Secretaires
to
288
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
808
717
1,480
80
13
148
105
102
77
71
68
56
52
32
29
24
24
18
11
6
4
2
1
346
626
507
93
92
285
59
23
6
17
31
32
52
90
23
13
1
1,508
477
353
334
286
1,261
369
238
221
186
1,573
1,499
1,527
21
13
13
7
6
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
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
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
$2,400 Sale Price
20% Off
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
19th Century Swedish Blue Painted Tall Oak Secretary
Located in Round Top, TX
This oak secretary is a striking statement piece with panel doors, dramatic bonnet, three large drawers resting on cabriolet feet.
The entire secretary has been given a professional ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Materials
Oak, Paint
19th Century Swedish Blue Oak Secretary Bureau
Located in Round Top, TX
This oak secretary is a striking statement piece with panel doors, dramatic bonnet, and traditional lower three large drawers.
The entire secretary has been given a professional cust...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
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
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
Antique Early American 19th C Plantation Desk Secretary Bookcase Hutch Cupboard
Located in Dayton, OH
An exquisite Early American Plantation, clerk or mail Desk, Circa mid 19th C.. This exceptional 2 piece desk features a lower desk with hand dovetailed draw...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Colonial Antique Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Hardwood
$2,800 Sale Price
20% Off
Outstanding Red and Yellow Ornate Large Venetian Painted Secretary Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a masterpiece of paint decoration and design. The design, scale, the colors and amazing paint-work is absolutely remarkable and the piece is in two separate pieces. The desk ...
Category
1920s Italian Neoclassical Revival 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
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
$11,600 Sale Price
20% Off
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
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
$13,200 Sale Price
20% Off
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
Circa 1780-1800 Georgian Secretaire Bookcase
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1780-1800 Georgian Secretaire Bookcase, English. Neo-classical taste. The base raised on French splay feet with scalloped, line inlaid apron. Shield escutcheons. The handsome i...
Category
Late 18th Century English Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Glass, Wood, Boxwood, Oak, Satinwood
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
$11,960 Sale Price
20% Off
Queen Anne Style Burton-Ching Black Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Queen Anne Style Burton-Ching Black Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
$11,960 Sale Price
20% Off
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
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
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
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
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
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
$538 Sale Price
30% Off
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
19th Century Fine Biedermeier Walnut Secretaire. Vienna, c. 1825.
Located in Vienna, AT
Hello,
This elegant and truly exceptional walnut Viennese Biedermeier Secretaire was made in Vienna circa 1825.
The Secretaire is an example of beautiful, rare and refined design an...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mirror, Maple, Walnut
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
$2,975 Sale Price
30% Off
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
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
$11,960 Sale Price
20% Off
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
$6,400 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century Swedish Two-part Secretaire Circa 1810
Located in Atlanta, GA
This stunning 19th-century Swedish two-part secretaire, crafted circa 1810, exemplifies the timeless elegance of Gustavian design. Featuring a beautifully aged painted finish in soft...
Category
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Pine
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
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
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
$3,000 Sale Price
26% Off
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
$12,780 Sale Price
20% Off
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
$3,900 Sale Price
25% Off
Rare Antique Swedish Secretary Desk in Folk Art from Northern Sweden
Located in Kramfors, SE
Rate antique Swedish secretary desk in folk art made around 1830 in northern Sweden. The secretary is made by hand with a frame in solid pine...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Antique Secretaires
Materials
Pine
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
Georgian Red Painted Drop Front Secretary Desk With Hutch
Located in Rochester, NY
A gorgeous Georgian or Chippendale style bureau with drop front secretary desk and bookcase hutch top
Category
20th Century Unknown Georgian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
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 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
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
19th Century German Biedermeier Secretary, Light Birch Wood, circa 1830-1840
Located in Greven, DE
Antique top secretary from the Biedermeier period around 1830/1835.
Birch veneer with very subtle grain.
Architecturally structured interior with marquetry and band inlays. Exten...
Category
1830s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Birch
Extraordinary Italian Parquetry Bureau Cabinet Trumeaux Rome, 1740
Located in Rome, IT
Outstanding Italian 18' century walnut, parquetry bureau cabinet fruitwood inlaid with scrolling foliage,
The upper section with a shaped carved cresting centered by a cartouche-sha...
Category
Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Walnut
Free standing Swedish Modern secretaire in Walnut and Elm, 1940s
Located in Uppsala, SE
Swedish Modern chiffonier / secretaire in Walnut and Elm from the 1940s by unidentified designer. Legs in dark stained wood. Maybe a piece unique made by a master cabinet maker for a...
Category
1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Elm, Walnut
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
$2,264 Sale Price
20% Off
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
*An Exquisite 19th Century French Flame Mahogany Fitted Secretaire
Located in Reading, Berkshire
An Exquisite 19th Century French Flame Mahogany Secretaire.
Complete With Fitted Interior, & Enclosed Shelves, Raised On A Plinth ...
Category
19th Century French Regency Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass, Steel
$12,532 Sale Price
30% Off
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
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
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
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
$2,080 Sale Price
20% Off
19th C. French Empire Style Louis Philippe Period Secretaire Abattant
Located in Forney, TX
A Louis Philippe period (1830–1848) fruitwood secretaire abattant fall front desk.
Born in France in the mid-19th century, hand-crafted of rich solid fruitwood with warm wood tones, subtle grain detail, and nicely aged mellow patina over the whole. Finished in French Empire taste, having a molded cornice, concealed ogee frieze drawer with dovetail joinery, over fall front panel, opening to reveal original fitted interior gallery, with inset gilt tooled leather writing surface, large open shelf cubby, six drawers of various size, above double-door cabinet with brass shield escutcheon that opens to provide generous storage space, and an additional lower drawer for valuables hidden in the base molding, rising on square feet.
Dimensions: (approx)
56.75" High 41" Wide, 17.5" Deep
History/Back Story:
Louis Philippe furniture had the same types and forms as the earlier French Restoration style, but with less decoration; comfort was the primary consideration.
During the turbulent French Revolution and following Napoleon rule, Louis Philippe (1773-1850) remained in exile for 21 years until the Bourbon Restoration, when he became the King of the French from 1830 to 1848.
For the first time, the developing upper class–not the monarchy–influenced the progression of this style’s characteristics.
However, King Louis Philippe’s personality still inspired many aspects. His casual nature reflected this style’s informal, comfortable build. Much of the style was taken from the personality of the King himself. Unlike his Bourbon predecessors, he wore business dress...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Fruitwood
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
Antique Bleached Oak Drop Front Secretary Commode from Holland, Circa 1850
Located in Dallas, TX
More information coming soon…
Hand-carved circa 1850, the form of this bleached drop front secretary commode is distinctly Dutch (more specifically from what used to be Holland). T...
Category
Mid-19th Century Dutch Antique Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Bronze
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
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 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
$1,573 Sale Price
25% Off
Biedermeier Style Burled Birchwood Secretary Desk by Colombo Mobili
Located in Shippensburg, PA
BIEDERMEIER STYLE BURLED BIRCHWOOD SECRETARY DESK
Executed by Colombo Mobili, ca. 21st century
Item # 411OBP20A
A truly remarkable Biedermeier style secretaire a'abattant desk from ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
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.