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

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

19th Century France Louis Philippe Walnut Secretaire Marble Top, 1840s
Located in Roma, RM
Beautiful French secretaire of the Louis-Philippe era, of excellent quality and quality of the woods, in walnut burl and rosewood interiors with inlays of fruit woods. Contemporary ...
Category

1840s French Louis Philippe 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

19th C. Spanish Leather-Wrapped Secretary Cabinet on a Custom Iron Base
Located in Atlanta, GA
A 19th century Spanish secretary desk, on custom iron base. This antique case piece from Spain has a leather-wrapped exterior which is adorn in ...
Category

19th Century Spanish Antique Secretaires

Materials

Leather, 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

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

French 19th C. Second Empire Secrétaire À Abattant with Gold Ormolu Mounts
Located in Savannah, GA
This extraordinary French Second Empire period secre´taire a' abattan features flame mahogany, gilt brass-mounts and retains its original dark grey speckled granite top. Decorated th...
Category

1850s French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Granite, Brass, Ormolu

Amazing Secretaire Biedermeier Germany, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Amazing Secretaire Biedermeier Germany 19th century 155x107x50.5cm Secretaire inlaid in various woods with columns. Biedermeier period perfect condition for the age.
Category

19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Antique English Mahogany Glass Front Bureau Bookcase, circa 1830
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English mahogany glass front Bureau bookcase with Fitted Interior, circa 1830.
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany, Glass

Louis XV Style Secretary Marquetry in Satinwood, circa 1900
Located in Lüdinghausen, DE
Secretary restored Louis XV style circa 1900 satinwood marquetry Features: Model with upright writing flap and three drawers inside and outside Very high quality processing Ori...
Category

19th Century Louis XV Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Swedish Gustavian Style 19th Century Painted Slant Front Desk with Three Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian style painted wood secretary from the 19th century, with slant front desk, multiple drawers, grey painted interior, three dr...
Category

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

19th Century Mexican Polychromed Metal Chest with Drawers and Decorations
Located in Marbella, ES
19th century Mexican Polychromed Metal Chest with Drawers and Decorations.
Category

19th Century Mexican Antique Secretaires

Materials

Metal

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

19th Century Louis Philippe Style Fall Front Secretary Chest
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Beautiful craftsmanship Louis XV style secretary chest cabinet desk in a satin / burl wood with exterior front inlay decoration. The secretary features lot of storage drawers above f...
Category

Early 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Brass

Neo-Gothic Small Desk Secretary in Solid Oak, 1900
Located in Lüdinghausen, DE
Small desk restored neo-Gothic around 1900 solid oak secretary Features: Small model with two drawers Very high quality processing Drawers pronged Very elaborate carved decora...
Category

19th Century Antique Secretaires

Materials

Oak

French 19th Century Walnut Secrétaire à Abattant
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This wonderful walnut secre´taire a` abattant was constructed in the style of Louis XVI during the 19th century. Topped with a great piece of black and white marble. A single, slim d...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Stone, Marble, Metal, Brass

19th Century Louis Philippe Style Fall Front Secretary Chest
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Beautiful craftsmanship Louis Philippe style secretary chest cabinet desk in a satin / burl wood with exterior front inlay musical instruments and flowers marquetry scene details. Th...
Category

1810s French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Brass

19th Century German Gründerzeit Nutwood and Burl Writing Desk Secretary
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
A small German "Gründerzeit" (Wilhelminian) period desk with attachment or secretary from the 2nd half of the 19th century. Walnut and burl veneer on pine. Above the two-door sid...
Category

1860s German Antique Secretaires

Materials

Nutwood, Pine, Burl

19th Century George III Hepplewhite Cylinder Top Secretary Bookcase
Located in Essex, MA
Period Mahogany George III Hepplewhite Cylinder Top Secretary Bookcase. Tapered Legs. Maple inlaid top. Interior reveal leather writing surface and pigeon hole compartments. Beau...
Category

Early 19th Century English George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany, Maple

Antique British Colonial Campaign Secretary Chest of Drawers
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome 19th century British Colonial Campaign chest handcrafted in mahogany featuring a pullout desk in the top with drawers and niches, three storage drawers below, brass hardware...
Category

Early 19th Century English British Colonial Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Antique French Louis XVI Inlaid Rosewood Secretaire Abattant Desk Dresser, 1880
Located in Portland, OR
A good quality antique French inlaid marquetry Rosewood secretaire abattant, circa 1880. Made from the finest rosewood and of serpentine or bombe shape, with a Carrara marble top, th...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble

Amazing Secretary "À Abattant" Napoleon III French, 19th Century VIDEO
Located in Madrid, ES
AMAZING SECRETARY "À ABATTANT" NAPOLEON III French, 19th century in painted and gilded wood with bronze applications, interior with six drawers, l...
Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

Mahogany and Gilded Bronze Cylinder Desk, Empire Style, 19th Century
Located in Paris, FR
Large cylinder desk in mahogany and flamed mahogany veneer in the Empire style. This secretary with semi-cylindrical flap has eight drawers with pa...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Bronze

19th Century French Wooden Desk
Located in High Point, NC
A wooden desk from 19th century France. The lower portion of this exquisitely crafted desk is composed of four symmetrical sliding drawers, in addition to...
Category

19th Century French French Provincial Antique Secretaires

Materials

Oak

19th Century Swedish Secretary with Clock
Located in Houston, TX
19th century Swedish Secretary with Clock. Having a painted exterior and a contrasting paint interior. The crown has dental molding detail and the...
Category

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paint

19th Century American Empire Secretary Cabinet
Located in Chicago, IL
A remarkable, and strong early 19th century American Empire secretary bookcase of grand architectural scale with an incredible arched pedimen...
Category

1830s American American Empire Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Neoclassical Style Mahogany Bronze Ormolu Mounted Secretaire
Located in Tarry Town, NY
19th century mahogany wood neoclassical style bronze ormolu mounted secretary. The secretary is raised on tapered feet mounted bronze ormolu. The center section is fitted with a pane...
Category

1820s French Neoclassical Antique Secretaires

Materials

Ormolu

Antique Burled Secretaire a Abattant
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A tall cabinet with carved cavetto cornice, over a slim curved frieze drawer and one upper and two lower long drawers. The middle faux drawers drop down to the secretary. The fitted interior with drawers, and a center compartment with door housing an inkstand with two glass bottles with silverplate tops. With patinated brass bat...
Category

19th Century Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Ornately Carved English Oak Library Bureau Bookcase Lion's Head Brass Handles
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare and highly collectable, ornately carved, circa 1860 Jacobean revival, Antique Library Bureau bookcase Please note the delivery fe...
Category

1860s English Jacobean Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Early 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Country Secretary Desk
Located in Kramfors, SE
Northern Swedish folk art secretary desk from the early 19th century, 1810 to 1820. The secretary is a genuine Swedish country house furniture in pine. The surface is very distressed and the wood and its structure shines trough the paint. The surface of this furniture sets it apart and gives that antique character that can’t be replicated. A secretary is also a multipurpose furniture...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine

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

19th Century Biedermeier Walnut Bureau-Commode. Vienna, c. 1820-25.
Located in Vienna, AT
Hello, This elegant early Biedermeier walnut bureau-commode is the best example of top-quality Viennese piece from circa 1820-25. Viennese Biedermeier is distinguished by their sophisticated proportions, rare and refined design and excellent craftsmanship and continue to have a great influence on modern design. This elegant Biedermeier piece has beautiful, highly figured walnut veneer with gorgeous light deep amber color and 200 hundred years old patina. Two drawer Biedermeier bureau...
Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Ladies Desk, Secretaire En Pente, Bureau De Dames, France, 19th Century
Located in Greven, DE
Antique ladies' desk - Bureau des Dames - Secretaire en Pente. France second half of 19th century Dimensions: H x W x D: 99 x 92 x 49 cm Description: Impressively beautifu...
Category

19th Century French Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Early 19th Century Biedermeier Empire Secretary, Germany, Prussia, C. 1815
Located in Greven, DE
North Germany / Prussia Birch Biedermeier / Empire around 1815 Dimensions: H x W x D: 174 x 102 x 55 cm Description: Very exclusive secretary from the Prussian North German Biedermeier period around 1815. Piece of furniture standing on pointed legs with two drawers at the bottom, the writing flap above, another drawer above and a hidden head drawer at the very top. The piece of furniture is veneered in exciting grained birch wood. Due to the different color hangings within the wood and the interplay of hues associated with it, we also refer to it as "flamed" birch. The beautiful wood is complemented by blackened moldings and beautiful fire-gilded bronze hardware in beautiful quality. The interior of the writing compartment is veneered in apple tree. We see a stair-like rise to a central door flanked by pilasters. Drawers of different sizes and two large compartments with dividers for letters and papers complete the secretary part. Looking at the piece of furniture from above, we see an old shipping label. According to it, the secretary was loaded onto the train at the station "Odertor" in Wroclaw. The destination was probably Berin. Corresponding mmarkings we find on the back panel. Piece of furniture made in wonderful quality craftsmanship. A true testament to the high quality of Prussian furniture...
Category

Early 19th Century German Empire Antique Secretaires

Materials

Birch, Fruitwood

Beautiful French Bureau/ Secretaire 19th/20th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Beautiful French Bureau 19th/20th Century with three drawers, four curved legs, border and top on all sides, hard wood body with rose wood veneer and rich floral intarsias in diff...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires

Materials

Fruitwood

Rare Antique English Regency Rosewood Davenport with Spring-Loaded Pen Drawer
Located in Charleston, SC
This wonderful early 19th century Antique English Rosewood and ebonized Davenport or Ship Captain's Desk is one of the finest we've had in recent years. Davenports or Ship Captain's Desks are so-named originally for a Captain Davenport...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Regency Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany, Rosewood

Antique French Marble Top Bombe Secretaire Chest
Located in London, GB
A stunning antique bombe shaped French secretaire chest with an original rouge marble top and pull down writing surface. This was made in France and dates from around the 1890-1900 p...
Category

1890s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Bronze

19th Century English Mahogany Estate Office Lockers, c.1890
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique late-19th Century English mahogany, multi-doored, large set of lockers, primarily would have been used as an estate cupboard, as the description...
Category

19th Century British Antique Secretaires

Materials

Metal

Mid 19th Century Mahogany Roll Top Writing Desk
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
Roll bureau or roll secretary. Mid 19th century. Solid mahogany and veneered on oak. Standing on 4 twisted turned table legs with 5 long frame d...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany, Oak

Very Fine 19th Century French Louis XVI Marquetry Secretaire Abattant by Diehl.
Located in Dallas, TX
A very fine 19th century Louis XVI marquetry inlay secretaire A Abattant by Charles Diehl. Kingwood, satinwood and tulipwood inlay with fine gilt bronze ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

Antique 19th Century Danish Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary Desk
Located in Round Top, TX
This stunning Biedermeier secretary was crafted in Denmark during a peak era known for high quality furniture craftsmanship. Enlarge photos to appreciate the beauty of the wood, note...
Category

Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

Antique Secretary, Scandinavia, Around 1870, After Renovation
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique secretary from the end of the 19th century from Scandinavia Made of walnut wood Furniture in very good condition, after professional reno...
Category

1870s Scandinavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Mid 19th Century French Louis Philippe Carved Walnut Secretary Cabinet, 1890s
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful walnut secretary from the 19th century, it has a top drawer with a key, it also has a central folding door that hides three drawers (2 small and one larger) when opened, and a leather-upholstered desk...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Superb Parchment Covered Desk by Primavera, Art Deco, France, 1930's
Located in Paris, FR
Superb Art Deco desk/secretaire by Primavera. It is made of a beech wood structure, all faces entirely covered with leather (parchment). All angles are reinforced with chromed metal....
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Chrome

Venetian Rococo Style Walnut Secretary Lacquered by Ira Yeager
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fantastic late 19th century Italian secretaire cabinet or bookcase made in the Venetian Rococo taste. Crafted from walnut the two-part case features a speckled lacquer finish centered by a cartouche shaped window with a painted bust by artist Ira Yeager (American 1938-2022). The bureau cabinet has a bombe shaped dresser base with a drop front diminutive writing table. The drop front has two storage drawers and a small pigeon hole storage above. Below the desk are two small drawers and two large storage drawers with rocaille patinated brass pulls. The dresser is supported by small cabriole legs with scrolled feet. The dresser is surmounted by a bookcase with a painted door depicting a nobleman holding a chicken. The painting is painted on board titled "Venezia" and signed by Yeager with a fictitious date of 1725. The door opens to a three-shelf bookcase. The case is topped with a pediment having a cartouche shaped window and corniced top. The entire secretary is speckled with a mustard yellow tone over a taupe background. This whimsical cabinet...
Category

19th Century Italian Rococo Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

19th Century Dutch Marquetry Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Generously scaled and proportioned with elaborate inlays inside and out - - both figural and floral. Quality bombe' form. The desk is raised upon paw feet. A visually dramatic piece.
Category

19th Century Dutch Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Secretaire Napoleone III, France, 19th Century, Black
Located in Prato, IT
France, second half '800 Lastronate in ebanized wood. Inlay in brass, copper, pewter, mother-of-pearl. Marble top in "Fior di pesco". Inside three drawers with leather top with g...
Category

Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Swedish Gustavian Green Dry Scraped Bureau
Located in Staffordshire, GB
circa 1800 Swedish Gustavian green dry scraped Bureau (vat qualifying) Measures: W 114 x D 57 x H 98cm.   
Category

19th Century Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine

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

Important Napoleon III Cylinder Secretary
Located in BARSAC, FR
Magnificent and very imposing Napoleon III cylinder secretary made of burl walnut and solid walnut. Mounted on plinths, it has eight drawers in f...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

French Provincial Walnut Desk / Commode with Drop Down Front
Located in Essex, MA
A stunning French solid walnut commode with a fold-down secretary desk housed in its top drawer. The secretary is decorated with satinwood inlays throughout. The two drawer fronts have elegant brass pulls and decorative escutcheons. The top drawer/desk front...
Category

19th Century French French Provincial Antique Secretaires

Materials

Satinwood, Walnut

Danish Late Empire Mahogany With Inlay Bureau / Secretair
Located in Kastrup, DK
Rare Danish early 19th century secretary or slant front bureau. Exquisitely crafted from mahogany with fabulous marquetry decoration in black n...
Category

Early 19th Century Danish Empire Antique Secretaires

Materials

Bone, Mahogany, Satinwood, Walnut

Curved Secretary, Rosewood and Lemon Tree, circa 1835-1840, Biedermeier Period
Located in CRÉTEIL, FR
Imposing curved secretary called "tulip" in rosewood and lemon marquetry decorated with arabesques and acanthus leaves. It opens with two drawers in the upper part, a flap in the ...
Category

19th Century Restauration Antique Secretaires

Materials

Fruitwood, Rosewood

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

19th Century Transforming Table, Ladies Desk, Secretaire, Walnut, France ca 1860
Located in Greven, DE
Small antique secretary, lady's desk France Walnut around 1860 Dimensions: H x W x D: 90 x 59 x 53 cm Description: Quite extraordinary small piece of transforming furniture...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

François Linke, Ormolu and Mahogany Secretaire After Riesener
Located in BARSAC, FR
Large Louis XVI style secretaire in mahogany marquetry in frames of light wood and ebony fillets, rich ornamentation of very finely chiseled gilt bronze such as flower garlands, inte...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Ormolu

English Chinese Chippendale Style Bamboo Secretary with Slanted Lift-Top Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English Chinese Chippendale style tall bamboo secretary from the 19th century, with slanted lift-top writing table, doors and drawers. Created in England during the 19th century, this bamboo secretary charms us with its slender proportions and exquisite Chinese Chippendale influence. The overhanging desk opens...
Category

19th Century English Chinese Chippendale Antique Secretaires

Materials

Bamboo, 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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