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Secretaires For Sale
Period: 19th Century
Period: 1930s
A Biedermeier Chest with Secretaire Circa 1850
Located in Flower Mound, TX
A magnificent mid 19th century Biedermeier chest with figured mahogany secretaire cabinet, with a raised serpentine single drawer, a frieze drawer over paneled fall front, and the in...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
English 19th Century Mahogany Secrétaire
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A mahogany secrétaire made in England circa 1890. This secrétaire is topped with a broken pediment design over a pair of glass front doors that open with a working lock and key. Insi...
Category
19th Century English Other Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Bonheur Du Jour In Amboyna Burl Marquetry And Hard Stone Panels
Located in BARSAC, FR
Sublime Bonheur du jour in Louis XVI style in amboyna burl veneer in rosewood frames and presenting two magnificent vegetal compositions (flowers and red fruits) in hard stones (piet...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Marble
Fine Antique French Louis XV Marquetry Rosewood Ormolu Secretaire Abattant 1880
Located in Portland, OR
A very fine quality antique French Louis XV rosewood, marquetry, ormolu and marble topped secretaire abattant, circa 1880.
The serpentine shaped secretary is modeled as a semainier (...
Category
1880s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Antique Oak Secretary Bureau, Denmark circa 1800-40
Located in Round Top, TX
This oak secretary reflects the refined grace and style of early 1800's Denmark. The fluted carving along the mid-section and half columns at sides adds a decorative touch to the dro...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Country Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
19th Century Secretary Desk
Located in Bradenton, FL
A very handsome late American Empire Mahogany Secretary Desk. Very good condition overall with an old refinished surface exhibiting a beautiful color and patina to the figured Mahoga...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Secrétaire á Abattant
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A handsome 19th century Empire secrétaire à abattant made of rich bookmatched and figured walnut. This desk has a black fossil marble top resting above a drawer, accessible with a hidden pull. Below is a fold front door revealing a fitted interior with a functional writing surface, inset with worn green leather with gold tooling. The interior has an open storage shelf flanked with empirical styled columns over a set of six drawers of varying sizes. The writing surface is supported with rounded brass hinges. Below are three easy to use drawers...
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Marble, Brass
Antique English Georgian Mahogany Bureau Desk
Located in Sheridan, CO
Antique English Georgian mahogany secretary, early 19th c.. This piece features an oak secondary, slant front opening to inset leather writing surface, fitted interior gallery with arcaded niches, small drawers, a center cabinet door with marquetry urn, flanked by concealed compartments...
Category
1840s English Georgian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Louis XVI Style Parquetry, Gilt-Bronze and Lacquer Mounted Petit Secretaire Cabi
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Fine Louis XVI Style Parquetry, Gilt-Bronze and Lacquer Mounted Petit Secretaire Cabinet, Attributed to Maison Beurdeley.
Stamped to the reverse of the bronze mounts to the botto...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Art Deco Cabinet Secrétaire Attributed to Jules Leleu, Bronze Ornaments, French
By Jules Leleu
Located in London, GB
Presenting a meticulously crafted, remarkable piece of Art Deco craftsmanship, this 1930s exceptional cabinet secretaire attributed to Jules Leleu (1883-1961), captures the essence o...
Category
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
Small Art Deco writing desk – France 1930
Located in Girona, ES
Small Art Deco writing desk with walnut and burr walnut veneer, three drawers and a flap door opening onto a small desk and storage area in marquetry and light walnut. Very good qual...
Category
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
PORTUGUESE COMMODE / SECRETARIAT from the 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
PORTUGUESE COMMODE / SECRETARIAT from the 19th Century
In oak and other wood, with two drawers and two drawers, inside drawers, bins and central door, with secret, engraved brass h...
Category
19th Century Portuguese Baroque Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Federal Style Diminutive Two Part Inlaid Mahogany Bookcase Secretary
Located in Milford, NH
A wonderful diminutive size Federal style two part inlaid figured mahogany bookcase, its upper case with a shaped crest with three urn finials surmounting two bow front glass paneled...
Category
Late 19th Century American Federal Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Early 19th Century Biedermeier Secretary, Birchwood
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Early 19th Century Biedermeier Secretary,
Germany, 1820
Birchwood
Antique Biedermeier secretary made of birch wood, handmad...
Category
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Birch
Mahogany Architects Table by Jean-Joseph Chapuis, 1810
Located in Hellouw, NL
Beautiful Empire mahogany architects table by Jean-Joseph Chapuis (1765-1864).
Jean-Joseph Chapuis (born in Brussels) was a famous furniture maker. He obtained a master craftsman ti...
Category
Early 1800s Belgian Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Empire Secretaire à abattant, Vienna circa 1810
Located in Greding, DE
Empire secretary adorned with flanking caryatids around the flat writing flap, top drawer, and a two-door base cabinet. The caryatids are elegantly ebonized and gold-patinated, compl...
Category
1810s Austrian Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
Antique American Empire Flame Mahogany Secretary Desk With Leaded Glass c1840
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique American Empire secretary offers flame mahogany construction with upper having arched pediment over bookcase having double doors with leaded glass over lower with slant fr...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
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
Exceptional Pair Of George III Style Mahogany Secretary Bookcases
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A superb Pair of Secretary Bookcases having side shelving, inlaid doors, pull-out desk, drawers, ring pulls, handsome geometric glass doors and em...
Category
19th Century European George III Antique Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Glass, Mahogany
Arts and Crafts Pine Collectors Cabinet Filing Drawers
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Arts and Crafts Pine Collectors Cabinet Filing Drawers
The Cabinet is made in natural pine and has 12 Long Drawers, some of the drawers have the original dividers others are missing...
Category
1880s Arts and Crafts Antique Secretaires
Materials
Pine
19th Century Charles X Writing Desk with secret compartment
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century Charles X Writing Desk with secret compartment. Gorgeous piece. Age appropriate wear on wood and red leather top, see detailed pics.
Category
Early 19th Century French Charles X Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
19th C. European Butler's Chest w/its Original Fabulously Hand-Painted Finish
Located in Atlanta, GA
A European wooden secretary chest, with original hand-painted finish, from the 19th century. This antique chest from Europe features a slanted fall-front at top, flanked between two ...
Category
19th Century European Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Antique High-Quality Mahogany Housekeeper's Cupboard with Secretaire, circa 1800
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Antique Georgian housekeeper's cupboard secretaire bookcase chest crafted during the George III era around 1800. Also known as an estate cupboard, this rare period piece showcases ex...
Category
Early 1800s George III Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Antique Austrian Baroque Walnut Pearwood Marquetry Secretary Late 18th Century
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Late 18th Century Austrian Baroque marquetry & inlaid secretary - Vienna, Austria, having 3 sections - the top with a molded crest, above two glazed ...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Ebony, Pearwood, Burl, Kingwood
Hand Painted Secretary
Located in Newport Beach, CA
Hand painted and silver gilt secretary with inset original glass mirrored doors and fitted interior.
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mirror, Wood, Paint
Antique 19th Century Walnut Shenandoah Valley Moravian Plantation / Postal Desk
Located in Charlotte, NC
An antique 19th Century American plantation / postal desk, handcrafted by Moravian craftsmen in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, USA. Solid walnu...
Category
19th Century American American Craftsman Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Pair of Secretaire and Cupboard, Epoche Charles X, France, circa 1830
Located in Greven, DE
Rare pair of furniture - secretary and fronted cabinet
France
Maple, rosewood
Charles X around 1830
Dimensions: H x W x D: 135 x 66 x 33 cm
Description:
Extremely rare pair of fur...
Category
1830s French Charles X Antique Secretaires
Materials
Maple
Secrétaire en bois laqué à riches décors de fleurs sur fond noir, XIXe
Located in ROYÈRE-DE-VASSIVIÈRE, FR
Secrétaire en bois laqué à riches décors de fleurs sur fond noir, XIXe
Il ouvre à un abattant (manque la serrure, remplacée par un aimant) et quatre tiroirs.
L’abattant ouvre sur tro...
Category
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
19th C. Drop Front Desk, Secretary Abattant, with Multiple Wood Marquetry Inlay
Located in Madrid, ES
This handsome Carlos IV style "secretaire-abattant" or drop front desk combines functionality with ample storage space. Top, front and sides feature detailed marquetry inlay in geome...
Category
Early 19th Century Spanish Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Hardwood, Kingwood, Mahogany
Louis XVI Style French Scriban Chest
Located in Austin, TX
Scriban or secretary chest in the Louis XVI style from France. This piece is made of mahogany that has been ebonized and finished with a lustrous French polish. There are two doors t...
Category
1880s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Marble, Brass
Late 19th Century Charles X Style Letter Storage Desk Cabinet
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A antique desk cabinet for storing letters and cards. Made of wood veneer with foliage wood inlay. Made in France, circa 1870-1880
Note: one of th...
Category
1880s French Charles X Antique Secretaires
Materials
Fruitwood
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
Tiny French Secretaire, Walnut, Mid 19th Century
Located in Greven, DE
Small antique secretary
France
Walnut
Mid 19th century
Dimensions: H x W x D: 145 x 93 x 38 cm
Description:
Decorative French writing desk f...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Tall Blue Painted Secretary from Sweden, circa 1800-20
Located in Round Top, TX
This striking oak secretary is an elegant statement piece crowned with an elaborate latticework bonnet and finials.
The entire secretary has been given a professional custom layered ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wrought Iron
Swedish 1800s Light Gray Painted Secretary from Värmland with Slant Front Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish tall secretary from Värmland circa 1800, with gray painted finish, carved bonnet top, four doors, slant front desk and bracket feet. Embrace the understated elegance of Swe...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Empire Secretary à abattant, France early 19th century
Located in Greding, DE
French Empire secretary à abattant with a two-door base, two wide drawers and a flat writing flap surrounded by smooth full columns with fire-gilt bronze capitals and bases. The bure...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Mahogany, Maple
Gustavian Style Drop Front or Slant Front Secretary, Late 19th Century
Located in South Salem, NY
This late 19th-century Gustavian style drop-front secretary bookshelf is a true embodiment of timeless sophistication. Adorned with a later gray pa...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Swedish Gustavian Style 1850s Blue Gray Painted Slant Front Secretary
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian style slant front secretary from circa 1850 with blue gray painted finish and off white trim. This Swedish Gustavian style slant front secretary, dating back to circa 1850, is a magnificent blend of elegance and practicality. It boasts a serene blue-gray painted finish, gracefully accented with off-white trim, encapsulating the essence of Gustavian design. The subtle yet sophisticated color palette ensures that it would seamlessly integrate into a variety of interior schemes, from traditional to more contemporary settings.
The upper section houses a slant front desk, which, when opened, reveals an intricately organized interior. Multiple drawers of varying sizes encircle a central door, while vertical compartments...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
English Satinwood Painted Bureau Bookcase
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th Century English Satinwood secretary/bookcase. Two astragal glazed doors above open to reveal two adjustable shelves for display, a fall front opening to reveal a fully fitted in...
Category
Early 19th Century English Sheraton Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Birch Secretary Bureau from Germany, circa 1840-60
Located in Round Top, TX
Rich birch and stately lines define this handsome Biedermeier drop front secretary.
Refer to close up photos to appreciate the stunning grain pattern of the flame birch veneer.
Multi...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Birch
19th Century Biedermeier Secretary
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
19th Century Biedermeier Secretary,
Germany, Ca.1820
Walnut
Original secretary veneered in walnut, impressive veneer pattern, stepped pedestal, gable, underneath drawer with push bu...
Category
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
19th Century Conical Shape Secretary,
Germany, 1820
This fine Biedermeier secretary made of mahogany is a real gem for every lover of antique furniture. With a height of 194 cm, a width of 106 cm and a length of 52 cm, it offers plenty of storage space with its five spacious drawers. The elegant mahogany finish and conical shape make it a real eye-catcher in any room. This 1820 original is free standing and in excellent condition. Carefully restored and hand-polished with shellac. A real highlight for anyone looking for antique furniture.Frame dimensions at top 95 cm, bottom 103 cm.The attachment with gable, underneath a hidden compartment, is opened with a compression spring. Very nice cabinet with 10 drawers...
Category
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Early 19th Century Neoclassical Karelian Birch Secretary
Located in Houston, TX
An extraordinary early 19th Century Neoclassical style Karelian birch secretary. This wonderful cabinet features four ebonized columns supporting giltwood caryatids, two gothic arched cabinet...
Category
Early 19th Century Baltic Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century Georgian Mahogany Secretaire
Located in Richmond, Surrey
19th Century Georgian Mahogany Secretaire has a fitted desk drawer over three long drawers with brass oval handles. The fitted desk drawer interior has a writing surface with 7 strun...
Category
19th Century English Georgian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century German Biedermeier Cherrywood Secretaire - Antique Secretary
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 19th Century, antique German Biedermeier tall secretaire with a writing flap made of hand crafted shellac polished, partly veneered Cherrywood and Burlwood, in good condition. The ...
Category
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Brass
Wooden Writing Desk with Drawers and Folding Door
Located in Marbella, ES
Wooden Writing Desk with Drawers and Folding Door
Category
19th Century European Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Swedish 1820s Late Gustavian Period Painted Slant-Front Desk with Five Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Late Gustavian period secretary from circa 1820, with tan/cream painted finish, slant-front desk, five drawers, carved reeded motifs and bracket feet. Embrace the timeless ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
High mahogany secretary with marquetry and brass fittings from around the 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
High mahogany secretary with marquetry and brass fittings from around the 1840s.
Measurements in cm: H:215 W:104 D:52
Category
1840s Danish Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Louis XVI Mahogany Secrétaire à Abattant Circa 1820, France
Located in Alexandria, VA
This neo-classic fall-front secretary not only has the beauty of Louis XVI style furniture but is very practical for modern living. It is perfect for small spaces, yet still provides a lot of storage and a large desk surface quite suitable for a laptop computer...
Category
Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Biedermeier Secretaire in Ashwood, circa 1820
Located in Greding, DE
Spacious secretary featuring a two-door cabinet top and a three-tier chest of drawers base. The secretary is veneered with ash and meticulously hand-polis...
Category
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Ash
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
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
Edwardian satinwood decorated cylinder desk
Located in Salisbury, GB
Edwardian painted satinwood cylinder bookcase
We are pleased to offer you this elegant Edwardian painted satinwood cylinder bookcase.
Made in the Edwardian period an era that was kno...
Category
1890s English Edwardian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Satinwood
Italian Biedermeier Style Mixed Fruitwood Two-Part Secretary Bookcase Cabinet
Located in Germantown, MD
Late 19th Century Italian Biedermeier Style Walnut Mixed Fruitwood Two-Part Secretary Bookcase Cabinet.
Veyr light weight. Measures 24" in width, 17" in depth and stands 75" tall.
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Fruitwood, Walnut, Wood
Late 19th Century Louis Philippe Orange Lacquered Wood Italian Secretaire
Located in Catania, Sicilia
This Orange and brown Lacquered Italian Secretaire serves as both a functional and aesthetically pleasing piece, showcasing the design sensibilities of its era with a bold and distin...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Materials
Fruitwood, Lacquer
Antique English Mahogany Bureau, 19th Century
Located in Ely, GB
English Antique Mahogany Bureau, 19th Century . circa 1880s.
Made from mahogany and of high quality, the cabinet has good colour, patination and great proportions.
Structurally, th...
Category
1880s British Late Victorian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century French Louis Philippe Pine Secretary ~ Bookcase
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Louis Philippe Pine Secretary ~ Bookcase is an unusual combination of tailored elegance melded with a casual impression providing both storage and a work surface,...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe 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
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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