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Secretaires For Sale
Cylinder Secretary Desk in Lucite Late 1980s Style Louis XVI
Located in Brussels, BE
Amazing very rare limited edition cylinder secretary desk in Lucite late 1980s This is the best secretary kept in town: A fine art, exquisite...
Category

1980s Louis XVI Vintage Secretaires

Danish Secretary in Rosewood, Arne Wahl Iversen for Branderup Mobelfabrik 196O.
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Superb Scandinavian secretary. 3 large drawers on the lower part, a hinged door, which locks with a key, offers, when opened, a large work space. Inside 2 drawers and 3 small storage...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Rosewood

20th Century Inlaid Wood French Napoleon III Style Roll-Top Bureau Desk, 1920s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
French roll-top bureau from the early 20th century. Napoleon III style furniture richly inlaid with floral decorations in mahogany, walnut, maple, bone and precious woods. Bureau equ...
Category

1920s French Napoleon III Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Georgian Style Walnut & carved Bureau
Located in Dereham, GB
Georgian Style Walnut & carved Bureau circa 1930s Walnut Veneer on top Burr Walnut Veneer on Fall with Walnut Cross Banding Working Lock with Key, Open to Reveal : Centre cupboard, 2...
Category

1930s British George II Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

18th Bargas-style Bargueño Desk with a 19th Century Bridge Table
Located in Marbella, ES
A majestic antique writing desk, richly carved and decorated with gilded details, placed on a sturdy, rustic wooden trestle-style table. The writing desk features multiple compartmen...
Category

17th Century Spanish Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

COLLECTABLE 1940's ROBERT MOUSEMAN THOMPSON BUREAU DESK DRAWERS ORIGINAL RECEIPT
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning original Robert Mouseman Thompson custom made to order, fully restored Writing Bureau over a b...
Category

1940s English Art Deco Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Oak

Charles IV Secretaire with Drawers with Inlaid Work. Spain, 18th Century.
Located in Madrid, ES
A very rare cabinet or secretaire with a chest of drawers in solid walnut wood, inlaid with fruitwood in a neoclassical style. The central lid can be folded down, turning into a writ...
Category

18th Century Spanish Rococo Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Walnut

George III Diminutive English Mahogany Glazed Bookcase Bureau
Located in Staffordshire, GB
circa 1800 George III Diminutive English Mahogany Glazed Bookcase Bureau sku 2040 Together W59 x D44 x H200 cm Base W59 x D44 x H102 cm Top W59 x D24 x H98 cm Top internal shelf dept...
Category

19th Century Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Impressive Rolling Secretary in Louis XVI, 20th Century, Mahogany
Located in Berlin, DE
Impressive rolling secretary in Louis XVI, 20th Century. Scroll function with a Watteau painting, signed. Extendable writing surface covered with leather. Rich marquetry on the si...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Gillows Antique English George III Mahogany Secretaire Low Press Cupboard
Located in Glasgow, GB
circa 1790. With a rectangular top over a concealed long drawer with sloping front, mahogany crossbanding and parquetry and box stringing which continues across the top of the sides...
Category

Late 18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

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

19th Century Antique Secretaires

19th Century Bombe Marquetry Secrétaire à Abattant, Marble Top and Bronze Mounts
Located in Miami, FL
19th century bombe marquetry secrétaire à abattant, marble top and bronze mounts. Offered for sale is a late 19th century Louis XV style bombe marquetry secrétaire à abattant with a...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Midcentury Secretary Desk in teak by Bernhard pedersen & Son , Denmark, 1960’s
Located in Gaggenau, DE
Midcentury Secretary Desk in teak by Bernhard pedersen & Son , Denmark, 1960’s Dimensions: Width: 106 cm Depth: 44 cm Height: 103 cm It is in good vintage condition, however, ...
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Teak

Scriban bar and secretary in Rosewood and Formica by Hans Olsen for C.S Mobler 1
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Exceptional Scandinavian multifunctional furniture. A fold-out tray, held by brass tenons, opens onto a secretary section and, at the bottom, a bar area for storing bottles. This pie...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Brass

19th Century English Mahogany Secretary
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early 19th century English heavily carved mahogany secretary with bronze drawer and door hardware. The key is original. Signed in the top drawer: Edwards and Roberts.
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

Solid Dark Mahogany Ball & Claw Chippendale Style Secretary Desk Bureau Cabinet
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Solid Dark Mahogany Ball & Claw Chippendale Style Secretary Desk Bureau Cabinet CLEAN!
Category

20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Arts & Crafts Quartersawn Oak Secretary
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A beautifully crafted Arts & Crafts secretary desk in richly figured quartersawn oak, showcasing the movement’s signature emphasis on honest materials and craftsmanship. Features inc...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Arts and Crafts Secretaires

Materials

Oak

Small 18th Century Mahogany Secretaire Bookcase
Located in Lymington, GB
A small late 18th century secretaire bookcase / cabinet. George III period, circa 1790. Of very good rich color. Inlaid and crossbanded throughout. Only 2'5" wide. Mounts are corre...
Category

18th Century Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Late 18th Century Swedish Black Painted Pine Secretary
Located in Round Top, TX
This pine secretary reflects the understated grace of Swedish styling in the late 1700's.  The original black painted finish has been scraped, revealing the warm aged pine patina bel...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine, Paint

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

Mid-19th Century Belgian Louis XIV Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Biedermeier Tabernacle/ Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier Tabernacle - walnut veneer and marquetry decorated in typical "Vienna Set-top Style". Fall front writing surface and 3 drawers in lower section. Eight drawers and a cen...
Category

19th Century Austrian Antique Secretaires

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

19th Century Georgian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Fine Gillows George III Period Satinwood Secretaire Cabinet
Located in Lymington, GB
An exceptional English Sheraton-period satinwood secretaire cabinet. Attributed to Gillows. Late-18th century, George III, ca 1790. Measures: H 59 1/2’’ (151 cm) W 30’’ (76 cm) D 19’’ (49 cm). This small, beautifully-proportioned, and sophisticated antique writing cabinet...
Category

Late 18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Satinwood

Unique Austrian Empire Secretary/Writing Desk, Material Mahogany, Wien 1820-1829
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Empire secretary or writing desk, (Cylinder) Material: Mahogany. Completely restored, Shellac polish. Period: 1820-1829 Source: Austria, Wien. We guarantee safe a the cheapest air ...
Category

1820s Austrian Empire Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Midcentury Danish Design Rosewood Secrétaire, 1960s
Located in Breda, Netherlands
Easy does it: a writing desk when you want it to be one! This writing desk has it all is made in rosewood veneer and has a pull out desk. Could beauty up your living room and transfo...
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Rosewood

STUNNiNG ANTIQUE CIRCA 1840 SHERATON REVIVAL LIBRARY BUREAU BOOKCASE ON DRAWERS
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely hand made in England, Sheraton Revival, Library Bureau bookcase circa 1840 Please note the deli...
Category

1840s English Victorian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Hardwood

Extremely Decorative Secretary Empire Style with Dummies Books
Located in Berlin, DE
Noble veneer on solid softwood. Rectangular body on chiseled bronze claw feet. Architecturally structured front with dummy and brass framed brass frames. Slightly conical pilasters o...
Category

20th Century Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Rare Pair of 18th Century Italian Double Dome Bureau Bookcases, circa 1760
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A rare and impressive pair of 18th century Italian burr walnut double dome bureau bookcases, each with canted corners, turned, carved and gilded finials. Ebonised moldings, panelled ...
Category

18th Century Italian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

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

19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble

20th Century Wood Venetian Style Bureau Desk, 1960
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Venetian bureau from the mid-20th century. Furniture with a wavy front and sides, inlaid with walnut and mahogany wood, beautiful lines and pleasant furnishings. Bureau equipped with...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Wood

English Chippendale Mahogany Blind Door Secretary With Bookcase, Circa 1775
Located in Charleston, SC
English Chippendale mahogany blind door secretary with bookcase. Upper case has a carved cornice fret work with flanking blind doors concealing i...
Category

1770s English Chippendale Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

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

Early 19th Century Swedish Country Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine

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

Studio Craft Drop Front Desk by Karel Mikolas
Located in Dallas, TX
An incredibly crafted drop front secretary desk by Karel Mikolas. Made from various solid hardwoods with carved panels and a cast bronze key escutcheon.
Category

1970s Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

Louis XV Style Dore Bronze Mounted Boulle Marquetry Secretary Desk or Cabinet
Located in New York, NY
A gorgeous Louis XV style French dore bronze mounted Boulle Marquetry secretary desk or cabinet. With a cylindrical form in ebonized veneer a...
Category

1830s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

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

19th Century French Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Secretary With Drawer by Mylene Niedzialkowski
Located in Geneve, CH
Secretary With Drawer by Mylene Niedzialkowski Dimensions: W 59 x H 160. Materials: Solid oak and solid steel. A rotating secretary with engaged curves on a solid steel axis. Combin...
Category

2010s French Modern Secretaires

Materials

Steel

English Georgian Style Oak Marquetry Drop Front Secretary Desk
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Distinctive English Georgian fall front or drop front secretaire desk crafted from oak. The secretary features lovely marquetry inlay on the slanted front and the drawer fronts. The ...
Category

20th Century English Georgian Secretaires

Materials

Oak, Satinwood

18th Century Serpentine Bow Front Butler's Desk or Bureau Desk
Located in Madrid, ES
This is a beautiful example of a "Butler's Desk" which was used in the 18th and 19th centuries by the head servant of a household. Basically a bureau combined with a standing desk, clothing and personal items could be stored in lower drawers and important papers and records would be kept in the desk, which closes up and slides into the body of the bureau when not in use. This piece is in particularly fine shape, exhibiting rich wood grain and a sliding desk...
Category

18th Century Spanish Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

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

Early 19th Century Russian Empire Antique Secretaires

Materials

Metal, Brass

Extraordinary Signed Zwiener Ormolu Mounted Lady's Secretary
Located in Cypress, CA
Extraordinary Ormolu mounted marquetry kingwood lady's desk, signed Swiener, also dated 1902 and bearing an initial of the persons that it was made for (see attached photo). Meticulous attention has been given to every details. Jean-Henri Jansen (1854-1928) founded the famous interior decoration firm of Maison Jansen in 1880. Manufacturing revival and Nouveau furniture he became Fournisseur de la...
Category

Early 1900s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires

Materials

Ormolu

Vintage Danish Mid Century Modern Teak Secretary Desk / Vanity
Located in Gardiner, NY
Authentic vintage mid century Danish / Scandinavian Modern teak secretary desk / dresser / chest of drawers / vanity with mirror. This piece is in excellent refinished condition wit...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires

Materials

Teak

MCM Jack Van Der Molen Secretary Desk and Dresser for Vanleigh
Located in Medina, OH
MCM Jack Van Der Molen Secretary Desk and Dresser for Vanleigh. The first drawer pulls out as a writing desk, the second drawer is also narrow but is a regular drawer. There are also...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires

Materials

Oak

Georgian Mahogany Tallboy
Located in Norwich, GB
Georgian flame mahogany Tallboy with canted, fluted corners, secrétaire break front with beautifully fitted interior, standing on bracket feet with br...
Category

1760s British Georgian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Art Deco Cabinet Secrétaire Attributed to Jules Leleu, Bronze Ornaments, French
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

Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Secretary in Rio Rosewood by Dyrlund
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian writing desk of rosewood, front with two drawers and folding top, behind which shelves and drawers. Manufact...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Rosewood

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

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Lacquer, Mirror, Beech

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

19th Century Portuguese Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Fine Italian 18th Century Ormolu-Mounted Parquetry Secretaire a Abattant
Located in Rome, IT
Very fine Italian 18' century ormolu-mounted Parquetry Secretaire a Abattant with a dark Grey marble top. Measures: cm. 170 x 105 x 46.
Category

18th Century Italian Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

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

Mid-19th Century European Louis XIII Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Italian Marquetry Marble Top Commode Secretary Desk
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Finely detailed with exquisite marquetry, this Italian commode secretary features a beautiful gray green marble top and drop front desk behind a faux drawer, revealing a burlwood int...
Category

20th Century Italian Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Mahogany, Satinwood, Burl

21st Century Brocart Jewel Cabinet with Gold Leaf Laser Engraved Lace Decoration
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
The jewel cabinet of the Brocart line presents a base with hand-carved legs and antique gold leaf finishing in pure classic style, combined with an upper...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Wood

An antique English Secretaire
Located in Schellebelle, BE
Antique English Secretary Bureau in Burr Walnut Wood, late 18 th Century, the desk has a desirable aged and warm patine, the desk is in a per...
Category

1790s British Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

18th Century French Lady's Secretaire Rosewood Veneer
Located in Münster, DE
Ornamental lady's secretary, France around 1770, rosewood veneered, leather overlay, brass edging and metal appliques, 3 drawers, shellac-wax polish height: 75 cm, width: 94,5 cm, d...
Category

1770s French Rococo Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

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

Early 1800s German Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Nutwood, Oak

20th Century Louis XVI Style Secretaire after Charles Topino
By Charles Topino
Located in Berlin, DE
Light fruit and tropical woods on spruce marquetry, with rich marquetry. (L-Gm-2).
Category

20th Century Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Fruitwood

18th Century Satin Mahogany and Rosewood Secretary
Located in Savannah, GA
This is a secretary / bureau/ desk made in England, circa 1780. The top and the fall have a rosewood banding with a string inlay of satinwood and Satin Mahogany in the interior of th...
Category

1780s English George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Satinwood

Verni Martin secrétaire abattant , circa 1880
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality late 19th Century French Louis XVI style secretaries abbattant, having bombe shaped sides, gilded rococo style scrolling ormolu mounts. Wonderful hand painted Ver...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

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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