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Secretaires For Sale
Period: 20th Century
Period: 19th Century
French Empire Flame Mahogany Drop Front Secretaire Abattant Secretary Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Flame Mahogany Drop Front Secretaire Abattant Secretary Desk. Item features 2 part construction, beautiful tapered capitol, brass hardware, mother of pearl keyh...
Category

Mid-19th Century Unknown Empire Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Unique German Antique Secretaire with Chair Rich Inlay
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Exceptionally beautiful rare antique West Germany secretaire with chair. Early 19 th c, walnut wood with intricate inlay fruitwood. Comes with matching swivel armchair. Right and lef...
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Secretaires

Materials

Nutwood

Late 19th Century Military Campaign Chest of Drawers, Secretary, Victorian, 1890
Located in Greven, DE
Antique ship's or captain's secretary, so-called Military Campaign Chest of Drawers England Mahogany, brass Victorian around 1890 Dimensions: H x W x D: 135 x 92 x 52 cm D...
Category

Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Early 19th Century Fall-Front Desk
Located in Buchanan, MI
Handsome and functional Regency mahogany fall front desk, server, entry way piece, great inlay, elegant form. Exceptional exaggerated arched foot.
Category

19th Century North American Federal Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany, Satin

Antique Dutch Floral Marquetry Inlaid Bombé Bureau, 19th Century
Located in Glasgow, GB
A 19th century Dutch marquetry inlaid bombé bureau profusely decorated all-over with marquetry depictions of flowers, urns and birds. With a rectangular flap opening to reveal a stri...
Category

19th Century Dutch Dutch Colonial Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Antique Arnold Bros Hardwood Chippendale Drop Front Bureau Desk Lovely Timber
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely circa 1900 mahogany drop front bureau in the Thomas Chippendale style made and stamped by Arnold Bros A good looking and well-made p...
Category

Early 1900s English Late Victorian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Hardwood

Art Deco Secrétaire
Located in New York, NY
A practical desk which leaves no aesthetic compromise with its lovely bookmatched mahogany veneer adorning both the inside and outside of the case. Internal drawers are adorned with ...
Category

1930s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Chippendale Style Mahogany Secretary Desk and Chair by Baker
Located in Pasadena, TX
Chippendale style mahogany secretary desk by Milling Street Baker 10 drawers with brass pulls. Desk has ample storage space, featuring 10 drawers. Mi...
Category

Late 20th Century North American Chippendale Secretaires

Materials

Burl

Mid-Century Desk by Silvio Cavatorta in Mahogany on Steel Tubes, Italy 1960s
Located in Ulm, DE
This exquisite mid-century modern desk, designed by renowned Italian designer Silvio Cavatorta in the 1960s, epitomizes elegance and functionality. Crafted from rich mahogany, the de...
Category

1930s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Steel

American Sheraton Tiger Maple and Cherry Fall Front Chest of Drawers, Circa 1820
By A. Belokopytoff
Located in Charleston, SC
American Tiger maple and Cherry fall front chest of drawers with fitted interior desk, flanking turned bulbous columns, lower graduated drawers, o...
Category

1820s American Sheraton Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Biedermeier Bureau/ Commode
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier Bureau/ Commode made of oak,walnut, fruitwood and maple. Fall front writing surface with interior drawers above three large drawers.
Category

19th Century Antique Secretaires

Louis Philippe Amboyna Secretaire Abbatant
Located in Essex, MA
With a rectangular top over a drawer over a fold down writing surface exposing a fitted interior with secret compartment. The interior with arcade with parquetry floor and fitted dra...
Category

1830s French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires

Materials

Amboyna

Antique French Louis XVI Secretary Desk Chest Mahogany, Carrara Marble & Bronze
Located in Senonches, Centre-Val de Loire
Antique French Louis XVI mahogany secretary chest of drawers topped with a white Carrara marble, fluted legs finished with golden bronze clogs and thorough dressed in bronze and bras...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Brass, Bronze

20th Century Louis XVI Style Secretaire after Charles Topino
By Charles Topino
Located in Berlin, DE
Light fruit and tropical woods on spruce marquetry, with rich marquetry. (L-Gm-2).
Category

20th Century Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Fruitwood

IMPORTANT Antique Desk/Bookcase by Gustav Stickley -W7794 MUST SELL
Located in Shamokin Dam, PA
This is an extremely important Antique Desk/Bookcase by Gustav Stickley and Harvey Ellis. This is one of the most important pieces made by Gustav Stickley. It was designed in 1902...
Category

Early 1900s American Arts and Crafts Antique Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Oak

Scandinavian Modern Secretary Desk by Torbjorn Afdahl
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Secretary desk designed by Torbjørn Afdal and made by Nesjestranda Møbelfabrikk. Crafted in rosewood (also known as Palisander) with elegant details. Original key and working lock m...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires

Materials

Rosewood

Neoclassical Roll-Top Desk, Austria, circa 1800
Located in Greding, DE
Large roll-top desk out of solid cherry wood. The base with seven drawers stands on tapered legs. The top has one very slim pullout and a low arcade balustrade on three sides. The in...
Category

Early 1800s Austrian Neoclassical Antique Secretaires

Materials

Cherry

Mid 19th Century French Semainier or High Chest with Secretary Compartement
Located in Greven, DE
Antique pier chest of drawers with secretary compartment - so-called Semainier Galbé France Rosewood circa 1870 Dimensions: H x W x D: 128 x 81 x 42 cm Description: Lavishly decor...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Rosewood

Early 19th century Georgian mahogany secretaire chest on chest
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 19th century Georgian mahogany chest on chest circa 1800. Fine quality English chest on chest which we rescued on our travels around Sweden. Comprising of 2 parts.  Top secti...
Category

Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany, Oak

19th Century Swedish antique rustic Gustavian Secretary with Original Paint
Located in Boden, SE
A Swedish antique rustic Gustavian slant front secretary from early 19th century that is perfect for any home. This originalpainted features a slanted top that pulls down to make a ...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine

Kai Kristiansen for Torring / HJN Mobler Model 63 Danish Modern Teak Secretary
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Beautiful sculptural Danish modern secretary. Design by Kai Kristiansen for Torring / HJN Mobler. Model 63 in teakwood. A beautiful minimalistic sculptural secretary in excellent design and craftmanship. It was build without using keys. The desk surface drops down to expose three small drawers and paper dividers. Pullout desk...
Category

1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Teak

Mid Century Modern Walnut, Chrome & Cane Modular Secretary by Founders 20thC
Located in Big Flats, NY
***Reduced Delivery Rates - See Below or Click “Ask The Seller” to Request a Quote*** A Mid Century Modern secretary offers chrome frame with walnut modular units including caned do...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Secretaires

Materials

Chrome

Biedermeier Maple Drop Front Secretary
Located in Bradenton, FL
A very attractive early 19th century Maple and Ebony German Biedermeier drop front secretary. Nice deep rich color and patina to the Maple surfac...
Category

Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Maple

Antique Ebonised Boulle Ormolu Desk Cabinet Bonheur du Jour Kunst Mobel Denmark
Located in Portland, OR
A very fine antique Napoleon III French style ebonzied Boulle & ormolu Bonheur du Jour by Nordisk Kunst & Mobel-Etablissement, Copenhagen Denmark, 1903. In remarkable condition. Thi...
Category

Early 1900s Danish Napoleon III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Ormolu, Brass, Bronze

Vintage Edwardian Walnut Writing Desk, Sofa Table, Hall Table
Located in Germantown, MD
Versatile Edwardian style writing that can be used as console table, Sofa table or as a hall table. Simple yet elegant carving on edges. Pull out tray to make create more writing are...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Edwardian Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Hand-Painted & Decorated Front Neoclassical Style Breakfront Secretary Bookcase
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Introducing our exquisite 19th-century Neoclassical Style Hand-Painted & Decorated Front Breakfront/Secretary Bookcase, a stunning blend of artistry and functionality that adds a tou...
Category

1840s French Neoclassical Antique Secretaires

Materials

Upholstery, Wood, Paint

Pair of Impressive Marble, Porcelain, and Ormolu Mounted Victorian Secretaires
Located in London, GB
Pair of impressive marble, porcelain, and ormolu mounted Victorian secretaires English, 19th Century Height 126cm, width 77cm, depth 37cm This stunning pair are a showcase of Engl...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Brass, Ormolu

1970s Walnut Executive Campaign Waterfall Desk And Cabinet, Set of 2
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning, Mid Century desk and cabinet set you could hope to find. This is an ultra-rare opportunity to acquire what is, unequivocally, t...
Category

1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Very Fine Antique Dovetailed Leather top Letter Secretary Desk Chest of Drawers
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very Fine Antique Dovetailed Leather top Letter Secretary Desk Chest of Drawers MINT
Category

20th Century American Directoire Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Guillerme et Chambron, Secretaire in Blackened Oak, circa 1970
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Guillerme et Chambron, Secretaire in blackened oak, Edition Votre Maison, circa 1970.
Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Oak

Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Heavily Carved Oak Desk Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
Hand carved in northern France circa 1860, the "secretaire a abattants" is both stylish and functional. The writing desk is crafted from solid oak wood and stands on cabriole legs en...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Oak

Danish Midcentury Secretary Dresser
Located in Pasadena, TX
Vintage Danish midcentury teak secretary desk. Danish modern teak secretary desk features a lockable, pull-down work surface opening to 6 drawers and sliding storage. One key is pr...
Category

1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Teak

Biedermeier Pyramid Secretary, Berlin circa 1810
Located in Greding, DE
This pyramid-shaped secretary from the early 19th century impresses with its architectural design and high-quality craftsmanship. The gable-shaped top with segmental filling is accen...
Category

1810s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

Louis Phillipe North German Fall-Front Secretary in Flame Mahogany, circa 1855
Located in Miami, FL
A captivating one of a kind Louis Phillip secretary in book-matched, flame mahogany with shaped, curvi-linear drawer fronts and faux drawer fronts on the fall-front and the sides. Of...
Category

Mid-19th Century German Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Swedish Two-part Secretaire
Located in Atlanta, GA
This Gustavian writing desk from the early 19th century is a stunning two-piece piece that combines practicality with classic Swedish elegance. Crafted from pine, it features a soft,...
Category

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine

Biedermeier Burl Wood Secretary Cabinet
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A shaped cabinet with a scrolled bonnet, a centre compartment with door opening to two shaped shelves, flanked by curved side compartments (one shelf inside at the left). Below is a ...
Category

19th Century European Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Burl

Fine 19th Century Mahogany French Secretaire Abbatant
By Maison Lemarchand and Lemoine
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
An Exceptional, Exhibition Quality, 19th Century French Napoleon III Period Mahogany And Brass Secretaire Abbatant, Having Original Veined Marble Top With Attractive Pierced Brass Ga...
Category

Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

c1810 French Empire Flame Mahogany Secretary
Located in Opa Locka, FL
c1810 French Empire Flame Mahogany Secretary. Opens to reveal lovely storage space. There are nooks, shelves, a pull out writing surface. There are gilt bronze adornments and there a...
Category

1810s French Empire Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

James Mont Cinnabar Lacquered Secretaire
Located in Hanover, MA
SATURDAY SALE Extremely rare, possibly one of a kind, secretary cabinet with bookcase by the godfather of exotic modernism, James Mont, circa 1950. Hand rubbed cinnabar lacquered...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Antique Louis XV Style Oak Secretary Desk
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Louis XV style oak secretary desk with intricate and highly detailed carvings on front, top and sides. The scalloped door, with a working key, drops...
Category

19th Century Louis XV Antique Secretaires

Materials

Metal

Late 19th Century Louis Philippe Orange Lacquered Wood Italian Secretaire
Located in Catania, Sicilia
This Orange and brown Lacquered Italian Secretaire serves as both a functional and aesthetically pleasing piece, showcasing the design sensibilities of its era with a bold and distin...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires

Materials

Fruitwood, Lacquer

19th Century French Bureau de Dame Napoleon III Ladies Writing Desk
Located in Milano, MI
A late 19th century Napoleon III bronze-mounted mahogany bureau à cylinder, an elegant French Bureau de Dame or Bonheur du Jour, a ladies writing desk with cartonnier which opens up ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

Belgian Oak Slant-Front Secretary, circa 1850
Located in Evergreen, CO
This substantial, mid-19th century secretary features solid oak construction with a beautiful patina. A molded arched cornice with a swan neck p...
Category

Mid-19th Century Belgian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Oak

Børge Mogensen Danish Teak Serving Cabinet / China Hutch
Located in Queens, NY
Danish mid-century teak serving cabinet / china hutch with a rectangular lower cabinet with two sliding doors supporting, a two shelf upper china cabinet...
Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Teak, Glass

19th Century French Empire Napoleon III Bureau Plat Desk
Located in Miami, FL
A fine large sized flat desk otherwise referred to as a "bureau de ministre" or ministers flat desk. In mahogany and mahogany veneer flamed on all sides, beautiful ornamentation of...
Category

19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Louis XVI Bleached Mahogany Secretaire / Commode With Marble
Located in Viterbo, VT
Louis XVI commode with secretaire hand-crafted in France using mahogany and pegged construction. The commode features three inset drawer, the first of which slides out to reveal a sm...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Brass

Vintage Danish Teak Secretary by Børge Mogensen for Søborg
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage Danish modern secretary desk. Fold down table with office storage and four dresser drawers. Classic Danish modern design by Bø...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires

Materials

Teak, Wood, Hardwood

French Art Déco Secretaire Black High Gloss Lacquer Nickel Plated Fittings 1925
Located in Salzburg, AT
French Art Deco secretary Sycomore wood, black high-gloss lacquer nickel-plated fittings. Elegant secretaire made of solid sycamore wood with a high-quality finish. The secretaire s...
Category

1920s Italian Art Deco Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Metal

Antique Secretary Chest In The Style Of Michael Allison for Restoration
Located in Bridgeport, CT
For Restoration: A handsome Antique Chest with pull-out desk having drawers with original brass knobs oval brass drawer pulls and cubbies. The case with highly figured Mahogany with ...
Category

19th Century Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

19th Century Louis Philippe Secretary Desk
Located in Opole, PL
We present you a Louis Philippe secretaire from the mid-19th century. There are three bottom drawers, a removable board flush with the rest, and a narrow drawer with a concave-conve...
Category

1850s French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Biedermeier Walnut Small Secretaire
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Beautiful little Secretaire from the time of the late Biedermeier, circa 1840. The Secretaire is covered outside with walnut and root walnut veneer on a pine body. The inner part is...
Category

Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Birch, Pine, Walnut

Danish Modern Mahogany Secretary Desk
Located in Minneapolis, MN
This elegant secretary desk is made from Cuban mahogany, which tends to have a honey colored appearance compared to more ubiquitous forms of the wood. It would be well placed in an ...
Category

20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Swedish Country Folk Art Writing Bureau
Located in Kramfors, SE
Country home writing bureau in folk art from northern Sweden. The bureau is from around 1820 to 1830 and has a writing desk with interior drawers with brass drawer pulls. Underneath ...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Country Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine

ART DECO style bar, 1940´s, Czechoslovakia
Located in Prague 8, CZ
This ART DECO style bar from the 1940s is a must-have for any antique collector. With its elegant design and unique history, this piece is sure to add character to any space. Made in...
Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Art Deco Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Walnut

19th Century Swedish Clock Secretary Circa 1820
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exceptional 19th-century Swedish clock secretary, circa 1820, combines functionality with timeless Gustavian elegance. Crafted from pine, this impressive piece features a beauti...
Category

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine, Paint

19th Century Biedermeier Chest of Drawers/ Writing Commode, Austria, ca. 1830
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Remarkable 19th century nutwood chest of drawers/ writing commode from the early Biedermeier era in Austria around 1830. Impressing with an absolute outstanding looking grain which r...
Category

Mid-19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Henredon Solid Oak Olive Finish Wide Open Bookcase Secretary Desk Country French
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Henredon Solid Oak or Chestnut Olive Finish Wide Open Bookcase Secretary Desk Country French MINT!
Category

20th Century American Country Secretaires

Materials

Chestnut, Oak

Pilastro Wall Mounted Secretaire With Built-in Light
Located in Dronten, NL
Minimalist wall system designed by Reijenga for Pilastro, The Netherlands. Two shelves and a drop down desktop in beige. The desk has a hidden light behind front panel. Mid Century M...
Category

1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Steel

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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