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Secretaires For Sale
Period: 20th Century
Period: 19th Century
Henkel-Harris 2 Part Solid Wild Black Cherry Secretary Drop Front Desk Bookcase
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Henkel-Harris 2 Part Solid Wild Black Cherry Secretary Drop Front Desk Bookcase
Category
20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Italian Venetian Floral Paint Decorated Antique Distressed Secretary Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a spectacular distressed-painted Italian-painted secretary desk from Italy. The desk is designed in the Venetian tradition. The painting and finish was done to look antique ...
Category
1960s Italian Louis XV Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Rosewood Circassian Walnut Inlaid Beveled Glass French Louis XV Secretary Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
From Slatoff Estate. Rosewood with exotic veneer. Vitrine top with marble top. Rouge marble gallery. Beveled glass doors. Brass accents and foot caps. 58" h x 32 1/2" w x 19 5/8" d.
...
Category
Early 1900s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Materials
Griotte Marble, Bronze
Cees Braakman for Pastoe "P5" Jacaranda Wood Secretaire
By Pastoe, Cees Braakman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cees Braakman for Pastoe Jacaranda wood secretaire with drop down desk or dry bar and light with original wiring. Lightly refinished exterior ...
Category
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Metal
A Viennese secrétaire from the early 19th century, Burl birch
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
A Viennese secrétaire from the early 19th century
Burl birch
A Viennese secrétaire from the early 19th century is a true masterpiece of cabinetmaking. Its body is crafted from softw...
Category
1820s Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Birch
Black Lacquer Hand Painted Chinoiserie Black Lacquer Secretary Writing Desk
Located in Chattanooga, TN
This incomparable slant-front chinoiserie black lacquer secretary desk depicts a serene, traditional Asian motif from head to toe. The gold and greens appear as mystical and radiant...
Category
1970s American Chinoiserie Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Brass
19C Large Irish Georgian Style Secretary Bookcase
Located in Dallas, TX
PRESENTING a STUNNING 19C Large Irish Georgian Style Secretary Bookcase.
From circa 1850-60 and most definitely, “IRISH”.
Made of gorgeous flamed Cuban mahogany which would have been imported from the British Colonies at the end of the 18th Century and early 19th Century.
This piece of is of IMPRESSIVE PROPORTIONS.
It is a real STATEMENT piece and of EXTREMELY HIGH QUALITY.
It has a very ‘Regency Style’ pelmet or crown with egg and dart moldings under a very straight line crown.
The top section consists of a 4 door bookcase, each with 3 shelving areas. It appears to retain it’s original glass, but it could likewise have been replaced at some time during it’s long life, as it is very rare to find pieces that have not suffered breakages over 150+ years.
Each bookcase door still retains the original moldings to the front with a star shape above and below a central circular viewing panel.
Each section is separated by a carved and fluted roman column/pillar.
The bookcase section rests on top of the base, which consists of a beautiful central secretaire desk accessed by drop down front with working lock and key and rests on 2 pull out rests on either side. The secretary portion has a central tabernacle, with an inlaid oval satinwood medallion above another scallop shell drawer. It has 6 smaller drawers and 8 cubbies. The 2 pillars on either side of the central tabernacle are secret drawers and pull out. The curved crowns above the cubbies on either side are likewise secret drawers and pull out.
Either side of the secretary there are 2 drawers (4 total) with a press or cupboard underneath.
Under the secretary there are 4 large central drawers.
The brasses and hardware are all original to the piece (save 2 extra hinges that have been attached to the drop down secretary to give it more support and stability.
Again, each section is separated by a turned and fluted column/pillar which replicates the 2 side pillars to the central tabernacle of the secretary.
The piece sits on 8 curved feet.
This was an extremely high quality piece when made. This is also supported by the fact that the secondary woods are also mahogany and not pine or oak for slightly lesser quality pieces of the era.
This piece is specifically identifiable as an Irish Georgian Style piece by virtue of the scallop shell moldings on the base side presses (see photos).
Irish Georgian furniture...
Category
Mid-19th Century Irish George III Antique Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Mahogany, Satinwood
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
Antique French Secretary
Located in Malibu, CA
This early 19th-century drop-leaf secretaire features the traditional Biedermeier ebony accents, columns, and matched woodgrain pattern. Unlike the h...
Category
Early 19th Century French Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Other, Brass
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
19th Century Swedish Two-part Secretaire Circa 1810
Located in Atlanta, GA
This stunning 19th-century Swedish two-part secretaire, crafted circa 1810, exemplifies the timeless elegance of Gustavian design. Featuring a beautifully aged painted finish in soft...
Category
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Pine
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 Swedish Gustavian Style Secretary / Writing Desk - Painted
Located in Kvidinge, SE
Swedish Gustavian Secretary / Writing Desk from early 19th century
A rectangular top sitting above a slant front desk opening to reveal a gray painted interior and multiple smal draw...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Børge Mogensen for Søborg Secretary Desk 1960s
Located in Handewitt, DE
Secretary desk / cabinet, designed in 1950s by Børge Mogensen for Søborg Møbelfabrik Denmark. Made in fine walnut early 1960s. Front with three drawers and a writing flap. Behind the...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Materials
Wood
1930s Art Déco Veneered Wood Secretary Cabinet in Jacques Adnet Style, France
Located in North Miami, FL
1930s Art Déco veneered wood secretary cabinet with multiple compartments in Jacques Adnet Style, France
By: Jacques Adnet (in the style of)
Material: wood, metal
Technique: carved, cast, molded, metalwork, veneer
Dimensions: 11.5 in x 50 in x 44 in
Date: early 20th century, circa 1930
Style: Art Déco, Mid-Century Modern
Place of origin: France
Defined by a striking architectural silhouette and a strong geometric rhythm, this 1930s French secretary cabinet...
Category
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Secretaires
Materials
Metal
English 19th Century Mahogany Secretary with Dental Moulded Flat Cornince
Located in Atlanta, GA
English 19th Century Mahogany Secretary with Dental Moulded Flat Cornince and Splayed Feet
Category
19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
English 19th Century Mahogany Secretary with Broken Pediment, Ebonized Inlay
Located in Atlanta, GA
English 19th Century Mahogany Secretary with Broken Pediment, Ebonized Inlay and Splayed Feet
Category
19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
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
Fine Black Lacquer Chinoiserie Secretary
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A black lacquer chinoiserie secretary in two parts. The upper cabinet with two doors that open to reveal 2 shelves, 4 pigeon holes ...
Category
20th Century Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Vintage French Provincial Blue Painted Bookcase Tall Secretary Desk by Danby
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
ART DECO style bar, 1940´s, Czechoslovakia
Located in Prague 8, CZ
This ART DECO style bar from the 1940s is a must-have for any antique collector. With its elegant design and unique history, this piece is sure to add character to any space. Made in...
Category
Mid-20th Century Czech Art Deco Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Walnut
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
19th Century English Walnut Bookcase or Secretary
Located in Savannah, GA
This is a bookcase / secretary or Bureau bookcase, made in England, circa 1825. There is a Pagoda Shaped layered crown molding to the top of the piece (very unusual). There is a pair...
Category
1820s English George IV Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
English Antique Georgian Inlaid Solid Oak Bureau / Secretaire c.1800
Located in Leicester, GB
A stunning English Georgian bureau. This bureaux is from the Georgian era, just after 1800. Fabulous color and patina to the solid oak finish. The whole piece of furniture is made of...
Category
Early 1800s English Georgian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Midcentury Cabinet or Highboard by František Mezulánik for UP Závody, 1960s
Located in Praha, CZ
Rare mid-century cabinet/highboard, made by František Mezulánik for UP Závody, in the 1960's.
Made of wood.
Cleaned, applied reviving oil, shows signs of age, overall in good shape.
...
Category
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Wood
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
Antique British Colonial Campaign Chest Secretary
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome 19th century campaign chest secretary handcrafted in mahogany in a two-piece construction featuring a pull-out leather top secretary ...
Category
Late 19th Century English Campaign Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
1820’s Biedermeier Fall Top Desk, Cherry
Located in Belmont, MA
1820’s Biedermeier Fall Top Desk in Cherry Veneer
The 1820’s Biedermeier fall top desk features stunning book-matched cherry veneer, adding warmth and sophistication. Its lower secti...
Category
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Birch, Cherry
19th Century German Biedermeier Two Part Pine Bureau - Antique Secretary
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique German Biedermeier two part bureau, secretary with a two door glass display made of hand crafted Pinewood, in good condition. The upper part of the secretaire is composed ...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Pine
Georgian Red Painted Drop Front Secretary Desk With Hutch
Located in Rochester, NY
A gorgeous Georgian or Chippendale style bureau with drop front secretary desk and bookcase hutch top
Category
20th Century Unknown Georgian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Mid-Century Chinese Chippendale Style Ball and Claw Secretary by Biggs Furniture
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a classic piece! It is a Chinese Chippendale style mahogany secretary by Biggs Furniture. It is very good condition with ball and claw feet and brass hardware.
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chippendale Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Modernist Pander Cabinet
Located in Dronten, NL
Beautiful Mid-Century Modern cabinet made by Pander & Zonen, renown Dutch manufacturer of high-end furniture in the first half of the 20th Century. Pander worked with important inter...
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Ash
English 19th Century Black and Gold Secretary Bookcase with Chinoiserie Décor
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English black lacquer secretary bookcase from the 19th century, with glass doors, drop-front desk and gold Chinoiserie décor. Created in England during the 19th century, this secr...
Category
19th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Wood
19th Century French Empire Napoleon III Bureau Plat Desk
Located in Miami, FL
A fine large sized flat desk otherwise referred to as a "bureau de ministre" or ministers flat desk.
In mahogany and mahogany veneer flamed on all sides, beautiful ornamentation of...
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Pinewood Secretary - Antique Scandinavian Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 19th Century, antique Swedish Gustavian one part bureau, secretary made of hand crafted painted Pinewood, in good condition. The Scandinavian writing table, desk is composed with a...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Metal
1960’s Italian Inlaid Secretaire
Located in Bradenton, FL
An Italian inlaid Venetian-style secretaire, circa 1960. Decorated throughout with walnut veneers, the drop front desk and two serpentine drawers are inlaid with satinwood marquetry ...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Faux Bamboo Rattan Enamel and Decorated Slant Top Secretary Desk
Located in Germantown, MD
An Exquisite hand-crafted Faux Bamboo Rattan, hand enamed and Decorated Slant Top Secretary Desk with open bottom lower tier and high knee cle...
Category
Late 20th Century Philippine Modern Secretaires
Materials
Enamel
Bright and Beautiful Italian-Made Rococo Paint Decorated Secretary Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a stunning and absolutely charming bright creme and green trimmed paint decoration. The interior reveals cubbies and a nice patina from age to both the case, the interior and...
Category
1950s Italian Rococo Revival Vintage 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
Mahogany Secretary Desk, Sweden, circa 1850
Located in Chorzów, PL
Impressive secretary from the mid-19th century in Biedermeier style. Antique furniture with a more beautiful form will add elegance to any interior. A representative piece of furnitu...
Category
Mid-19th Century Scandinavian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Midcentury French Style Black Lacquer Chinoiserie Secretary Desk / Cabinet
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a midcentury French style hand painted chinoiserie secretary with a unique bombe form base and glass top. It works so well for both display and functional desk. It is unmarke...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Glass, Lacquer
IMPORTANT Antique Desk/Bookcase by Gustav Stickley -W7794 MUST SELL
Located in Shamokin Dam, PA
This is an extremely important Antique Desk/Bookcase by Gustav Stickley and Harvey Ellis. This is one of the most important pieces made by Gustav Stickley. It was designed in 1902...
Category
Early 1900s American Arts and Crafts Antique Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Oak
French Painted Secretary Desk with Fallfront, Mid 19th century
Located in South Salem, NY
This late 19th-century French secretary exudes timeless elegance with its creamy painted finish. Its writing surface boasts a faux marble pattern, a lovely feature of French furnitur...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
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
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
French 19th Century Secretaire
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This Louis-Philippe Secretaire Desk is made of blond flamed mahogany with a Sainte-Anne marble top with a lot of drawers.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Materials
Marble
Biedermeier Drawers Writing Desk Secrétaire Cabinet Swedish Ormolu Detail
Located in Lewes, England
Swedish antique Biedermeier writing desk chiffonier secrétaire cabinet in highly quilted golden birch veneers and finished in the Classic light honey color French polish.
It has 2 m...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Birch
Rhode Island Empire Butler's Chest of Drawers with Desk in Mahogany, circa 1825
Located in Miami, FL
A beautiful example of an early American Empire chest with full-column front and stand-up butlers desk. Provides ample storage as a chest of drawers, and doubles as a secretary with ...
Category
1820s American American Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
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
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
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
Kindel Winterthur Collection Mahogany Goddard Townsend Secretary Writing Desk
Located in Dayton, OH
Kindel Winterthur Collection Mahogany Goddard Townsend Blockfront Secretary Writing Desk. Made from mahogany with a high sheen finish. This exception ...
Category
Late 20th Century American Federal Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
English 19th Century Walnut Campaign Butler's Desk with Three Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English walnut Campaign butler's desk from the 19th century with writing area, three drawers, bracket feet and brass hardware. This 19th-century English walnut Campaign butler's d...
Category
19th Century English Campaign Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Antique Georgian Mahogany Breakfront China Cabinet Sideboard Secretary Desk
Located in West Hartford, CT
Antique George III mahogany slant front secretary bookcase with molded cornice, glazed doors with geometric mullions, fall front writing surface with leather top. The desk interior f...
Category
Late 19th Century English George III Antique Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
Burr Walnut Clapper Empire Secretaire with Detached Columns and Secret Drawer
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This beautiful Empire clapper secretaire is made of burr walnut. It has very elegant detached columns with Fine chiseled bronze elements on top and bottom of each column. Inside of the secretaire there is leather desk and several drawers including a secret drawer...
Category
1850s French Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
Barbarella Writing Desk / Secretary by Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova, 1966/1985
Located in Kansas City, MO
Ettore Sottsass Barbarella cabinet for Poltronova, Italy. Designed in 1966, produced in 1985. The cabinet features three drawers over a drop-front ...
Category
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Antique Victorian Mahogany Spinet Piano Style Flip Top Secretary Writing Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Victorian Mahogany Spinet Piano Style Flip Top Secretary Writing Desk. Item features 3 drawers, pull out writing surface, flip top, very nice vintage desk. Circa Early 20th ...
Category
Early 20th Century Victorian Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
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
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.