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Secretaires

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Secretaires For Sale
Period: 19th Century
Period: 1910s
Antique Biedermeier-Style Drop-Front Mahogany Secretary Chest
Located in Milano, IT
This marvelous Biedermeier-style drop-front secretary chest, dating back to around 1830 and crafted in Austria, is a true work of art. Made from precious mahogany wood, it features b...
Category

Mid-19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Metal

Napoleon III Secretaire Abattant, 19th Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
A unique secretaire abattant cabinet with drop down writing panel with interior carved wooden rails in a yellow color wood finish. The fall front has...
Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Bronze

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 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

Antique Early American 19th Century Pine Plantation Desk
Located in Forney, TX
An early American 19th century pine plantation desk with nicely aged patina. Born in the Mid-Atlantic region / Southern United States, circa 1800s, hand-crafted of solid pine wood with mellow warm tone and rich grain patterns, primitive one-piece construction, having a stepped molded cornice above a tall pair of paneled cabinet doors, opening to reveal an interior fitted with shelves and divided slots for documents, plank boarded back with old metal patch, over a lift-top writing slope with spacious storage underneath, the apron adorned with simple decorative pilasters...
Category

19th Century American Primitive Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine

French Louis Philippe Drop Front Secretary, late 19th Century
Located in South Salem, NY
Experience the timeless allure of a Louis Philippe secretary, resplendent in mahogany veneer and a black stone top. This exquisite piece of 19th-century craftsmanship boasts a drop f...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Biedermeier secretary, Western Europe, circa 1840.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Biedermeier secretary, Western Europe, circa 1840. Obacie is undergoing renovation. Wood: mahogany dimensions: height 169 cm width 106 cm depth 59 cm
Category

1840s French Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

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 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 Victorian Eastlake Cherry Drop Front Secretary Writing Desk 61"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Victorian drop front secretary or library writing desk. Made of cherry featuring Eastlake styling with upper brass gallery and six apothe...
Category

Late 19th Century Eastlake Antique Secretaires

Materials

Cherry

Napoleon III Marquetry Secretary Vitrine Bonheur Du Jour
Located in Lisbon, PT
A unique 19th century Napoleon III desk Bonheur Du Jour in walnut and mahogany. Upper part showcase with three shelves and lower part with a couple of drawers and extendable top and...
Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Metal

Rare North German Altona Empire Secretary, circa 1810-1815
Located in Handewitt, DE
Beautiful and rare original North German "Altona" Secretary, circa 1810-1820. Fine cuba-mahogany, Birch and elmwood veneer. Inlays in different woods. Original fittings in bronze and...
Category

1810s German Empire Antique Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

Northern European Biedermeier-style secretary from the second half of the 1800s
Located in Barletta, IT
Beautiful Northern European secretary from the second half of the 1800s, Biedermeier style, made of mahogany and mahogany featherwood. It features a...
Category

Early 19th Century German Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

English 19th Century Campaign Mahogany Box with Unfolding Desk and Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English mahogany campaign period box on legs from the 19th century revealing a desk with drawers and green felt. This English mahogany campaign period box on legs from the 19th ce...
Category

19th Century English Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

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

Painted Swedish Secretary, 19th Century
Located in South Salem, NY
This 19th-century Swedish secretary is a captivating example of timeless design. Its cream-painted exterior exudes classic charm, while the writing surface features the popular faux ...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

19th Century Swedish Pine Secretary Sideboard
Located in Kramfors, SE
Sideboard with a secretary desk made during the early 1800s, 1820 to 1830, in northern Sweden from pine. The sideboard is a large, well-made quality furniture of very nice quality. It measures a meter and half in width, 151 cm to be precise, and 61 cm deep. That results in a heavy and solid furniture with a strong presence and dependable character. The side doors are curved which are an unusual feature in furniture of this time and style...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Country Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine

Early 19th Century Blue Painted Swedish Gustavian Period Slant-Front Secretary
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish late Gustavian period painted wood slant-front secretary from the early 19th century with light blue painted finish and carved bracket feet. This exquisite Swedish late Gustavian period painted wood slant-front secretary, dating back to the early 19th century, exudes grace and understated elegance. Painted in a serene light...
Category

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Secretary in mahogany with brass fittings and Intarsia from the 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
German secretary of patinated elm wood with top and brass fittings decorated with marquetry from Berlin around the 1840s. Dimensions in cm: H:207.5 W:...
Category

1840s German Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

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

Secretaire Dit De Dame - Stamp: Romain Magniant - Period: XIXth Century
Located in CRÉTEIL, FR
A sumptuous "Lady's" secretary in burr cedar and blackened pearwood. This magnificent piece is the work of a 19th century cabinetmaker and gilder, Mr Romain MAGNIANT, the stamp is pr...
Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Danish 1810s Beige Gray Painted Two-Part Tall Secretary with Slant-Front Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Danish painted wood two-part secretary from circa 1810 with beige / light gray painted finish, slanted desk, four doors and carved reeded panels. A testament to timeless Danish cra...
Category

Early 19th Century Danish Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Dresser/Desk/Dressing Table Veneered with Mahogany, circa 1860
Located in Opole, PL
A piece of furniture on turned legs, with a liftable top and an extended desktop inside. Under the desktop, there are two drawers, including the one with compartments padded with a ...
Category

1860s European Antique 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

19th Century Biedermeier Walnut Secretaire. Vienna, c. 1825.
Located in Vienna, AT
Hello, This elegant and truly exceptional early Viennese Biedermeier Secretaire was made in Vienna circa 1825. Viennese Biedermeier is distinguished by their sophisticated proportio...
Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Maple, Walnut

English mahogany secretary with fitted interior early 19th century
Located in Charleston, SC
English secretary with fitted interior fall front desk early 19th century
Category

19th Century English Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

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

19th Century Antique Swedish Secretary
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Skandinavian secretary with beautiful and functional secretary desk made of solid pine wood. The contrasting center of the secretary is made of walnut with a wonderful grain. The co...
Category

1830s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine, Wood

19th Century Fine Biedermeier Walnut Secretaire. Vienna, c. 1825
Located in Vienna, AT
Hello, This elegant and rare early Viennese Biedermeier Secretaire was made in Vienna c. 1825. The secretaire is an example of beautiful, rare and refined design and excellent craft...
Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Cherrywood Secretary From The 19th Century -france
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant cherry wood secretary from the 19th century It is unusual to find a secretaire in cherry wood The secretary is in superb condition. It has all its keys and we have placed a ...
Category

19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires

Materials

Cherry

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 styl...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Bronze

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

19th Century Swedish Secretaire with Secret Compartement, Light Birch Wood
Located in Greven, DE
Antique secretary with secret compartment Swedish birch second half 19th century Dimensions: H x W x D: 135 x 112 x 52 cm Description Piece of furniture standing on block feet with three drawers at the bottom, a writing flap above and another drawer at the very top. There is a small secret compartment in one of the front feet, which is clearly visible in one of the photos. The side runners of the top drawer are removable and also contain a secret compartment in each. Discreet flanking half columns of solid birch wood extend almost the entire height of the furniture front. In combination with the hollowed headboard, they give the furniture its special character. The grain of the flamed birch is reflected on the front, sides and cover plate. The discreet brass keyhole surrounds keep a low profile. The interior of the secretary consists of a central door, an open compartment underneath, and a total of 15 drawers of varying sizes. The compartment under the door is ideal for sliding in a laptop when work is done and closing the flap. The door itself is another highlight of the furniture with its rosewood edge, fine thread inlays and field of mirror ash. Behind the door is another small drawer. On the back wall of the secretary are old shipping labels from the port...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires

Materials

Birch

19th-Century Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary Desk in Beautiful Graining
Located in Opole, PL
19th-Century Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary Desk in Beautiful Graining We present you this piece of furniture with three drawers at the bottom, a drop front, and a narrow drawer und...
Category

Mid-19th Century European Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany, Baize

French Ormolu-Mounted Secrétaire À Abattant by Millet
Located in London, GB
The brèche d'Alep marble top above a long frieze drawer, the hinged fall front with gilt-tooled brown leather writing-surface, the fitted interior with four open compartments and a long drawer, above two cupboard doors, the interior with one shelf, on spreading foliate feet, the gilt-bronze banding to the left side signed Millet à Paris.
Category

19th Century French Antique Secretaires

Materials

Fruitwood, Tulipwood

Antique Greco America Empire Flame Mahogany Quervelle School Secretary 19th C
By Anthony Gabriel Quervelle
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique American Empire secretary in the manner of Quervelle offers deeply striated flame mahogany construction with Greco-Roman features having upper bookcase with double glass doors with arch...
Category

19th Century American American Empire Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany, Glass

1800s Scandinavian Light Painted Slant-Front Secretary with Multiple Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Scandinavian slant-front secretary from circa 1800 with carved panel, four drawers, light gray / cream painted finish and carved bracket feet. Steeped in history and elegance, this...
Category

Early 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

1820s Swedish Wooden Desk
Located in High Point, NC
A wooden cabinet created in 1820s Sweden. Tall, slender, and painted in an inviting reddish ochre, this cabinet presents an air of familiarity and amicable function. This discreet se...
Category

1820s Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Mid 19th Century Walnut Wood Italian Desk Dresser, 1850
Located in Rome, IT
Italian chest of drawers of 1850, with a door that opens up to form a desk. All veneered in walnut wood, with upper door that acts as a desk. Externally closed it appears with a fl...
Category

1850s Italian Louis XV Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Very Fine Antique Secretary Bookcase with Brass Eagle Crest
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Well constructed with fine mahogany veneer with Federal style brass eagle finial on a pedestal. The carved cornice with urn form finials over a carv...
Category

Late 19th Century Federal Antique Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Glass, Mahogany

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

English Glass Front William IV Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
Located in Free Union, VA
A stylish English mahogany William IV period piece, (ca. 1830), with a strikingly arched cornice terminating in half palmettes. Arched tracery distinguishes the glass doors of the to...
Category

1830s English William IV Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Antique Painted Gustavian Grey/White Secretary with Fall-Front & Birch Interior
Located in Miami, FL
A very lovely Louis Philippe fall-front secretary in pine with a light Gustavian-grey/white painted finish, and original French-polished birch wood interior. Features a carved bonnet...
Category

Mid-19th Century German Louis Philippe 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

Antique 19th Century Walnut Austrian Biedermeier Abatante Secretary Desk
Located in Charlotte, NC
An antique Biedermeier style abatante secretary desk, unbranded. Walnut with walnut & other wood veneers, decorative overhang to top, wood keyhole escutcheons to doors with brass key...
Category

19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mirror, Wood, Walnut

ANTIQUE ViCTORIAN 1860 WALNUT SCRIBAN BUREAU BOOKCASE MUST SEE PICTURES
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning circa 1860-1880 Walnut framed Scriban bureau bookcase Please note the delivery fe...
Category

1860s English High Victorian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Walnut

Biedermeier Secretaire, Cherry Veneer, Mahogany, South Germany circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Elegant early Biedermeier / neoclassical secretaire from south Germany around 1820, early 19th century. Cherry wood book-matched veneered on softwood and cherry solid wood, partly ebonized. Inside in mahogany veneer with drawers and three open compartments. Above one long drawer under the cornice. Below two long drawers with old box locks. Fully restored and hand-polished with shellac. Dimensions: * Metric: H 150 cm x W 96...
Category

Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Cherry, Softwood

Circa 1810 Empire Period Secretaire à Abatant
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Empire period, c.1810, Secretaire à Abatant, French. Walnut. Demi-columns with bronze dore mounts. Bronze dore pulls & escutcheons. Chic black marble top with white-grey figure. Grea...
Category

1810s French Empire Antique Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

19th Century German Secretary, Birch, Cherry, Walnut, Biedermeier, c. 1835
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Biedermeier birch and cherry secretaire Central Germany birch, cherry, burr walnut Biedermeier around 1835 Dimensions: H x W x D: 168 x 105 x 51 cm Description: Simple and...
Category

1830s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Birch, Cherry, Walnut

Campaign Chest Secretary of Brass-Bound Mahogany for British Military Officer
Located in Austin, TX
A fine British military officer’s Campaign ware secretary or secretaire from the 19th century, fashioned as a chest of drawers, featuring a patinated mahogany exterior, showing two s...
Category

19th Century English Campaign Antique Secretaires

Materials

Metal, Brass

STUNNiNG ANTIQUE CIRCA 1840 SHERATON REVIVAL LIBRARY BUREAU BOOKCASE ON DRAWERS
Located in GB
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

19th Century French Rosewood Inlaid Louis XVI Ladies Desk Bonheur Du Jour
Located in Long Branch, NJ
​19th Century French Rosewood Inlaid Louis XVI Ladies Desk Bonheur Du Jour Dimensions : 30" Wide X 19" Deep X 52.75" Tall This stunning ladies ...
Category

1870s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Rosewood, Satinwood

Biedermeier secretary, Northern Europe, circa 1860.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Biedermeier secretary, Northern Europe, circa 1860. Wood: Mahogany dimensions : h. 130 cm w. 112 cm d. 62 cm
Category

1860s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Biedermeier Maple Drop Front Secretary
Located in Bradenton, FL
A very attractive early 19th century Maple and Ebony German Biedermeier drop front secretary. Nice deep rich color and patina to the Maple surfac...
Category

Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Maple

Early 19th Century French Mahogany, Oak & Marble Secretaire with Ormolu Mounts
Located in Middleburg, VA
Important Secretaire a Abattant, Paris, Empire, circa 1805. Mahogany on oak, marble top, ormolu mounts. Caryatides, trophy weapons, fasces, antique Roman and Egyptian ornamentation a...
Category

Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble

Early 19th Century Stunning Swedish Gustavian Secretary
Located in San Angelo, TX
Here is a stunning early 19th century Swedish Gustavian secretary. This secretary features a newer, professionally applied white and gray e...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Swedish Gustavian Style 1820s Grey Blue Painted Slant Front Desk Secretary
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian style painted wood secretary circa 1820 with slant front desk, carved fluted motifs, three drawers and carved feet. Transport yourself to the elegant Swedish Gust...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

American Block Front Dropdown Mahogany Secretary Desk
Located in New York, NY
American (18/19th Century) block front mahogany secretary desk with a slant top drop front over 3 drawers supported on ogee bracket feet.   
Category

19th Century American Country 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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