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Secretaires For Sale
French Empire Secrétaire á Abattant
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A handsome 19th century French Empire secrétaire à abattant made of richly figured, bookmatched walnut. This desk has a black fossil marble top resting above a hidden drawer, free of hardware and opening by a shallow groove on the bottom of the drawer front. 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 by Empire style 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

Late 19th Century Spanish Walnut Bureau Bookcase ‘Secretaire’
Located in Miami, FL
A late 19th century Spanish Walnut Bureau bookcase ‘secretaire’ with fretwork open swan neck pediment, centred by a shaped finial, above a pair of doors, slant front enclosed writing...
Category

Late 19th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

George III Bureau Desk or Secretary Chest of Mahogany from the 18th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A fine George III slant top desk or bureau secretary chest of patinated mahogany, c.1770 - an inlaid slant front drops to reveal a series of small drawers and document compartments, ...
Category

18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Metal, Brass

English Painted Bookcase Secretaire
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Early 20th century English painted bookcase secretaire with later paint and bevelled glass. 1910. Upper interior shelves: 8.5-inches Height to the underside of desk: 28.5-inches ...
Category

20th Century English Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Oak, Pine

Early 19th Century Swedish Two-part Secretary
Located in Atlanta, GA
This early 19th-century Swedish two-part secretary is a truly unique piece, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship and artistry. The upper section features a beautifully carved cornice...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine

Antique Victorian Walnut & Burl Barrel Roll Top Secretary Bookcase & Desk C1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
***Reduced Delivery Rates - See Below or Click “Ask The Seller” to Request a Quote*** Antique Victorian Walnut & Burl Barrel Roll Top Secretary, Double Glass Door Bookcase & Desk wi...
Category

Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut, Glass

Early 19th Century George l Vitrine Secretary
Located in Miami, FL
This is a charming George l style walnut diminutive secretary. The domed cornice over a conforming vitrine cabinet . The bottom section contains a drop-front opening to reveal a leat...
Category

Late 19th Century English George I Antique Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Walnut

Hickory Chair Historical James River Plantations Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
Located in Bridgeport, CT
With carved double arched top, double shaped glazed doors with mullions and three glass shelves inside, with a light. The slant front opens to drawers, cubby holes and a door with a...
Category

20th Century American Secretaires

Materials

Brass

A drop-front secretary desk in mahogany veneer - René-Jean Caillette - France
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A beautiful drop-front secretary desk in mahogany veneer, designed by René-Jean Caillette for Rosier SNA furniture, stamped on the back and dating from the 1950s. This piece exemplif...
Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Louis XV Style Folding Desk with One Drawer, 1950
Located in Miami, FL
Louis XV style folding desk with one drawer. An exceptional Louis XV style desk, made of early Italian antique oak wood. This piece screams high quality. Beautiful grain and patina....
Category

Mid-20th Century French Louis XV Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Biedermeier Style Burled Birchwood Secretary Desk by Colombo Mobili
Located in Shippensburg, PA
BIEDERMEIER STYLE BURLED BIRCHWOOD SECRETARY DESK Executed by Colombo Mobili, ca. 21st century Item # 411OBP20A A truly remarkable Biedermeier style secretaire a'abattant desk from ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Biedermeier Secretaires

Materials

Brass

19th Century German Biedermeier Secretary, Light Birch Wood, circa 1830-1840
Located in Greven, DE
Antique top secretary from the Biedermeier period around 1830/1835. Birch veneer with very subtle grain. Architecturally structured interior with marquetry and band inlays. Exten...
Category

1830s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Birch

Antique Walnut Slant Front Queen Anne Style Secretary Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Late 19th century English Queen Anne style slant front desk with three drawers & inner compartments.
Category

19th Century English Queen Anne Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

National Cash Register Co.
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
National Cash Register Co. Brass Cash Register, Early 1900s, on wooden plinth.
Category

Early 1900s American Industrial Antique Secretaires

Materials

Iron

Antique French Secretaire / Bureau in Mahogany
Located in Leicester, GB
Beautiful Antique French flame Mahogany secretaire/bureau/cabinet. The inside is lined with maple and finished with ebonized black details. The cabinet has got lots of charm and char...
Category

1890s French French Provincial Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Exceptionally Fine Queen Anne Burr Walnut Dome Top Bureau Bookcase Secretary
Located in Bradenton, FL
The best English Queen Anne / George I burl walnut secretary bureau bookcase in two sections. The upper arched top portion with a molded and domed cornice inset with mirrored glass a...
Category

Early 18th Century English George I Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Exquisite ebonised secretary desk from the 19th century
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
We are honoured to present an exquisite ebonised secretary desk from the 19th century, hailing from Sweden and exemplifying the elegance of the Biedermeier style. This piece has been...
Category

1820s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Softwood

Antique Bleached Oak Drop Front Secretary Commode from Holland, Circa 1850
Located in Dallas, TX
More information coming soon… Hand-carved circa 1850, the form of this bleached drop front secretary commode is distinctly Dutch (more specifically from what used to be Holland). T...
Category

Mid-19th Century Dutch Antique Secretaires

Materials

Metal, Bronze

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 c. Swedish Rococo Secretary with Library in Original Blue Paint
Located in Wichita, KS
A rare, early 19th century Swedish Rococo style slant-front secretary from Fryksdalen in Värmland with arched cornice, circa 1820. The paint has been hand-scraped down to the origina...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Paint

Lovely Mixed Wood Inlay French Secretary
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Exceptional classic French secretary having stunning floral inlay on all sides with a variety of different color woods. The interior features 6 drawers, an open shelf, and addition...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Kingwood, Satinwood

19th Century Empire Drop-Front Oak Secretary Desk or Abattant, Chest France
Located in Miami, FL
Secretaire a abattant, France circa 1820, Biedermeier period. The outside with fall front and two drawers flanked by two ebonized columns shows a beautiful oak veneer design. The woo...
Category

Early 19th Century French Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

George III Mahogany Breakfront Bureau Bookcase
Located in Huntington, NY
This exceptional George III Mahogany Breakfront Bureau Bookcase with Glazed Doors, has wonderful flame & crotch grain Mahogany. Comprised of a large central cabinet, flanked by 2 sma...
Category

18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Fine William And Mary Oyster Veneer Cabinet On Chest
Located in Bradenton, FL
A very fine quality late 17th century Oyster veneer cabinet on chest from the Queen Anne/William and Mary period with outstanding patina and nutty color, and of desirable proportions...
Category

Early 18th Century English William and Mary Antique Secretaires

Materials

Olive

Gustavian Cinnabar Red Secretary, Swedish Antique C. 1800
Located in Kastrup, DK
Gustavian secretary painted in an elegant cinnabar red and a black-painted top with a profiled edge. The interior is revealed when the writing surface is lowered and features a black...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine

Vintage Georgian Burl Secretary Bookcase Italy
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Beautiful Georgian drop front secretary. Made for Bibi Furniture, Italy. appointed burled fruitwood with brass accent pulls. Ample storage with bottom case drawers, double door upper...
Category

20th Century Italian Georgian Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Swedish Gustavian 19th Century Painted Secretary
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A generously sized 19th century secretary desk from Sweden, made in the Gustavian style, with a striking painted finish of ruddy, patinated oxblood enveloping the pine construction. ...
Category

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine

Antique New England American Chippendale Curly Maple Slant Front Secretary Desk
Located in Dayton, OH
An exquisite New England Chippendale Drop Front Secretary Desk, circa 1800. Features a curly maple frame with colonial brass bale hardware. The fall front opens to a writing surface,...
Category

Early 19th Century American Chippendale Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Spanish Cabinet "Bargueño" Walnut, Wrought Iron, Stone, 17th Century
Located in Miami, FL
The rectangular locker rests on chest with legs, and has four drawers decorated with diamonds that lock and fittings and shield shown horseshoe. Answer...
Category

17th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Tessellated Black Marble Brass Inlay Secretary Desk by Maitland Smith
Located in Houston, TX
Maitland Smith 20th Century tessellated black marble Secretary. This phenomenal and monumental cabinet is enrobed in polished black marble with ...
Category

20th Century Hollywood Regency Secretaires

Materials

Malachite, Brass

Exquisite Biedermeier Secretaire, Germany, c. 1825–1830
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Exquisite Biedermeier Secretaire, Germany, c. 1825–1830 This exceptional Biedermeier secretaire, crafted in Germany between 1825 and 1830, embodies the elegance and refinement of th...
Category

1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Queen Anne Style Burton-Ching Black Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Queen Anne Style Burton-Ching Black Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Danish Modern Rosewood Secretary Desk by Erling Torvits, 1960s.
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish Modern Rosewood/palisander Secretaire by Erling Torvits, 1960s. Stunning Rosewood bureau designed by Danish architect Erling Torvits for Klim Møbelfabrik, Denmark. Th...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Rosewood

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, 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 Rustic Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine

19thC English Bamboo Bureau
Located in Staffordshire, GB
circa 1880 19thC English Bamboo Bureau sku 1966 W71 x D45 x H134 cm Weight 16 kg
Category

19th Century Antique Secretaires

Materials

Bamboo

Queen Anne Secretary Desk 19th Century
Located in Fulton, CA
A 19th century Queen Anne secretary desk crafted in solid mahogany with flame mahogany detail. Fitted interior with pigeon hole and drawer storage...
Category

Late 19th Century Unknown Queen Anne Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Venetian Italian Style Polychrome Secretary Bookcase
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Embrace the timeless charm of this Classic Venetian Style Italian Polychrome Lacquered Hand-Painted two parts Bookcase, a piece of furniture that exudes both artistry and history. Th...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Victorian Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Paint

Late 18th Century Neoclassical Rolltop Bureau, Germany
Located in Greding, DE
An elegant Louis XVI, Zopfstil, roll-top secretary desk, crafted in the late 18th century. The piece features a three-drawer base and a three-door upper section with a projecting cen...
Category

Late 18th Century German Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Dorothy Draper Lacquered Viennese Secretary Desk for Henredon, circa 1963
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Everyone can have a taste of iconic Dorothy Draper Hollywood Regency style with this perfectly sized and oh so elegant Viennese Collection Secretaries Desk Breakfront. Regal. Whimsical and gregarious flair. The scroll cornice of the cabinet recalls some of the mill work Dorothy designated in her iconic hotel design work. A more petite version of Dorothy Draper's Viennese China...
Category

1960s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Metal, Brass

George Nelson Thin Edge Secretary Desk Cabinet for Herman Miller
Located in Lake Worth, FL
1950s original Thin Edge secretary desk cabinet designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. This early version features the rare black enamel stainless large pulls and tapered wood feet. Cabinet on the right includes an adjustable shelf and 2 drawers. Pull down desk is covered with black leather and features 5 drawers on the left side with original small white porcelain George Nelson drawer pulls...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

19th Century English Chinoiserie Ladies Secretaire Writing Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Extraordinary 19th century English ladies secretaire desk or writing table. The two part desk was made in the Chinoiserie revival period of Europe ...
Category

19th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Large blue Secretary Desk - design Eric Gizard, Paris - made in France
Located in Landivy, FR
This large secretary desk is designed by the famous parisian Designer Eric Gizard and delivered fully mounted. The overall dimensions of the b...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Ash, Lacquer

Fantastic English Adams Paint Decorated Satinwood Slant Lid Secretary Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a superb Adams paint decorated satinwood desk made in England during the 1880s era. The desk wears superbly painted scenes and floral themes and shimmering satinwood. The des...
Category

Early 1900s English Adam Style Antique Secretaires

Materials

Satinwood

Early 19th Century German or Danish Secretaire, Mahogany, Biedermeier, c. 1815
Located in Greven, DE
Small antique Biedermeier secretary Schleswig-Holstein Mahogany and others Biedermeier around 1815 Dimensions: H x W x D: 137 x 88 x 45 cm Description: Piece of furniture standing...
Category

1810s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Birch, Mahogany, Maple

Swedish Gustavian Period 1790s Painted Slant Front Secretary with Three Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian period painted wood secretary from the late 18th century, with slant front desk, multiple drawers, dark painted interior, three drawers in the façade and rustic c...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Biedermeier secretaire, circa 1830
Located in London, GB
A Biedermeier secre´taire a` abattant of unusual tapered form, goncalo alves with ebonized, inlaid and pewter decoration, and an enclosed fitted interior, Russian/Baltic, circa 1830.
Category

1820s Baltic Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pewter

Biedermeier Secretary, Austria, 19th Century
Located in Wrocław, Poland
This Biedermeier secretary comes from Austria and was made in 19th century. It is made of coniferous wood, veneered with maple wood. It has undergone a professional renovation proces...
Category

19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Maple

Circa 1815 French Empire Secrétaire à Abattant
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1815 French Empire Secrétaire à Abattant. Mahogany with mahogany & oak secondary wood. Ingenious hidden drawers & locking mec...
Category

1810s French Empire Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Vintage French Provincial Blue Painted Bookcase Tall Secretary Desk by Danby
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Provincial Blue Distress Painted Bookcase Tall Secretary Desk by Danby. Item features shell carved accents, working lock and key, solid wood construction, great style ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown French Provincial Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Very Fine Compact Burl Wood Queen Ann Secretary Desk Bookcase Dresser Drawers
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very Fine Compact Burl Wood Queen Ann Secretary Desk Bookcase Dresser Drawers MINT!
Category

20th Century American Queen Anne Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Model 63 Drop Front Teak Secretary Desk by Kai Kristiansen
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Denmark Designer: Kai Kristiansen Manufacturer: HNJ Møbel / Tørring Møbelfabrik Era: 1960s Materials: Teak Measurements: 35" wide x 17" deep x 42.5" tall Condition: I...
Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires

Materials

Teak

18th Century Baroque Bureau In Walnut With Inlays
Located in Kastrup, DK
A very beautiful Baroque bureau. Thick walnut veneer with inlays. Hidden "secret" locking system for the drawers in the upper section. Grate quality Ni...
Category

18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass, Iron

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

Red Japanned Bureau Bookcase
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a highly decorative and stylish Chinese red painted bureau bookcase decorated overall with gilt chinoiseries. The top section contains a broken arched pediment over two confo...
Category

20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Venetian rococo 19 th century bureau/secretaire hand painted
Located in Houston, TX
This fine quality Venetian secretary is beautifully carved and finely Painted in pale teal and rose hues. The bottom is carved in a bombe Shape and has four drawers that slide easil...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Hardwood

19th Century Fine Biedermeier Walnut Secretaire. Vienna, c. 1825.
Located in Vienna, AT
Hello, This elegant and truly exceptional walnut Viennese Biedermeier Secretaire was made in Vienna circa 1825. The Secretaire is an example of beautiful, rare and refined design an...
Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mirror, Maple, Walnut

Empire Style French Secretary “Retour d’Egypte”
Located in Austin, TX
Secretary from France in the Empire style. This piece is made of mahogany that has been ebonized and finished with a lustrous French polish of museum quality. The cabinet boasts two ...
Category

1820s French Empire Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Brass

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Two Part Painted Secretary
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Grand late 18th century Swedish gustavian period two-part secretaire cabinet or bookcase crafted from pine and beech. The substantial case has a gracefully curved or arched pediment ...
Category

18th Century European Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Iron

Fine English George III Antique Mahogany Secretary Desk circa 1780
Located in Shippensburg, PA
Of exceedingly good quality, this fine George III secretaire features a molded cornice projecting over glazed doors, each composed of sixteen individual panes of glass divided by int...
Category

18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

19th Century Fine Biedermeier Walnut Secretaire. Vienna, c. 1825.
Located in Vienna, AT
Hello, This elegant and truly exceptional early Viennese Biedermeier Secretaire was made in Vienna circa 1825. Viennese Biedermeier is distinguished by their sophisticated proportio...
Category

Early 19th Century Biedermeier 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.

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