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Secretaires For Sale
Period: 19th Century
Period: 1930s
Special 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Inlaid Parquetry Secretaire a Abattant
By Jean-Henri Riesener
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Special Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Inlaid Parquetry Secretaire a Abattant The shaped marble top above a long center frieze drawer with a large central bronze plaque of putti at play, the beautiful parquetry drop-down door centered with an elliptical gilt bronze panel depicting ”A Sacrifice to Love”, a classically dressed woman presenting an infant to Cupid, who stands on a pedestal, the plaque has ribbon tied flowers, the inside centered with a mirror surrounded by drawers and pigeonholes, the fall-front itself provides a black leather writing surface, the bottom doors opening to two more drawers and a shelf, the sides decorated with similar parquetry designs. This piece is a copy of the 18th century Secretaire by Jean-Henri Riesener which is presently in the Wallace Collection...
Category

Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

In the Manner of Jean Pascaud, Art Deco Drop Front Secretary, France, circa 1935
Located in New York, NY
Art Deco drop front secretary in the manner of Jean Pascaud. Made in France, circa 1935. Sycamore with a giltwood base, mahogany interior...
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

Art Deco Secretary Cabinet in Black Lacquer with Mirrored Interior, France 1930s
Located in Ulm, DE
This striking Art Deco secretary cabinet — crafted in France during the 1930s — is a quintessential example of the era’s refined glamour and design ingenuity. Finished in a luxurious...
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Lacquer, Mirror, Beech

Early 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Writing Bureau or Secretaire
Located in Kramfors, SE
Painted writing bureau or secretaire from Sweden made during the early 1800s, 1810 to 1820. The bureau is a folk art furniture from the area Hälsingland in Sweden and is made in gustavian style. The bureau is a prime example of the Swedish gustavian period with clean, elegant lines and a timeless expression. A fun detail is the secret compartment hidden in the middle of the interior, see picture. This bureau is a solid antique furniture...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine

Amazing Secretary "À Abattant" Napoleon III French, 19th Century VIDEO
Located in Madrid, ES
AMAZING SECRETARY "À ABATTANT" NAPOLEON III French, 19th century in painted and gilded wood with bronze applications, interior with six drawers, l...
Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

Rare Northern Swedish Antique Pine Secretary Clock Desk
Located in Kramfors, SE
Rare Swedish antique clock secretary desk made around 1820 to 1840 in northern Sweden. The desk and body of the clock are made by hand in solid ...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Country Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine

Antique Mahogany Secretary Chest
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A classic secretary chest finely crafted in mahogany. With a tall fall front top opening to a fitted interior with three small drawers above and below the serpentine cubby holes. The...
Category

19th Century Georgian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

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

19th Century Flemish Louis XIV Secretary or Bookcase with Embossed Brass
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century Flemish Louis XIV secretary or bookcase with embossed brass combines the talents of a master furniture crafter with the artistry of a metal sculptor! Fashioned with a cl...
Category

Mid-19th Century Belgian Louis XIV Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Louis XVI Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Secrétaire À Abattant
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Impressive Louis XVI style gilt-bronze mounted secrétaire à Abattant, In The Manner Of André Charles Boulle. This drop-front writing cabinet or secrétaire à abattant is finishe...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Ormolu

STUNNiNG ANTIQUE CIRCA 1840 SHERATON REVIVAL LIBRARY BUREAU BOOKCASE ON DRAWERS
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
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

Antique French secretaire Napoleon 3
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful French napoleon 3 secretaire, it has a beautiful inlaid, made of rosewood, ALL SALES ARE FINAL, STORE CREDIT OR EXCHANGE ONLY
Category

19th Century French Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

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

Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Rosewood

Louis Philippe Secretary with Marble Top
Located in Hudson, NY
Louis Philippe secretary with marble top.
Category

19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble

19th Century Biedermeier Secretary Desk in Maple Burl with Ebonized Details
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A refined 19th-century Biedermeier secretary desk, crafted in maple burl and veneers, showcasing the elegant simplicity of the Biedermeier period. The drop-front design opens to reve...
Category

19th Century German Antique Secretaires

Materials

Burl

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

Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine

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

19th Century Antique Secretaires

Portuguese Secretaire of the 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Portuguese Secretaire of the 19th Century, in mahogany wood with inlays. Bottom with two drawers. Elevation with two shelves. Small defects Dim.: 105 x 89 x 56 cm. very good condition
Category

19th Century Portuguese Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

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

1810s French Empire Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Louis Seize Secretary around 1800 Nutwood Veneer on Oak
Located in Münster, DE
Cylinder bureau, Westphalia circa 1800, walnut and other fine woods veneered on oak, marquetry work, partly fire shaded, fluting and meander frieze, on the cylinder closure depiction...
Category

Early 1800s German Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Nutwood, Oak

19th Century Two-Piece English Butler's Secretary
Located in Asheville, NC
This two-piece secretary is constructed of oak with contrast mahogany banding, the compartmented fall front desk forms the top drawer of the base cabinet when closed, the upper cabin...
Category

19th Century American Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

19th Century English Writing Desk with Drawers and Hinged Door and Original Hand
Located in Marbella, ES
19th Century English Writing Desk with Drawers and Hinged Door and Original Handles
Category

19th Century English Antique Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

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

19th Century Ebony and Thuya Wood Bonheur Du Jour
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a 19th century amboyna and ebony cabinet, with three quarter balustrade gallery, above two panelled doors set with Paris porcelain portrait ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Victorian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Amboyna

19th Century French Standing Secrétaire / Dry Bar with Tambour Doors, Marble Top
Located in Madrid, ES
A 19th century, French secrétaire with beautiful feathered woodwork, eucalyptus fillet inlay with Louis XVI style detailing. The wood grain veneer is artfully arranged in geometric p...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble

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

Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Pair 19th Century Bonheur Du Jours
Located in Brighton, Sussex
Rare pair of 19th Century French Kingwood and Tulip wood veneered Bonheur du jours, each with pierced three quarter brass galleries, gilded ormolu mounts, three drawers either side o...
Category

19th Century Japanese Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany, Porcelain

A Beautiful & Rare Napoleon III 19th Century, Chinese Lacquer & Gilt Secretaire
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Beautiful & Rare Napoleon III 19th Century, Chinese Lacquer & Gilt Secretaire On Lion Paw Feet A fall front reveals a letter rack and inkwells and pen holder...
Category

19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Spectacular masterspiece ladies writing secretary desk Napoleon III, 1860 France
Located in Wien, AT
A masterpiece of French craftsmanship - a Napoleon III era ladies writing secretary desk, circa 1860. The piece of furniture has a slender, high structure, with a richly decorated f...
Category

1860s French Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Brass, Bronze

19th Century Russian Antique Veneered Mahogany Secretary by Heinrich Gambs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique Russian secretary with a writing flap made of hand crafted shellac polished, partly veneered Mahogany, designed and produced by Heinrich G...
Category

Early 19th Century Russian Empire Antique Secretaires

Materials

Metal, Brass

Louis XVI Style Mahogany Secretaire Abattant
Located in San Francisco, CA
Early-mid 19th century Louis XVI style mahogany secretaire abattant The top having a drawer above the drop front with felt writing surface, multiple compartments/drawers. Bottom hal...
Category

Mid-19th Century European Louis XIII Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier secretaire in walnut, root wood and ebony with fall-front writing surface; interior drawers and secret compartments.
Category

19th Century Austrian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Ebony, Walnut

19th Century English Regency Mahogany Secretary Bookcase with Brass Knobs
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th Century English Regency Mahogany Secretary Bookcase with Brass Knobs
Category

19th Century English Regency Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Period English Regency Secretary Cabinet with Ebonized Trim
Located in Dallas, TX
English Regency period mahogany and satinwood two-piece secretary cabinet. Pine secondary wood. Top section having a shaped cornice with an ebonized lion medallion flanked by sphinxe...
Category

Late 19th Century English Regency Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Louis XVI Style Parquetry Secrétaire, circa 1890
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Louis XVI style gilt bronze mounted parquetry and marquetry fall-front Secrétaire with a marble top. Stamped to the carcass ‘10298’. This elegantly shaped Secrétaire is deco...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Ormolu, Bronze

Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier Secretaire made of walnut, root wood and ebony with a fall front writing surface, inside drawers and mirrored cubby hole.
Category

19th Century Antique Secretaires

Materials

Ebony

Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier secretaire made of walnut and cherry with fall front writing surface, nine interior drawers, mirrored cubby hole and three exterior drawers. Germany circa 1840.
Category

19th Century Antique Secretaires

Materials

Cherry, Walnut

19th Century Wellington Mahogany Chest Of Drawers Secretary Desk Dovetails Clean
By Wellington
Located in Rockaway, NJ
19th Century Wellington Mahogany Chest Of Drawers Secretary Desk Dovetails Clean
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Frank Brangwyn. A rare desk originally designed for the 1931 Pollard exhibition
By Frank Brangwyn, E. Pollard & Co
Located in London, GB
Frank Brangwyn. E Pollard and Co. A rare desk originally designed for the 1931 Pollard Exhibition where it can be seen in a room setting in the original photographs from 1931. See ...
Category

1930s English Art Deco Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Sycamore

Napoleon III Ebony Chiffonier with Secretary Desk, Brass Inlay Detailing
Located in Madrid, ES
This charming and practical Napoleon III style chiffonier with hidden secretary desk has been professionally refinished, and now shines in deepest ebony with richly contrasting brass...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Early 19th Century George l Style Secretary
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a charming George l style walnut diminutive secretary. The domed cornice over a conforming cabinet door has a mirror plate. The bottom section contains a drop-front opening t...
Category

Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mirror, Walnut

Walnut Carved Secretaire Desk from H. Dufin, France, 19th Century
By Honoré Dufin
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Beautiful fine carved secretary desk. The desk was made by the famous French cabinet maker Honoré Dufin. The secretary is signed on both sides by...
Category

1870s French Renaissance Revival Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

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

Early 19th Century Antique Secretaires

Materials

Nutwood

Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier Secretaire- Dark walnut with fall front writing surface, interior drawers, secret compartments and exterior drawers.
Category

19th Century French Antique Secretaires

Pair of French Early 19th Century Louis XVI St. Mahogany Bonheurs Du Jours
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A magnificent pair of French early 19th century Louis XVI St. Bonheurs du Jours, which literally means, the joy of the day. A type of writing desk introduced in Paris by renowned int...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Carrara Marble, Ormolu

Antique 19th Century Secretary Simulated Chiffonier, Napoleon III Period
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Antique 19th century secretary simulated chiffonier, Napoleon III period A magnificent secretary simulated chiffonier. It is created with gre...
Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

Regency Brass-Inlaid Rosewood Secretaire Cabinet
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Regency brass-inlaid rosewood secretaire cabinet, the rectangular top with a pierced galleried shelf with trellis work on the sides, above a secretaire drawer, banded with brass pa...
Category

1810s English Regency Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Secretaire à la Bourgogne, Transformation Table, Louis XV Style, 19th Century
Located in Greven, DE
Very rare antique desk or secretary, so-called bureau à transformation "à la Bourgogne" in Louis XV style. France Walnut 19th century Dimensions: H...
Category

19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

Secrètaire Empire Lombardy Italy First Quarter Nineteenth Century
By Non-Standard Furniture and Lighting
Located in Milano, IT
Empire secretaire made in Milan in the early 1800s of mahogany veneered walnut and mahogany feather; on the front three drawers in the base body and on the top a drop-leaf door with ...
Category

19th Century Italian Empire Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany, Walnut

Dutch 19th Century Oak Secretaire
Located in Delft, NL
A Dutch 19th century oak secretaire A Dutch 19th century oak secretaire and a wooden balcony rack. The secretaire consists of various drawers between 2 columns and a hidden draw...
Category

19th Century Dutch Antique Secretaires

Materials

Oak

Dutch 19th Century Oak Secretaire
Located in Delft, NL
A Dutch 19th Century oak secretaire A Dutch 19th century oak secretaire on claw legs and a copper balcony rack. The secretaire consists of various drawers and a hidden drawer. ...
Category

19th Century Dutch Antique Secretaires

Materials

Oak

19th Century Louis XV Style Scriban
Located in London, Park Royal
Louis XV Style Scriban, in solid oak. Hand-carved with Provincial carving and hand-painted in an aged ecru on the outside with a dark midnight blue patina on the inside writing section.
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Antique Biedermeier Secretary shelve circa 1810 Cuba Mahogany veneer
Located in Berlin, DE
High-quality Cuba mahogany on solid oak . Rectangular body on pointed legs. Provided with three drawers . Straight writing tablet, behind it architectur...
Category

19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

English secretary/desk 19 th c. With display
Located in Houston, TX
Construction that is exceptional with cabinetry that is difficult to find In a piece of furniture of this time period. It is mid nineteenth century And has been well preserved. The u...
Category

Early 19th Century British George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Louis XVI Style Fall Top Secretaire
Located in Belmont, MA
Louis XVI style fall top secretaire, France second half of the 19th century, mahogany veneer with white marble top. In very good condition. The se...
Category

1890s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Northern Italian Walnut Two-Part Secretary
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning, c. 1820, solid walnut, two-tier, fall-front scriviana from the Piedmont district of Northern Italy. The paneled doors in the upper cabinet bordered by relief carved acanthu...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

German Birchroot Biedermeier Abbatant With Architectural Pediment
Located in Charleston, SC
This monumental Berlin Biedermeier Secretaire is one of the finest examples with its Classical Architecture of Doric Pediments, Columns, and Dental Moldings. The main structure of the Secretaire has a majestic architectural superstructural cabinet resting on top, representing a temple. The Biedermeier Abbatant is veneered in Birchroot with a fall front writing desk...
Category

Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Birch, Burl

Large Swedish Gustavian Dry Scraped Bureau
Located in Staffordshire, GB
circa 1800 Large Swedish Gustavian dry scraped bureau (vat qualifying) Measures: W 120 x D 53 x H 218cm Base W 112 x D 53 x H 98cm Top W 120 x D 37 x ...
Category

19th Century Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine

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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