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Secretaires For Sale
Period: 20th Century
Period: 19th Century
Fine Antique French Louis XV Marquetry Rosewood Ormolu Secretaire Abattant 1880
Located in Portland, OR
A very fine quality antique French Louis XV rosewood, marquetry, ormolu and marble topped secretaire abattant, circa 1880. The serpentine shaped secretary is modeled as a semainier (...
Category

1880s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Ferdinando Pogliani Atrib. 19th Century Restored
By Ferdinando Pogliani
Located in Madrid, ES
Ferdinando Pogliani Atrib. Amazing Italian Secretaire 19th Century. Perfect condition. RESTORED Wood, precious stones Measures: 170cm x 104cm...
Category

19th Century Italian Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Precious Stone, Wood

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

Mid Century English Pine Farmhouse Slant Top Standing Desk Dresser Secretary 59"
Located in Dayton, OH
Charming mid 20th century slant top desk, dresser or secretary. A fun cross between an old standing desk and chifferobe. Features a large slant top that can be used for work or dis...
Category

Mid-20th Century Rustic Secretaires

Materials

Pine

French 19th Century Inlaid Walnut Louis Philippe Fall Front Secretary
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Elegant and functional French 19th Century secretaire desk with stunning inlaid walnut marquetry. The fold down writing surface has the original embossed leather writing surface in ...
Category

19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Swedish Gustavian 19th Century Painted Secretary
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A generously sized 19th century secretary desk from Sweden, made in the Gustavian style, with a striking painted finish of ruddy, patinated oxblood enveloping the pine construction. ...
Category

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine

Danish vintage teak secretary, vanity /Make up table By Arne Wahl Iversen, 1960
Located in Gaggenau, DE
Midcentury Danish vintage teak secretary, vanity /Make up table By Arne Wahl Iversen, 1960s Usable as: desk / office / secretary / closet / dresser / Make up Table Dimensions: 45 ...
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Teak

Vintage Mahogany Secretary with Flip Down Desk and Storage
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Vintage wood tall secretary having pretty flat front with carved wood decoration and urn shape in the center. Lovely grain and particularly narrow depth. Turned legs have a lower tie...
Category

1940s American Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

1940's Traditional Burl Wood Secretary/ Desk
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Beautiful Grand Scale 1940's Traditional style Burl Wood Secretary/ Writing Desk. This secretary is in very good condition. Miami Beach acquisition.
Category

1940s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Palatial Early 20th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Parquetry Bureau-François Linke
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Very Special and Palatial Early 20th Century Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Mahogany and Bois Satine Parquetry Bureau a Cylindre By François Linke François Linke – Index Numbe...
Category

Early 20th Century French Belle Époque Secretaires

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Superb 19th Century French Empire Escritoire
Located in Dallas, TX
Marvelous 19th century French Empire three-drawer escritoire with lovely Breche africaine marble top. Having detailed bronze mounts in urn and floral motifs, columnar supports with p...
Category

19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

19th Century Swedish Painted Pine Secretary
Located in Round Top, TX
It is the aged and scraped patina of the original brown painted finish that draws one to this pine secretary with graceful Swedish country charm. Desktop rests on two extended arms. ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Country Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine, Paint

All Oak "Secrétaire" Desk by Pierre Cruège, France 1950's
Located in New York, NY
French reconstruction designer Pierre Cruège's forme libre masterpiece bureau with abattant. Rare natural oak version Brass details Inside the desk compartment, a letter rack and ...
Category

1950s French Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Mod. 63 Sekretär Schreibtisch Teak Kai Kristiansen HNJ Møbel / Tørring Møbelfabr
Located in Aachen, DE
Klassischer dänischer Sekretär Kai Kristiansen für Torring / HJN Mobler in hervorragendem Zustand. Eventuelle Beieinträchtigungen der Oberfläche werden von uns vor Auslieferung fachg...
Category

1950s Danish Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Teak

Antique British Colonial Campaign Chest Secretary
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome 19th century campaign chest secretary handcrafted in mahogany in a two-piece construction featuring a pull-out leather top secretary ...
Category

Late 19th Century English Campaign Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Midcentury French Style Black Lacquer Chinoiserie Secretary Desk / Cabinet
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a midcentury French style hand painted chinoiserie secretary with a unique bombe form base and glass top. It works so well for both display and functional desk. It is unmarke...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Glass, Lacquer

20th Century Dutch Trumeau Walnut with Maple Wood Inlays, Netherlands, 1950
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Dutch Trumeau from the mid-20th century. Furniture of exceptional quality, richly inlaid in walnut and maple wood, the interior is covered in mahogany an...
Category

1950s Dutch Dutch Colonial Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Maple, Walnut, Fir

19th Century French Empire Abattant Secretary Desk in Flame Mahogany Drop Down
Located in Atlanta, GA
This French Empire Abattant Secretary Desk from the late 19th century is a striking piece of furniture, crafted from flame mahogany. The abattant (drop...
Category

1890s Empire Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

Exquisite Biedermeier Secretaire, Germany, c. 1825–1830
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Exquisite Biedermeier Secretaire, Germany, c. 1825–1830 This exceptional Biedermeier secretaire, crafted in Germany between 1825 and 1830, embodies the elegance and refinement of th...
Category

1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Rosewood and Iron Fall Front Secretary or Writing Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Fantastic marriage of styles with this Danish rosewood secretary desk. The top is traditional fall front, a clean lined somewhat dimure Scandinavian piece. It opens to reveal maple c...
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Iron

Antique French Napoleon III Inlaid Ormolu Marble Top Secretaire Desk Chest 1860
Located in Portland, OR
An exceptional French antique Napoleon III inlaid ebonized & ormolu mounted marble top secretaire chest, circa 1860. This superb antique French secretaire abattant has a black & white veined marble top, with a reverse breakfront gilded bronze frieze below, the front of the secretaire is very finely inlaid with Mother-of-Pearl & gilt bronze 'rope twist' decoration. The chest has eight drawer fronts with gilded cast bronze garland decorated lock escutcheons, three of the drawers are dummy & form the fall front for the pull down secretary, which has the original blue velvet writing surface and engraved lock-plate. The interior is made of the finest flame grained satinwood and has two drawers with lozenge shaped inlay, the top of the chest with a pair of very finely cast gilt bronze caryatid brackets, the base with a corresponding pair of gilt bronze acanthus shaped brackets. The secretaire is raised on turned bun feet with gilt bronze mounts and a shaped skirt also with a gilt bronze mount, the sides of the chest with inlaid bronze stringing. Condition is excellent, this exceptional French antique secretary chest...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

Antique Painted Gustavian Grey/White Secretary with Fall-Front & Birch Interior
Located in Miami, FL
A very lovely Louis Philippe fall-front secretary in pine with a light Gustavian-grey/white painted finish, and original French-polished birch wood interior. Features a carved bonnet...
Category

Mid-19th Century German Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

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

Oiled Medium Walnut Mid Century Modern Art Deco Drop Down Desk Secretary Cabinet
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Square shape lines Mid Century Danish modern drop down front secretary desk console table with large Art Deco style Pulls and storage cabinet on the bottom.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires

Materials

Aluminum

19th Century Empire / Biedermeier Walnut Secretaire
Located in Darmstadt, DE
A beautiful small secretary made of walnut veneer and solid walnut from the Biedermeier / Empire period at the beginning of the 19th century. The secretary is covered on the outside ...
Category

Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Danish Teak Secretary Desk with Hidden Vanity Mirror
Located in Oakland, CA
Danish teak secretary desk crafted of teak with book-matched grain across the drawers. The secretary features a pull-out writing surface over three drawers. A pair of sliding glass c...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Teak

English 19th Century Mahogany Secretary with Broken Pediment, Ebonized Inlay
Located in Atlanta, GA
English 19th Century Mahogany Secretary with Broken Pediment, Ebonized Inlay and Splayed Feet
Category

19th Century English Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

20th Century Inlaid Wood Genoese Trumeau Desk, 1930s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Elegant Genoese trumeau of the first half of the 20th century. Double body furniture of high-quality inlaid kingwood, rosewood and burl. Lower body with bureau having three external ...
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Antique Mahogany Secretary Desk with Brass Shelf Railing and Carved Front
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Antique Mahogany Secretary Desk with Brass Gallery Shelf Rail. It was made most likely before the 1880s. We base the age on the hardwar...
Category

19th Century Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Sleek Danish Mid Century Modern Designer Secretary Desk
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Danish Design Danish glossy veneer secretary attributed Erling Torvits for Klim Møbelfabrik. This secretary has a hinged leaf that drops down and becomes a sturdy desktop. Inside the...
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Wood

English Sheraton Mahogany Secretary
Located in Queens, NY
English Sheraton style (19th century) mahogany inlaid secretary with 2 lattice doors.
Category

19th Century Sheraton Antique Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

Early 19th Century Mahogany Empire Secretary Bureau from Denmark
Located in Round Top, TX
Rich mahogany and stately lines define this handsome Empire drop front secretary. Refer to close up photos to appreciate the stunning color and pattern of the mahogany veneer. Multip...
Category

Early 19th Century Danish Empire Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Chinese Two-Pieces Furniture with Table and Cupboard with Doors and Drawers
Located in Marbella, ES
Chinese Two-Pieces Furniture with Table and Cupboard with Doors and Drawers
Category

Late 20th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Metal

Danish Modern Bookcase Room Divider w Desk by Arne Hovmand Olsen
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Rare Arne Hovmand Olsen Freestanding Shelf Unit or Room Divider with Drop Down Secretary Desk or Bar Cabinet. 41w 14d 79h
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Antique French Charles X Secretary/Secrétaire à Abattant in Mahogany, c. 1825
Located in Miami, FL
A Charles X secrétaire à abattant in mahogany, France, circa 1825. Fall-front has original counter weight for ease in lowering and closing. Dark green tooled leather on desk top appe...
Category

1820s French Charles X Antique Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

George III 19th C Style Burl Walnut Double Bonnet Secretary Desk Cabinet
Located in Jensen Beach, FL
An incredible stately burl walnut George III 19th Century style secretary by Burton Chiang. The doors open to this grand piece to reveal a slew of secret cubby pigeon holes, secret d...
Category

Late 20th Century American George III Secretaires

Materials

Hardwood

19th Century Scandinavian Birch Empire Bureau Secretary with Bookcase, c. 1820
Located in Miami, FL
A very fine Scandinavian Empire/Biedermeier secretary in beautiful birch wood with mahogany interior, Denmark, circa 1820. The highly sculptural form makes this piece an outstanding ...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Empire Antique Secretaires

Materials

Birch

Maison Gouffé Paris French Transitional Louis XV XVI Secrétaire Bookcase Cabinet
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and stunning fine quality French Transitional Tulipwood, Kingwood, ormolu, Brocatelle Violette secrétaire bookcase by renowned Parisian cabinetmaker Maison Gouffé. circa 1925 ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

Art Deco Secretary Cabinet in Black Lacquer with Mirrored Interior, France 1930s
Located in Ulm, DE
This striking Art Deco secretary cabinet — crafted in France during the 1930s — is a quintessential example of the era’s refined glamour and design ingenuity. Finished in a luxurious...
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Lacquer, Mirror, Beech

Early 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Writing Bureau or Secretaire
Located in Kramfors, SE
Painted writing bureau or secretaire from Sweden made during the early 1800s, 1810 to 1820. The bureau is a folk art furniture from the area Hälsingland in Sweden and is made in gustavian style. The bureau is a prime example of the Swedish gustavian period with clean, elegant lines and a timeless expression. A fun detail is the secret compartment hidden in the middle of the interior, see picture. This bureau is a solid antique furniture...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine

Rare Northern Swedish Antique Pine Secretary Clock Desk
Located in Kramfors, SE
Rare Swedish antique clock secretary desk made around 1820 to 1840 in northern Sweden. The desk and body of the clock are made by hand in solid ...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Country Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine

Empire style secretary desk in flamed mahogany in the style of Aldo Tura work
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
Empire style secretary desk in flamed mahogany and bronze locks. This is an Italian work in the style of Aldo Tura. Circa 1970
Category

1970s Italian Neoclassical Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

20th Century Inlaid Wood Italian in Louis XV Style Trumeau Desk, 1960s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Italian trumeau from 20th century. Louis XV style furniture nicely inlaid in walnut, maple and fruitwood. Double body trumeau equipped with two drawers and fall-front in the lower pa...
Category

1960s Italian Louis XV Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Wood

1940's Italian Secretaire with Reverse Painted Glass
Located in Hanover, MA
Golden birch veneered drop front secretary desk with three drawers and reverse painted glass panel of stylized Egyptian women and a chariot...
Category

1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Birch

Bonheur du Jour, litterally "Happiness of the Day" Desk in Boulle Marquetry
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This beautiful Bonheur du Jour, litterally "Happiness of the day" desk is made of a Boulle marquetry. Tiered upper part, opening with two medallion doors and two small drawers. Lower...
Category

1880s French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Early Swedish 19th Century Rococo Secretary
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Early 19th Century Rococo secretary. With a decorative carved pediment with two doors opening to storage. With a fall front desk opening to writing space. With drawers below two sh...
Category

19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Swedish Two-Piece Teak Cabinet or Secretary Desk by Børge Mogensen
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This Swedish two-piece teak cabinet, designed by Børge Mogensen and manufactured by Karl Andersson in the 1960s, is a stunning piece of furniture. The top compartment features a drop-down door that cleverly converts into a secretary desk, along with two adjustable shelves and three drawers. Meanwhile, the lower compartment boasts two sliding doors with beautifully handcrafted handles, concealing two more adjustable shelves. This professionally refinished cabinet...
Category

1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Vintage Mid-Century Modern Mengel Drop Front Secretary Desk by Raymond Loewy
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome vintage Mid-Century Modern Mengel drop front secretary desk by Raymond Loewy. Comprised of an oak case, cerused oak drawer fronts, and blac...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires

Materials

Metal

Wooden Mid-Century Modern Drop off Wall Secretaire Attributed to Marcel Gascoin
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Wooden wall secretaire with drop-off top desk, made in the 1950s. The design and workmanship of this secretaire is very reminiscent of the works of Marcel Gascoin made between 1949 ...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Metal

19th Century Danish Biedermeier Bureau Secretary Desk
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This early 19th century mahogany Biedermeier secretary bureau was made in two sections, circa 1830. The top section has a superstructure with a straight cornice over a pair of serpen...
Category

19th Century Danish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century French Louis XV Style Floral Marquetry and Gilt Bronze Writing Desk
Located in Miami, FL
A very fine and well-proportioned 19th century French Louis XV style ladies desk. The case is veneered with marquetry decoration and embelli...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

19thc French Painted Secretary
Located in New Orleans, LA
Beautiful 19thc Robin’s egg blue secretary/fall front desk.
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

French Secretaire , Bureau à pente / d’âne Louis XV
Located in Valladolid, ES
One of a kind and very refined French piece , a Louis XV Bureau à Pente / Secretaire ,made in France at the beginning of the 19th century. Entirely veneered in extraordinary preciou...
Category

Early 1800s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

MCM Jack Van Der Molen Secretary Desk and Dresser for Vanleigh
Located in Medina, OH
MCM Jack Van Der Molen Secretary Desk and Dresser for Vanleigh. The first drawer pulls out as a writing desk, the second drawer is also narrow but is a regular drawer. There are also...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires

Materials

Oak

19th Century Louis XV Style Burlwood Ormolu Mounted Lady’s Desk
Located in Vero Beach, FL
French 19th century Louis XV style Burlwood Ormolu Mounted Lady’s Desk. Elegant French burlwood and ormolu mounted Lady’s cylinder desk. The single door cabinet is raised by slend...
Category

19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires

Materials

Ormolu

Edwardian Bureau Secretary 4 Drawers Chest with Original Mirror, circa 1920s
Located in Germantown, MD
C. 1920s American Oak 4 drawers bureau secretary Chest of drawers with original mirror. Mirror shows some spots of aging marks in glass. Very nice carvings in front drawer doors an...
Category

Early 20th Century American Edwardian Secretaires

Materials

Maple, Oak

19th Century Federal Period Duncan Phyfe Style Flame Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
Rare and important antique American early 19th century figured mahogany "Duncan Phyfe" style flap-top secretary bookcase with gorgeous lyre-shaped glazed doors. Color of mahogany has...
Category

Early 19th Century American Neoclassical Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Vintage French Louis XVI Style Cherry Abbatant Secretary Desk for Bloomingdales
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Louis XVI Style Cherry Wood Abbatant Secretary Desk for Bloomingdale's. Item features 2 dovetailed drawers with lined interior, working locks and key, green tooled leather top writing surface, original label which reads "Made expressly for Bloomingdale...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Louis XV Secretaires

Materials

Cherry

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.

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