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Secretaires For Sale
Period: 19th Century
Period: 1930s
Antique English Regency Mahogany Secretary Bookcase, Circa 1890
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English Regency Mahogany Secretary bookcase, Circa 1890.
Category
Late 19th Century English Regency Antique Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
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 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
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 secretary, Northern Europe, mid 19th century.
Located in Chorzów, PL
An impressive secretary from the mid-19th century in the Biedermeier style.
Antique furniture with a more beautiful form will give elegance to any interior. A representative piece ...
Category
1850s Scandinavian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Russian Neoclassic Mahogany Secretaire Chest
Located in Queens, NY
Russian Neoclassical (Early 19th Century) ormolu, & white marble mounted ebonized & mahogany secrétaire commode with top drawer desk and upper section.
Category
19th Century Russian Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Empire secretaire à abattant, France around 1810
Located in Greding, DE
Secretary in mahogany veneer with two-door bottom part as well as dark marble shelf and fire-gilded fittings. Behind the writing flap with brown leather there are more drawers and co...
Category
1810s French Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Bonheur du Jour, litterally "Happiness of the Day" Desk in Boulle Marquetry
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This beautiful Bonheur du Jour, litterally "Happiness of the day" desk is made of a Boulle marquetry.
Tiered upper part, opening with two medallion doors and two small drawers. Lower...
Category
1880s French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Antique Early 20th Century Mahogany Biedermeier Drop Front Secretary Desk from G
Located in Round Top, TX
Rich dark wood and stately lines define this handsome Biedermeier drop front secretary from Germany. Note the concave curve of the upper cabinet door and beautiful mahogany grain pat...
Category
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Mahogany
Art Deco Secretaire Cabinet by Jules Deroubaix
Located in North York, ON
This Jules Deroubaix display cabinet secretaire is timeless, functional, and effortlessly chic. Made of burl sandalwood, it showcases a drop door paneled wit...
Category
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Brass, Chrome
19th Century Fine Biedermeier Walnut Secretaire. Vienna, c. 1825
Located in Vienna, AT
Hello,
This elegant and rare early Viennese Biedermeier Secretaire was made in Vienna c. 1825.
The secretaire is an example of beautiful, rare and refined design and excellent craft...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
George III Mahogany Astral Glazed Secretaire Bookcase
Located in Basingstoke, Hampshire
An early 19th century astral glazed bureau bookcase of large proportions. Displaying a pair of astral glazed doors. The base houses four long drawers, on...
Category
Early 19th Century British George III Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Louis XV Style Burlwood Ormolu Mounted Lady’s Desk
Located in Vero Beach, FL
French 19th century Louis XV style Burlwood Ormolu Mounted Lady’s Desk.
Elegant French burlwood and ormolu mounted Lady’s cylinder desk. The single door cabinet is raised by slend...
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Materials
Ormolu
Early 19th Century Secretary
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Empire Secretary, Germany, 1820
A magnificent Empire-style secretary crafted in walnut veneer over coniferous wood, with ebonized accents and partial gilding. This piece showcases t...
Category
Early 19th Century German Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
19th C. French Empire Style Louis Philippe Period Secretaire Abattant
Located in Forney, TX
A Louis Philippe period (1830–1848) fruitwood secretaire abattant fall front desk.
Born in France in the mid-19th century, hand-crafted of rich solid fruitwood with warm wood tones, subtle grain detail, and nicely aged mellow patina over the whole. Finished in French Empire taste, having a molded cornice, concealed ogee frieze drawer with dovetail joinery, over fall front panel, opening to reveal original fitted interior gallery, with inset gilt tooled leather writing surface, large open shelf cubby, six drawers of various size, above double-door cabinet with brass shield escutcheon that opens to provide generous storage space, and an additional lower drawer for valuables hidden in the base molding, rising on square feet.
Dimensions: (approx)
56.75" High 41" Wide, 17.5" Deep
History/Back Story:
Louis Philippe furniture had the same types and forms as the earlier French Restoration style, but with less decoration; comfort was the primary consideration.
During the turbulent French Revolution and following Napoleon rule, Louis Philippe (1773-1850) remained in exile for 21 years until the Bourbon Restoration, when he became the King of the French from 1830 to 1848.
For the first time, the developing upper class–not the monarchy–influenced the progression of this style’s characteristics.
However, King Louis Philippe’s personality still inspired many aspects. His casual nature reflected this style’s informal, comfortable build. Much of the style was taken from the personality of the King himself. Unlike his Bourbon predecessors, he wore business dress...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Fruitwood
19th Century Louis XVI Country French Secretary Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century Louis XVI Country French Secretary Desk is the epitome of efficiency with style! Artfully hand-crafted from dense, old-growth oak, it features a slant front design wher...
Category
Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
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
Swedish Rococo Style Chapeau de Gendarme 1820s Gray Painted Tall Secretary
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Rococo style tall secretary from circa 1820 with gray painted finish, chapeau de gendarme bonnet top, two doors, slant-front desk and four d...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
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
Antique English Mahogany Glass Front Bureau Bookcase, circa 1830
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English mahogany glass front Bureau bookcase with Fitted Interior, circa 1830.
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany, Glass
Small Art Deco writing desk – France 1930
Located in Girona, Girona
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
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
Sublime Early 19th Century French Secrétaire
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Sublime early 19th century French secrétaire.
Category
Early 19th Century French Restauration Antique Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Biedermeier Secretaire, Cherry Veneer, Mahogany, South Germany circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Elegant early Biedermeier / neoclassical secretaire from south Germany around 1820, early 19th century. Cherry wood book-matched veneered on softwood and cherry solid wood, partly ebonized. Inside in mahogany veneer with drawers and three open compartments. Above one long drawer under the cornice. Below two long drawers with old box locks. Fully restored and hand-polished with shellac.
Dimensions:
* Metric: H 150 cm x W 96...
Category
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Cherry, Softwood
Aesthetic Movement Bonheur du Jour Secretary Desk Cabinet
Located in Pasadena, TX
Bonheur du Jour secretary desk cabinet,
circa late 1880s.
Dark walnut with finial accents and turned legs. The hinged writing surface opens to...
Category
Late 19th Century North American Aesthetic Movement Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
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
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
French Ebonized Burled Walnut Secretary Desk Bookcase with Sevres Style Figures
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a superb, extremely ornate and intricately designed Napoleonic style writing desk with bookcase top. The desk is crafted of burled walnut, bronze and porcelain Sevres style f...
Category
1880s French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
French Secretaire à Abattant, First Empire Period
Located in Montreal, Quebec
French first Empire period Secretaire à Abattant, also known as a drop-front secretary, fall front or cantilevered desk. Under the dark grey marble top is a secret, entablature drawe...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Biedermeier Secretaire, Cherry Veneer, Inlays, Brass, South Germany circa 1830
Located in Regensburg, DE
Large, original Biedermeier Secretaire from South Germany around 1840.
Cherry veneered on softwood and solid cherry. Solid cherry solid columns with carved Corinthian capitals.
Pro...
Category
1830s Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Iron, Tin
Biedermeier Walnut Secretary
Located in Hudson, NY
Biedermeier Walnut Secretary Chest, Biedermeier walnut secretary with cabinet below. Desk has four small drawers and a letter shelf. Cab...
Category
19th Century Czech Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Antique Diminutive Renaissance Revival Walnut & Burl Cylinder Secretary, c1880
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Renaissance Revival diminutive cylinder desk offers walnut and burl construction with upper case having carved cartouche over double glass door bookcase...
Category
Late 19th Century European Renaissance Revival Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut, Glass
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
Antique French Renaissance Revival Hunt Desk / Secretaire Barley Twist Oak 19th
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Gorgeous French antique 19th century Renaissance revival / Hunt style Writing desk in carved oak.
Marvelous decorated hunt style desk with fox head drawers & barley twisted columns...
Category
1870s French Renaissance Revival Antique Secretaires
Materials
Oak
19th Century Lion Secretary Empire Berlin
Located in Berlin, DE
Cuba mahogany on solid oak and softwood partly ebonized. High-rise, architecturally designed corpus. In the front three drawers of different sizes. Straight writing board, behind it ...
Category
Early 19th Century German Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
Empire Secretary Desk, Germany 1810
Located in Belmont, MA
German Empire Secretary Desk, circa 1810–1820 – Walnut Veneer, Brass Details, Shellac Finish
This elegant early 19th-century Empire secretary desk was crafted in Germany between 1810 and 1820. It features exquisite book-matched walnut veneer with rich, natural grain patterns that highlight the refined craftsmanship of the Empire style.
The lower section includes two paneled doors that open to reveal three spacious interior drawers, offering ample concealed storage. The upper section features a fall-front writing flap, which opens to a well-organized interior with several small drawers and open compartments—ideal for correspondence and personal items. Above this is a wide additional drawer for extra storage.
Two striking full-length columns with brass capitals and bases frame the piece, adding a classical architectural touch. The entire desk has been beautifully restored with a traditional hand-applied shellac polish, enhancing its depth and sheen while preserving its historic character.
Key Features:
Authentic Empire period desk, Germany, circa 1810–1820
Book-matched walnut veneer
Original architectural details: brass-mounted columns
Writing flap with interior drawers and compartments
Large drawer above writing section
Fully restored with hand-applied shellac polish
Ships from Germany – shipping to Boston included
This antique Empire secretary desk...
Category
1810s German Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
19th Century English Mahogany Estate Office Lockers, c.1890
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique late-19th Century English mahogany, multi-doored, large set of lockers, primarily would have been used as an estate cupboard, as the description...
Category
19th Century British Antique Secretaires
Materials
Metal
Georgian Oak Secretary
Located in Sheffield, MA
Very handsome Georgian lowland oak secretary with walnut trim.
Category
Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Oak, Walnut
Tall Walnut Cabinet with a Bureau Desk Compartment
Located in Dubai, AE
Tall walnut desk cabinet in Baroque style with gilded brass ornamentation. The upper glazed part reveals seven drawers, a leaf, and fifteen lockers, the flap revealing six drawers, s...
Category
19th Century German Baroque Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
19th Century English Black Lacquered Chinoiserie Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
Lovely 19th century English black lacquered Chinoiserie secretary. Beautiful painted Asian designs and many compartments. A true w...
Category
19th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
19th Century Victorian Burl Walnut Slant Front Secretary Desk Attr To Jelliff
By John Jelliff
Located in Long Branch, NJ
19th Century Victorian Burl Walnut Slant Front Secretary Desk Attr To Jelliff
Dimensions : 103" Tall X 46" Wide X 22" Deep
This stunning burled walnut secretary desk was made in th...
Category
Late 19th Century American Victorian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Burl
American Block Front Dropdown Mahogany Secretary Desk
Located in Queens, NY
American (18/19th Century) block front mahogany secretary desk with a slant top drop front over 3 drawers supported on ogee bracket feet.
Category
19th Century American Country Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
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
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
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
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
Antique English oak secretaire with stepped interior and working locks
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This antique English oak secretaire from the late 18th/early 19th century is a real eye-catcher. It has oak fronts, a stepped interior, beautiful original details and working locks. ...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Materials
Oak
English Mahogany Secretary Desk, 19th Century
Located in Southampton, NY
English Mahogany secretary desk, 19th century
Three pieces: Crown, upper drawers and lower cabinet. Lowest draw pulls out as a secretary desk.
Measures: 21" deep x 46.5" wide x 80.5"...
Category
19th Century British Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
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
19th Century Louis XV Chinoiserie Writing Desk
Located in Charlottesville, VA
This petite desk has the most charming decoration. It is done in chinoiserie.
Category
19th Century French Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Paint
Painted Swedish Secretary, 19th Century
Located in South Salem, NY
This 19th-century Swedish secretary is a captivating example of timeless design. Its cream-painted exterior exudes classic charm, while the writing surface features the popular faux ...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Louis XVI French Ebonized Scriban Secretary, 1880
Located in Austin, TX
Scriban or secretary chest in the Louis XVI style from France. This piece is made of solid wood construction, primarily mahogany. It has been ebonized and finished with a lustrous Fr...
Category
1880s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Marble, Brass
19th Century French Louis XVI Painted Secretaire
Located in Dallas, TX
Lovely antique French Louis XVI painted secretarie. This piece has a very fine patina and nice clean lines. Top section has a nice area for display and there is a good amount of stor...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Antique 19th Century Danish Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary Desk
Located in Round Top, TX
This stunning Biedermeier secretary was crafted in Denmark during a peak era known for high quality furniture craftsmanship. Enlarge photos to appreciate the beauty of the wood, note...
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Mahogany
19th Century Swedish Small Gustavian Fall Front Desk with Original Paint
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Swedish Gustavian fall front desk from Burtrask Vasterbotten, Northern Sweden.
Scraped by hand to its original color.
Small cute model in child size.
Fits so nicely i...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Pine
Italian Art Deco Goatskin Secretary
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Art Deco Goatskin Secretary.
This outstanding Italian Art Deco secretary desk covered in goatskin and trimmed in walnut with an upper ...
Category
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Goatskin, Wood
19th Century Painted Baroque Style Secretary Commode from Southern Germany
Located in Dallas, TX
This wonderful Baroque-style secretary commode features a wavy serpentine chest of drawers surmounted by a slant-top desk. Hand-carved in Southern Germany during the 1800s, the secre...
Category
19th Century German Baroque Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Paint
Antique Anglo Indian Military Campaign Camphor Wood & Brass Bureau Desk Drawers
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely late Victorian Anglo Indian campaign Camphor wood with brass inlay Military bureau desk
This piece really is exquisite. It’s a genui...
Category
Late 19th Century Indian Campaign 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.