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Secretaires

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Secretaires For Sale
Louis Philippe Style Marquetry Secretaire, 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
Louis Philippe Style Marquetry Secretaire Cabinet, Circa 19th Century, the top drawer with gilt bronze pulls and key above a drop front opening to reveal leather-inset writing surfac...
Category

19th Century Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

A Biedermeier Chest with Secretaire Circa 1850
Located in Flower Mound, TX
A magnificent mid 19th century Biedermeier chest with figured mahogany secretaire cabinet, with a raised serpentine single drawer, a frieze drawer over paneled fall front, and the in...
Category

Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

TOMLINSON Crotch Mahogany Block Front Secretary Desk with Blind Bookcase
Located in Charlotte, NC
A Chippendale style secretary desk by Tomlinson. Crotch mahogany with brass hardware, pediment top with three finials and bracket feet. Upper blind bookcase...
Category

Late 20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Secretaire by Arne Wahl Iversen for Vinde Mobelfabrik, 1960s
Located in HEVERLEE, BE
Mid century palisander secretaire designed by Arne Wahl Iversen for Vinde Mobelfabrik. It consists of a fold down door and two drawers. Gorgeous cabinet with eye for details and qu...
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Italian Art Deco Aquamarine Shagreen Secretaire, Attr. to Borsani, 1940s
Located in Meda, MB
This Art Deco secretaire was produced in Italy in the 1940s and is attributable to Osvaldo Borsani. It is completely in an exotic wood with a black lacquered top and base. The centra...
Category

1940s Italian Art Deco Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Metal

Burlwood Drop-Front Secretary, One of Four Produced; Båstad, Sweden, c. 1880
Located in Norwalk, CT
Dating from around 1880, this exceptional "secrétaire à abattant" is one of four identical chests, produced by a master Swedish cabinetmaker in the city of Båstad, commissioned as wedding gifts for the four daughters of a prominent local family. This remarkable piece was sourced by Atypical Find...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Burl

Erling torvits secretary desk in teak
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Denmark Designer: Erling Torvits Manufacturer: Klim Møbelfabrik Era: 1961 Materials: Teak Measurements: 41" wide x 18.75" deep x 47.75" tall Condition: In excellent original...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires

Materials

Teak

English 19th Century Mahogany Secrétaire
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A mahogany secrétaire made in England circa 1890. This secrétaire is topped with a broken pediment design over a pair of glass front doors that open with a working lock and key. Insi...
Category

19th Century English Other Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Danish teak secretary, vanity /Make up table By Arne Wahl Iversen
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

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

Small Georgian Mahogany Bureau
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
An Extremely Good Quality 18th Century, Georgian Mahogany Bureau, Of Rare Diminutive Proportions, Retaining Exceptional Untouched Colour And Patina Throughout, The Sloping Fall Front...
Category

Mid-18th Century English Chippendale Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Antique English Display Secretaire, Mahogany
Located in Berlin, DE
19th Century Antique English Display Secretaire, Mahogany Solid wood, manufactured to a high quality. The display cabinet has a pull-out function and can be used as a secretary than...
Category

19th Century English Antique Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Glass, Mahogany

Secretary desk 1152M in solid oak, Dyrlund, Denmark, 1990's
Located in La Tour-de-Peilz, CH
Without ever skimping on quality, this company, founded in 1960, once again shows the high level of standards that it applies to all its achievements. If Dyrlund prides itself on ha...
Category

1990s Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Oak

Bonheur Du Jour In Amboyna Burl Marquetry And Hard Stone Panels
Located in BARSAC, FR
Sublime Bonheur du jour in Louis XVI style in amboyna burl veneer in rosewood frames and presenting two magnificent vegetal compositions (flowers and red fruits) in hard stones (piet...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble

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

Early French Art Deco Secretaire Desk with Marquetry and Inlays
Located in Ulm, DE
Secretary Wooden body, hand-polished shellac probably stained ash elaborate inlays and marquetry freshly mirrored inside Early Art Déco, France around 1925 Dimensions: Width: 70 c...
Category

1920s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Louis XVI Style Cerused Oak Secretary Bookcase Writing Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fabulous French secretaire bookcase featuring a pull-out leather writing table or petite desk. Mid-century 2 part case crafted from oak. The chest is fronted by two large storage drawers with patinated brass ring pulls with a ribbon and bow motif. The top of the commode has a pull-out leather writing surface with embossed leather and gilt borders. The leather has a lovely aged patina with craquelure. The case has fluted corners supported by square legs that taper ending with brass sabot feet. The bookcase has two large doors with gilt wire mesh inset opening to a three shelf case. Below the book storage...
Category

20th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Louis XVI Style Parquetry, Gilt-Bronze and Lacquer Mounted Petit Secretaire Cabi
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Fine Louis XVI Style Parquetry, Gilt-Bronze and Lacquer Mounted Petit Secretaire Cabinet, Attributed to Maison Beurdeley. Stamped to the reverse of the bronze mounts to the botto...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Art Deco Cabinet Secrétaire Attributed to Jules Leleu, Bronze Ornaments, French
Located in London, GB
Presenting a meticulously crafted, remarkable piece of Art Deco craftsmanship, this 1930s exceptional cabinet secretaire attributed to Jules Leleu (1883-1961), captures the essence o...
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

A fine late George III satinwood and snakewood secretaire cabinet
By George Simson
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A fine late George III satinwood and snakewood secretaire cabinet, attributed to George Simson of London, of rectangular form, the upper section with a pair of glazed doors with fine...
Category

Early 18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Satinwood

CRAFTIQUE Solid Mahogany Chippendale Secretary Desk w/ Bookcase
Located in Charlotte, NC
A stunning secretary desk with bookcase by top-quality furniture maker Craftique, in the style of early American John Hancock desks. Solid mahogany with their Old Wood finish, brass ...
Category

Late 20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Federal Style Diminutive Two Part Inlaid Mahogany Bookcase Secretary
Located in Milford, NH
A wonderful diminutive size Federal style two part inlaid figured mahogany bookcase, its upper case with a shaped crest with three urn finials surmounting two bow front glass paneled...
Category

Late 19th Century American Federal Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

1930s Rockford Furniture Jacobean Style Handcrafted Secretary Desk
Located in Germantown, MD
A Jacobean-style slant front Hancrafted and handcarved by the renowned Rockford Chair and Furniture Company. Founded in 1876 by Swedish settlers, the company has a rich heritage of f...
Category

Early 20th Century Jacobean Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Small Art Deco writing desk – France 1930
Located in Girona, ES
Small Art Deco writing desk with walnut and burr walnut veneer, three drawers and a flap door opening onto a small desk and storage area in marquetry and light walnut. Very good qual...
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

20th-Century Mahogany & Pine Wood Vennered With Mahogany Ladies' Secretary Desk
Located in Opole, PL
20th-Century Mahogany & Pine Wood Vennered With Mahogany Ladies' Secretary Desk A ladies' secretary desk from the early 20th century constructed of mahogany wood and pine wood venee...
Category

Early 20th Century European Secretaires

Materials

Mirror, Mahogany, Pine

Rosewood Secretaire by Erling Torvits for Klim Mobelfabrik, 1960s
Located in Elshout, NL
Danish Design Danish rosewood secretary designed by Erling Torvits for Klim Møbelfabrik. This secretary has a hinged leaf that drops down and becomes a sturdy desktop. Behind this le...
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Rosewood

Dutch 18th century Cuban mahogany bombé writing cabinet with glass upstand.
Located in AALSMEER, NL
Very beautiful Cuba flower mahogany writing cabinet with 'S-lid' inlaid with olive green leather. wall cabinet with two (old) glass doors, mirrored flower veneer and carvings on the ...
Category

Late 17th Century Dutch Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany, Oak

Venetian Style Chest of Seven Drawers from 1960, Original Worn Painting
Located in Buggiano, IT
Venetian style chest of seven drawers from 1960, original worn painting Very practical and elegant piece of furniture. Comes from an old city hous...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Fir

Antique American Empire Flame Mahogany Secretary Desk With Leaded Glass c1840
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique American Empire secretary offers flame mahogany construction with upper having arched pediment over bookcase having double doors with leaded glass over lower with slant fr...
Category

Mid-19th Century American Empire Antique Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

Stunning Poul Hundevad Rosewood Secretary Cabinet , Denmark
Located in Buffalo, NY
Danish modern, two piece, book matched rosewood, bookcase secretary cabinet by Poul Hundevad ... Birch wood interior,,, features a 26 inch height bottom cabinet with sliding doors, a...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Birch, Rosewood

19th Century French Bureau de Dame Napoleon III Ladies Writing Desk
Located in Milan, IT
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

19th Century Secretary Desk
Located in Bradenton, FL
A very handsome late American Empire Mahogany Secretary Desk. Very good condition overall with an old refinished surface exhibiting a beautiful color and patina to the figured Mahoga...
Category

Mid-19th Century American Empire Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

French 18th Century Louis XV Bombe` Secretaire with Secret Door
Located in New Orleans, LA
French 18th century Louis XV Bombe` heavily veneered secretaire, with glass doors at top, and secret door with checkerboard floor in small compartment, with mirrored walls to give th...
Category

18th Century French Antique Secretaires

Materials

Satinwood

PORTUGUESE COMMODE / SECRETARIAT from the 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
PORTUGUESE COMMODE / SECRETARIAT from the 19th Century In oak and other wood, with two drawers and two drawers, inside drawers, bins and central door, with secret, engraved brass h...
Category

19th Century Portuguese Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Antique English Georgian Mahogany Bureau Desk
Located in Sheridan, CO
Antique English Georgian mahogany secretary, early 19th c.. This piece features an oak secondary, slant front opening to inset leather writing surface, fitted interior gallery with arcaded niches, small drawers, a center cabinet door with marquetry urn, flanked by concealed compartments...
Category

1840s English Georgian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

A Sophisticated Antique French Louis Phillipe Secretary
Located in Oak Park, MI
A most sophisticated and handsome French c1840 century Louis-Phillipe style secretary cupboard of narrow proportions. Unusual profile. The front op...
Category

19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Secretary desk Bramin , Danemark 1950’s
Located in PÉZENAS, FR
This beautiful high quality finished Danish compact writing desk cabinet is designed by H.W. Klein for Bramin in the 1960s. It features an extendable writing surface. The teak woo...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Secretaires

Materials

Teak

Mid-century Torbjorn Afdal Danish Rosewood Secretary Desk
Located in Oakland, CA
Danish secretary desk designed by Torbjørn Afdal for Nesjestranda Møbelfabrik, Norway, 1965. Crafted from Brazilian rosewood, the secretary desk ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires

Materials

Rosewood

1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Secretary From Jasper Cabinet Co
Located in Hartville, OH
Beautiful piece. Pristine original condition. Very rare leather writing surface inset. Artist hand-painted scenes from the orient. Condition Disclosure: Please understand nearly ...
Category

1970s North American Chinoiserie Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Lacquer

Bruno Mathsson reading stand, Karl Mathsson 40's Sweden modernist collector
Located in Forest, BE
Table de lecture en bois et acier nickelé. Daté du début des années 1940. La tablette en bois a été restaurée mais la patine du piétement reste non touché et dans son état le plus proche de l'origine. Ajustable en hauteu. Il y à de beaux détails en laiton. Produite dans les ateliers de son père Karl Mathsson...
Category

1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Steel, Nickel

Early 19th Century Biedermeier Secretary, Birchwood
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Early 19th Century Biedermeier Secretary, Germany, 1820 Birchwood Antique Biedermeier secretary made of birch wood, handmad...
Category

1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Birch

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

Empire Secretaire à abattant, Vienna circa 1810
Located in Greding, DE
Empire secretary adorned with flanking caryatids around the flat writing flap, top drawer, and a two-door base cabinet. The caryatids are elegantly ebonized and gold-patinated, compl...
Category

1810s Austrian Empire Antique Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

Swedish Rocco Style Secratery Hutch
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Swedish Rocco Style Secratery Hutch . its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Category

1970s Swedish Rococo Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Pine

Exceptional Pair Of George III Style Mahogany Secretary Bookcases
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A superb Pair of Secretary Bookcases having side shelving, inlaid doors, pull-out desk, drawers, ring pulls, handsome geometric glass doors and em...
Category

19th Century European George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Glass, Mahogany

French Empire Secrétaire á Abattant
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A handsome 19th century Empire secrétaire à abattant made of rich bookmatched and figured walnut. This desk has a black fossil marble top resting above a drawer, accessible with a hidden pull. Below is a fold front door revealing a fitted interior with a functional writing surface, inset with worn green leather with gold tooling. The interior has an open storage shelf flanked with empirical styled columns over a set of six drawers of varying sizes. The writing surface is supported with rounded brass hinges. Below are three easy to use drawers...
Category

19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Brass

Mid century Danish Modern Magic Box Desk in Teak by Mummenthaler & Meier
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Mid century teak closable locking teak writing desk called the "Magic Box", designed by Swiss Mummenthaler and Meier. The piece closes completely and can be key-locked to protect all...
Category

Mid-20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Arts and Crafts Pine Collectors Cabinet Filing Drawers
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Arts and Crafts Pine Collectors Cabinet Filing Drawers The Cabinet is made in natural pine and has 12 Long Drawers, some of the drawers have the original dividers others are missing...
Category

1880s Arts and Crafts Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine

Conant Ball Gallery Drawer Box Modern Mates Leslie Diamond Rare
Located in Fraser, MI
Please feel free to reach out for efficient shipping to your location. Gallery box with three drawers. Solid Flame Birch construction. Designed by Leslie Diamond for the famed Mode...
Category

1950s American Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Birch

Edwardian Walnut Secretary with Hand Painted Motifs
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a lovely Edwardian walnut Secretary, the top having two glazed doors within Gothic mullions. The bottom section with a slant drop front, contains a hand painted center medal...
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Louis XVI Secretaire with Urn Decoration, around 1790
Located in Greding, DE
Louis Seize secretary featuring five drawers and a flat writing flap. Veneered with cherry wood, this secretary is adorned with fire-shaded inlays. The central motif of the laurel wr...
Category

1790s German Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

Privé" secrétaire by Jürgen Lange for Rosenthal Germany 1987
Located in Renens, CH
"Privé" writing desk or secrétaire by Jürgen Lange for Rosenthal Germany 1987. This is an extremely well thought and crafted desk. While standing on a small footprint it offers amaz...
Category

1980s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Fruitwood

French Louis XV Period 18th Century Walnut Slant Front Secretary and Buffet
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Louis XV period walnut slant front secretary from the 18th century with buffet in the lower section. Step into the world of regal elegance with this French Louis XV period w...
Category

18th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

18th century Norwegian carved oak bureau bookcase
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Stunning and rare Norwegian baroque oak bureau bookcase circa 1760. Comprising of 3 sections due to the monumental proportions. Top section with shaped cornice, below which the car...
Category

Mid-18th Century Norwegian Baroque Revival Antique Secretaires

Materials

Oak

18th C. Swedish Rococo Period Writing Desk in Original Paint
Located in Wichita, KS
A period Rococo writing desk from the 18th century in original painted alder wood with period key hole fittings, circa 1760. There are two smaller drawers behind the writing surface ...
Category

18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

20th Century Painted Wood Venetian Style Bureau Desk, 1960s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Venetian bureau from the second half of the 20th century. Beautifully designed furniture, pleasantly lacquered and hand painted with floral decorations. High leg bureau equipped with...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Wood

18th C. Venetian Tall Secretary Cabinet with Beautiful Hand-Painted Finish
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian Venetian tall secretary cabinet from the 18th century. This antique 7.75 feet tall (approximate) cabinet from Venice, Italy boasts a ...
Category

18th Century Italian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Swedish 1770s Baroque Period Light Gray Painted Secretary with Slant Front Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Baroque tall secretary from circa 1770, with slant front desk, light Gustavian gray painted finish, two doors and four drawers. Experience the timeless elegance of this Swedish tall secretary from circa 1770, a piece that seamlessly marries the grandeur of Baroque design with the serene simplicity of the Gustavian painted finish. Indeed, this secretary, with its light gray painted finish, two doors, and four drawers, is a testament to the refined craftsmanship and understated beauty of Nordic furniture. The secretary's tall, imposing structure is softened by the light Gustavian gray finish, creating a sense of calm sophistication. The two doors, featuring simply carved panels, open to reveal an interior bathed in antique powder...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Wood

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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