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Secretaires For Sale
Period: 19th Century
Period: 1930s
Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Bureau Secretaire, Biedermeier. Walnut, birdseye, rootwood, intarsia, secret compartments.
Category
19th Century Antique Secretaires
Napoleon III Secretaire Abattant, 19th Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
A unique secretaire abattant cabinet with drop down writing panel with interior carved wooden rails in a yellow color wood finish.
The fall front has a green leather writing surface...
Category
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Materials
Marble, Brass, Bronze
Antique French Empire Mahogany Gilt-Bronze Mounted Marble-Top Abattant Secretary
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Imported French Empire Flame Mahogany Gilt-Bronze Mounted Marble-Top Abattant Secretary Desk
This 19th-century French Empire-style secretary d...
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Marble, Brass
19th Century Oakwood Secretary Cabinet - Baroque Revival, Austria ca. 1870
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Extraordinary hand-carved oakwood secretary cabinet from the Baroque revival period in Austria. A real unique, perfect sized bureau cabinet/ secretary made of solid oakwood and stain...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Baroque Revival Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Italian Empire trumeau in briarwood and brass with secrets
Located in Milano, IT
This Italian Early Empire Trumeau is a true masterpiece of elegance and mystery, masterfully crafted from burl feather wood, known for its fascinating grain that evokes the nobility ...
Category
1810s Italian Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Louis XVI Style Secretary Stamped Quignon in Paris
By Frederic Gustave Quignon
Located in BARSAC, FR
Gustave-Frédéric Quignon
Superb Louis XVI style piece of furniture in very finely carved solid mahogany forming a secretary / document holder cabinet.
Opening 6 drawers including...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Renaissance Revival Standing Desk, ca. 1880
Located in New York, NY
This is a functional and beautiful piece with many unique features. The drawers pulls and escutcheons are a geometric delight, made of pewter/brass and black cellulose. Deep and gene...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Renaissance Revival Antique Secretaires
Materials
Pewter
Antique Danish Late Empire Mahogany Secretary Bureau
Located in Kastrup, DK
Late empire secretary bureau in mahogany veneered oak with beautiful grain.
In 2 parts.
Desk top offers three bowed doors. A concave door in the mid...
Category
Early 19th Century European Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Oak, Mahogany
Antique High-Quality Mahogany Housekeeper's Cupboard with Secretaire, circa 1800
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Antique Georgian housekeeper's cupboard secretaire bookcase chest crafted during the George III era around 1800. Also known as an estate cupboard, this rare period piece showcases ex...
Category
Early 1800s George III Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Italian Empire Neoclassical Walnut and Parcel-Gilt Secretary
Located in New York, NY
Italian Empire neoclassical walnut and parcel-gilt secretary Handsome masculine Empire campaign desk on stand with pivoting dressing mirror below balustraded cornice with ball finial...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood, Walnut
19th Century French Bookcase, Cylinder Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century French Bookcase ~ Cylinder Secretary is a stately reminder of a bygone era! Hand-crafted by talented cabinetmakers from a mixture of in...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Neoclassical Revival Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Danish Late Empire Mahogany With Inlay Bureau / Secretair
Located in Kastrup, DK
Rare Danish early 19th century secretary or slant front bureau.
Exquisitely crafted from mahogany with fabulous marquetry decoration in black n...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bone, Mahogany, Satinwood, Walnut
Art Deco Secretaire in the Manner of Ruhlmann
Located in Bridgewater, CT
An exceptional quality Art Deco Secretaire in the manner of J.E. Ruhlmann in Ebene de Macassar with galuchat (shagreen) interior, circa 1930.
Category
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Macassar
Renaissance Revival Secretary
Located in New York, NY
Design details indicate that this secretary was made at the end of the Biedermeier period as interest in historical periods bloomed. The uppermost drawer is curved in the classic Biedermeier/Louis Philippe design, favored between 1830-1860, as does the raised display platform resting on the top surface of the piece. The choice of carefully selected French walnut veneers...
Category
1850s Swedish Renaissance Revival Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Pair of Louis XVI Style Dutch Chinoiserie Secretary and High Chest
Located in Greven, DE
Pair of chinoiserie furniture - secretary and chiffonier
The Netherlands
Satinwood and others, lacquered panels
around 1890
Dimensions: H x W x D: 130 x 63 x 39 cm
Description:
Ve...
Category
Late 19th Century Dutch Antique Secretaires
Materials
Satinwood
English Sheraton Satinwood Secretary
Located in Queens, NY
English Sheraton-style (19th Century) satinwood and inlaid small secretary with arched lattice doors and pediment top
Category
19th Century Sheraton Antique Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Satinwood
Antique Specimen Cabinet, French Oak Cupboard, Secretaire, Desk, circa 1850
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique specimen cabinet, a French, oak cupboard offering a secretaire desk dating to the late 19th century, circa 1850.
In a de...
Category
Mid-19th Century French French Provincial Antique Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Rare North German Altona Empire Secretary, circa 1810-1815
Located in Handewitt, DE
Beautiful and rare original North German "Altona" Secretary, circa 1810-1820. Fine cuba-mahogany, Birch and elmwood veneer. Inlays in different woods. Original fittings in bronze and...
Category
1810s German Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
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
Very Fine 19th Century French Louis XVI Marquetry Secretaire Abattant by Diehl.
Located in Dallas, TX
A very fine 19th century Louis XVI marquetry inlay secretaire A Abattant by Charles Diehl. Kingwood, satinwood and tulipwood inlay with fine gilt bronze ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Empire Walnut Fall-Front Secretaire
Located in Southampton, NY
Grey marble top above a single long drawer, two columns with gilded detailing on either side of fall-front desk enclosing six small drawers surrounding one larger drawer and original...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Walnut, Giltwood
19thc French Napoleon III Inlaid A.C Boulle style Top Portion "Bonheur Du Jour"
Located in Opa Locka, FL
This beautiful piece of furniture is the Top Portion Only of a 19thc French Napoleon III Boulle Inlaid "Bonheur Du Jour". This piece has been dated to the last portion of the 19thc b...
Category
1880s French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
Rare Antique Regency Quality Mahogany Secretaire Sideboard
Located in Suffolk, GB
Rare Antique Regency quality mahogany secretaire sideboard having a pleasing shaped gallery back with a quality mahogany drop well bow fronted top. The fall ...
Category
19th Century European Regency Antique Secretaires
Materials
Other
19th Century Carved and Painted French Oak Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
The 19th Century Carved and Painted French Oak Secretary is an antique piece of furniture that features painted oak and nice carvings. This elegant secretary desk showcases the craft...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Louis Philippe Period Secretary, Mid 19th Century, Burl Walnut
Located in SAINT-CLÉMENT-DE-LA-PLACE, FR
This antique secrétaire, crafted from richly grained burl walnut, is a testament to masterful 19th-century French cabinetry. The walnut burl, carefully selected for its aesthetic app...
Category
1840s French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Early 19th Century French Louis XV Style Secretarie
Located in Atlanta, GA
This Early 19th Century French Louis XV Style Secrétaire showcases a timeless and classy blend of functionality and elegance. Crafted from bleached oak, this piece features graceful ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Ultra Rare Wall Secretary
Located in Munich, DE
Designed by Bruno Mathsson in 1938 and made by Karl Mathsson. There is a common version in birch. This one is in masur birch!
Located in hamburg.
Category
1930s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Secretary Desk 700s Lombard by "Bottega Milanese Dei Valentini", walnut & burl
By Bottega Milanese dei Valentni
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Important precious desk bureau production of on 19th century by "Bottega Milanese dei Valentini", restored and polished to wax.
The piece of furniture is made of solid walnut and b...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Baroque Revival Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Indonesian 19th Century Handmade Slant-Front Desk with Raised Panels and Drawers
Located in Yonkers, NY
An Indonesian antique handmade slant-front desk from the 19th century, with raised panels and inner drawers. Created in Indonesia during the 19th century, this secretaire features a ...
Category
19th Century Indonesian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
19th Century Cuban Mahogany Wood Bargueno Desk
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This Bargueno desk is hallmarked Garcia & HN Monte #122 Habana. It is embellished with a carving scene from the book of Don Quixote de la Mancha bordered...
Category
Late 19th Century American Renaissance Revival Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Gillows of Lancaster attri., Gothic Revival Oak Architect's Desk
Located in London, GB
Attributed to Gillows of Lancaster. A rare Gothic Revival architect's folding desk. The top has opposing slides opening to reveal a compartment for storing drawing utensils etc. The ...
Category
Late 19th Century English Gothic Revival Antique Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Mahogany and Leather Notary Furniture
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice notary furniture is made of mahogany and leather. This is a rare and interesting secretaire with leather drawers. This is a French work...
Category
1850s French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Wood
19th Century Venetian Secretaire
Located in New York, NY
A painted Venetian secretaire with shelves and drawers on bottom portion of body.
Category
19th Century Antique Secretaires
Antique Burled Secretaire a Abattant
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A tall cabinet with carved cavetto cornice, over a slim curved frieze drawer and one upper and two lower long drawers. The middle faux drawers drop down to the secretary. The fitted interior with drawers, and a center compartment with door housing an inkstand with two glass bottles with silverplate tops. With patinated brass bat...
Category
19th Century Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Napoleon style secretary, France, around 1870.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Napoleon style secretary, France, around 1870.
Very good condition, after professional renovation. The furniture is finished in high gloss in French polish.
dimensions: height 138 ...
Category
1870s French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Venetian Rococo Style Walnut Secretary Lacquered by Ira Yeager
By Ira Yeager
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fantastic late 19th century Italian secretaire cabinet or bookcase made in the Venetian Rococo taste. Crafted from walnut the two-part case features a speckled lacquer finish centered by a cartouche shaped window with a painted bust by artist Ira Yeager (American 1938-2022). The bureau cabinet has a bombe shaped dresser base with a drop front diminutive writing table. The drop front has two storage drawers and a small pigeon hole storage above. Below the desk are two small drawers and two large storage drawers with rocaille patinated brass pulls. The dresser is supported by small cabriole legs with scrolled feet. The dresser is surmounted by a bookcase with a painted door depicting a nobleman holding a chicken. The painting is painted on board titled "Venezia" and signed by Yeager with a fictitious date of 1725. The door opens to a three-shelf bookcase. The case is topped with a pediment having a cartouche shaped window and corniced top. The entire secretary is speckled with a mustard yellow tone over a taupe background. This whimsical cabinet...
Category
19th Century Italian Rococo Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Restored Empire Chest of Drawers, Walnut, Maple, Spruce, Austria, 1820s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This exquisite chest of drawers, originating from Austria in the early 19th century, is a perfect example of the Empire style. Made of solid spruce and walnut veneer, it impresses wi...
Category
1820s Austrian Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Lacquer, Maple, Walnut, Spruce
Rare Lajos Kozma Bar Cabinet or Secretary
By Lajos Kozma
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
Stunning and rare 1930s marquetry starburst front bar cabinet or secretary by Hungarian architect Lajos Kozma. The cabinet is in wonderful original condition with very few signs of age.
Category
1930s Hungarian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Rosewood, Walnut
Georgian Chippendale Style Mahogany Block Front Shell Carved Secretary Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Mahogany Block Front Shell Carved Secretary Desk Lowboy. Item features solid mahogany wood construction, dramatic shapely legs terminating ...
Category
19th Century Unknown Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Petit 19th c. Walnut Secretary
Located in New Orleans, LA
Lovely Walnut Six Drawer Chest with Desk
Category
19th Century French Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Rare Antique English Regency Rosewood Davenport with Spring-Loaded Pen Drawer
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
This wonderful early 19th century Antique English Rosewood and ebonized Davenport or Ship Captain's Desk is one of the finest we've had in recent years. Davenports or Ship Captain's Desks are so-named originally for a Captain Davenport...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Regency Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany, Rosewood
Dressing Table Ladies France Napoleon III in Bronze and Wood, 19th Century
By Napoléon III
Located in Milano, IT
Amazing Napoleon III style women's grooming of circa 1800. French toilet with original ormolu holders and working lock and key. The upper part rises up t...
Category
Early 1800s French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Art Deco Walnut Secretaire or Bureau with 4 drawers, Germany 1930s
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a very striking Art Deco Walnut secretaire or bureau. As you can see the bureau has a fine piano finish showing the best of the Walnut grain. There is a...
Category
1930s German Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Art Deco Thompson Secretary Walnut Root Wood
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, AR
Art Deco Thompson Secretary Walnut Root Wood
Art Deco is a style of design, architecture, and visual arts that originated in France in the 1920s. It was popular in Europe and the Un...
Category
1930s Argentine Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Wood
French Secretaire Cabinet With Leather Bound Doors And Drawers for Restoration
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An extraordinary 19th Century French osecretaire a deux corps with a tall separately made upper cabinet. The top with three curved drawers over double doors with French leather bound book spines, 18th century. Opening to a chinoiserie wall papered...
Category
19th Century French French Provincial Antique Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Wood, Paper
Lamb of Manchester, An Aesthetic Movement Walnut Writing Desk.
Located in London, GB
Lamb of Manchester. An Aesthetic Movement walnut and leather writing desk with a bank of four graduating drawers to the left and a large upper drawer to the right with turned and flu...
Category
1880s English Aesthetic Movement Antique Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Desk, Secretaire, Moorish Inlays
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Desk - Secretaire - Moorish inlays
Origin and marquetry of Morocco
Circa 1930. very good condition
Leather interior with wear and tear
Measurements w...
Category
1930s Moroccan Moorish Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Regency Ebony Inlaid Secretaire Bookcase
Located in Greenwich, CT
Very fine Regency period mahogany bookcase cabinet with secretary drawer, the molded cornice with ebonized ball drops over two astragal glazed doors over satinwood fitted pull out se...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Materials
Ebony, Mahogany, Satinwood
Antique Fine Quality Inlaid Burr Walnut Bonheur De Jour Desk Writing Table
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Antique 19th Century Inlaid Burr Walnut Bonheur de Jour Bureau Desk Writing Table
This fine quality 19th Century Bonheur de Jour bureau desk is crafted from inlaid burr walnut venee...
Category
19th Century Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Antique Biedermeier-Style Drop-Front Mahogany Secretary Chest
By Biedermeier
Located in Milano, IT
This marvelous Biedermeier-style drop-front secretary chest, dating back to around 1830 and crafted in Austria, is a true work of art. Made from precious mahogany wood, it features b...
Category
Mid-19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Metal
French Empire Mahogany Bureau à Cylindre Writing Table, circa 1810
Located in Rome, IT
A French gilt-metal mounted mahogany bureau à cylindre writing desk.
With a grey marble top over three drawers, the fall enclosing a sliding tan leather writing surface, an interior...
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
19c. French Parquetry Secretaire / Commode
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Secretaire, having notched marble top with 3/4 pierced bronze gallery, the top drawer opens to a writing surface and inside, an arrangement of pigeon holes and two central drawers; the case, of burlwood, has stringing and beautifully inlaid designs on front, bronze wreath ring...
Category
19th Century French Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
19th Century English 3-Drawer Oak Bureau Office Desk with Bronze Hardware
Located in Marbella, ES
19th century English 3-drawer oak bureau office desk with bronze hardware.
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Antique English Sheraton Satinwood Inlaid Secretary w/ Rosewood Banding Ca. 1880
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English Sheraton Satinwood Inlaid Secretary with Rosewood Banding, Circa 1880.
This is a very lovely secretary, typical of the period and with fine detail. The warm color of...
Category
Late 19th Century English Sheraton Antique Secretaires
Materials
Rosewood, Satinwood
Flame Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Commode with Rouge Griotte By Molitor
By Molitor
Located in Stamford, CT
A superbly crafted French Empire commode with Rouge Griotte marble top by Molitor. A pair of these commodes were acquired by King Jerome between 1809 and 1812 and listed in the i...
Category
Early 1800s French Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century French Mahogany Writing Desk with Folding Front Part
Located in Sofia, BG
French mahogany writing desk with folding front part and hidden drawers in the upper part. There are also three big drawers in the lower p...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Early 19th Century George III Chinese Chippendale Mirrored Secretary Bookcase
Located in Essex, MA
A ca. 1810 English two part mahogany secretary, the top section with a carved swan's neck pediment, a large mirrored single center door with carvings from the solid of acanthus leave...
Category
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Mahogany Architects Table by Jean-Joseph Chapuis, 1810
Located in Hellouw, NL
Beautiful Empire mahogany architects table by Jean-Joseph Chapuis (1765-1864).
Jean-Joseph Chapuis (born in Brussels) was a famous furniture maker. He obtained a master craftsman ti...
Category
Early 1800s Belgian Empire 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.