet 1820
Located in Portland, OR
A fine, elegant, antique Austrian mahogany Biedermeier secretary desk cabinet, circa 1820.
The cabinet in two sections, the top with a curved architectural pediment, below is a curved door tabernacle cupboard, flanked by a pair of columns with gilt bronze bases and capitals. The base with a series of four graduated drawers with shield shaped lock-plate escutcheons inlaid with bone, to the center is a fall front writing surface enclosing a fitted interior with a series of drawers, pigeon holes and a central locking door, the doors and drawers are inlaid with satinwood stringing. All the locks are fully operational and keys are present.
The cabinet is raised upon a plinth base, the secretary cabinet is made from the finest figured Cuban mahogany, condition is very good, no condition issues or restoration. This very elegant Biedermeier secretary cabinet...
Category
1820s Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Ormolu
Early 19th Century Swedish Two-part Secretary
Located in Atlanta, GA
This early 19th-century Swedish two-part secretary is a truly unique piece, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship and artistry. The upper section features a beautifully carved cornice...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Pine
Antique Victorian Eastlake Cherry Drop Front Secretary Writing Desk 61"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Victorian drop front secretary or library writing desk. Made of cherry featuring Eastlake styling with upper brass gallery and six apothe...
Category
Late 19th Century Eastlake Antique Secretaires
Materials
Cherry
19th c. Swedish Rococo Secretary with Library in Original Blue Paint
Located in Wichita, KS
A rare, early 19th century Swedish Rococo style slant-front secretary from Fryksdalen in Värmland with arched cornice, circa 1820. The paint has been hand-scraped down to the origina...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Paint
Antique Empire Cylinder-Top Secretary with Bookcase in Burled Ash
Located in Miami, FL
An exceptional Empire secretary bookcase in fine burl ash wood. Denmark or North Germany, circa 1800. The bookcase features a tiered bonnet w...
Category
Early 19th Century Scandinavian Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Ash, Burl
Antique 18th Century American Chippendale Maple Secretary Desk Writing Bureau
Located in Dayton, OH
Exquisite and Rare antique American Chippendale Period secretary writing desk or Escritoire. Made from maple featuring a flip top that ope...
Category
18th Century American Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Materials
Maple
Hand-Painted Baroque Secretary Desk, 18th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Magnificent 18th-century Baroque secretary desk with an impressive architectural structure. The drop-front opens to reveal a finely sectioned writing compartment with small drawers a...
Category
18th Century European Baroque Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Louis XVI Period Secrétaire 18th Century
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A late 18th century ‘secrétaire à abattant’, or drop-leaf desk, in fruit wood. This lovely piece of upright furniture benefits from a wealth of useful storage compartments, both internal and external. The front flap lowers down to become a writing surface, revealing three spacious open shelves and a range of slim drawers suitable for documents or trinkets. Four further external drawers, wide and shallow, and a white marble top, complete the design. The side edges are fluted, with glorious brass, rounded detailing at the top, while the legs are tapering, ending in ‘toupie’ style feet.
The ‘secretaire’ was an extremely popular choice in its time, being economical in space and perfectly suited to intellectual activities and letter writing...
Category
18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
Antique, New and Vintage Secretaires
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.