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Secretaires

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Secretaires For Sale
Period: 19th Century
Period: 1930s
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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Art Deco Secretaire in Feather Mahogany
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Art Deco Secretaire in feather mahogany. Packaging with bubble wrap and cardboard boxes is included. If the wooden packaging is needed (crates or boxes) for US and International Shi...
Category

1930s Art Deco Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

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

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

Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Heavily Carved Oak Desk Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
Hand carved in northern France circa 1860, the "secretaire a abattants" is both stylish and functional. The writing desk is crafted from solid oak wood and stands on cabriole legs en...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Oak

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

19th Century Louis-Philippe Period French Secretary
Located in San Antonio, TX
Step into a world of refined elegance with this Antique Louis-Philippe Period French Secretary, meticulously restored to its former glory. The restoration has brought out the authen...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble

19th Century Biedermeier Column Secretary
Located in Berlin, DE
Cuba mahogany on pine tree. Architecturally arranged front. High-right body on padfoot feet. Fitted with three drawers of different sizes, the base drawer is curved. Straight writing...
Category

19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

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

Seaweed Inlaid Walnut Mirrored Tombstone Georgian Secretary Desk Bookcase Top
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
For customers that require professional insured delivery we are proud to have teamed up with a nationwide professional delivery company that will assist with coordinating your delivery needs! They offer a reasonable flat-rate fee for delivery and set up to the ground floor of your home. They deliver to the vast majority of the lower 48 states. They offer a flat rate for most of our items with exclusions for the largest or most complex items such as breakfronts or crystal chandeliers or other items of greater complexity. For those items please ask for a shipping quote prior to purchase as these rates are different from our stated pricing. For those items please ask for a shipping quote prior to purchase. Most deliveries to the East Coast will be 295.00, to the mid-west and Southern mid-west 395.00. To the areas west of Kansas 495.00 and the farthest points to the West coast will be 595.00. Again, some areas we can't cover, however we can deliver to most of the lower 48 states so please inquire to be sure! Delivery times range from as fast as 1-4 weeks for the east coast to 5-9 weeks to the farthest areas of the west coast, sometimes longer and sometimes even shorter. If it is a time sensitive purchase, we may be able to accommodate you for a higher price. It is our goal to please each and every one of our customers with the highest standard of service possible. You must realize and accept that we are shipping antique, vintage and quality used furnishings to your home. We cannot control traffic, weather, and acts of God. There will be times when additional patience will be necessary. This is a beautiful and unique seaweed inlaid walnut and mirror secretary...
Category

1930s English Georgian Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Mirror, Satinwood, Walnut

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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