Skip to main content

Secretaires

to
308
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
786
1,453
78
11
1,478
1,227
1,542
1,470
1,498
Secretaires For Sale
English Chippendale Style Painted Goddard Chest Secretary Writing Desk
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique circa 1930s Goddard chest / writing desk featuring a drop front door that opens to multiple cubbies, three drawers and paw / claw feet. Yellowing / off-white color to exteri...
Category

Early 20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires

Materials

Hardwood, Paint

Louis XVI Folding Secretary Made of Marquetry Topped with a Carrara Marble
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This beautiful marquetry drop-leaf secretary is made of an oak frame, opening with a drawer, a drop-leaf door and two lower leaves with a Carrara marble slab on top. This is a Fren...
Category

Early 1800s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Carrara Marble

Gustavian Light Gray Painted Bureau / Secretary 1780 - 80
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant and architectural Gustavian bureau / secrétaire in oak with light gray paint. Interior writing flap and drawers painted in blue. The Bureau / secrétaire is in two parts: an ...
Category

Late 18th Century Danish Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass, Iron

South German Biedermeier Secretary in Walnut, circa 1825
Located in Darmstadt, DE
This South German Biedermeier secretary from around 1825 displays a particularly striking walnut veneer with strong, mirrored patterns across the entire front. The warm, expressive g...
Category

Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Jasper Early American Colonial Style Petite Maple Secretary Desk & Bookcase 72"
Located in Dayton, OH
A Petite Secretary Desk & Bookcase by Jasper Cabinet Company of Indiana. Circa 1980s. Features a maple case crafted in colonial styling with an...
Category

1980s American American Colonial Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Maple

Antique Late 18th Century George III Mahogany Bureau Secretary Desk & Bookcase
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 18th Century George III Period Secretary Desk & Bookcase. Made from mahogany with a hooded pediment showcasing dentil molding over a glass covered display portion with beautifu...
Category

Late 18th Century George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Danish Modern, Unique Handcrafted Oak Secretary Cabinet, Mid 20th Century
Located in Odense, DK
An elegant rare Danish oak secretary cabinet in Baroque style, crafted in the 1930s by a skilled Danish Cabinetmaker. The piece features a drop-front writing surface that opens to re...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Oak

George III Bureau Desk or Secretary Chest from the 18th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A fine George III slant top desk or bureau secretary chest of elm, oak and padouk woods, c.1780 - an inlaid slant front drops to reveal a series of small drawers and document compart...
Category

18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Metal, Brass

Antique New England American Chippendale Curly Maple Slant Front Secretary Desk
Located in Dayton, OH
An exquisite New England Chippendale Drop Front Secretary Desk, circa 1800. Features a curly maple frame with colonial brass bale hardware. The fall front opens to a writing surface,...
Category

Early 19th Century American Chippendale Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Chinoiserie Breakfront China Hutch Drop Front Secretary Bookcase Black Lacquer
Located in Topeka, KS
Gorgeous vintage Chinoiserie breakfront China hutch cabinet or drop front secretary bookcase composed of 2 pieces, each with black lacquered wood frames with an all-over intentional ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Brass, Steel

Federal Style Flame Mahogany Secretary Desk / Display Cabinet & Brass Eagle
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a beautiful inlaid flame mahogany Federal style secretary desk with tambour doors. It has two glass shelves. The body has several areas with inlaid satinwood designs. It date...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Federal Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

Mid-Century Georgian Style Red & Gilt Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a Chinese red Georgian style chinoiserie secretary. It is a mid-century find that is heavily painted with pastoral scenes and go,t accents. It is most likely American and is ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American George III Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Antique 19th century English oak secretary / bureau
Located in SON EN BREUGEL, NL
A very fine antique secretary/ bureau. With writing desk, 2 large and 2 small drawers and hidden secret letter compartments. Decorated with original brass ornaments and handles. Two ...
Category

19th Century English George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

18th - 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Pinewood Bureau - Scandinavian Secretaire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A late 18th-century, antique Swedish Gustavian two-part bureau, meticulously handcrafted in painted pinewood, in good condition. This elegant light-grey secretaire embodies the refin...
Category

Late 18th Century Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

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

French Art Deco Secretary Cabinet 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

Danish Modern Rosewood Secretary Desk
Located in Fulton, CA
A Danish Modern drop-front or secretary desk with 3 drawers and writing surface. Beautiful rosewood grain with a deep and rich patina. Desk retains its original finish and is in exce...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires

Materials

Rosewood

Antique Federal Flame Mahogany Secretary Unsigned 19thC
Located in Big Flats, NY
***Reduced In-House Delivery Rates - Click on “Ask Seller” to Request a Quote*** Antique Federal Flame Mahogany Secretary 19thC. Measures - 93"H x 48.5"W x 23.5"D An example of 19th-...
Category

19th Century Federal Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century German Writing Chest, Biedermeier Secretaire, circa 1825
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Biedermeier Chest of Drawers / Secretary Southern Germany (Franconia) Walnut Biedermeier around 1825 Dimensions: H x W x D: 98 x 116 x 57 cm Description: Three-drawer piec...
Category

1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Cherry, Walnut

Mid Century Danish Modern Teak Flip Top Secretary Desk
Located in Esperance, NY
For sale is this very nice vintage danish flip top desk.
Category

1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Teak

Bureau / Secretary Gustavian in Blue Painted In Pine. 18th Ctr. Swedish
Located in Kastrup, DK
Gustavian secretary crafted in pine, finished in a charming blue tone with an elegant patina. The piece is composed of two sections with refined detailing throughout. The upper cabi...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

19th Century Fine Biedermeier Walnut Secretaire. Vienna, c. 1825
Located in Vienna, AT
Exceptional and Rare Viennese Biedermeier Secretaire – Vienna, circa 1825 A Masterpiece of Design, Craftsmanship, and Timeless Elegance We are proud to present this elegant and rare...
Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

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

George IIII Bureau Desk or Secretary Chest of Mahogany from the 18th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A fine George III slant top desk or bureau secretary chest of patinated mahogany, c.1770, in the Sheraton style. An inlaid slant front drops to reveal a series of small drawers and ...
Category

18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Metal, Brass

French 19th Century Louis Philippe Style Commode with Secretary
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A gorgeous 19th century French mahogany secretary style desk, designed as a classic Louis Philippe commode incorporating the work surface and storage compartments into the top “drawe...
Category

19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Iron

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

Antique Eastlake Chip Caved Walnut Barrel Roll Cylinder Secretary Desk c1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
***Reduced In-House Delivery Rates - Click on “Ask Seller” to Request a Quote*** Antique Eastlake Chip Caved Walnut Barrel Roll Cylinder Secretary Desk C1890. Measures - 87 1/2" x...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

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

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

19th Century Biedermeier Walnut Secretaire
Located in Darmstadt, DE
This stunning Biedermeier secretary desk is an authentic antique piece crafted from walnut wood, both inside and out. Dating back to the early 19th century, this masterpiece showcase...
Category

Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine, Walnut

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

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...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Metal, 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

Louis XV period marquetry secretary from the mid-18th century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
A very elegant and rare Louis XV period drop-leaf secretary desk, characteristic of Rococo furniture with its sinuous silhouette and refined proportions. The curved front rests on ar...
Category

18th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Bronze

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

Secrétaire Desk in Shagreen and Palmwood by R&Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Secretaires

Materials

Shagreen Stingray, Palmwood

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

French 19th Century Ebonized & Inlay Secretary
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This French Louis XVI style drop front secretary from the 1800’s has impressive etched brass inlay on its facade. The top has its repaired original inset white marble top surrounded ...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Brass

Antique French Secretaire / Bureau in Mahogany
Located in Leicester, GB
Beautiful Antique French flame Mahogany secretaire/bureau/cabinet. The inside is lined with maple and finished with ebonized black details. The cabinet has got lots of charm and char...
Category

1890s French French Provincial Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

English Regency Style Mahogany and Satinwood Inlaid Carlton House Desk
Located in Vero Beach, FL
English Regency style mahogany and satinwood inlaid Carlton house desk. Circa 1880 rare Carlton House desk, typical for the Regency period, is a beautiful piece of furniture. It i...
Category

19th Century English Regency Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

French 19th Century Empire Secrétaire à Abattant
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A stately 19th century mahogany secretaire a abattant from France, circa 1810. This desk has an exceptional charcoal St. Anne marble top resting above a single drawer disguised into the apron. Just below the top drawer, the front of the desk folds forward to reveal a work area inset with vibrant red leather detailed with gold tooling. The leather is in great antique condition making this a comfortable place to work. When open, you can see the theatre is equipped with five drawers and a large, arched top cubby flanked with column forms. With the desk down the maximum depth is 32”; the writing surface is 28-½” above the floor. The desk front...
Category

19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Brass

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

Large Swedish Painted Secretary from Värmland, Dated 1854
Located in Atlanta, GA
This impressive mid-19th century Swedish secretary from Värmland, dated 1854, is a striking example of Scandinavian craftsmanship and functional elegance. Monumental in scale and bea...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Pine

English 19th Century Regency Secretary Figured Mahogany
Located in Atlanta, GA
English 19th Century Regency Secretary Figured Mahogany with Flat Moulded Top, Cabinet Doors and Turned Feet
Category

19th Century English Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Rare Antique Federal American Mahogany Secretary Writing Desk Gothic Bookcase
Located in Dayton, OH
A fine and impressive Federal Period Mahogany secretary and bookcase, circa 1830s. The bookcase features an eighteen pane gothic arched cabinet fro...
Category

Early 19th Century American Federal Antique Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

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

George III Mahogany Breakfront Bureau Bookcase
Located in Huntington, NY
This exceptional George III Mahogany Breakfront Bureau Bookcase with Glazed Doors, has wonderful flame & crotch grain Mahogany. Comprised of a large central cabinet, flanked by 2 sma...
Category

18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

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

20th Century English Secretaire with Oyster Veneer
Located in Chicago, IL
20th Century English secretaire is a classic example of fine craftsmanship. It features a distinctive oyster veneer pattern and includes a secret compartment within the desk. Desk is...
Category

20th Century English Secretaires

Materials

Wood

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

Antique French Louis XVI Secretary Chest Commode, Carrara Marble
Located in Senonches, Centre-Val de Loire
Antique French Louis XVI secretary chest of drawers topped with a white Carrara marble, fluted legs finished with golden bronze clogs and thorough dressed in bronze and brass details...
Category

1940s French Louis XVI Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Carrara Marble

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

Biedermeier Lyra Secretary Desk, circa 1830
Located in Greding, DE
Elaborately crafted Biedermeier Lyra secretary featuring an oval upper section with a narrow drawer and a small profiled pedestal. The piece rests on a ...
Category

1830s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Late 19th Century Charles X Style Letter Storage Desk Cabinet
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A antique desk cabinet for storing letters and cards. Made of wood veneer with foliage wood inlay. Made in France, circa 1870-1880 Note: one of th...
Category

1880s French Charles X Antique Secretaires

Materials

Fruitwood

Georgian Mahogany Slant Front Secretary Desk Adam Style Slant-Front Bureau
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a Georgian mahogany slant front secretary desk Adam style slant-front bureau. Dimensions: Cabinet 37.88" H x 35.25" W x 18.88" D. Desk 33.63" W x 22.63" D ...
Category

Late 19th Century British Georgian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Iconic vintage dutch design CU07 Cabinet by Cees Braakman for Pastoe
Located in Meulebeke, BE
The Netherlands / CU07 cabinet / Pastoe / Cees Braakman / metal, teak / Vintage / Mid-century Highboard CU07 designed by the Dutch designer Cees Braakman in 1958 for Pastoe. This mo...
Category

1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Metal

Georgian Style Slant Drop Front Chinoiserie Lacquered Secretary
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Dramatic English George III style slant drop front secretary chest featuring a lacquered case decorated in the chinoiserie taste. The hardwood case has a large drop-front slant door ...
Category

20th Century Georgian Secretaires

Materials

Brass

18th Century Mahogany Secretary Bureau
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb Georgian period secretary bureau from the late 18th century in mahogany. superb quality desk with a surprising interior. It features a magnificent theate interior with a sma...
Category

18th Century British Georgian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

George I Secretary Bureau or Escritoire of Figured Walnut from the 18th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A fine English period George I large secretary bureau escritoire - or scriptor - of patinated walnut from the 18th century. Featuring burr walnut-fig...
Category

18th Century English George I Antique Secretaires

Materials

Metal, Brass

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.

Recently Viewed

View All