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Secretaires For Sale
Period: 19th Century
Period: 1970s
Richly decorated, inlaid antique Italian secretary in Moorish style, circa 1860
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This highly decorative, museum-quality antique Italian secretary is beautifully adorned with intricate inlays featuring striking and decorative motifs. The piece has two doors with a...
Category
1860s Italian Moorish Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Petite Queen Anne Style 1880s Walnut Slant-Front Desk on Cabriole Legs
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A late 19th century Queen Anne style small walnut mini slant front desk on stand resting on graceful cabriole legs ending in pad feet. The slant drop front,...
Category
Late 19th Century Queen Anne Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Large Secretaire With Flap In Marquetry, Late 19th Century
By Jean-François Oeben
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Massive secretaire with flap in marquetry of cubes on the doors and sides and bronzes (partly gilded): the flap covered with leather inside opens on...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
English Mahogany Bureau Bookcase, 19th Century
Located in Dallas, TX
English mahogany bureau bookcase, having broken arch pediment above dentil molded cornice, the upper cabinet with hexagon glass mullion doors, the lower cabinet with fall front secre...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Materials
Blown Glass, Mahogany
Italian Renaissance Dressing Table 19th Century Hand Painted by Müller Morten
By P. E. Guerin
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Exquisite & stunning! This Italian renaissance Dressing table hand painted on all sides by Müller Morten circa 1860s.
A true work of art this dressing table, the paintings are on a...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
British Colonial Secretary Cabinet from Indonesia
Located in New York, NY
A tall Indonesian antique secretary with twin glass panel doors, mid-19th century. British Colonial style.
Polychromed teak wood in two tones of red, plus gilt accents. Three shel...
Category
Late 19th Century Indonesian British Colonial Antique Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Wood
1850s Aesthetic Secretaire in Birch Wood with Faux Bamboo Cane Decoration
Located in Marbella, ES
Elegant Aesthetic Movement-inspired vertical secretary desk made of birch wood, with bamboo-like marquetry on its frame and moldings. The piece features three large lower drawers, a ...
Category
19th Century German Aesthetic Movement Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
English Victorian Mahogany Secretaire
Located in Queens, NY
English Victorian (2nd Half of 19th Century) brass bound mahogany campaign style secretaire chest of drawers with fitted fall front drawer above 3 drawers
Category
19th Century British Victorian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Japanese Export Lacquer Mother-of-Pearl Secretaire for the American Market
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A rare Japanese export lacquered secretaire for the American market
Circa 1800-1830, Colonial
Overall densely decorated with flower sprays and landscapes, minutely inlaid with ...
Category
1810s Japanese Edo Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Late 19th Century Italian Walnut Burl Inlaid Louis XIV Secretary Drop Leaf Desk
Located in Encinitas, CA
Late 19th Century Italian Walnut Burl Inlaid Louis XIV Secretary Drop Leaf Desk.
Trim three-drawer bureau chest featuring secretary drop lid with lock and key revealing small drawers and compartments. Beautiful walnut veneers and solids with rosewood inlaid detail. Handsome hardware, hinges and pulls. Lock and key.
Due to the curved shape of the desk and components, some measures are a close approximation.
Exterior measures of the desk: 39" W x 20.5" D x 40.75" H
99.1 cm W x 52 cm D x 103.5 cm H
Opened drop lid desk...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Louis XIV Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Dutch Walnut Miniature Secretaire Bookcase, 18th Century
Located in Southall, GB
An 19th century Dutch walnut secretaire bookcase with undeniably striking colours. Several shelves open up to various platforms to provide a beautiful interior with a lock and key me...
Category
19th Century Dutch Dutch Colonial Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Antique Mahogany Secretary Chest
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A classic secretary chest finely crafted in mahogany. With a tall fall front top opening to a fitted interior with three small drawers above and below the serpentine cubby holes. The...
Category
19th Century Georgian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Large Empire Bureau Of Hand Polished Mahogany With Inlaid Wood from 1820s
Located in Lejre, DK
This grand Empire bureau is a testament to the exquisite craftsmanship of the 1820s, crafted from hand-polished mahogany adorned with intricate inlaid wood detailing. Its imposing pr...
Category
1820s Danish Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century French Louis Philippe Pine Secretary ~ Bookcase
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Louis Philippe Pine Secretary ~ Bookcase is an unusual combination of tailored elegance melded with a casual impression providing both storage and a work surface,...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
1850s Antique Cabinet with Bone Inlay and Handcrafted Details
Located in Marbella, ES
Exquisite antique cabinet with detailed ornamentation highlighted by bone inlays in geometric and floral patterns. The front features a central design evoking a tree of life, surroun...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bone, Wood
19th Century French Louis XV Marble Top Carved Walnut Marquetry Secretary Chest
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate an office or bedroom with this elegant antique "Secretaire a Abattant". Crafted in Paris circa 1870, the fruitwood secretary stands on cab...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Rare Victorian Flamed Hardwood Library Bookcase Secretaire Desk Chest of Drawers
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely Victorian flamed mahogany library bookcase with built in secrataire desk and chest of drawers
A good looking and multifunctional pie...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Hardwood
Antique Pine Roll Top Desk Bureau from Sweden circa 1840
Located in Round Top, TX
Lovely pine roll top desk or bureau from Sweden from the 1800's.
The age of this secretary is revealed in the warmth of the deep patina in the pine which only happens through genera...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Country Antique Secretaires
Materials
Pine
Louis XVI Style Secretary by H. Dasson, France, Circa 1880
By Henry Dasson
Located in PARIS, FR
A very fine Louis XVI style upright secretary, executed in veneered wood, finely decorated with painted medallions representing mythological scenes. Fine chiseled and gilded bronze m...
Category
1880s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Louis XV Style Ormolu Mounted Boulle Secretary Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th Century French Louis XV Style Ormolu Mounted Boulle Secretary Desk
Having a writing section along with a two door commode for mail secretary need...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass, Ormolu
Light Hardwood Library Bookcase Secrétaire Desk Brown Leather Surface
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to this stunning circa 1880 light mahogany library bookcase with secrétaire desk
A well made and collectable library bookcase. The top s...
Category
1880s English Victorian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Hardwood
19th Century French Marble-Top Secretaire Bronze Decoration Napoleon III Period
Located in Sofia, BG
French chiffonier forming secretary, inlaid with violet wood and rosewood, flap opening with four drawers with red marble top. Falling cuffs and keyh...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Swedish Secretaire Cupboard
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Swedish 19th Century painted secretaire cupboard in the Gustavian style.
This cupboard dates from the late 19th Century and consists of two cupboard doors below the secretaire fal...
Category
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Paint
Italian Lombardy Flower Inlaid Monetiere , in the manner of Maggiolini, Ca. 1820
Located in CH
Italian Lombardy Flower Inlaid Monetiere , in the manner of Maggiolini, Ca. 1820.
During the Neoclassical period Italian furniture was enriched with inlays of various kinds. Of the ...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Materials
Fruitwood
Rare Near Pair of Regency Bookcases
Located in Stamford, CT
A rare near pair of English Regency period secretary or bookcases with rosewood, ebony, mahogany and satinwood inlay. The fitted drawers in the fall front are slightly different in c...
Category
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Secretaires
Materials
Ebony, Mahogany, Rosewood, Satinwood
19th Century English Bonheur Du Jour Attributed To Gillows Of Lancaster
Located in Dublin, IE
A very fine 19th century Burr walnut, ebonised , ormolu and porcelain Bonheur du jour, the superstructure with pierced brass galleries above an open compartment with mirrored interio...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Ormolu
High mahogany secretary with marquetry and brass fittings from around the 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
High mahogany secretary with marquetry and brass fittings from around the 1840s.
Measurements in cm: H:215 W:104 D:52
Category
1840s Danish Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
19th C. Spanish Leather-Wrapped Secretary Cabinet on a Custom Iron Base
Located in Atlanta, GA
A 19th century Spanish secretary desk, on custom iron base. This antique case piece from Spain has a leather-wrapped exterior which is adorn in ...
Category
19th Century Spanish Antique Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Wood
Antique English Oak Secretary / Chest of Drawers
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered is this timeless and charming antique English oak secretary / chest of drawers with a beautiful interior.
With this versatile piece, you bring timeless charm into your home...
Category
19th Century Classical Roman Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Oak
Antique 19th Century Carved Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
Located in New Orleans, LA
This is an extremely handsome, well-carved secretary bookcase in fine condition. It will not fail to please.
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Russian Neoclassic Mahogany Secretaire
Located in Queens, NY
Russian Neoclassic (Late 18th/ Early 19th Century) ormolu mounted ebonized and mahogany secretaire cabinet with a Pair of doors above a fitted fall...
Category
Early 19th Century Russian Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century Louis XVI Floral Marquetry Writing Cabinet or Lady's Secrétaire
Located in Berlin, DE
19th Century Louis XVI Floral and Musical Instruments Marquetry Writing Cabinet or Lady's Secrétaire, also called "Bonheur du Jour"
A 19th century bonheur du jour writing cabinet o...
Category
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
19th Century English Ladies Writing Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century English ladies writing desk with finely painted satinwood. The desk has two drawers and two doors. The handles are sterling ...
Category
19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Materials
Sterling Silver
Empire Fall Top Desk, France, 1810
Located in Belmont, MA
Introducing a remarkable Empire Fall Top Desk, hailing from France during the period of 1800-1810. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this magn...
Category
Early 1800s European Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Danish Louis Philippe Empire Style Mahogany Secretary Desk
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Danish Louis Philippe Empire Style Mahogany Secretary Desk
This exquisite 19th-century secretary desk beautifully combines the influence of the Louis Philippe and Danish Emp...
Category
Late 19th Century Danish Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Metal
French Louis XV Secretary, circa 1850
Located in Evergreen, CO
Elegant and functional, this stunning quarter sawn oak secretary was crafted in France in the mid-19th century and is comprised of three pieces. It features a top shelf cabinet with ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Scricciolo Jewelry Case by Hans Von Klier for Planula Agliana, Italy, 70s
Located in Padova, IT
Designed by Hans von Klier for Planula Agliana Manufacturing. Jewelry case Scricciolo model.
Original jewelry box with a refined and innovative design. The structure is in wood painted in shades of blue and satin silver. Small drawers allow the orderly storage of jewels and small objects. Its design is the work of the Czechoslovakian designer Hans von Klier who actively collaborated with the well-known Italian architect Ettore Sottsass for the definition of the line of many Olivetti calculators...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Antique Louis XVI Style Ormolu and Sèvres Porcelain Mounted Secretaire
Located in London, GB
Antique Louis XVI style ormolu and Sèvres porcelain mounted secretaire
French, c. 1840
Height 127cm, width 76cm, depth 37cm
This magnificent ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century Davenport Secretaire
Located in Eindhoven, NL
Beautiful antique Davenport bureau in burl walnut. Light brown leather inlay with gold profiling. Under the writing surface there is 1 small drawer and 2 false drawer fronts. On the...
Category
1840s English Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Late 19th Century Spanish Walnut Bureau Bookcase ‘Secretaire’
Located in Miami, FL
A late 19th century Spanish Walnut Bureau bookcase ‘secretaire’ with fretwork open swan neck pediment, centred by a shaped finial, above a pair of doors, slant front enclosed writing...
Category
Late 19th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Special 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Inlaid Parquetry Secretaire a Abattant
By Jean-Henri Riesener
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Special Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Inlaid Parquetry Secretaire a Abattant
The shaped marble top above a long center frieze drawer with a large central bronze plaque of putti at play, the beautiful parquetry drop-down door centered with an elliptical gilt bronze panel depicting ”A Sacrifice to Love”, a classically dressed woman presenting an infant to Cupid, who stands on a pedestal, the plaque has ribbon tied flowers, the inside centered with a mirror surrounded by drawers and pigeonholes, the fall-front itself provides a black leather writing surface, the bottom doors opening to two more drawers and a shelf, the sides decorated with similar parquetry designs.
This piece is a copy of the 18th century Secretaire by Jean-Henri Riesener which is presently in the Wallace Collection...
Category
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Secretaires
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
19th Swedish Biedermeier Desk Made of Birch Wood and Rosewood
Located in Marbella, ES
19th Swedish Biedermeier Desk Made of Birch Wood and Rosewood
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
George III Diminutive English Mahogany Glazed Bookcase Bureau
Located in Staffordshire, GB
circa 1800
George III Diminutive English Mahogany Glazed Bookcase Bureau
sku 2040
Together W59 x D44 x H200 cm
Base W59 x D44 x H102 cm
Top W59 x D24 x H98 cm
Top internal shelf dept...
Category
19th Century Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Secretary in mahogany with brass fittings and Intarsia from the 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
German secretary of patinated elm wood with top and brass fittings decorated with marquetry from Berlin around the 1840s.
Dimensions in cm: H:207.5 W:...
Category
1840s German Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Antique English Walnut Glass-Front Secretary Bookcase, Circa 1880-1890
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English walnut glass-front secretary bookcase, circa 1880-1890.
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Walnut
19th Century Empire St. Mahogany, Ormolu, Bronze & Fruitwood Secretary
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most handsome Continental mid 19th century Empire st. mahogany, ormolu, patinated bronze and ebonized fruitwood drop front secretary. The secretary is raised by four square tapered...
Category
19th Century Unknown Empire Antique 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
ANTIQUE ViCTORIAN 1860 WALNUT SCRIBAN BUREAU BOOKCASE MUST SEE PICTURES
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning circa 1860-1880 Walnut framed Scriban bureau bookcase
Please note the delivery fe...
Category
1860s English High Victorian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Walnut
Hand Painted Secretary
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand painted and silver gilt secretary with inset original glass mirrored doors and fitted interior.
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mirror, Wood, Paint
Unique Austrian Empire Secretary/Writing Desk, Mahogany, 1820s Austria
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Empire secretary or writing desk, (Cylinder)
Material: Mahogany.
Completely restored, Shellac polish.
Period: 1820-1829
Source: Austria, Wien.
Category
1820s Austrian Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Mahogany, Lacquer
Large Display Cabinet / Bookcase with Secretary in Oak, 1900
Located in Lüdinghausen, DE
Large display cabinet with secretary restored oak bookcase
Features:
Six-door model with secretaire with three drawers and two extension leaves
Very...
Category
19th Century Antique Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Unique Austrian Empire Secretary/Writing Desk, Material Mahogany, Wien 1820-1829
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Empire secretary or writing desk, (Cylinder)
Material: Mahogany.
Completely restored, Shellac polish.
Period: 1820-1829
Source: Austria, Wien.
We guarantee safe a the cheapest air ...
Category
1820s Austrian Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
19th Century George III Style Mahogany Bureau Secretary Bookcase
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a sophisticated and stately Danish secretary bookcase. The partially pierced cornice and a secondary tiered; a shaped cornice over tw...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Italian Cherrywood Drop-Front Desk Secretaire with Inlay
Located in San Francisco, CA
A cherrywood drop front desk with four small drawers fitted in the upper interior and three drawers below.
Handsomely detailed inlay work, lovely patina and Fine quality workmanship...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Cherry
Antique Irish Burl Walnut Two Door Bookcase attrib Robert Strahan Dublin Ireland
Located in Dublin, Ireland
A very imposing example of an Irish Burr Walnut Two Door Library Bookcase, made during the third quarter of the Nineteenth Century. Firmly attributed to renowned furniture maker Robe...
Category
Mid-19th Century Irish Early Victorian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany, Walnut
Napoleon III French Secretary Chest of Drawers Mahogany Rosewood Inlaid
Located in Brooklyn, NY
19th century Napoleon III French secretary (secretaire) chest of drawers in fine mahogany rosewood Inlaid marquetry. It has a grey marble top complete with its original in gilt bronz...
Category
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Materials
Rosewood
19th Century French Secrétaire by Durand
Located in New Orleans, LA
Superior craftsmanship and intricate marquetry characterize this rare secrétaire by Gervais-Maximilien-Eugène Durand, one of the most popular French ébénistes of the 19th century. Th...
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century Two-Piece English Butler's Secretary
Located in Asheville, NC
This two-piece secretary is constructed of oak with contrast mahogany banding, the compartmented fall front desk forms the top drawer of the base cabinet when closed, the upper cabin...
Category
19th Century American Antique 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.