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Secretaires For Sale
Period: 20th Century
Period: 19th Century
Napoleon III Secretary In Blackened Pear Wood - Brass Marquetry
Located in Brussels, BE
Napoleon III Secretary In Blackened Pear Wood - Brass Marquetry
Category
19th Century Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Secretary with Flap, 1950
Located in Marseille, FR
Secretary shelves 1950 with crosspiece, with an indoor lamp of dimension height 186 cm for a width of 130 cm and a depth of 50 cm.
Style: Scandinavian.
Category
20th Century Secretaires
Elegant 19th Century French Desk – Solid Fruitwood with Bronze Accents
Located in Madrid, ES
This exquisite 19th-century French desk is a stunning example of fine craftsmanship and timeless design. Constructed from solid fruitwood, this elegant piece features intricate bronz...
Category
1890s Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Contemporary Art Writing Desk Amanuense Dark Cherry Wood by Adolfo Natalini
Located in Pistoia, IT
Limited edition of 99 numbered and signed copies.
Amanuense, decoded in his characterizing elements (the functional nature of the writing desk-Sécretaire, the symbolic hand and the stick) or dynamic elements; (the folding lid, closed/open) is a contraption of the symbolic time of the memory and of the intimate, of the intensity and of the intellectual and “spiritual” concentration, of the transcription of thoughts into figures, alphabets, ideograms, cosmology.
Writing desk or secretary in dark cherry wood...
Category
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th C. Swedish Empire Style Secretaire
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Mahogany, architectural upper section with demi-lune drawer, dentil frieze below and full drawer, drop-front fitted interior with marquetry drawers and doors, two side column...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Hardwood
Lacquered Wood Desk by Stilka, Argentina, circa 1970
By Stilka
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Lacquered wood desk by Stilka, Argentina, circa 1970.
Category
1960s Argentine Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Privé" secrétaire by Jürgen Lange for Rosenthal Germany 1987
Located in Renens, CH
"Privé" writing desk or secrétaire by Jürgen Lange for Rosenthal Germany 1987.
This is an extremely well thought and crafted desk. While standing on a small footprint it offers amaz...
Category
1980s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Fruitwood
Contemporary Art Writing Desk Amanuense Nero Black by Adolfo Natalini
Located in Pistoia, IT
Limited edition of 99 numbered and signed copies.
Amanuense, decoded in his characterizing elements (the functional nature of the writing desk-Sécret...
Category
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
19th Century English Oak Root Writing Desk with Bronze Fittings
Located in Marbella, ES
19th century English oak root writing desk with bronze fittings.
Category
Mid-20th Century English Secretaires
Materials
Oak
A fine Biedermeier period walnut and inlayed roll top secretary. Circa 1830
Located in Dallas, TX
A very fine and rare Biedermeier walnut roll top secretary . Fine satinwood inlay . French polished and ready to place. Several drawers and compartments for storage .
Category
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Satinwood, Walnut
George III Mahogany Standing Bureau, Great Library Accent Piece, Good Color.
Located in Buchanan, MI
A George III mahogany standing bureau, great library accent piece.
Category
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Mid-Century Modern Secretary, Memphis Style
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Secretary, Memphis Style
Category
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Wooden Secretary by Emiel Veranneman, 1950s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Secretary by Emiel Veranneman, 1950s
Neon system not in working condition
Category
1950s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Biedermeier Revival Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier Revival Secretaire made of blond burl with ebonized columns. Upper section with exterior drawers and cubby hole. Lower section with fall fron...
Category
Early 20th Century Secretaires
Secretaire / Scriban Art Deco in Maple Veneer, circa 1950
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Secretaire / scriban art deco in maple veneer, circa 1950
Medium condition, small lack of wood, veneer, varnish to redo.
Category
1950s European Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Maple
French 19th Century Brass and Mahogany veneered Directoire Style Cylinder Bureau
Located in Berlin, DE
French 19th Century Brass Inlaid and Mahogany veneered Directoire Style Cylinder Bureau
A 19th century mahogany cylinder bureau with the rectangular top surrounded by a pierced brass gallery, above two mirrored panelled doors, the roll-top opening to reveal a sliding leather writing surface surmounted by three drawers and a shelf, above two frieze drawers, on fluted circular tapering legs headed by asperges and terminated by cast sabot. The mirrored paneled doors, and the roll top are distinguished by its brass inlays that beautifully frame and outline the design of the item. Together with the brass handles, the brass gallery and the brass toupie feet this cylinder bureau displays...
Category
19th Century French Directoire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Swiss Early 19th Century Empire Bureau Cabinet, Signed Hirschgartner
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
This fine Empire drop-front secretary (secrétaire a'abattant or secrétaire en armoire) with a writing and standing desk is signed M. Hirschgartner. Hans Martin Hirschgartner (1766-18...
Category
19th Century Swiss Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Marble
Large and Important French Secretaire of Excellent Cabinet Making
Located in Cesena, FC
Large and important French Secretaire.
Impressive piece of furniture of excellent cabinetry.
Externally, the cabinet looks like a cabinet with drawers and a large door finely inlaid ...
Category
1850s French Antique Secretaires
Materials
Ash, Elm, Walnut
Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze-Mounted Cartonnier / Secretaire by Antoine Krieger
Located in Long Island City, NY
A rare late 19th century Louis XVI style gilt bronze-mounted cartonnier or secretaire
By Antoine Krieger
The upper section containing seven deep tooled leather veneer drawers, abov...
Category
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
Beautiful Sloping Flap Secretary / Roll-Up Secretary, 20th Century
Located in Berlin, DE
Beautiful sloping flap secretary / roll-up secretary, 20th century
Wood veneered with tulip wood and partially inlaid. High-quality workmanship on short square legs, straight four...
Category
20th Century Italian Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Tulipwood
Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier Secretaire made of walnut and rootwood with brass hardware. Fall front writing surface with interior drawers above three large exterior drawers.
Category
19th Century Antique Secretaires
19th Century Mahogany Inlaid Slope Front Secretaire Bookcase
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th century mahogany inlaid slope front secretaire bookcase with astragal glazing below a dentil cornice, four graduating drawers with marquis...
Category
Early 19th Century Irish Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
1980s Spanish Bamboo Six-Drawer Chest
Located in Marbella, ES
1980s Spanish bamboo six-drawer chest.
Category
Late 20th Century Spanish Secretaires
Materials
Bamboo
Antique Napoleon III Desk and Bookcase, circa 1860-1870
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique Napoleon III desk and bookcase, circa 1860-1870. This museum quality antique has fine briarwood and wonderful ormolu throughout.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Secretaires
Materials
Ormolu
Louis XV Gold and Bronze Desk, 1950s
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Small desk with drawers. Finely decorated with gold and fake turtle, Boulle style. handles and details in gilded bronze.
Packaging with bubble...
Category
1950s Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
1940s French Abatant with Original Vellum Drop Front
Located in Dallas, TX
1940s French abatant with original vellum drop front facing. Faux volumes of books create a decorative door facing with key lock. Bronze scroll detail on base. Beautiful chevron vene...
Category
1940s French Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Wood
French Transitional 19th Century Ladies Writing Secretaire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A charming French 19th century Transitional style tulipwood, ormolu, and white Carrara marble secretary desk. The secretary is raised by fine cabriole legs with elegant foliate ormol...
Category
19th Century French Antique Secretaires
Materials
Carrara Marble, Ormolu
Delicate Secretary in Louis Seize Style
Located in Berlin, DE
Veneer on solid softwood.
Rectangular body on pointed legs.
Straight flap in the front between four drawers.
Rich office layout behind.
The sides and the front have frame...
Category
20th Century European Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Empire Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Empire Secretaire made of walnut and root wood with brass capitals and hardware. Three exterior drawers. Fall front writing surface w/five interior drawers and mirrored cubby hole. ...
Category
19th Century Austrian Antique Secretaires
Copf Style Cherry Inlay Secretaire Cabinet, ca. 1800
Located in Budapest, HU
Early 19th century hutch, (combination of a writing secretaire and a glass cabinet) in Copf-Style. The pine corpus has a cherry veneer, and has fine...
Category
Early 19th Century European Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Cherry, Pine
Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier secretaire made of walnut, root wood and ebony with a fall front writing surface, interior drawers and secret compartments.
Category
19th Century Antique Secretaires
Russian Empire Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Russian Empire Secretaire made of solid birch blond-wood and veneer. Elegant and compact design with weight bearing dolphins and arrows. Lower section ...
Category
19th Century Russian Antique Secretaires
20th Century Pedestal Column in the Ancient Antique Louis XVI Style Rosewood
Located in Berlin, DE
Different rosewoods on solid conifers mirrored veneer. Sides with paneled parquet decorated with grid-shaped, perforated wide measuring strips.
Cover plate with stepped veined marble...
Category
20th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Wood
French Mid-19th Century Louis XVI St. Secrétaire in Arbalette Shape
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A French mid 19th century Louis XVI st. tulipwood Secretaire. The secretaire has a fine quarter veneered tulipwood marquetry on the front and sides, ornamented with pierced ormolu mo...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Biedermeier Secretaire Napolean Style
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier Secretaire Napolean Style with fall front writing surface, interior drawers and secret compartments.
Category
19th Century Antique Secretaires
Materials
Birdseye Maple, Walnut
Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier secretaire made of walnut, rootwood and ebonized wood. It has a fall front writing surface with interior drawers and a cubby hole. Lower section with exterior drawers.
Category
19th Century Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier Secretaire with fall front writing surface, interior drawers and hidden compartments.
Category
19th Century Antique Secretaires
Materials
Ebony, Walnut
Secrétaire Cabinet by Maison Vervelle Audot Successeur, circa 1860
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A gilt bronze-mounted Secrétaire cabinet with a marble top by Maison Vervelle Audot Successeur.
French, circa 1860.
Signed to the lockplate: ' Mon Vervelle Audot succ Paris / ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier Secretaire made of walnut, root wood and ebonized wood with fall-front writing surface, interior drawers and secret compartments.
Category
19th Century Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier Secretaire made of walnut, mahogany, ebony, intarsia. There are 2 doors, 2 drawers, 2 glazed doors, shelves with secret compartments.
Category
19th Century Antique Secretaires
Materials
Ebony, Mahogany
Mahogany Furniture to Keep Paintings, Plans and Special Documents
Located in Marbella, ES
Mahogany furniture to keep paintings, plans and special documents. It can be oriented in different positions.
Category
Late 20th Century English Secretaires
Materials
Wood
19th century Swedish Gustavian Period Two Part Secretaire Cabinet
Located in Charleston, SC
Early 19th century Swedish Period Gustavian two part secretaire cabinet with writing surface.
The secrétaire cabinet is with two upper reeded door, two selves, two smaller drawer an...
Category
Early 1800s Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Writing Bureau or Secretaire
Located in Kramfors, SE
Painted writing bureau or secretaire from Sweden made during the early 1800s, 1810 to 1820. The bureau is a folk art furniture from the area Hälsingland in Sweden and is made in gustavian style. The bureau is a prime example of the Swedish gustavian period with clean, elegant lines and a timeless expression. A fun detail is the secret compartment hidden in the middle of the interior, see picture. This bureau is a solid antique furniture...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Pine
Danish Teak Drop-Down Door Secretary Bookcase Display Top
Located in Kensington, MD
This Danish Modern teak bookcase display top will store your precious items in minimalist splendor. This piece can be set directly on the ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Teak
19th c. Georgian Style Secretary
Located in Los Angeles, CA
England: Georgian style black lacquered Chinese export small secretary with gilt figural scenes
Category
19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Materials
Giltwood, 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.