Secretaires
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Secretaires For Sale
Period: 19th Century
Period: 1970s
Swedish Gustavian Style 1850s Blue Gray Painted Slant Front Secretary
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian style slant front secretary from circa 1850 with blue gray painted finish and off white trim. This Swedish Gustavian style slant front secretary, dating back to circa 1850, is a magnificent blend of elegance and practicality. It boasts a serene blue-gray painted finish, gracefully accented with off-white trim, encapsulating the essence of Gustavian design. The subtle yet sophisticated color palette ensures that it would seamlessly integrate into a variety of interior schemes, from traditional to more contemporary settings.
The upper section houses a slant front desk, which, when opened, reveals an intricately organized interior. Multiple drawers of varying sizes encircle a central door, while vertical compartments...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
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
High mahogany secretary with marquetry and brass fittings from around the 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
High mahogany secretary with marquetry and brass fittings from around the 1840s.
Measurements in cm: H:215 W:104 D:52
Category
1840s Danish Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Biedermeier Secretaire in Ashwood, circa 1820
Located in Greding, DE
Spacious secretary featuring a two-door cabinet top and a three-tier chest of drawers base. The secretary is veneered with ash and meticulously hand-polis...
Category
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Ash
Italian Biedermeier Style Mixed Fruitwood Two-Part Secretary Bookcase Cabinet
Located in Germantown, MD
Late 19th Century Italian Biedermeier Style Walnut Mixed Fruitwood Two-Part Secretary Bookcase Cabinet.
Veyr light weight. Measures 24" in width, 17" in depth and stands 75" tall.
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Fruitwood, Walnut, Wood
c1810 French Empire Flame Mahogany Secretary
Located in Opa Locka, FL
c1810 French Empire Flame Mahogany Secretary. Opens to reveal lovely storage space. There are nooks, shelves, a pull out writing surface. There are gilt bronze adornments and there a...
Category
1810s French Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Swedish Rococo Style Chapeau de Gendarme 1820s Gray Painted Tall Secretary
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Rococo style tall secretary from circa 1820 with gray painted finish, chapeau de gendarme bonnet top, two doors, slant-front desk and four d...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Vintage Teak Bureau / Desk by Remploy, 1970s
By Remploy
Located in Ely, GB
Mid Century, Teak Bureau / Desk Made by Remploy - 1970s.
The bureau has 1 drop-down writing desk, 1 single drawer and 2 cupboard doors.
The cabinet does show signs of wear to the c...
Category
1970s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Teak
Edwardian satinwood decorated cylinder desk
Located in Salisbury, GB
Edwardian painted satinwood cylinder bookcase
We are pleased to offer you this elegant Edwardian painted satinwood cylinder bookcase.
Made in the Edwardian period an era that was kno...
Category
1890s English Edwardian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Satinwood
1970s Hand Carved Chinoserie Trunk Secretaires Desk
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning desk you could hope to find. This is an ultra-rare opportunity to acquire what is, unequivocally, the best of the best, it being...
Category
1970s Asian Chinoiserie Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Brass
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
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
Late 19th Century Louis Philippe Orange Lacquered Wood Italian Secretaire
Located in Catania, Sicilia
This Orange and brown Lacquered Italian Secretaire serves as both a functional and aesthetically pleasing piece, showcasing the design sensibilities of its era with a bold and distin...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Materials
Fruitwood, Lacquer
Secretaire à la Bourgogne, Transformation Table, Louis XV Style, 19th Century
Located in Greven, DE
Very rare antique desk or secretary, so-called bureau à transformation "à la Bourgogne" in Louis XV style.
France
Walnut
19th century
Dimensions: H...
Category
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Louis Philippe Pine Secretary ~ Bookcase
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Louis Philippe Pine Secretary ~ Bookcase is an unusual combination of tailored elegance melded with a casual impression providing both storage and a work surface,...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Gustavian Style 1840s Gray Painted Drop Front Secretary with Graduated Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian style drop front secretary from circa 1840 with gray painted finish, writing area and three graduated drawers. This Swedish Gustavian style drop-front secretary, ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
19th Century French Louis XV Style Ormolu Mounted Boulle Secretary Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th Century French Louis XV Style Ormolu Mounted Boulle Secretary Desk
Having a writing section along with a two door commode for mail secretary need...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass, Ormolu
Antique English Mahogany Bureau, 19th Century
Located in Ely, GB
English Antique Mahogany Bureau, 19th Century . circa 1880s.
Made from mahogany and of high quality, the cabinet has good colour, patination and great proportions.
Structurally, th...
Category
1880s British Late Victorian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Biedermeier-Style Drop-Front Mahogany Secretary Chest
By Biedermeier
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 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
English Secretary, Cabinet with Mahogany Glass Top, circa 1850, Victorian
Located in Berlin, DE
High rectangular carcass, two doors. over it extendable writing board provided with several drawers and shelves. Rear-mounted glass top with rung glazing. Extremely rare in this vers...
Category
1840s English Victorian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Birch Karl Johan Secretary Bureau from Sweden, circa 1840-60
By Karl Johan
Located in Round Top, TX
Stunning Karl Johan Swedish birch secretary or "bureau" with twelve inner drawers surrounding a 3-part central cubie area. Exterior has one upp...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Birch
Antique Biedermeier Secretary Desk, Early 19 Century
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique Early 19C Biedermeier Secretary Desk
Extended depth is 31".
Additional information:
Materials: Ebony
Color: Light Yellow
Per...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Ebony
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
Vintage French Provincial Corner Cabinet Writing Desk Bookcase Hutch 80"
Located in Dayton, OH
Intriguing French Provincial Corner unit or writing desk, circa 1970s. Base features a central dovetailed drawer and work surface with upper light. The hutch has a central dovetail...
Category
1970s French Provincial Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Hardwood, Paint
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
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
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
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
19th C. French Empire Style Louis Philippe Period Secretaire Abattant
Located in Forney, TX
A Louis Philippe period (1830–1848) fruitwood secretaire abattant fall front desk.
Born in France in the mid-19th century, hand-crafted of rich solid fruitwood with warm wood tones, subtle grain detail, and nicely aged mellow patina over the whole. Finished in French Empire taste, having a molded cornice, concealed ogee frieze drawer with dovetail joinery, over fall front panel, opening to reveal original fitted interior gallery, with inset gilt tooled leather writing surface, large open shelf cubby, six drawers of various size, above double-door cabinet with brass shield escutcheon that opens to provide generous storage space, and an additional lower drawer for valuables hidden in the base molding, rising on square feet.
Dimensions: (approx)
56.75" High 41" Wide, 17.5" Deep
History/Back Story:
Louis Philippe furniture had the same types and forms as the earlier French Restoration style, but with less decoration; comfort was the primary consideration.
During the turbulent French Revolution and following Napoleon rule, Louis Philippe (1773-1850) remained in exile for 21 years until the Bourbon Restoration, when he became the King of the French from 1830 to 1848.
For the first time, the developing upper class–not the monarchy–influenced the progression of this style’s characteristics.
However, King Louis Philippe’s personality still inspired many aspects. His casual nature reflected this style’s informal, comfortable build. Much of the style was taken from the personality of the King himself. Unlike his Bourbon predecessors, he wore business dress...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Fruitwood
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
Early 19th Century Original Folk Art Painted Tall Cabinet Secretary
Located in Round Top, TX
This highly unusual secretary is a special find. The remarkable folk art painted finish is all original, with brick red, salmon, yellow, blue and green all used to create the delightful flourishes. The interior desk is painted green and holds...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires
Materials
Paint, Wood
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
Biedermeier Burl Wood Secretary Cabinet
By Biedermeier
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A shaped cabinet with a scrolled bonnet, a centre compartment with door opening to two shaped shelves, flanked by curved side compartments (one shelf inside at the left). Below is a ...
Category
19th Century European Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Burl
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
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
19th Century Biedermeier Cherry Fall Front Desk / Secretaire
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Introducing a stunning late Biedermeier Slant-Front Secretary, crafted from solid cherry wood in the 1840s. This exquisite piece of furniture features three drawers spanning the enti...
Category
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Spruce, Cherry
Secretaire with Flap in Sycamore. French work. Circa 1970
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This unusual secretaire desk in sycamore with bronze handles is composed of a small sloping desk with flap closing on four drawers and forming a chest of drawers with three drawers i...
Category
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Sycamore
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
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
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
Antique Empire Cylinder-Top Secretary with Bookcase in Burled Ash
Located in Miami, FL
An exceptional Empire secretary bookcase in fine burl ash wood. Denmark or North Germany, circa 1800. The bookcase features a tiered bonnet w...
Category
Early 19th Century Scandinavian Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Ash, Burl
Danish Mid Century Modern Drop Down Secretary Desk Cabinet by Domino Mobel
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Danish Mid Century Modern Drop Down Secretary Desk Cabinet by Domino Mobler. Circa 1970s.
Features a beautiful teak wood grain, a work surf...
Category
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Teak
Antique Burr Walnut Biedermeier Secretaire Desk Drop Front Secretaire Drawers
By Biedermeier
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
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
Large Swedish Gustavian Dry Scraped Bureau
Located in Staffordshire, GB
circa 1800
Large Swedish Gustavian dry scraped bureau
(vat qualifying)
Measures: W 120 x D 53 x H 218cm
Base W 112 x D 53 x H 98cm
Top W 120 x D 37 x ...
Category
19th Century Antique Secretaires
Materials
Pine
19th Century English Black Lacquered Chinoiserie Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
Lovely 19th century English black lacquered Chinoiserie secretary. Beautiful painted Asian designs and many compartments. A true w...
Category
19th Century English Chinoiserie 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
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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