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Secretaires For Sale
Period: 18th Century
Period: 17th Century
Period: 15th Century and Earlier
Period: 16th Century
Louis XVI Secretary in Mahogany Called Bonheur Du Jour
Located in Brussels, Brussels
lovely and rare bonheur du jour Louis XVI in mahogany from the end of the 18th century. Very beautiful little secretary in mahogany with its...
Category

18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Mid-18th Century, Veneto Trumeau
Located in Firenze, FI
Splendid trumeau with four curved legs base and goat foot in solid walnut and walnut veneer. In excellent condition, it has an elegant and light design. Top that can be opened to ...
Category

Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

English Mahogany Secretary with Fitted Desk Drawer Late 18th Century
Located in Charleston, SC
English mahogany secretary with fitted fall front desk.
Category

Late 18th Century English Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Empire Secretaire with Writing Desk, Richly Inlaid Wood. Italy Late 18th Century
Located in Torino, IT
"Empire" cylinder writing desk, secretaire with pull-out top, internal drawers and four external drawers. Origin Italy Period Late eighteenth century Model Cylinder writing des...
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Empire Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Dutch Secretary Desk, Around 1800, Mahogany
Located in Belmont, MA
Dutch secretary desk, Netherlands, around 1800. This elegantly curved secretary desk has three spacious drawers in the lower part. The writing flap ...
Category

1790s Dutch Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Antique 18th Century Dutch Oak Drop Front Bombe Secretary Desk Secretaire
Located in Casteren, NL
A beautiful Dutch Baroque style secretary with a 3-drawer bombe front and carved ball and claw feet. The drop front opens up to reveal an oak writing area and stepped drawers...
Category

Late 18th Century Dutch Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

18th Century German Baroque Secretaire, Louis XV, Walnut, circa 1750
Located in Greven, DE
Baroque top secretary with Fine marquetry Brunswick walnut etc. Baroque around 1750 Dimensions: H x W x D: 215 x 119 x 56 cm Description: Beautiful slender writing cabine...
Category

Mid-18th Century German Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

English Chippendale Mahogany Inlaid Fall Front Secretary with Bookcase, C.1780
Located in Hollywood, SC
English Chippendale mahogany fall front secretary with carved molded edge finial cornice, flanking upper case hinged glass doors revealing adjustable interior shelves, period brasses...
Category

1780s English Chippendale Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Fine and Rare 18th C Georgian Black Lacquered and Chinoiserie Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine and rare 18th century Georgian black lacquered and Chinoiserie decorated elaborate secretary.
Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

18th Century Dutch Neoclassical Apothecary Cabinet, Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
18th century Dutch neoclassical apothecary cabinet ~ secretary was obviously a product of sublimely talented artisans, indeed! Created with a stately elegance inspired by ancient Greek architects, it features a crown with facing pitched moldings flanking a center pediment that is a design copied by the early Federal style furniture crafters in the then-young country of the USA. A bold cornice provides a platform for the crown moldings, and appears over the generously sized upper cabinet, whose two large, tailored doors open to reveal adjustable shelf storage above, and a tambour cabinet below that opens to reveal multiple cubby holes, ideal for the pharmacist...
Category

Late 18th Century Dutch Neoclassical Revival Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Light Gray 18th Century Period Swedish Two Part Secretary with Carved Pediment
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
18th century period two part wood secretary with a decorative carved pediment. Two carved front doors open to storage, and beneath a fall front door ...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Classicist Vienna Secretary, circa 1790
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Richly inlaid classicist secretary circa 1790-1800 original from Vienna. Some repairs in the past. Very good original condition with sigs of usage.
Category

18th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Magnificent Italian Baroque Secretary, circa 1700
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The upper case with swept pediment and stepped molded edge fitted with 11 drawers and an arched door. The lower case with a slant front opening over a well above three long drawers e...
Category

Early 18th Century Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Maple, Olive

Late 18th Century German Louis XVI Secretary, Walnut, Marquetry, Cylinder Desk
Located in Greven, DE
Louis XVI cylinder desk with marquetry Germany (Westphalia) Walnut etc. Classicism around 1795 Dimensions: H x W x D: 118 x 116 x 62 cm Description: Beautiful writing fur...
Category

Late 18th Century German Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Maple, Oak, Walnut

18th Century Baroque Secretaire/ Writing Cabinet Nutwood, Germany ca. 1770
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Important 18th century secrétaire or writing cabinet elaborately made in the baroque period in West Germany around 1770. Different kinds of fine nutwood/ walnut were used to set up a...
Category

Late 18th Century German Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

17th Century Italian Walnut Commode with Drop Front Desk and Three Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian walnut commode from the 17th century, with drop front desk and three large drawers. Created in Italy during the 17th century, this commode features a rectangular top with ...
Category

17th Century Italian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

George III Mahogany Chest on Chest
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine Georgian period mahogany chest on chest, the dentil molded top with reeded canted corners having three short and three wide drawers over lower section having secretary drawer an...
Category

1770s English George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Oak, Pine, Mahogany

Charleston Chippendale Mahogany Slant Top Desk with Fitted Interior, C. 1770
Located in Hollywood, SC
Charleston Chippendale mahogany slant top writing desk with four graduated drawers, fitted interior, original brasses, and resting on the origin...
Category

1770s American Chippendale Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Exceptionally Fine Queen Anne Burr Walnut Dome Top Bureau Bookcase Secretary
Located in Bradenton, FL
The best English Queen Anne / George I burl walnut secretary bureau bookcase in two sections. The upper arched top portion with a molded and domed cornice inset with mirrored glass a...
Category

Early 18th Century English George I Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Swedish Rococo Period 1790s Painted Two-Part Secretary with Slanted Front Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Rococo period painted wood two-piece tall secretary from the late 18th century, with bonnet top, two doors, slanted front desk and drawers on bracket feet. Created in Swede...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Spanish Cabinet "Bargueño" Walnut, Wrought Iron, Stone, 17th Century
Located in Miami, FL
The rectangular locker rests on chest with legs, and has four drawers decorated with diamonds that lock and fittings and shield shown horseshoe. Answer...
Category

17th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Louis XVI Period Right Secretary Signed CREPI 18th Century
Located in VERSAILLES, FR
Secrétaire de Dame de forme rectangulaire en placage de satiné. Il ouvre par un tiroir dans la partie supérieure, un abattant découvrant des casiers et des tiroirs et par deux vanta...
Category

Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Oak

18th Century French Louis XV Period Walnut Chateau Bonheur Du Jour or Secretary
Located in Birmingham, AL
A rare 18th century French Louis XV period chateau bonheur du jour or secrétaire handcrafted of walnut by very talented artisans in Lyon for a wealthy chateau owner near Villeurbanne, circa 1750s. This impressive antique French secretary features a chapeau de gendarme crown above a pair of carved serpentine doors with brass mesh grilles and beautiful green and gold damask fabric backings that open to reveal a painted interior with two display shelves. Three carved drawers are below. The lower section features a flat serpentine shaped writing surface that lifts opens to reveal plenty of storage above a carved, scalloped apron with C-scrolls and a center carved shell motif. Raised on four elegant cabriole legs ending in scrolled French toes. This grand Lyonnaise French library desk...
Category

1750s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires

Materials

Iron

Antique Danish Chest of Drawers in Oak, Made in Late 18th Century, Louis 16
Located in Odense, DK
Romantic antique chest of drawers, made by a Danish cabinetmaker in 1790-1810.. Louis XVI. This chest features great curves and carving skills and undoubtful high quality. Made in so...
Category

Late 18th Century Danish Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Oak

18th Century George II Yew Wood Secretary Bookcase
Located in Essex, MA
Period early 18th century George II Yew Secretary bookcase. Original Mirrors and interior. Integrity throughout. Beautiful compartmented interior. Original carved and gilded framing around mirrors. Retains original extremely high quality Georgian hardware...
Category

Early 18th Century English George II Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut, Yew

Extraordinary Italian Parquetry Bureau Cabinet Trumeaux Rome, 1740
Located in Rome, IT
Outstanding Italian walnut, parquetry bureau cabinet fruitwood inlaid with scrolling foliage, The upper section with a shaped carved cresting centere...
Category

Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Louis XVI Roll Top Desk, France 1780
Located in Belmont, MA
This unique Louis XVI Roll Top Desk was made in France around 1780. The outside of the secretary desk has a kingwood veneer with a gorgeous mar...
Category

1780s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Kingwood, Yew

Louis Seize Bureau, France, Late 18th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Louis Seize secretaire with mahogany veneer and brass moldings and fittings. The secretaire stands on square tapered legs with brass sabots and has three wide drawers, the top one pr...
Category

Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Two Part Pine Bureau, Scandinavian Secretaire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 18th - 19th Century, dark-grey antique Swedish Gustavian two part bureau with a writing flap made of hand crafted painted pinewood, in good condition. The Scandinavian secretaire i...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Queen Anne Walnut Dome Top Secretary with Mirrored Doors
Located in Milford, NH
A fine two piece Queen Anne walnut dome top secretary with two arched mirrored doors opening to an upper compartment with six valanced open cubbies ...
Category

18th Century English Queen Anne Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Swedish Gustavian 1790s Painted Slant-Front Desk with Carved Diamond Motifs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian period slant front desk from the late 18th century, with carved diamond motifs, multiple drawers, original lock and key. Created in Sweden during the last decade ...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

18th Century Spanish Walnut Writing Desk with Door and Drawers in the Interior
Located in Marbella, ES
18th Century Spanish walnut writing desk with door and drawers in the Interior.
Category

18th Century Spanish Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Three Part Pine Bureau, Scandinavian Secretaire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 18th century, dark-grey antique Swedish Gustavian three part bureau, secretaire made of hand crafted painted Pinewood, in good condition. The arched upper section of the Scandinavi...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Metal, Brass

Late 17th C Louis XIV Italian Walnut Scrittorio Con Scarabattolo, Burl & Inlay
Located in Encinitas, CA
Late 17th Century Louis XIV Italian walnut secretary cabinet, termed a Scrittorio con Scarabattolo, with thick burled walnut drawer fronts and striking carved fruitwood inlay. Fine R...
Category

Late 17th Century Italian Louis XIV Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wrought Iron

Fine Antique Georgian circa 1780 Oyster Venner Bureau Bookcase Chest of Drawers
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this very fine and important Georgian circa 1780 Oyster veneer Bureau bookcase with original candle holders A highly decorative and important bu...
Category

1780s English Georgian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Oak

Regency Mahogany Secretaire, circa 1800
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Regency period mahogany secretary circa 1800 of very good quality and small proportion from England Very beautiful secretary composed of 4 drawers as well as a theater. This good q...
Category

Late 18th Century British Regency Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

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

Italian, Piemontese, Carved Ebonized Walnut Secretary Commode, 17th/18th Cen
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having a rectangular top with molded edge, the top split and hinged opening to reveal a drop front at the first drawer, the interior with nine carved drawers, the lower three drawers of normal order, all drawers and sides with raised carvings in the Piemontese style, retaining antique brass hardware.
Category

Early 1700s Italian Louis XIV Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

18th Century Italian Ladies Desk
Located in Charleston, SC
Charming and rare 18th C. Italian painted small ladies desk having deep yellow, maroon and and gold/ochre scrolling foliate in chinoiserie motifs wit...
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Giltwood, Paint

Antique 18th Century George III Period Light Oak Country House Bureau Bookcase
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
An attractive antique late 18th century, George III period bleached oak with ebony inlay two stage English country house bureau cupboard or bookcase. Circa 1790. Having a moulded cornice with inlay, above two fielded and inlaid panelled doors, opening to reveal a white painted interior with adjustable shelves inside, the inlaid bureau fall opening to reveal a lovely fitted interior with various drawers, compartments and leather surface, with a straight apron running along the top, with two short oak lined drawers and three long oak lined graduated drawers below, with brass plate handles, standing on splayed bracket feet. Great quality. A good piece of Georgian antique furniture. Complete with working locks and key. The dimensions are: Height: 203cm (79.9in) Width: 112cm (44.1in) Depth: 51cm (20.1in) The antique oak bureau bookcase...
Category

Late 18th Century British George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Oak

Fine English Georgian Mahogany Secretary Circa 1780-90
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An English Georgian mahogany secretary in three parts. The base opens to a hinged desk revealing a long shallow drawer above 2 short drawers on each side of...
Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Original French Louis XV Secretary Desk, Paris 1760
Located in Belmont, MA
This French Louis XV secretary desk dates back to around 1760 and comes from Paris. This exquisite piece stands out for its beautiful kingwood ...
Category

1760s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires

Materials

Kingwood, Mahogany

Late 18th Century Original Swedish Cherry Brass Secrétaire Drawers
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Extremely beautiful Swedish secrétaire from the end of the 18th century made of pine and veneered with best quality north European cherry all in great and original condition. Originally this cabinet was made for a Duke's or duchess house. All drawers still have the heavy metal locks...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires

Materials

Metal, Brass

Stunning 18th Century George III Period Mahogany Secretaire Library Bookcase
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A stunning 18th century, George III period mahogany secretaire bookcase . Well proportioned mahogany bookcase with glazed 2-door cabinet over a set of 14 oak lined drawers base with a fitted fall-front secretaire writing drawer, raised on the original ogee bracket feet. The well fitted secretaire writing drawer with multiple interior very fine oak lined drawers and door. The glazed bookcase top fitted with 2 compartments each with three adjustable bookshelves. Superb all original piece of furniture dating from 1780. Great quality! A good piece of Georgian antique furniture. Complete with working locks and key. The dimensions are: Height: 237cm (93.3in) Width: 161cm (63.4in) Depth: 54cm (21.3in) This Georgian period antique...
Category

18th Century British George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Secretary Period Transition Louis XV, Louis XVI, Palissander & Rosewood, 18th
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Sloping desk / sloping secretary / back donkey secretary from the Louis XV, Louis XVI transition period. Very high quality 18th century work. The subtly arched feet typical of the Lo...
Category

Early 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Wood

Small Swiss Louis XV Secretaire, Walnut, Writing Chest, circa 1760
Located in Greven, DE
SmallLouis XV or Baroque Secretary Switzerland (Bern) Walnut Baroque around 1760. Dimensions: H x W x D: 109 x 93 x 60 cm Description: Writing furniture standing on a ...
Category

Mid-18th Century Swiss Louis XV Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Satinwood Mahogany Secretaire Bookcase Chest Drawers Gillows Lancaster Georgian
Located in Dublin, Ireland
A very fine example of a George III Sheraton Period West Indian Satinwood Secretaire Bookcase of museum quality, firmly attributed to Gillows of Lancaster, England. Last quarter of t...
Category

Late 18th Century Irish Georgian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Satinwood, Mahogany

Important Louis XVI Cherrywood Secretary 18th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Surprising and rare Louis XVI secretary in cherrywood from the 18th century Uncommon secretary given its large size of 1m74 and its very beautiful interior Very beautiful patina an...
Category

18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Cherry

George I Walnut Bureau Bookcase
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular cornice over a single door with mirror, the desk section with fold down writing surface opening to a nicely fitted interior and sliding panel opening to a well, all over ...
Category

1720s English George I Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

18th Century Oak Secretary From England
Located in Brussels, Brussels
18th century oak secretary of very good quality and small model from England Very beautiful secretary composed of 4 drawers as well as a theater. This secretaire stands out by a ma...
Category

18th Century British Georgian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Oak

Louis XV Secretary Desk, France 18th Century
Located in Belmont, MA
This original 18th century Louis XVI Secretaire has a stunning veneer and marquetry. The elegant unique slant-top desk or "secretaire en pente" combines different walnut veneer grains with maple and bird's-eye maple as well as satinwood. The secretaire has three drawers on the outside. The inside of the writing compartment has six small drawers, several open compartments and a secret compartment. This gorgeous and remarkable desk is in very good original condition and has its original patina. It ships from Europe...
Category

1750s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires

Materials

Maple, Walnut, Birdseye Maple

Fine and Rare Late 18th Century Russian Mahogany Roll Top Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine and rare original late 18thcentury Russian roll top secretary bookcase.
Category

Late 18th Century Baltic Baltic Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

18th Century Black Swedish Gustavian Oak Bureau - Antique Drop Front Secretaire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique Swedish Gustavian bureau made of hand crafted painted Oakwood, in good condition. The Scandinavian writing table, desk features man...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Metal, Brass

18th C. Late Georgian Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Ca. 1780. A fine figured mahogany classic Georgian secretary bookcase with the broken bonnet in openwork foliate scrolls flanking a fluted short pedestal (it appears that it never ha...
Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Impressive 18th Century Italian Venetian Walnut Secretaire
Located in San Francisco, CA
An impressive and unusually tall Venetian black walnut and burled walnut secretary. The mirrored top cabinet doors opening to reveal a multi dr...
Category

18th Century Italian Rococo Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mirror, Walnut

18th Century French Louis XV Walnut Desk Secretary from Provence
Located in Dallas, TX
Carved in southern France, circa 1760, the fold out secretary is both stylish and functional; the elegant writing desk crafted from solid walnut, stands on cabriole legs over a scalloped apron and dressed with bombe drawer across the front embellished with the original patinated bronze handles. The top folds down to reveal a large writing surface, a theater with four smaller drawers on the sides, and a double compartment niche in the center. When sliding out the drawers and niche, the cabinet reveals different secret storage compartments underneath (see pictures). Both sides with scalloped apron are decorated with recessed panels. Flaunting beautiful lines, a rich patina, and complete functionality, this "Secretaire a Abattant" is in excellent condition and includes all the original keys; put a sophisticated spin on your study or bedroom with this antique slant front desk commode, or "commode scriban...
Category

Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

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

English Walnut Secretary
Located in Wilson, NC
English walnut secretary, the top with cove cornice above double ''tombstone''raised panel doors and pull out candle slides; the fitted interior with ...
Category

1760s English Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

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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