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Secretaires

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Secretaires For Sale
Period: 19th Century
Period: 1950s
Italian 19th Century Secretaire
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Wonderful Painted Secretaire, this piece is very rafraishing.
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Italian Secretary Desk in Birch and Walnut, 1950s
Located in Chicago, IL
A stunning 1950s Italian secretary desk constructed with birch and walnut. This piece features a sculptural profile with a channeled trim detail and angled, tapered legs. A uniquely ...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Wood

French secretary desk in Louis Philippe style, made of mahogany wood from the 18
Located in Barletta, IT
Secrétaire français de la deuxième moitié du XIXe siècle, de style Louis Philippe, en bois de mahogany et de plume de mahogany. Il présente deux tiroirs dans la partie supérieure, un...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Chinese Chippendale Style English Bamboo Slanted Lift-Top Secretary Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning Hand Crafted English Chinese Chippendale Bamboo Secretary. This handsome and special Secretary has two top facing doors and a Middle "cubby Hole" opening for Books, small decorative pieces, etc., The tilt top Desk...
Category

19th Century English Chinese Chippendale Antique Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Bamboo, Wood, Maple

20th Century Lacquered and Painted Wood Venetian Trumeau Desk Secrétaire, 1950s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Venetian trumeau from the mid-20th century. Double body cabinet in lacquered and hand painted wood with very pleasant chinoiserie decorations. Trumeau in beautiful patina, finely dec...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Louis Philippe Style Marquetry Secretaire, 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
Louis Philippe Style Marquetry Secretaire Cabinet, Circa 19th Century, the top drawer with gilt bronze pulls and key above a drop front opening to reveal leather-inset writing surfac...
Category

19th Century Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

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

Burlwood Drop-Front Secretary, One of Four Produced; Båstad, Sweden, c. 1880
Located in Norwalk, CT
Dating from around 1880, this exceptional "secrétaire à abattant" is one of four identical chests, produced by a master Swedish cabinetmaker in the city of Båstad, commissioned as wedding gifts for the four daughters of a prominent local family. This remarkable piece was sourced by Atypical Find...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Burl

19th Century Antique English Display Secretaire, Mahogany
Located in Berlin, DE
19th Century Antique English Display Secretaire, Mahogany Solid wood, manufactured to a high quality. The display cabinet has a pull-out function and can be used as a secretary than...
Category

19th Century English Antique Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Glass, 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

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

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

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

Sheraton Secretary desk
Located in Bradenton, FL
A very fine Sheraton Secretary Desk 1810-1820 in a old refinish with an excellent color and patina. Decorative cross banded veneers and inlay work ...
Category

Early 19th Century English Sheraton Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

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

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

Antique Swedish Golden Ash Biedermeier Secretary Chest Dresser Desk inlaid 1820
Located in Portland, OR
A very fine antique Swedish Biedermeier golden ash secretary chest, circa 1820. The chest is made of the finest gold ash; a beautiful blond wood with figured graining. To the top of ...
Category

1820s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Ash, Ebony

French Provincial Style Secretary Desk with Marquetry Inlays and Key
Located in Soquel, CA
French Provincial Style Walnut Secretary Desk with Marquetry Inlays and Key. Original Finish.
Category

1860s Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

19th Century French Bureau de Dame Napoleon III Ladies Writing Desk
Located in Milan, IT
A late 19th century Napoleon III bronze-mounted mahogany bureau à cylinder, an elegant French Bureau de Dame or Bonheur du Jour, a ladies writing desk with cartonnier which opens up ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Antique Gustavian Style Painted Secretary Bureau
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Early 19th Century Swedish Slant Front secretary with solid columns, Sweden, 1800-1810 Solid oak, Standing on a block feet Swedish Gustavian slan...
Category

1810s Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Oak

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

Antique Victorian Chippendale Mahogany Secretary Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Transport your workspace into another time and place with this exquisite antique secretary desk. Made of carved red mahogany with a generous lacquer, this piece opens up to reveal a ...
Category

Late 19th Century English Chippendale Antique Secretaires

Materials

Metal, 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

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

A Sophisticated Antique French Louis Phillipe Secretary
Located in Oak Park, MI
A most sophisticated and handsome French c1840 century Louis-Phillipe style secretary cupboard of narrow proportions. Unusual profile. The front op...
Category

19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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

Conant Ball Gallery Drawer Box Modern Mates Leslie Diamond Rare
Located in Fraser, MI
Please feel free to reach out for efficient shipping to your location. Gallery box with three drawers. Solid Flame Birch construction. Designed by Leslie Diamond for the famed Mode...
Category

1950s American Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Birch

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

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

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

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

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

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

Antique Biedermeier Secretary Desk, Early 19 Century
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique Early 19C Biedermeier Secretary Desk Extended depth is 31". Additional information: Materials: Ebony Color: Light Yellow Per...
Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Ebony

A drop-front secretary desk - 1950 - France.
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A secretary desk from the 1950s, French craftsmanship. Solid elm wood with a beautiful patina. Height with the drop-down leaf open: 75 cm. Dimensions of the drop-down leaf: 45 cm ...
Category

1950s French Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Elm

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

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

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

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

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 Country French Secretary ~ Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century Country French Secretary ~ Desk combines fine craftsmanship with an efficient, space-saving design. Providing a work surface that folds out of the traffic pattern, plus...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

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

19th Century Louis XVI Country French Secretary Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century Louis XVI Country French Secretary Desk is the epitome of efficiency with style! Artfully hand-crafted from dense, old-growth oak, it features a slant front design wher...
Category

Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

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

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

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

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

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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