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19th Century Antique Swedish Rococo-Style Grey Painted Pine Secretary Desk
19th Century Antique Swedish Rococo-Style Grey Painted Pine Secretary Desk

19th Century Antique Swedish Rococo-Style Grey Painted Pine Secretary Desk

Located in Kvidinge, SE

A beautiful antique Secretary in grey with a touch of blue and a beautiful patina. The lid is decorated with two panels. When opened, the lid rests on two wooden supports. It has an ...

Category

1810s Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Northern German Biedermeier Secretaire with Secret Compartments, 1820s, Mahogany
Northern German Biedermeier Secretaire with Secret Compartments, 1820s, Mahogany

Northern German Biedermeier Secretaire with Secret Compartments, 1820s, Mahogany

Located in Greven, DE

Biedermeier Secretary Desk with Secret Compartments Northern Germany Mahogany c. 1820 Dimensions: H x W x D: 206 x 100 x 59 cm Description: A writing desk standing on tapered legs...

Category

1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Alabaster

19th Century English Pine Secretary Bookcase
19th Century English Pine Secretary Bookcase

19th Century English Pine Secretary Bookcase

Located in Charlottesville, VA

Astragal glazed doors above open to shelves painted a soft green, and the fall front below drops to a fitted interior of pigeonholes and small drawers in the same green. Four long dr...

Category

19th Century English Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Swedish Antique Secretary Chest, Solid Pine, Gustavian Style, c. 1850
Swedish Antique Secretary Chest, Solid Pine, Gustavian Style, c. 1850

Swedish Antique Secretary Chest, Solid Pine, Gustavian Style, c. 1850

Located in Kramfors, SE

Genuine Swedish secretary chest from the mid 1800s. Made by hand in solid pine in northern Sweden around 1850. Dating at the back reading 1854. Straight classic gustavian style with ...

Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine

Chinoiserie Decorated Secretary Desk
Chinoiserie Decorated Secretary Desk

Chinoiserie Decorated Secretary Desk

Located in Fulton, CA

Chinoiserie drop front secretary desk with lacquered hand-painted and stenciled gold-tone figures and landscapes. Warm, earth-tone chocolate brown base color with mustard yellow and...

Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Wood

19th Century German Biedermeier standing secretary desk walnut veneer
19th Century German Biedermeier standing secretary desk walnut veneer

19th Century German Biedermeier standing secretary desk walnut veneer

Located in Münster, DE

Biedermeier standing secretary desk, walnut veneer, beautifully mirrored veneer, architectural interior with maple and burl maple veneer, mirrored compartment and secret compartment...

Category

1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Antique Early George II Inlaid Mahogany Secretaire Chest 18th Century
Antique Early George II Inlaid Mahogany Secretaire Chest 18th Century

Antique Early George II Inlaid Mahogany Secretaire Chest 18th Century

Located in London, GB

This is a beautiful antique George II flame mahogany and floral marquetry secretaire chest of drawers, circa 1760 in date. The chest is fitted with brass handles, the drawer bears t...

Category

Late 18th Century English George II Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Federal Style Inlaid Mahogany Ladies Tambour Writing Desk & Secretary.
Federal Style Inlaid Mahogany Ladies Tambour Writing Desk & Secretary.

Federal Style Inlaid Mahogany Ladies Tambour Writing Desk & Secretary.

Located in Vero Beach, FL

Federal Style Inlaid Mahogany Ladies Tambour Writing Desk & Secretary. An elegant Federal style ladies tambour writing desk and secretary. This classical two-piece case piece is mod...

Category

Early 20th Century English Federal Secretaires

Materials

Brass

19th Century Danish Biedermeier Secretary with Secret Compartements, circa 1830
19th Century Danish Biedermeier Secretary with Secret Compartements, circa 1830

19th Century Danish Biedermeier Secretary with Secret Compartements, circa 1830

Located in Greven, DE

Antique Biedermeier secretary desk with numerous secret compartments Denmark Mahogany, etc. c. 1830 Dimensions: H x W x D: 189 x 108 x 59 cm Description: Antique Scandinavian Bied...

Category

19th Century Danish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Georgian Flame Mahogany Slant Front Secretary Writing Desk Bureau
Antique Georgian Flame Mahogany Slant Front Secretary Writing Desk Bureau

Antique Georgian Flame Mahogany Slant Front Secretary Writing Desk Bureau

Located in Dayton, OH

Exquisite antique early 19th century secretary writing storage desk. Made of flame mahogany featuring Georgian styling with three large dovetailed drawers and a drop front that open...

Category

19th Century American American Colonial Antique Secretaires

Materials

Birdseye Maple, Mahogany

18th Century English Pine Georgian Slant-Front Bureau Secretary Desk
18th Century English Pine Georgian Slant-Front Bureau Secretary Desk

18th Century English Pine Georgian Slant-Front Bureau Secretary Desk

Located in Houston, TX

A handsome late 18th-century English Georgian slant-front bureau crafted in pine, retaining a wonderfully warm, mellow surface and understated character. The fall-front opens to rev...

Category

Late 18th Century British Georgian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Fruitwood, Pine

Antique Folk Art Secretary Desk from Northern Sweden with Original Blue Paint
Antique Folk Art Secretary Desk from Northern Sweden with Original Blue Paint

Antique Folk Art Secretary Desk from Northern Sweden with Original Blue Paint

Located in Kramfors, SE

Antique folk art secretary desk from northern Sweden made by hand in solid pine around 1850. Untouched original condition with unusual light blue paint. The desk has an interior with...

Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Folk Art Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine

Parma Blue Doge Secretary with Gold Chinoiserie Dresser
Parma Blue Doge Secretary with Gold Chinoiserie Dresser

Parma Blue Doge Secretary with Gold Chinoiserie Dresser

By Porte Italia

Located in Milan, IT

The Parma Blue Doge secretary showcases exquisite chinoiserie artistry with delicate golden figures and serene landscapes. Its elegant double-door top reveals an interior in calming ...

Category

2010s Italian Secretaires

Materials

Wood

C 1865 French Secretaire Abbatant Highly Carved Walnut w Barley Twist Columns
C 1865 French Secretaire Abbatant Highly Carved Walnut w Barley Twist Columns

C 1865 French Secretaire Abbatant Highly Carved Walnut w Barley Twist Columns

Located in Port Jervis, NY

Spectacular large and in charge. A French Secretaries Abbatant fall front drop lid desk with lots of storage Dresser. Carved all over in Walnut and it is in fantastic condition. Six ...

Category

1870s French Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Rare 1920's English Art Deco Curved Secretaire Desk Bureau in Oak
Rare 1920's English Art Deco Curved Secretaire Desk Bureau in Oak

Rare 1920's English Art Deco Curved Secretaire Desk Bureau in Oak

Located in Leicester, GB

1920's bureaux with a host of three drawers with wooden handles. The desk can be closed with an attractive rounded lid. The desk area is lined with leather and has a tiny drawer for ...

Category

1920s British Art Deco Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Oak

Danish 18th Century Bow-Fronted Rococo Secretary
Danish 18th Century Bow-Fronted Rococo Secretary

Danish 18th Century Bow-Fronted Rococo Secretary

Located in Atlanta, GA

Made in Denmark in the eighteenth century, this bow-fronted rococo secretary has been repainted in black with a blue interior. The rococo form, with its curved bow front, is seen her...

Category

18th Century Danish Rococo Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

1960’s Italian Inlaid Secretaire
1960’s Italian Inlaid Secretaire

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

An antique Swedish bureau in antique white.
An antique Swedish bureau in antique white.

An antique Swedish bureau in antique white.

Located in Atlanta, GA

An antique Swedish bureau in antique white. This piece of furniture consists of two stacked sections. The upper section is a bureau with a flap ...

Category

1850s Swedish Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Rare Gunnel Nyman for Boman Secretaire in Pyramid Mahogany
Rare Gunnel Nyman for Boman Secretaire in Pyramid Mahogany

Rare Gunnel Nyman for Boman Secretaire in Pyramid Mahogany

Located in Waalwijk, NL

Gunnel Anita Gustafsson-Nyman for Oy Boman Ab, secretaire, pyramid mahogany, Finland, ca. 1937 The Finnish artist Gunnel Anita Gustafsson-Nyman (1909–1948) is best known for her gl...

Category

1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Antique French Louis Philippe Burr Walnut Secrétaire à Abattant Desk Chest 1840
Antique French Louis Philippe Burr Walnut Secrétaire à Abattant Desk Chest 1840

Antique French Louis Philippe Burr Walnut Secrétaire à Abattant Desk Chest 1840

Located in Portland, OR

A fine, elegant, antique 19th century French Louis Philippe walnut Secrétaire à Abattant, desk/chest, circa 1840. This fine antique French drop-front walnut secretary chest dates from the late Restoration period and is made of highly figured book-matched walnut. The top with variegated black and white marble and below is a single ogee shaped drawer with an inset brass lock escutcheon, the original key is present and the all the locks work with ease. Below is a locking fall front writing surface enclosing an exquisitely fitted interior: below a minaret shaped arch are several geometrically inlaid drawers. The fall front has the original inlaid dark chocolate colored leather writing surface, with blind tooling and gilded highlights, the drop front is robust & sturdy and is great to work to with your laptop or just to write a letter on. The base has a bank of three drawers providing plenty of useful storage, all of the drawers run smooth and with ease, the secretary chest is raised on ogee shaped block 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 honey colored finish. This very elegant antique French secretary...

Category

1840s French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble

18th century Swedish Gustavian secretary cabinet
18th century Swedish Gustavian secretary cabinet

18th century Swedish Gustavian secretary cabinet

Located in Atlanta, GA

An elegant late 18th century Swedish Gustavian secretary cabinet, handcrafted in pine and finished in a softly distressed original white paint with beautiful age and patina throughou...

Category

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Italian Extremely High Quality Distressed Finish Secretary Desk
Italian Extremely High Quality Distressed Finish Secretary Desk

Italian Extremely High Quality Distressed Finish Secretary Desk

Located in Perkasie, PA

Italian Extremely High Quality Distressed Finish Secretary Desk – Item L71907 Exceptional Italian secretary desk, approximately 30 years old, showcasing extraordinarily fine craftsm...

Category

1980s Italian Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Antique French Secretaire / Bureau in Mahogany
Antique French Secretaire / Bureau in Mahogany

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

19th Century Ebonised Secretaire
19th Century Ebonised Secretaire

19th Century Ebonised Secretaire

Located in Stahnsdorf, DE

An elegant nineteenth-century secretaire, distinguished by its striking ebonised exterior and refined Neoclassical-inspired brass fittings. The secretaire is constructed with a soli...

Category

1830s Dutch Neoclassical Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Swedish Gustavian Style Secretary and Vitrine
Swedish Gustavian Style Secretary and Vitrine

Swedish Gustavian Style Secretary and Vitrine

Located in Atlanta, GA

A beautifully crafted Swedish Gustavian style secretary vitrine finished in hand-painted black with a softly aged character. The upper cabinet features glazed doors opening to displa...

Category

20th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Wood

French Provincial Style Secretary Desk with Marquetry Inlays and Key
French Provincial Style Secretary Desk with Marquetry Inlays and Key

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 French Provincial Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

French 19th Century Louis Philippe Mahogany Marble Top Secretaire
French 19th Century Louis Philippe Mahogany Marble Top Secretaire

French 19th Century Louis Philippe Mahogany Marble Top Secretaire

Located in Carmine, TX

A handsome 19th-century Louis Philippe secretary crafted in richly figured mahogany veneer, showcasing a striking bookmatched grain with a warm, lustrous patina. The fall-front writi...

Category

Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Brass, Bronze

Antique English Fall Front Secretary Desk in Oak
Antique English Fall Front Secretary Desk in Oak

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

19th Century English Sheraton Mahogany Secretary Desk, 1820
19th Century English Sheraton Mahogany Secretary Desk, 1820

19th Century English Sheraton Mahogany Secretary Desk, 1820

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

Mid-Century Italian Venetian Coral Gilt Hand Painted Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Mid-Century Italian Venetian Coral Gilt Hand Painted Chinoiserie Secretary Desk

Mid-Century Italian Venetian Coral Gilt Hand Painted Chinoiserie Secretary Desk

Located in Kennesaw, GA

This is a beautiful piece! This is a mid-century hand painted Italian secretary desk with elaborate hand painted chinoiserie scenes. The bombe front features three paper lined drawer...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Wood, Poplar

18th Century Original Painted Writing Desk Secretary, Sweden
18th Century Original Painted Writing Desk Secretary, Sweden

18th Century Original Painted Writing Desk Secretary, Sweden

Located in Haddonfield, NJ

A late 18th Century Folk Art Baroque Scandinavian original painted writing desk secretary. This unique antique storage piece from Sweden features mounted original iron handles as wel...

Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

Tesselated Black Marble Stone and Brass Inlay Secretaire by Maitland-Smith
Tesselated Black Marble Stone and Brass Inlay Secretaire by Maitland-Smith

Tesselated Black Marble Stone and Brass Inlay Secretaire by Maitland-Smith

Located in Casteren, NL

A monumental secretaire made by Maitland-Smith in the late 20th century. The whole piece was decorated with tessellated black marble and solid brass inlaid Greek key pattern. The low...

Category

1980s Philippine Greek Revival Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Brass

Swedish Rococo Black Painted Fall Front Bureau, Circa 1770
Swedish Rococo Black Painted Fall Front Bureau, Circa 1770

Swedish Rococo Black Painted Fall Front Bureau, Circa 1770

Located in Kastrup, DK

Swedish Rococo fall front bureau crafted in the distinctive Scandinavian Rococo style, featuring elegantly curved sides and balanced proportions. The fall front opens to reveal a bea...

Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Italian Venetian Hand Painted Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Mid-Century Italian Venetian Hand Painted Chinoiserie Secretary Desk

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

Victorian Mahogany Fall Front Secretaire Desk, Antique, 1890
Victorian Mahogany Fall Front Secretaire Desk, Antique, 1890

Victorian Mahogany Fall Front Secretaire Desk, Antique, 1890

Located in Leicester, GB

This is a wonderful English antique fall front secretary desk with Mahogany finish. The secretaire is elegantly designed with beautiful sculpted feet. Beautiful colour and patina to ...

Category

1890s British Victorian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany, Pine

Late 18th-Century Swedish Secretary, c. 1780-90
Late 18th-Century Swedish Secretary, c. 1780-90

Late 18th-Century Swedish Secretary, c. 1780-90

Located in Kastrup, DK

Beautiful Gustavian secrétaire desk / bureau crafted in oak and finished in a decorative light blue hue with an attractive patina. The piece is constructed in two sections, with an ...

Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass, Iron

Burl & Carved Walnut Slant Front Marquetry Secretary Desk c1900
Burl & Carved Walnut Slant Front Marquetry Secretary Desk c1900

Burl & Carved Walnut Slant Front Marquetry Secretary Desk c1900

Located in Big Flats, NY

This exquisite antique secretary desk, crafted circa 1900, showcases a sophisticated combination of burl walnut and carved walnut construction. The piece features a distinctive slant...

Category

Early 20th Century Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Antique Danish Oak Secretary Desk with Marquetry Interior, Early 19th Century
Antique Danish Oak Secretary Desk with Marquetry Interior, Early 19th Century

Antique Danish Oak Secretary Desk with Marquetry Interior, Early 19th Century

Located in Odense, DK

A charming antique Danish secretary desk crafted in oak during the early 19th century. The piece features a classic fall-front writing surface that opens to reveal an exceptionally d...

Category

Early 19th Century Danish Georgian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Oak

Antique German Biedermeier Secretaire, Cherrywood & Burlwood, 1820
Antique German Biedermeier Secretaire, Cherrywood & Burlwood, 1820

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. The ...

Category

Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Metal, Brass

Chinoiserie Motif Gilt-Decorated and Ebonized Wood Secretary
Chinoiserie Motif Gilt-Decorated and Ebonized Wood Secretary

Chinoiserie Motif Gilt-Decorated and Ebonized Wood Secretary

Located in Astoria, NY

Chinoiserie Motif Gilt-Decorated and Ebonized Wood Secretary, with horses, figural, and courtyard decoration, the top portion with two doors opening to shelves above a fall front des...

Category

20th Century Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Paint

Swedish Gustavian Style Roll Top Secretary Cabinet
Swedish Gustavian Style Roll Top Secretary Cabinet

Swedish Gustavian Style Roll Top Secretary Cabinet

Located in Atlanta, GA

A beautifully crafted Swedish Gustavian style roll top secretary cabinet finished in a rich hand-painted black that highlights its elegant architectural form. The tambour writing sur...

Category

20th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Danish Rococo Secretaire, Circa 1760
Danish Rococo Secretaire, Circa 1760

Danish Rococo Secretaire, Circa 1760

Located in Atlanta, GA

A refined 18th century Danish rococo secretaire featuring beautifully shaped proportions and elegant architectural detailing characteristic of Scandinavian rococo furniture. Repainte...

Category

1760s Danish Rococo Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Biedermeier Walnut Secretaire, Antique Desk from Germany, Circa 1830
Biedermeier Walnut Secretaire, Antique Desk from Germany, Circa 1830

Biedermeier Walnut Secretaire, Antique Desk from Germany, Circa 1830

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 à Abattant, Walnut & Marble, Circa 1810
French Empire Secrétaire à Abattant, Walnut & Marble, Circa 1810

French Empire Secrétaire à Abattant, Walnut & Marble, Circa 1810

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

Early 19th Century French Provincial Pine Secretary
Early 19th Century French Provincial Pine Secretary

Early 19th Century French Provincial Pine Secretary

Located in Astoria, NY

An early 19th century French Provincial pine secretary, sourced in Provence, France. Constructed in solid pine and retaining a warm, naturally aged surface, the piece has a beautiful...

Category

1820s French French Provincial Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine

French Louis XVI Period Carved Oak Slant-Front Secretary Desk, Liège, Late 18th
French Louis XVI Period Carved Oak Slant-Front Secretary Desk, Liège, Late 18th

French Louis XVI Period Carved Oak Slant-Front Secretary Desk, Liège, Late 18th

Located in Atlanta, GA

A finely carved French Louis XVI period slant-front secretary desk, crafted in natural oak in the Liège region during the late 18th century. This elegant secrétaire à abattant displa...

Category

18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Oak

Antique Gentleman's Bureau, English, Walnut, Writing Desk, Secretaire, Georgian
Antique Gentleman's Bureau, English, Walnut, Writing Desk, Secretaire, Georgian

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 Early American 19th Century Pine Plantation Desk
Antique Early American 19th Century Pine Plantation Desk

Antique Early American 19th Century Pine Plantation Desk

Located in Forney, TX

An early American 19th century pine plantation desk with nicely aged patina. Born in the Mid-Atlantic region / Southern United States, circa 1800s, hand-crafted of solid pine wood with mellow warm tone and rich grain patterns, one-piece construction, having a stepped molded cornice above a tall pair of paneled cabinet doors, opening to reveal an interior fitted with shelves and divided slots for documents, plank boarded back with old metal patch, over a lift-top writing slope with spacious storage underneath, the apron adorned with simple decorative pilasters...

Category

19th Century American Rustic Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine

Antique Fall Front Bureau, English, Walnut, Writing Cabinet, Georgian, C.1750
Antique Fall Front Bureau, English, Walnut, Writing Cabinet, Georgian, C.1750

Antique Fall Front Bureau, English, Walnut, Writing Cabinet, Georgian, C.1750

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

This is a large antique fall-front bureau. An English, walnut six-drawer writing cabinet, dating to the Georgian period, circa 1750. Presenting refined 18th century craftsmanship, th...

Category

1750s British Georgian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Danish Rosewood Secretary Desk, 1960s
Danish Rosewood Secretary Desk, 1960s

Danish Rosewood Secretary Desk, 1960s

Located in Nørre Aaby, DK

Danish-designed rosewood secretary desk from the 1960s, featuring a drop-down writing surface that provides a practical workspace when opened. The desk offers three spacious drawers ...

Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Rosewood

Early 20th century Dutch Marquetry Trumeau Library Cabinet with Drop-Front Desk
Early 20th century Dutch Marquetry Trumeau Library Cabinet with Drop-Front Desk

Early 20th century Dutch Marquetry Trumeau Library Cabinet with Drop-Front Desk

Located in Tarry Town, NY

Early 20th century Dutch marquetry trumeau library cabinet with drop-front desk, finely crafted in burl walnut and richly decorated with detailed floral marquetry inlay throughout. T...

Category

1930s Dutch Baroque Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Walnut, Burl

19th Century Venetian Lacquer Painted Secretary Bookcase Desk
19th Century Venetian Lacquer Painted Secretary Bookcase Desk

19th Century Venetian Lacquer Painted Secretary Bookcase Desk

Located in Rio Vista, CA

An elegant and imposing late 19th century two-part Italian secretary bookcase cabinet or desk crafted in the Venetian and Rococo Revival period styles. The piece features a beautiful...

Category

Late 19th Century Italian Rococo Revival Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Lacquer, Paint, Glass

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.