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Secretaires

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Secretaires For Sale
Period: 19th Century
Period: 1910s
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

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

Fine 19th Century English Chinoiserie and Red Lacquered Slant Front Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
A very fine and elaborated 19th century Chinoiserie red lacquered slant front secretary. Hand painted and raised decoration. The interior with pigeon holes and drawers and a writing ...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Antique French Empire Mahogany Secretary Drop Down Desk Abattant
Located in West Hartford, CT
Exquisite tall 19th century French Empire mahogany secretaire abattant which features elegant patterns, created by the rich mahogany ...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Secretaires

Materials

Granite

19th Century Biedermeier Secretary, Walnut, Austria, circa 1825
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Biedermeier Secretary Austria Walnut Biedermeier around 1820 Dimensions: H x W x D: 158 x 108 x 49 cm Description: Strictly cubist secretary standing on square feet. The furniture front and also the sides have a beautiful and carefully selected walnut veneer. The symmetrical laying of the grain makes the piece of furniture look incredibly calm and coherent. The furniture view begins with three drawers at the bottom, the writing flap above and another wide drawer at the very top. The top is finished off with a surrounding profile moulding. The interior consists of eight drawers arranged around a central open compartment. Ornamental marquetry decorates the top and bottom drawers. The lower drawer opens by a secret mechanism...
Category

1820s Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

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

French Louis XVI Secretaire Abattant / Secretary desk, circa 1800
Located in Lucenec, SK
The secrétaire à abbatant or fall front desk is nearly identical to the desk 5th President James Monroe brought back from France in 1797. These desks are ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

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

Antique Danish Late Empire Mahogany Secretary Bureau
Located in Kastrup, DK
Late empire secretary bureau in mahogany veneered oak with beautiful grain. In 2 parts. Desk top offers three bowed doors. A concave door in the mid...
Category

Early 19th Century European Empire Antique Secretaires

Materials

Oak, Mahogany

19th Century Dutch Bleached Oak Secretaire
Located in Darmstadt, DE
The secretary made of Dutch oak from the 19th century rich in decorations consists of an upper and lower part. The upper part is hinged to the front. The flap sits on two pullouts th...
Category

19th Century Dutch Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

French Painted Secretary Desk with Fallfront, Mid 19th century
Located in South Salem, NY
This stunning Mid-19th-century French Painted Secretary Desk has a captivating fall-front design. This piece showcases an elegant white exteri...
Category

Late 19th Century French French Provincial Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Napoleon III Period Secretary from the 19th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
" Napoleon III period secretary from the 19th century. " 19th century gilt bronze and marquetry secretary, Napoleon III period, circa 1880. h: 132cm, l:92cm, p: 38cm
Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Biedermeier Writing Desk Chiffonier Secrétaire Cabinet Swedish Ormolu Detail
Located in LONDON, GB
Swedish antique Biedermeier writing desk chiffonier secrétaire cabinet in highly quilted golden birch veneers and finished in the Classic light h...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Birch

Biedermeier Secretaire, Cherry, Maple, Inlays, Brass, South Germany circa 1830
Located in Regensburg, DE
Stately large Biedermeier secretaire from south Germany around 1830. Cherry veneered on softwood and solid cherry. Solid cherry solid columns with carved Corinthian capitals. Protrud...
Category

1830s Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Iron, Tin

19th Century French Louis XV Marble Top Carved Walnut Marquetry Secretary Chest
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate an office or bedroom with this elegant antique "Secretaire a Abattant". Crafted in Paris circa 1870, the fruitwood secretary stands on cabriole legs ending with bronze sabot...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Swedish Karl Johan Biedermeier Chest of Drawers with Pull Out Secretary in Birch
Located in Miami, FL
A very handsome birch Karl Johan Biedermeier chest of drawers with a drawer front fold down secretary. The drawer-front opens to an ample and beautiful ebonized and faux mahogany interior offering two letter drawers...
Category

1820s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Birch

Antique German Mahogany Biedermeier Secretary Desk
Located in Round Top, TX
Outstanding early 19th century German Biedermeier secretary desk, circa 1830, with exceptional book matched mahogany drawer and desk front. ...
Category

Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

English Mahogany Secretary Desk, 19th Century
Located in Southampton, NY
English Mahogany secretary desk, 19th century Three pieces: Crown, upper drawers and lower cabinet. Lowest draw pulls out as a secretary desk. Measures: 21" deep x 46.5" wide x 80....
Category

19th Century British Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Biedermeier Secretaire, South German, circa 1820
Located in Greding, DE
Biedermeier secretaire in cherry veneer with a two-door lower part, a flat writing flap and a wide top drawer. The edges are set off with a strip of burl veneer. The escutcheons are ...
Category

1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Cherry

19th Century Biedermeier Swedish Mahogany Secretaire Chest
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Biedermeier period swedish mahogany secretaire chest of drawers, circa 1810. Stunning secretaire chest in rich mahogany. 4 drawer chest with architectural elements to the bottom d...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

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

19th Century Glazed Secretaire Bookcase in Walnut, England
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Glazed secretaire bookcase in walnut from the second part of the 19th century of very good quality from England Very beautiful secretary of small ...
Category

Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary Desk, circa 1860, after Renovation
Located in Opole, PL
We present you another incredible piece of furniture in our collection -- this elegant and highly exquisite Biedermeier secretary desk circa 1860. The secretary desk was manufactu...
Category

1860s Scandinavian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Oak Secretary, Northern Europe, Around 1820
Located in Chorzów, PL
Oak secretary, Northern Europe, around 1820! Very good condition, after professional renovation. Wood: oak Dimensions: height: 200 cm, width: ...
Category

1820s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Oak

French Mahogany Secretary Matching Marble Top From The 1890
Located in Lejre, DK
French secretary in mahogany with many intarsia and drawers with matching marble top from around 1890. A super high quality secretary. Measurements in cm: H:159 W:102 D:43
Category

1890s French Louis XIV Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble

19th Century French Bookcase, Cylinder Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century French Bookcase ~ Cylinder Secretary is a stately reminder of a bygone era! Hand-crafted by talented cabinetmakers from a mixture of in...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Neoclassical Revival Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Biedermeier Secretary, Northern Europe, circa 1850
Located in Chorzów, PL
Biedermeier secretary, Northern Europe, circa 1850. Very good condition. Wood: mahogany dimensions: height 205 cm width 109 cm depth 59 cm.
Category

1850s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

19th-Century Walnut Secretaire Abattant
Located in New York, NY
A 19th-century secrétaire abattant of exceptional quality. This beautiful piece consists of a center cabinet with a tooled leather writing surface and five small drawers and a lower...
Category

19th Century French Charles X Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble

Louis XVI Cylinder Secretary, Writing Desk, Walnut, circa 1800
Located in Greven, DE
Louis XVI cylinder secretary in walnut, writing desk West Germany Walnut and others Louis XVI around 1800 Dimensions: H x W x D: 112 x 96 x ...
Category

Early 19th Century German Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Original Italian Secretaire in Walnut and Briar Veneer
Located in Buggiano, IT
Original Italian secretaire from 1880, in walnut and briar veneer. Inside it has many drawers. It has signs of wear and is very heavy. Comes from an old city house...
Category

1880s Italian Country Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut, Fir

19th Century German Biedermeier Secretary, Light Birch Wood, circa 1830-1840
Located in Greven, DE
Antique top secretary from the Biedermeier period around 1830/1835. Birch veneer with very subtle grain. Architecturally structured interior with marquetry and band inlays. Exten...
Category

1830s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Birch

Rare North German Altona Empire Secretary, C. 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

Early 19th Century German Empire Antique Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

Secretary from the Beginning of the 19th Century in Mahogany, England
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Glazed secretary in mahogany from the beginning of the 19th century of very good quality. Very beautiful secretary composed of 4 drawers as well as a theater in the lower part and an upper glazed part which can be used as a bookcase or a showcase cabinet. This very beautiful secretary stands out with a lemon tree theater with several arches and drawers and a door. Several secrets hidden...
Category

Early 19th Century British Early Victorian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

George IV Mahogany Secretary Bookcase with Brass Inlay and Ormolu Mounts England
Located in Atlanta, GA
George IV Mahogany Secretary Bookcase with Brass Inlay and Ormolu Mounts, England, circa 1830.
Category

Early 19th Century English George IV Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

French Bureau Plat Around 1900
Located in Heiligenberg, DE
Splendid Bureau Plat veneered with rosewood and decorated with bronze applications, France 19th century. Bureau Plat is in restored condition with shellac polished surface. This ...
Category

1890s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Kingwood

Biedermeier Secretary, Northern Europe, circa 1860
Located in Chorzów, PL
Biedermeier secretary, Northern Europe, circa 1860. Very good condition, after professional renovation, a piece of furniture finished in polish. Wood: mahogany dimensions: h...
Category

1860s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

19th Century, Country French Louis XV Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century Country French Louis XV secretary is a classic slant-front design, originally conceived as a compact writing desk that c...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Swedish 19th Century Painted Pine Escritoire Writing Desk
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Swedish 19th century painted pine escritoire writing desk circa 1870. We are pleased to offer this rustic escritoire, made from solid pine and hand painted on the outside using a ...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Rustic Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine

19th Century English "Tortoise Shell" Bamboo Secretary Bookcase
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
The desk is designed with a slant front above a single drawer. The bookcase top is fashioned with 2 glass paneled doors. The desk has a bottom shelf as well. Wonderful eye-catchin...
Category

19th Century English Antique Secretaires

Materials

Metal

Swedish 1870s Birch Inlaid Secretary with Inlaid Motifs and Slant Front Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
Swedish 1870s birch inlaid two part tall secretary with slant front desk, two doors, four drawers and inlaid star motifs. Imbued with a refined elegance, this Swedish 19th Century bi...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Wilhelminian Period Corner Cupboard / Display Cabinet Secretary in Oak, 1870
Located in Lüdinghausen, DE
Corner cupboard restored Wilhelminian period around 1870 oak corner display cabinet secretary Features: Triple divided with 2 times 2 d...
Category

19th Century Antique Secretaires

Materials

Oak

Louis XVI Style Secretary Stamped Quignon in Paris
Located in BARSAC, FR
Gustave-Frédéric Quignon Superb Louis XVI style piece of furniture in very finely carved solid mahogany forming a secretary / document holder cabinet. Opening 6 drawers including...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Swedish 1856 Two-part Painted Secretary with Four Doors and Slant Front Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
Swedish 19th century two-part painted wood secretary circa 1856 with slant front desk, four doors and bracket feet. of Scandinavian taste for light palettes. Enrich your space with a...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Original Paint Swedish Secretary
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
An unusual Swedish Secretary from Jamtland with a three door design on the top section. A folding front desk opens to drawers and storage space, benea...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

19th Century George III Style Mahogany Bureau Secretary Bookcase
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a sophisticated and stately Danish secretary bookcase. The partially pierced cornice and a secondary tiered; a shaped cornice over tw...
Category

Early 19th Century Danish Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century French Directory Cherry Wood Secretary Desk
Located in Madrid, ES
A French Directory era secretary desk, from the early 19th century, made of beautiful cherry wood, in a light tone with bronze handles and bronze keyholes as well. In their lower part they have a long drawer, and two smaller upper ones. When opening the lid, with a mechanism of lateral iron bars, we can see four other smaller drawers, two on each side, separated by a small walnut arch...
Category

19th Century French Directoire Antique Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

Unusual 18th-19th Century Continental Secretary Bookcase
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Figured wood veneer, the top with a carved cornice over double doors. They open to two shelves over drawers and cubby holes. A middle frieze with three drawers (lacking a key) over t...
Category

19th Century European Georgian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Biedermeier Secretary, Bookcase, Cherry, Walnut, 1840s
Located in Greven, DE
Antique cabinet secretary from the biedermeier period around 1845. Body in cherry, parts of the front and the wreath veneered in walnut. Handles and fittings made of brass in the sh...
Category

Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Cherry, Walnut

Antique Diminutive Renaissance Revival Walnut & Burl Cylinder Secretary, c1880
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Renaissance Revival diminutive cylinder desk offers walnut and burl construction with upper case having carved cartouche over double glass door bookcase...
Category

Late 19th Century European Renaissance Revival Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut, Glass

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

Empire Style Walnut Dressing Table
Located in Pasadena, TX
Empire Style Walnut Dressing Table Empire style dressing table in burl walnut with 2 drawers. Venetian glass pulls. The flap reveals a large origina...
Category

Late 19th Century Empire Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Large English Regency Mahogany Glazed Secretaire Bookcase
Located in Staffordshire, GB
circa 1820 Large English Regency mahogany glazed secretaire bookcase sku 1140 Together W142 x D52 x H226 cm Base W137 x D52 x H101 cm Top W142 x...
Category

19th Century Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Large Display Cabinet / Bookcase with Secretary in Oak, 1900
Located in Lüdinghausen, DE
Large display cabinet with secretary restored oak bookcase Features: Six-door model with secretaire with three drawers and two extension leaves Very...
Category

19th Century Antique Secretaires

Materials

Oak

Biedermeier Antique Secretary Circa 1840 Veneered With Mahogany
Located in Opole, PL
Biedermeier Antique Secretary Circa 1840 Veneered With Mahogany Furniture in the Biedermeier style, made of soft wood veneered with mahogany, dated around 1840. The monumental shape...
Category

1840s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Secretary, Scandinavia, Around 1870, After Renovation
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique secretary from the end of the 19th century. Furniture in very good condition, after professional renovation. Dimensions: height 210 cm ...
Category

1870s Norwegian Empire Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Victorian Secretary Desk Circa. 1800's
Located in Fulton, CA
American Victorian secretary desk made of solid walnut. Circa. 1875. Drop-front desk with birdseye maple detail. Carved walnut pulls with "rac...
Category

Mid-19th Century American Victorian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Birdseye Maple, Walnut

Antique Biedermeier Table, Secretaire, 19th Century
Located in Kerepes, HU
We present to you this special small secretaire table in Biedermeier style. This piece of furniture is richly decorated with fine marquetry. With its elegant silhouette and beautif...
Category

19th Century European Biedermeier 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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