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Secretaires For Sale
Period: 20th Century
Period: 19th Century
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
Danish Modern Rosewood Secretary Desk by Erling Torvits, 1960s.
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish Modern Rosewood/palisander Secretaire by Erling Torvits, 1960s.
Stunning Rosewood bureau designed by Danish architect Erling Torvits for Klim Møbelfabrik, Denmark. Th...
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Rosewood
French 19th Century Secretaire
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This Louis-Philippe Secretaire Desk is made of blond flamed mahogany with a Sainte-Anne marble top with a lot of drawers.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Materials
Marble
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
Vintage Danish Mid Century Modern Teak Secretary Desk
Located in Gardiner, NY
Authentic vintage mid century Danish / Scandinavian Modern teak secretary desk / dresser / chest of drawers.
This piece is in excellent refinished condition with very few signs of a...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Teak
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
19C Large Irish Georgian Style Secretary Bookcase
Located in Dallas, TX
PRESENTING a STUNNING 19C Large Irish Georgian Style Secretary Bookcase.
From circa 1850-60 and most definitely, “IRISH”.
Made of gorgeous flamed Cuban mahogany which would have been imported from the British Colonies at the end of the 18th Century and early 19th Century.
This piece of is of IMPRESSIVE PROPORTIONS.
It is a real STATEMENT piece and of EXTREMELY HIGH QUALITY.
It has a very ‘Regency Style’ pelmet or crown with egg and dart moldings under a very straight line crown.
The top section consists of a 4 door bookcase, each with 3 shelving areas. It appears to retain it’s original glass, but it could likewise have been replaced at some time during it’s long life, as it is very rare to find pieces that have not suffered breakages over 150+ years.
Each bookcase door still retains the original moldings to the front with a star shape above and below a central circular viewing panel.
Each section is separated by a carved and fluted roman column/pillar.
The bookcase section rests on top of the base, which consists of a beautiful central secretaire desk accessed by drop down front with working lock and key and rests on 2 pull out rests on either side. The secretary portion has a central tabernacle, with an inlaid oval satinwood medallion above another scallop shell drawer. It has 6 smaller drawers and 8 cubbies. The 2 pillars on either side of the central tabernacle are secret drawers and pull out. The curved crowns above the cubbies on either side are likewise secret drawers and pull out.
Either side of the secretary there are 2 drawers (4 total) with a press or cupboard underneath.
Under the secretary there are 4 large central drawers.
The brasses and hardware are all original to the piece (save 2 extra hinges that have been attached to the drop down secretary to give it more support and stability.
Again, each section is separated by a turned and fluted column/pillar which replicates the 2 side pillars to the central tabernacle of the secretary.
The piece sits on 8 curved feet.
This was an extremely high quality piece when made. This is also supported by the fact that the secondary woods are also mahogany and not pine or oak for slightly lesser quality pieces of the era.
This piece is specifically identifiable as an Irish Georgian Style piece by virtue of the scallop shell moldings on the base side presses (see photos).
Irish Georgian furniture...
Category
Mid-19th Century Irish George III Antique Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Mahogany, Satinwood
A W N Pugin Attri, Gothic Revival Oak Davenport with Linenfold & Floral Carving
Located in London, GB
A W N Pugin attributed,
A Gothic Revival Oak Davenport with finely executed carved gallery to the top and a sloping writing area opening to reveal storage...
Category
1860s English Gothic Revival Antique Secretaires
Materials
Oak
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
Biedermeier Secretary Desk, South German, 1820
Located in Belmont, MA
Biedermeier secretary desk, South German 1820. This unique and very beautiful secretary desk dates back to the early phase of the Biedermeie...
Category
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Elm, Walnut
Dorothy Draper Lacquered Viennese Secretary Desk for Henredon, circa 1963
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Everyone can have a taste of iconic Dorothy Draper Hollywood Regency style with this perfectly sized and oh so elegant Viennese Collection Secretaries Desk Breakfront. Regal. Whimsical and gregarious flair. The scroll cornice of the cabinet recalls some of the mill work Dorothy designated in her iconic hotel design work. A more petite version of Dorothy Draper's Viennese China...
Category
1960s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Brass
Fine Hand-Painted Venetian 19th Century Secretaire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Outstanding example of a Venetian bureau bookcase, or secretaire, having a serpentine cornice surmounted by foliate carving, over double cupboard doors inset with arched mirrors, fal...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Secretaires
Black Lacquer Hand Painted Chinoiserie Black Lacquer Secretary Writing Desk
Located in Chattanooga, TN
This incomparable slant-front chinoiserie black lacquer secretary desk depicts a serene, traditional Asian motif from head to toe. The gold and greens appear as mystical and radiant...
Category
1970s American Chinoiserie Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Italian Designer, Desk, Teak, Brass, Italy, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A teak and brass desk or secretaire designed and produced by an Italian Designer, Italy, 1940s.
Category
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Model 63 Drop Front Teak Secretary Desk by Kai Kristiansen
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Denmark
Designer: Kai Kristiansen
Manufacturer: HNJ Møbel / Tørring Møbelfabrik
Era: 1960s
Materials: Teak
Measurements: 35" wide x 17" deep x 42.5" tall
Condition: I...
Category
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Teak
19th Century Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
19th Century Conical Shape Secretary,
Germany, 1820
This fine Biedermeier secretary made of mahogany is a real gem for every lover of antique furniture. With a height of 194 cm, a width of 106 cm and a length of 52 cm, it offers plenty of storage space with its five spacious drawers. The elegant mahogany finish and conical shape make it a real eye-catcher in any room. This 1820 original is free standing and in excellent condition. Carefully restored and hand-polished with shellac. A real highlight for anyone looking for antique furniture.Frame dimensions at top 95 cm, bottom 103 cm.The attachment with gable, underneath a hidden compartment, is opened with a compression spring. Very nice cabinet with 10 drawers...
Category
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
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
Biedermeier secretary, Western Europe, around 1840.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Biedermeier secretary, Western Europe, around 1840.
Furniture in very good condition, after professional renovation.
Wood: mahogany
dimensions height 169 cm width 106 cm depth 59 cm
Category
1840s Unknown Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
A rare wall-mounted secretary desk - 1950s French Reconstruction Style
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A rare 1950s wall-mounted secretary desk in the French Reconstruction style. Crafted from solid oak and oak veneer, this piece combines elegance and functionality. Its drop-down fron...
Category
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Oak
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
Louis XV Style Folding Desk with One Drawer, 1950
Located in Miami, FL
Louis XV style folding desk with one drawer. An exceptional Louis XV style desk, made of early Italian antique oak wood.
This piece screams high quality. Beautiful grain and patina....
Category
Mid-20th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Bright and Beautiful Italian-Made Rococo Paint Decorated Secretary Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a stunning and absolutely charming bright creme and green trimmed paint decoration. The interior reveals cubbies and a nice patina from age to both the case, the interior and...
Category
1950s Italian Rococo Revival Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
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
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
20th Century Inlaid Wood French Bureau Desk, 1960
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
French bureau with high leg from the 20th century. Furniture finished for the center veneered in walnut, rosewood, mahogany and fruitwood adorned with floral inlay. Bureau equipped w...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Swedish Secretary with Marquetry
Located in New York, NY
A masterpiece of symmetry, the cantilevered sides of the body meet the rectangular working surface, creating a setback for the upper writing surface. Crafted of Nordic birch and fir,...
Category
1920s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Birch
Unique Venetian Italian Paint Decorated Secretary Desk with Bookcase Circa 1890s
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
For customers that require professional insured delivery we are proud to have teamed up with a nationwide professional delivery company that will assist with coordinating your delive...
Category
1890s Italian Neoclassical Revival Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Empire Mahogany Bureau Secretary with Bookcase
Located in Miami, FL
A very fine Empire secretary in West Indies mahogany, also known as Cuban mahogany, considered to be among the finest mahoganies because of its beautiful grain and color, Denmark, circa 1820.
Cylinder top opens to a pull-out desk which offers an adjustable baize-lined lectern or writing surface flanked by sliding storage compartments, as well as a series of small interior drawers around a central cabinet. Above the desk, are three cupboards with bowed doors, the central one featuring a pediment top. Below the pull-out desk drawer, there are three long storage...
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Ancient secretary, Northern Europe, circa 1850.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Impressive secretary from the mid-19th century in Biedermeier style. Antique furniture with a more beautiful form will add elegance to any interior. A representative piece of furnitu...
Category
Mid-19th Century Scandinavian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Russian Neoclassic Mahogany Secretaire Chest
Located in Queens, NY
Russian Neoclassical (Early 19th Century) ormolu, & white marble mounted ebonized & mahogany secrétaire commode with top drawer desk and upper section.
Category
19th Century Russian Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
English Satinwood Painted Bureau Bookcase
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th Century English Satinwood secretary/bookcase. Two astragal glazed doors above open to reveal two adjustable shelves for display, a fall front opening to reveal a fully fitted in...
Category
Early 19th Century English Sheraton Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Exuberantly Carved Oak French Louis XV Secretary Desk Circa 1900
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a fantastic and unbelievably exuberantly carved solid oak secretary desk with frolicking cherubs and incredible carving for an oak desk. Usually this kind of crisp carving is...
Category
Early 1900s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Materials
Oak
French Ebonized Burled Walnut Secretary Desk Bookcase with Sevres Style Figures
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a superb, extremely ornate and intricately designed Napoleonic style writing desk with bookcase top. The desk is crafted of burled walnut, bronze and porcelain Sevres style f...
Category
1880s French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
Spanish Fall-Front Secretary Desk in Carved Oak, Spain, circa 1950
Located in Miami, FL
Mid 20th century walnut Spanish fall-front secretary with molded carvings in drawers and doors.
Measures: Height from the floor to the open leaf: 32.40in.
Category
Mid-20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Secretaires
Materials
Oak
1950 Compact Home Office Desk in walnut and Blond Wood
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
1950 compact home office desk in walnut and blond wood.
Original lamp.
Interesting desk storage.
114 x 82 x 53 cm closed.
114 x 164 x 50 cm open.
Category
1950s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Sycamore, Walnut
Painted Italian Secretary Bookcase
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a lovely, decorative Italian secretary, painted overall with floral sprays against a pale yellow ground with light blue demarcations. The dom...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Other Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Arts & Crafts Quartersawn Oak Secretary
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A beautifully crafted Arts & Crafts secretary desk in richly figured quartersawn oak, showcasing the movement’s signature emphasis on honest materials and craftsmanship. Features inc...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Arts and Crafts Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Chest of Drawers / Secretary in Dutch Style Marquetry Holland Design
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Chest of drawers in Dutch style from the beginning of the century.
Entirely inlaid with floral decoration, with brass handles and a lion paw shaped base.
The upper part consists of...
Category
1910s Dutch Dutch Colonial Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Modernist Pander Cabinet
Located in Dronten, NL
Beautiful Mid-Century Modern cabinet made by Pander & Zonen, renown Dutch manufacturer of high-end furniture in the first half of the 20th Century. Pander worked with important inter...
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Ash
COLLECTABLE 1940's ROBERT MOUSEMAN THOMPSON BUREAU DESK DRAWERS ORIGINAL RECEIPT
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning original Robert Mouseman Thompson custom made to order, fully restored Writing Bureau over a b...
Category
1940s English Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Mahogany Secretary Desk, Sweden, circa 1850
Located in Chorzów, PL
Impressive secretary from the mid-19th century in Biedermeier style. Antique furniture with a more beautiful form will add elegance to any interior. A representative piece of furnitu...
Category
Mid-19th Century Scandinavian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Vintage Beacon Hill Old Colony Federal Mahogany Tambour Door Secretary Desk
By Beacon Hill
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Beacon Hill Old Colony Federal Mahogany Tambour Door Secretary Desk. Item features a 3 part construction, working lock and key, flip top...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Federal Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Empire secretaire à abattant, France around 1810
Located in Greding, DE
Secretary in mahogany veneer with two-door bottom part as well as dark marble shelf and fire-gilded fittings. Behind the writing flap with brown leather there are more drawers and co...
Category
1810s French Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Vintage Thomasville Georgian Flame Mahogany Blockfront Secretary Desk
By Thomasville
Located in Germantown, MD
This Georgian style traditional block front secretary desk is matched flame grain mahogany is signed Thomasville
Original finish in fine c...
Category
Late 20th Century Georgian Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Meuble secrétaire scandinave danois vintage Tibergaard en teck des années 50 60
Located in BESANÇON, FR
Meuble de rangement secrétaire scandinave danois vintage des années 50 60, du designer Gunnar Nielsen Tibergaard (avec estampille Made in Denmark, Designed by Tibergaard), très belle...
Category
1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Teak
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
Fantastic Paint Decorated Faux Marble Interior Venetian Secretary Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is an extraordinary secretary desk in the Venetian style. The interior is done in faux marble paint decoration and the exterior is done in a floral and green combination. The de...
Category
Early 1900s Italian Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
20th Century Walnut, Burl, Beech, Mahogany Wood English Double Body Trumeau 1960
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
English trumeau of the 20th century. Double body funiture in walnut, burl, beech, mahogany and fruitwood. Lower body equipped with two smaller parallel drawers and two larger lower o...
Category
1960s English Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Wood
19th Century American Federal Secretary, Seymour School, Boston
By John & Thomas Seymour
Located in Essex, MA
Important American Federal Period Secretary. School of John and Thomas Seymour, Boston, circa 1820. Mahogany and Mahogany Veneered Case on Pine Secondary Wood. Two Gothic Fenestra...
Category
Early 19th Century American Federal Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
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
English 19th Century Mahogany Secretary with Dental Moulded Flat Cornince
Located in Atlanta, GA
English 19th Century Mahogany Secretary with Dental Moulded Flat Cornince and Splayed Feet
Category
19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Biedermeier Secretary, Austria, 19th Century
Located in Wrocław, Poland
This Biedermeier secretary comes from Austria and was made in 19th century. It is made of coniferous wood, veneered with maple wood. It has undergone a professional renovation proces...
Category
19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Maple
George III Mahogany Astral Glazed Secretaire Bookcase
Located in Basingstoke, Hampshire
An early 19th century astral glazed bureau bookcase of large proportions. Displaying a pair of astral glazed doors. The base houses four long drawers, on...
Category
Early 19th Century British George III Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
19th-Century Biedermeier Secretary
Date of Origin: 1825–1830, (Germany, Berlin)
Material: Pyramid Mahogany
This extraordinary 19th-century Secretary with an upper cabinet, crafted ...
Category
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Italian secretary attributed to Paolo Buffa circa 1950
By Paolo Buffa
Located in PARIS, FR
A beautiful Italian secretary attributed to Paolo Buffa circa 1950
Top with brass stars decorations
Nice condition
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Brass
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
Fine Red Chinoiserie Gold Leaf Italian-Made Rococo Venetian Secretary Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a fantastic, versatile and luminous Chinoiserie red and gold paint decorated secretary desk with a bookcase top. The desk is two pieces and does come apart and has a fantasti...
Category
1930s Italian Chinoiserie Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Dutch Renaissance Drop-Front Secretary Desk in Stripped Oak
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century Dutch Renaissance Drop-Front Secretary Desk in Stripped Oak adds both timeless style and whimsy in one piece! Shallower than most, it is ideal for efficient floor plans...
Category
Mid-19th Century Dutch Renaissance Revival Antique Secretaires
Materials
Oak
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.