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Secretaires For Sale
Period: 19th Century
Period: 1940s
1940's, Chinoiserie Secretary
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A petite, two part, hand-painted, lacquered, fully finished, drop front Chinoiserie bureau secrétaire from Spain. The interior of the two-door top is wallpapered in faux bamboo fretw...
Category
1940s Spanish Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
19th Century French Marble-Top Secretaire Bronze Decoration Napoleon III Period
Located in Sofia, BG
French chiffonier forming secretary, inlaid with violet wood and rosewood, flap opening with four drawers with red marble top. Falling cuffs and keyh...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Large Empire Bureau Of Hand Polished Mahogany With Inlaid Wood from 1820s
Located in Lejre, DK
This grand Empire bureau is a testament to the exquisite craftsmanship of the 1820s, crafted from hand-polished mahogany adorned with intricate inlaid wood detailing. Its imposing pr...
Category
1820s Danish Empire 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 cab...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Materials
Marble, 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
Antique Louis XVI Style Ormolu and Sèvres Porcelain Mounted Secretaire
Located in London, GB
Antique Louis XVI style ormolu and Sèvres porcelain mounted secretaire
French, c. 1840
Height 127cm, width 76cm, depth 37cm
This magnificent ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century English Bonheur Du Jour Attributed To Gillows Of Lancaster
Located in Dublin, IE
A very fine 19th century Burr walnut, ebonised , ormolu and porcelain Bonheur du jour, the superstructure with pierced brass galleries above an open compartment with mirrored interio...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Ormolu
Beautiful French 19th Century Hand-Painted Secretary Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful French 19th century hand-painted secretary desk, the patina is so much beautiful in person, it has a little repair on one side, see...
Category
1880s French Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
English Victorian Mahogany Secretaire
Located in Queens, NY
English Victorian (2nd Half of 19th Century) brass bound mahogany campaign style secretaire chest of drawers with fitted fall front drawer above 3 drawers
Category
19th Century British Victorian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Italian Renaissance Dressing Table 19th Century Hand Painted by Müller Morten
By P. E. Guerin
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Exquisite & stunning! This Italian renaissance Dressing table hand painted on all sides by Müller Morten circa 1860s.
A true work of art this dressing table, the paintings are on a...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
Antique Danish Louis Philippe Empire Style Mahogany Secretary Desk
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Danish Louis Philippe Empire Style Mahogany Secretary Desk
This exquisite 19th-century secretary desk beautifully combines the influence of the Louis Philippe and Danish Emp...
Category
Late 19th Century Danish Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Metal
English Regency Metamorphic Book Case -Desk
Located in Hudson, NY
This finely made English regency period metamorphic bookcase-desk is also of an interesting and useful small scale. The mahogany construction is done in a clean simple straight-grain...
Category
19th Century English Regency Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
1850s Antique Cabinet with Bone Inlay and Handcrafted Details
Located in Marbella, ES
Exquisite antique cabinet with detailed ornamentation highlighted by bone inlays in geometric and floral patterns. The front features a central design evoking a tree of life, surroun...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bone, 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 Marble-Top Secretaire in Blackened Wood Napoleon III Period
Located in Sofia, BG
Lady's secretaire of blackened wood and nets decorated with rosettes and scrolls in gilded brass. It opens on the front with a drawer and a flap discovering niches and small drawers ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
English Chinese Chippendale Style Lattice Design Secretary
Located in Queens, NY
English Chinese Chippendale style (19th century) carved mahogany lattice design secretary with gilt eagle pediment.
Category
19th Century Chinese Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany, Giltwood
1940s Osvaldo Borsani Contenitore
Located in Hanover, MA
Rare and very unusual piece of Italian modern design.
Vintage 1940s Italian bow-fronted secretary in walnut with seven drawers with brass ring pulls, attributed to Osvaldo Borsani.
T...
Category
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Walnut, Goatskin
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
19th Century Louis XVI Floral Marquetry Writing Cabinet or Lady's Secrétaire
Located in Berlin, DE
19th Century Louis XVI Floral and Musical Instruments Marquetry Writing Cabinet or Lady's Secrétaire, also called "Bonheur du Jour"
A 19th century bonheur du jour writing cabinet o...
Category
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Rare Victorian Flamed Hardwood Library Bookcase Secretaire Desk Chest of Drawers
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely Victorian flamed mahogany library bookcase with built in secrataire desk and chest of drawers
A good looking and multifunctional pie...
Category
19th Century English Victorian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Hardwood
Italian Lombardy Flower Inlaid Monetiere , in the manner of Maggiolini, Ca. 1820
Located in CH
Italian Lombardy Flower Inlaid Monetiere , in the manner of Maggiolini, Ca. 1820.
During the Neoclassical period Italian furniture was enriched with inlays of various kinds. Of the ...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Materials
Fruitwood
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
Antique Pine Roll Top Desk Bureau from Sweden circa 1840
Located in Round Top, TX
Lovely pine roll top desk or bureau from Sweden from the 1800's.
The age of this secretary is revealed in the warmth of the deep patina in the pine which only happens through genera...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Country Antique Secretaires
Materials
Pine
French Secretaire , Bureau à pente / d’âne Louis XV
Located in Valladolid, ES
One of a kind and very refined French piece , a Louis XV Bureau à Pente / Secretaire ,made in France at the beginning of the 19th century. Entirely veneered in extraordinary preciou...
Category
Early 1800s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Davenport Secretaire
Located in Eindhoven, NL
Beautiful antique Davenport bureau in burl walnut. Light brown leather inlay with gold profiling. Under the writing surface there is 1 small drawer and 2 false drawer fronts. On the...
Category
1840s English Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
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
Petite Queen Anne Style 1880s Walnut Slant-Front Desk on Cabriole Legs
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A late 19th century Queen Anne style small walnut mini slant front desk on stand resting on graceful cabriole legs ending in pad feet. The slant drop front,...
Category
Late 19th Century Queen Anne Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Empire St. Mahogany, Ormolu, Bronze & Fruitwood Secretary
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most handsome Continental mid 19th century Empire st. mahogany, ormolu, patinated bronze and ebonized fruitwood drop front secretary. The secretary is raised by four square tapered...
Category
19th Century Unknown Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique English Walnut Glass-Front Secretary Bookcase, Circa 1880-1890
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English walnut glass-front secretary bookcase, circa 1880-1890.
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Walnut
Early 19th Century Mahogany Empire Secretary Bureau from Denmark
Located in Round Top, TX
Rich mahogany and stately lines define this handsome Empire drop front secretary.
Refer to close up photos to appreciate the stunning color and pattern of the mahogany veneer.
Multip...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
19th Century French Louis Philippe Period Pine Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
Handcrafted during the 19th century, this French Louis Philippe period pine secretary is ideal for the casual decor with its clean lines and sublime functionality. The tailored lines...
Category
1840s French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Materials
Pine
Empire Fall Top Desk, France, 1810
Located in Belmont, MA
Introducing a remarkable Empire Fall Top Desk, hailing from France during the period of 1800-1810. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this magn...
Category
Early 1800s European Empire 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
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
Hand Painted Secretary
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand painted and silver gilt secretary with inset original glass mirrored doors and fitted interior.
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mirror, Wood, Paint
Precious Wood Secretary, signed J. Leleu, Art Deco – 1940
By Jules Leleu
Located in HÉRIC, FR
A delightful writing desk designed by Jules Leleu (1883-1961), a renowned French designer of the Art Deco period. This legendary decorator and cabinetmaker successfully combined eleg...
Category
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Mahogany
Unique Austrian Empire Secretary/Writing Desk, Mahogany, 1820s Austria
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Empire secretary or writing desk, (Cylinder)
Material: Mahogany.
Completely restored, Shellac polish.
Period: 1820-1829
Source: Austria, Wien.
Category
1820s Austrian Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Mahogany, Lacquer
19th Century English Ladies Writing Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century English ladies writing desk with finely painted satinwood. The desk has two drawers and two doors. The handles are sterling ...
Category
19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Materials
Sterling Silver
19th Swedish Biedermeier Desk Made of Birch Wood and Rosewood
Located in Marbella, ES
19th Swedish Biedermeier Desk Made of Birch Wood and Rosewood
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
Russian Neoclassic Mahogany Secretaire
Located in Queens, NY
Russian Neoclassic (Late 18th/ Early 19th Century) ormolu mounted ebonized and mahogany secretaire cabinet with a Pair of doors above a fitted fall...
Category
Early 19th Century Russian Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Materials
Ormolu
French Louis XV Secretary, circa 1850
Located in Evergreen, CO
Elegant and functional, this stunning quarter sawn oak secretary was crafted in France in the mid-19th century and is comprised of three pieces. It features a top shelf cabinet with ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Antique Irish Burl Walnut Two Door Bookcase attrib Robert Strahan Dublin Ireland
Located in Dublin, Ireland
A very imposing example of an Irish Burr Walnut Two Door Library Bookcase, made during the third quarter of the Nineteenth Century. Firmly attributed to renowned furniture maker Robe...
Category
Mid-19th Century Irish Early Victorian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany, Walnut
Late 19th Century Italian Walnut Burl Inlaid Louis XIV Secretary Drop Leaf Desk
Located in Encinitas, CA
Late 19th Century Italian Walnut Burl Inlaid Louis XIV Secretary Drop Leaf Desk.
Trim three-drawer bureau chest featuring secretary drop lid with lock and key revealing small drawers and compartments. Beautiful walnut veneers and solids with rosewood inlaid detail. Handsome hardware, hinges and pulls. Lock and key.
Due to the curved shape of the desk and components, some measures are a close approximation.
Exterior measures of the desk: 39" W x 20.5" D x 40.75" H
99.1 cm W x 52 cm D x 103.5 cm H
Opened drop lid desk...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Louis XIV Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
ANTIQUE ViCTORIAN 1860 WALNUT SCRIBAN BUREAU BOOKCASE MUST SEE PICTURES
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning circa 1860-1880 Walnut framed Scriban bureau bookcase
Please note the delivery fe...
Category
1860s English High Victorian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Walnut
COLLECTABLE 1940's ROBERT MOUSEMAN THOMPSON BUREAU DESK DRAWERS ORIGINAL RECEIPT
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning original Robert Mouseman Thompson custom made to order, fully restored Writing Bureau over a b...
Category
1940s English Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Oak
French Secretaire Cartonnier, Transition , wood leather
Located in Valladolid, ES
A sensational and unique French PP S XIX cartonnier, Transition style from Louis XV to Louis XVI, high quality, mahogany, mahogany palm and leather. The cartonnier rises on a solid m...
Category
Early 1800s French Regency Antique Secretaires
Materials
Metal
Early 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Writing Bureau or Secretaire
Located in Kramfors, SE
Painted writing bureau or secretaire from Sweden made during the early 1800s, 1810 to 1820. The bureau is a folk art furniture from the area Hälsingland in Sweden and is made in gustavian style. The bureau is a prime example of the Swedish gustavian period with clean, elegant lines and a timeless expression. A fun detail is the secret compartment hidden in the middle of the interior, see picture. This bureau is a solid antique furniture...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Pine
Rare Near Pair of Regency Bookcases
Located in Stamford, CT
A rare near pair of English Regency period secretary or bookcases with rosewood, ebony, mahogany and satinwood inlay. The fitted drawers in the fall front are slightly different in c...
Category
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Secretaires
Materials
Ebony, Mahogany, Rosewood, Satinwood
19th Century Italian Cherrywood Drop-Front Desk Secretaire with Inlay
Located in San Francisco, CA
A cherrywood drop front desk with four small drawers fitted in the upper interior and three drawers below.
Handsomely detailed inlay work, lovely patina and Fine quality workmanship...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Cherry
Italian Mid-Century Brass Inlaid Secretary, by Paolo Buffa
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Lyndhurst, NJ
A fine example of a Mid-Century rosewood secretary by Italian designer, Paola Buffa (1903-1970) and brass intarsia inlay by artist Giovanni Gariboldi (1908-1971).
The upper case with...
Category
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Brass
PORTUGUESE SECRETARY 19th Century in Rosewood
Located in Madrid, ES
SECRETARY
Portuguese 19th Century
in rosewood and other woods.
Twisted and shaky, front with eight drawers and one drawer, sides and padded back.
Brass hardware.
Dim.: 80 x 140 x 75...
Category
19th Century Portuguese Renaissance Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Wood and parchment secretaire by Englander & Bonta, Argentina, circa 1940.
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Wood and parchment secretaire by Englander & Bonta, Argentina, circa 1940.
Englander & Bonta where two European designer that migrated to Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1930 and manufact...
Category
1940s Argentine Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Parchment Paper
19th Century Biedermeier Secretary Desk in Maple Burl with Ebonized Details
By Biedermeier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A refined 19th-century Biedermeier secretary desk, crafted in maple burl and veneers, showcasing the elegant simplicity of the Biedermeier period. The drop-front design opens to reve...
Category
19th Century German Antique Secretaires
Materials
Burl
Rare Northern Swedish Antique Pine Secretary Clock Desk
Located in Kramfors, SE
Rare Swedish antique clock secretary desk made around 1820 to 1840 in northern Sweden. The desk and body of the clock are made by hand in solid ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Country Antique Secretaires
Materials
Pine
19th Century English Mahogany Secretary
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early 19th century English heavily carved mahogany secretary with bronze drawer and door hardware. The key is original. Signed in the top drawer: Edwards and Roberts.
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
Biedermeier Tabernacle/ Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier Tabernacle - walnut veneer and marquetry decorated in typical "Vienna Set-top Style". Fall front writing surface and 3 drawers in lower section. Eight drawers and a cen...
Category
19th Century Austrian Antique Secretaires
Antique French Napoleon III Inlaid Ormolu Marble Top Secretaire Desk Chest 1860
Located in Portland, OR
An exceptional French antique Napoleon III inlaid ebonized & ormolu mounted marble top secretaire chest, circa 1860.
This superb antique French secretaire abattant has a black & white veined marble top, with a reverse breakfront gilded bronze frieze below, the front of the secretaire is very finely inlaid with Mother-of-Pearl & gilt bronze 'rope twist' decoration. The chest has eight drawer fronts with gilded cast bronze garland decorated lock escutcheons, three of the drawers are dummy & form the fall front for the pull down secretary, which has the original blue velvet writing surface and engraved lock-plate. The interior is made of the finest flame grained satinwood and has two drawers with lozenge shaped inlay, the top of the chest with a pair of very finely cast gilt bronze caryatid brackets, the base with a corresponding pair of gilt bronze acanthus shaped brackets. The secretaire is raised on turned bun feet with gilt bronze mounts and a shaped skirt also with a gilt bronze mount, the sides of the chest with inlaid bronze stringing.
Condition is excellent, this exceptional French antique secretary chest...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
English Regency Period Goncalo Alves and Gilt Brass Secretaire Bookcase
By John Mclean
Located in London, GB
A Regency period secretaire bookcase attributed to John Mclean of London.
Constructed in a well figured goncalo alves, with extensive use of gilt brass accents. Rising from compressed ball brass feet, the lower section consists of two blind cupboard...
Category
19th Century English Regency Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
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.