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Secretaires

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Secretaires For Sale
Early 19th Century French Mahogany, Oak & Marble Secretaire with Ormolu Mounts
Located in Middleburg, VA
Important Secretaire a Abattant, Paris, Empire, circa 1805. Mahogany on oak, marble top, ormolu mounts. Caryatides, trophy weapons, fasces, antique Roman and Egyptian ornamentation a...
Category

Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble

Spanish Fall-Front Secretary Desk in Carved Oak, Spain, circa 1950
Located in Miami, FL
Mid 20th century walnut Spanish front cabinet with molded carvings and two compartments, the hight compartment has a sliding door that can be hidden easily to open the space and the ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Secretaires

Materials

Oak

Midcentury French Style Black Lacquer Chinoiserie Secretary Desk / Cabinet
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a midcentury French style hand painted chinoiserie secretary with a unique bombe form base and glass top. It works so well for both display and functional desk. It is unmarke...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Glass, Lacquer

Lovely Vintage Secretary with 3 Drawers and Shelves on Top
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Pretty vintage American secretary cabinet having slant front desk that opens to a 29.5 d surface and cubbies with one little drawer. The top has gl...
Category

1950s American Country Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Wood

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

English Glass Front William IV Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
Located in Free Union, VA
A stylish English mahogany William IV period piece, (ca. 1830), with a strikingly arched cornice terminating in half palmettes. Arched tracery distinguishes the glass doors of the to...
Category

1830s English William IV Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Verni Martin secrétaire abattant , circa 1880
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality late 19th Century French Louis XVI style secretaries abbattant, having bombe shaped sides, gilded rococo style scrolling ormolu mounts. Wonderful hand painted Ver...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Midcentury modern secretary in teakwood, 1960s Denmark.
Located in תל אביב - יפו, IL
Lovely Midcentury modern secretary in teakwood, 1960s Denmark. This exquisite piece features a vibrant wood grain, a set of three small dra...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires

Materials

Teak

Early 20th-Century Biedermeier Brown Oak Secretary Desk
Located in Opole, PL
Early 20th-Century Biedermeier Brown Oak Secretary Desk We present you this piece of furniture composed of a three-drawer dresser with a sliding de...
Category

Early 20th Century European Biedermeier Secretaires

Materials

Oak

Vintage French Provincial Corner Cabinet Writing Desk Bookcase Hutch 80"
Located in Dayton, OH
Intriguing French Provincial Corner unit or writing desk, circa 1970s. Base features a central dovetailed drawer and work surface with upper light. The hutch has a central dovetail...
Category

1970s French Provincial Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Hardwood, Paint

60s 70s Teak Secretary Dresser Danish Modern Desk Design Denmark 60s 70s
Located in Neuenkirchen, NI
60s 70s teak secretary dresser Danish Modern Desk Design Denmark 60s 70s Object: secretary Manufacturer: Condition: good Age: around 1960-1970 ...
Category

1970s Danish Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Teak

Midcentury Danish Modern Magic Box Desk in Teak by Mummenthaler & Meier
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Midcentury 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

Midcentury modern danish teakwood secretary/vanity, 1960s Denmark.
Located in תל אביב - יפו, IL
Midcentury modern danish teakwood secretary/vanity, 1960s Denmark. Features a vibrant wood grain, a set of six small drawers, mail slots and slide out...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires

Materials

Teak

JASPER "Generations" Inlaid Mahogany Chippendale Style Secretary Desk
Located in Charlotte, NC
A Chippendale style secretary desk by Jasper Cabinet Company, their "Generations" model. Inlaid mahogany, brass hardware, pediment top with inla...
Category

Late 20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Antique Country French Regence Style Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique Country French Regence style Secretary was hand-crafted from solid oak, and features a traditional slant-front d...
Category

Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Early 19th Century Stunning Swedish Gustavian Secretary
Located in San Angelo, TX
Here is a stunning early 19th century Swedish Gustavian secretary. This secretary features a newer, professionally applied white and gray e...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Danish Secretary by Arne Wahl Iversen for Vinde Mobelfabrik. 1960's Denmark.
Located in תל אביב - יפו, IL
A stunning mcm rosewood Danish Secretary designed by Arne Wahl Iversen, Model 37 for Vinde Mobelfabrik and dating from the 1960s. The rosewood grain patterns are stunning on every s...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires

Materials

Rosewood

Black & Gold Hitchcock Style Secretary Desk & Chair - 2pc Set
Located in Middletown, MD
A stunning vintage two-piece set, wonderfully preserved, to add a touch of historical charm to your home décor. Painted in rich black with gold accents featuring the classic Harvest stenciling, beautiful brass/porcelain drawer pulls displaying a painted scene on each, exuding the timeless Hitchcock style that was popularized in the late 1800’s and continues to be a highly sought staple of American décor...
Category

20th Century American American Classical Secretaires

Materials

Maple

Trumeau, secretaire Luigi XV originale settecentesco
Located in Torino, IT
Trumeau, secretaire Luigi XV / Transizione in legno lastronato con motivo a lisca di pesce. Doppia anta superiore, piano a ribalta e tre cassetti. PERIODO Originale del Settecento ...
Category

18th Century European Louis XV Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

1790s Scandinavian Slant Front Desk with Carved Panel and Four Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Scandinavian light/medium grey painted slant-front desk from circa 1790 with carved panel and four drawers. Emanating the quiet elegance of Scandinavian design, this circa 1790 lig...
Category

Late 18th Century Scandinavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Antique Burr Walnut Biedermeier Secretaire Desk Drop Front Secretaire Drawers
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this super quality, antique Swedish Biedermeier Secretaire desk with 35 drawers Please note the delivery fee listed is just a guide, it covers w...
Category

1880s Swedish Victorian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Mid-Century Modern Desk/Secretary by Maurice Pre and Janette Laverrière, 1958
Located in Brussels, BE
Dimensions D: 40 cm (15.75") H: 317 ( MAXIMAL HEIGHT) cm W: 80 cm (31.50")
Category

1950s French Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Wood

ANTIQUE SHERATON REVIVAL BUREA BOOKCASE LEATHER TOP HARDWOOD WALNUT & SATiNWOOD
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this exquisite Sheraton Revival Walnut, Mahogany & Satinwood Bureau bookcase...
Category

20th Century English Sheraton Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Hardwood, Satinwood, Walnut

Very Fine Antique Secretary Bookcase with Brass Eagle Crest
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Well constructed with fine mahogany veneer with Federal style brass eagle finial on a pedestal. The carved cornice with urn form finials over a carv...
Category

Late 19th Century Federal Antique Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Glass, Mahogany

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

ANTIQUE ViCTORIAN 1860 WALNUT SCRIBAN BUREAU BOOKCASE MUST SEE PICTURES
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning circa 1860-1880 Walnut framed Scriban bureau bookcase Please note the delivery fe...
Category

1860s English High Victorian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Walnut

Antique 19th Century Walnut Austrian Biedermeier Abatante Secretary Desk
Located in Charlotte, NC
An antique Biedermeier style abatante secretary desk, unbranded. Walnut with walnut & other wood veneers, decorative overhang to top, wood keyhole escutcheons to doors with brass key...
Category

19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mirror, Wood, Walnut

Birch Karl Johan Secretary Bureau from Sweden, circa 1840-60
By Karl Johan
Located in Round Top, TX
Stunning Karl Johan Swedish birch secretary or "bureau" with twelve inner drawers surrounding a 3-part central cubie area. Exterior has one upp...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Birch

Antique French Louis XVI Inlaid Rosewood Secretaire Abattant Desk Dresser, 1880
Located in Portland, OR
A good quality antique French inlaid marquetry Rosewood secretaire abattant, circa 1880. Made from the finest rosewood and of serpentine or bombe shape, with a Carrara marble top, th...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble

European 1790s Two-Part Tall Secretary with Glass Doors and Slant Front Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
A European painted wood tall two-part secretary circa 1790 with glass doors, carved dentil molding, slant-front desk and four graduating drawers. Enhance your home decor with this ex...
Category

Late 18th Century European Antique Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Wood

Danish Mid Century Modern teak secretary dresser, made in the 1960s.
Located in תל אביב - יפו, IL
Stunning Danish Mid Century Modern teak secretary dresser, made in the 1960s. Features six smaller drawers on top, three storage drawers on the botto...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires

Materials

Brass

A fine Biedermeier period walnut and inlayed roll top secretary. Circa 1830
Located in Dallas, TX
A very fine and rare Biedermeier walnut roll top secretary . Fine satinwood inlay . French polished and ready to place. Several drawers and compartments for storage .
Category

Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Satinwood, Walnut

19th Century Swedish Secretaire with Secret Compartement, Light Birch Wood
Located in Greven, DE
Antique secretary with secret compartment Swedish birch second half 19th century Dimensions: H x W x D: 135 x 112 x 52 cm Description Piece of furniture standing on block feet with three drawers at the bottom, a writing flap above and another drawer at the very top. There is a small secret compartment in one of the front feet, which is clearly visible in one of the photos. The side runners of the top drawer are removable and also contain a secret compartment in each. Discreet flanking half columns of solid birch wood extend almost the entire height of the furniture front. In combination with the hollowed headboard, they give the furniture its special character. The grain of the flamed birch is reflected on the front, sides and cover plate. The discreet brass keyhole surrounds keep a low profile. The interior of the secretary consists of a central door, an open compartment underneath, and a total of 15 drawers of varying sizes. The compartment under the door is ideal for sliding in a laptop when work is done and closing the flap. The door itself is another highlight of the furniture with its rosewood edge, fine thread inlays and field of mirror ash. Behind the door is another small drawer. On the back wall of the secretary are old shipping labels from the port...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires

Materials

Birch

Small Desk, Kids Desk or Writing Table by Torck, 1950s
Located in Schagen, NL
The cutest piece in stock! This small oak veneered writing table, (kids)desk or Secretaire was manufactured by Torck Belgium in ca. the 1950s. Very charming piece with beautiful orig...
Category

Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Secretaires

Materials

Oak

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

Circa 1810 Empire Period Secretaire à Abatant
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Empire period, c.1810, Secretaire à Abatant, French. Walnut. Demi-columns with bronze dore mounts. Bronze dore pulls & escutcheons. Chic black marble top with white-grey figure. Grea...
Category

1810s French Empire Antique Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

STUNNiNG ANTIQUE CIRCA 1840 SHERATON REVIVAL LIBRARY BUREAU BOOKCASE ON DRAWERS
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely hand made in England, Sheraton Revival, Library Bureau bookcase circa 1840 Please note the deli...
Category

1840s English Victorian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Hardwood

George IV Mahogany Secretary Bookcase with Brass Inlay and Ormolu Mounts England
Located in Atlanta, GA
George IV Mahogany Secretary Bookcase with Brass Inlay and Ormolu Mounts, England, circa 1830.
Category

Early 19th Century English George IV Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

French Louis XV Style Bureau Plat with Ormolu Mounts French Flat Desk
Located in Miami, FL
A very fine large sized flat desk otherwise referred to as a "Bureau de Ministre", Bureau Plat or Ministers Flat Desk. Extremely finely chiseled bronze. Slightly protruding, profiled...
Category

20th Century French Louis XV Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

Gunnar Nielsen for Tibergaard bureau, secretary, 1960s
Located in Neuss, NW
Classic secretary from the 1960s by Gunnar Nielsen for Tibergaard. High-quality corpus in teak veneer with a hinged work surface, four interior drawers, one compartments, three drawe...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Teak

Mahogany Secretary Desk
Located in Annville, PA
The Mahogany Secretary Desk from Niagara Furniture. This reproduction slant front writing desk has all the outstanding qualities of an antique origina...
Category

2010s Renaissance Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

Antique Traditional Secretary Wood Desk with Shelf, FR-1062
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Antique Traditional Secretary Wood Desk with Shelf The secretary desk with shelf originates from France. The wood desk has a warm, worn black fi...
Category

Early 20th Century French Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Vintage Cresent Queen Anne Style Cherry Secretary Writing Desk Bookcase Bureau
Located in Dayton, OH
Beautiful Queen Anne style secretary desk and bookcase by Cresent Manufacturing Company, circa 1970s. Made from cherry with a natural distre...
Category

1970s Queen Anne Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Cherry

Extraordinary Colorful Rococo Style Painted Secretary Cabinet with Chair
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Custom painted in a striking blue exterior with an electric and contrasting green interior and having a strong form, ornate gilt hinges and pulls, escutcheons (with keys) and Top fin...
Category

1940s Rococo Revival Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Metal

19th Century French Rosewood Inlaid Louis XVI Ladies Desk Bonheur Du Jour
Located in Long Branch, NJ
​19th Century French Rosewood Inlaid Louis XVI Ladies Desk Bonheur Du Jour Dimensions : 30" Wide X 19" Deep X 52.75" Tall This stunning ladies ...
Category

1870s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Rosewood, Satinwood

Swedish 1870s Birch Inlaid Secretary with Inlaid Motifs and Slant Front Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
Swedish 1870s birch inlaid two part tall secretary with slant front desk, two doors, four drawers and inlaid star motifs. Imbued with a refined elegance, this Swedish 19th Century bi...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Antique Early American 19th Century Pine Plantation Desk
Located in Forney, TX
An early American 19th century pine plantation desk with nicely aged patina. Born in the Mid-Atlantic region / Southern United States, circa 1800s, hand-crafted of solid pine wood with mellow warm tone and rich grain patterns, primitive one-piece construction, having a stepped molded cornice above a tall pair of paneled cabinet doors, opening to reveal an interior fitted with shelves and divided slots for documents, plank boarded back with old metal patch, over a lift-top writing slope with spacious storage underneath, the apron adorned with simple decorative pilasters...
Category

19th Century American Primitive Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine

Antique Pine Roll Top Desk Bureau from Sweden circa 1840
Located in Round Top, TX
Lovely pine roll top desk or bureau from Sweden from the 1800's. The age of this secretary is revealed in the warmth of the deep patina in the pine which only happens through genera...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Country Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine

1930s Art Deco Secretary Cabinet
Located in Pasadena, TX
1930s Art Deco secretary cabinet. Exquisite Art Deco display cabinet in walnut with glass front doors featuring fretwork design. The center features a...
Category

1940s European Art Deco Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

18th Century Swedish Baroque Secretaire
Located in Charleston, SC
18th century Swedish late Baroque secretaire in original gorgeous blue/green patinated color with slant front desk with a fitted interior over the two long and two smaller drawer bas...
Category

Mid-18th Century Swedish Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

French 18th C. Louis XV/XVI Transitional Ormolu Mounted Secretaire by RVLC
Located in PARIS, FR
A Louis XV/XVI transitional ormolu mounted tulipwood secretaire by RVLC Rare and elegant secretary of elliptical shape, veneered on all sides of rosewood with herringbone decoration...
Category

18th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

19th-Century Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary Desk in Beautiful Graining
Located in Opole, PL
19th-Century Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary Desk in Beautiful Graining We present you this piece of furniture with three drawers at the bottom, a drop front, and a narrow drawer und...
Category

Mid-19th Century European Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany, Baize

19th Century French Louis XV Marble Top Carved Walnut Marquetry Secretary Chest
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate an office or bedroom with this elegant antique "Secretaire a Abattant". Crafted in Paris circa 1870, the fruitwood secretary stands on cabriole legs ending with bronze sabot...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Antique Kittinger Jacobean Spanish Revival American Walnut Carved Secretary Desk
Located in Dayton, OH
Extremely rare one of a kind early Kittinger Jacobean Revival fall front secretary writing desk. Made from American walnut with a carved and paneled...
Category

Early 20th Century Jacobean Secretaires

Materials

Oak, Walnut

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

Fine 19th Century English Chinoiserie and Red Lacquered Slant Front Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
A very fine and elaborated 19th century Chinoiserie red lacquered slant front secretary. Hand painted and raised decoration. The interior with pigeon holes and drawers and a writing ...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

French Bureau Plat Around 1900
Located in Heiligenberg, DE
Splendid Bureau Plat veneered with rosewood and decorated with bronze applications, France 19th century. Bureau Plat is in restored condition with shellac polished surface. This ...
Category

1890s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Kingwood

Kai Kristiansen Teak Secretary Desk
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Denmark Designer: Kai Kristiansen Manufacturer: Torring Møbelfabrik Era: 1960s Materials: Teak Measurements: 35.5? wide x 17.25? deep x 44? tall Condition: In excelle...
Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires

Materials

Teak

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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