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Secretaires For Sale
Period: 18th Century and Earlier
Dutch 18th century Cuban mahogany bombé writing cabinet with glass upstand.
Located in AALSMEER, NL
Very beautiful Cuba flower mahogany writing cabinet with 'S-lid' inlaid with olive green leather.
wall cabinet with two (old) glass doors, mirrored flower veneer and carvings on the ...
Category
Late 17th Century Dutch Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany, Oak
Louis XV Period Secretary At Doucine by Denis Louis Ancellet - 18th Century
By Denis-Louis Ancellet
Located in Rio De Janeiro, BR
Oven secretary in walnut and other european woods, opening with two leaves a flap and a drawer. The decor is composed of three medallions containing inlaid floral arrangements. Open...
Category
1760s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
18th Century French Lady's Secretaire Rosewood Veneer
Located in Münster, DE
Ornamental lady's secretary, France around 1770, rosewood veneered, leather overlay, brass edging and metal appliques, 3 drawers, shellac-wax polish
height: 75 cm, width: 94,5 cm, d...
Category
1770s French Rococo Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Georgian 18th Century Mahogany Secretaire Cupboard
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A superb quality late 18th century Georgian mahogany
secretaire cupboard having well figured and banded
top over one secretaire drawer to frieze, enclosing
attractive satinwood in...
Category
Mid-18th Century English Georgian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
18th Century French Louis XV Kingwood Secretaire 1780 Signed P. Plée JME
By Pierre Plée
Located in Roma, RM
Louis XVI secretaire in ebony - France, c. 1770-1780, signed P. PLÉE
In purple ebony wood with geometric inlays, signed by French cabinetmaker Pierre Plée:
Pierre Plée (1742-1810) was a leading Mâitre of the Louis Xv, Transition and Louis XVI periods; this secretaire is stamped on the backrest P. Plée and JME. (the monogram JME, an abbreviation referring to the association "Jurande de Maître Ébénistes," which grouped the best cabinetmakers of the time and was placed on furniture that was considered excellence ).
Height x width x depth: 126 x 65.5 x 35.5 cm.
Conservation status: ***** excellent.
(Ref. "Le mobilier français du XVIII siècle" Pierre Kjellberg...
Category
1780s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Materials
Marble, Bronze
18th Century Baroque Secretary, Tabernacle, Walnut, Plum, Maple, Austria c. 1750
Located in Greven, DE
Baroque tabernacle secretary with figural marquetry
Austria
Walnut, plum, maple
Baroque around 1750
Dimensions: 192 x 133 x 75 cm
Description:
Magnificent and exceptionally beauti...
Category
Mid-18th Century Austrian Baroque Antique Secretaires
Materials
Maple, Walnut
Louis XVI Cylinder Desk, South Germany, 1780
Located in Belmont, MA
Louis XVI cylinder desk, South German 1780.
Walnut veneer with intarsia in yew and mahogany. The cylinder desk has a beautiful decor with geom...
Category
1780s German Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
18th Century Walnut Bureau
Located in Faversham, GB
A splendid and well proportioned 18th century and later walnut bureau of exceptional craftsmanship.
The top is finished with a galleried edge upon turned vase finials. The fall open...
Category
Mid-18th Century British Georgian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Late 18th Century Louis XVI Cylinder Desk with central lock and beautiful patina
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Late 18th Century Cylinder Desk with beautiful Patina,
1800, France
Cylinder desk with straight sides, closed in the upper part with a semi-circular flap, with two drawers. The whol...
Category
1790s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Louis XVI Period Secretary - Work From The East - Elm - 18th
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Superb Louis XVI period straight secretary from the end of the 18th century. Work from Eastern France in elm burl, rosewood and rosewood. In the upper part, it has thirteen drawers, ...
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Marble, Bronze
18th c. Swedish Gustavian Period Painted Fall Front Desk
Located in Wichita, KS
A beautiful 18th century Swedish fall-front bureau from the Gustavian period wearing beautiful black paint, circa 1790. Original brass hardware and locks. This secretary displays neo...
Category
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
18th century Georgian bureau bookcase
Located in Chelmsford, GB
A very hansom early Georgian mahogany bureau bookcase .
The top has 6 fully adjustable shelves and quality glazed doors .
The bureau has a wonderful fitted interior with serpentine d...
Category
1780s English Georgian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Period Danish Rococo Front Slant Secretaire
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Period Danish desk with a slant front that opens to a workspace.
Below are three serpentine drawers for useful storage.
Repainted in soft black, with a green/grey interior.
Category
18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Mid-18th Century English Chippendale Two Part Oak Secretary with Brass Hardware
Located in Middleburg, VA
Mid-18th Century English Chippendale Two Part Oak Secretary with Brass Hardware. This piece stands tall at just over 6 feet and will be a beautiful antique addition to your home. Mad...
Category
Mid-18th Century English Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
18th Century German Baroque Secretary with Marquetry and Patina, circa 1750
Located in Greven, DE
Baroque secretary with impressive marquetry
Southwest Germany
Walnut a.o.
around 1750
Dimensions: H x W x D: 211 x 127 x 65 cm
Description:
Antique top-mounted secretary from the ...
Category
Mid-18th Century German Baroque Antique Secretaires
Materials
Fruitwood, Maple, Walnut
English Georgian Two Part Mahogany Secretary circa 1780
Located in Milford, NH
A two part English Georgian secretary, its upper case featuring a cornice with dentil and fluted molding, accented with three satinwood oval paterae, surmounting two glass doors, ope...
Category
1780s English Georgian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Antique Danish Blue Painted Baroque Cabinet with Secretaire
Located in Kastrup, DK
18th Century Danish Baroque period secretary cabinet in two parts. Crafted in oak, painted in a beautiful blue color and a dark grey interior.
Upper cabinet with curved crown and a ...
Category
Mid-18th Century Danish Baroque Antique Secretaires
Materials
Oak
18th c. Swedish Painted Secretary with Library
Located in Wichita, KS
This is an exceptional Swedish secretary with library, circa 1780. This secretary has retained its original brass hardware and locks and is wearing black paint on the exterior with b...
Category
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Paint
Late 18th or Early 19th Century Secretary with Hidden Mechanisms, Mahogany
Located in Greven, DE
Antique secretary after designs by Friedrich Gottlob Hoffmann
Central German (Leipzig)
Mahogany, maple burl
around 1800
Dimensions: H x W x D: 144 x 89 x 51 cm
Description:
The tw...
Category
1790s German Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany, Maple
Swedish Gustavian Painted Secretary Cabinet Bookcase
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Gustavian Painted Secretary Cabinet Bookcase, Sweden
Antique Swedish secretary cabinet in Gustavian Style. The cabinet is a well crafted pie...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
18th Century Italian Walnut Parquetry Important Bureau Cabinet Trumeaux
Located in Rome, IT
An Italian walnut, parquetry bureau cabinet fruitwood inlaid with scrolling foliage,
The upper section with a shaped carved cresting, a shaped doors opening to reveal three shelves, ...
Category
Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Antique 18th Century VOC Dutch Colonial Padouk Ebony Secretary Desk Bureau 1730
Located in Portland, OR
A very rare antique Dutch Colonial V.O.C. (Dutch East India Company) fall front bureau/desk on stand, Batavia, circa 1730.
This desk in the Queen Anne style was made in the Dutch Eas...
Category
1730s Indonesian Dutch Colonial Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
18th C. Swedish Rococo Period Two-Part Painted Secretary with Library
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
Swedish secretary with library from the late Rococo period, circa 1780. The upper section has two library shelves with glass doors. The lower body is shaped to provide slant desk r...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paint
Late 1700's English George III Mahogany Secretary / Bookcase w/ Pull Out Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Late 1700's English George III Mahogany Secretary / Bookcase w/ Pull Out Desk with an overhanging cornice above a pair of doors dissected with mahogany lattice panels infilled with ...
Category
Late 18th Century British George III Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Painted Baroque Secretaire, 18th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Baroque slanted-flap bureau with curved front and three drawers. The bureau rests on pressed ball feet. The compartments inside consist of six drawers and a shelf. The white painting...
Category
18th Century German Baroque Antique Secretaires
Materials
Softwood
Exceptional Louis XV Style Butterfly Wing Marquetry Guillotine Secretary - -1X05
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Indulge in the timeless elegance of this exceptional guillotine secretary, crafted in the style reminiscent of Thomas Hache circa 1750.
Adorned with exquisite butterfly wing marquet...
Category
1750s Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
18th C. Venetian Tall Secretary Cabinet with Beautiful Hand-Painted Finish
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian Venetian tall secretary cabinet from the 18th century. This antique 7.75 feet tall (approximate) cabinet from Venice, Italy boasts a ...
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Small Georgian Mahogany Bureau
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
An Extremely Good Quality 18th Century, Georgian Mahogany Bureau, Of Rare Diminutive Proportions, Retaining Exceptional Untouched Colour And Patina Throughout, The Sloping Fall Front...
Category
Mid-18th Century English Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
A fine late George III satinwood and snakewood secretaire cabinet
By George Simson
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A fine late George III satinwood and snakewood secretaire cabinet, attributed to George Simson of London, of rectangular form, the upper section with a pair of glazed doors with fine...
Category
Early 18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires
Materials
Satinwood
18th Century Baroque Tabernacle Secretaire
Located in Oakwood, GA
Gorgeous piece!!! Antique Secretaire, Mixed woods and inlaid marquetry, Has a shaped cornice, Top has several serpentine drawers and center door, bottom door opens to fold out writin...
Category
Mid-18th Century Baroque Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
French 18th Century Louis XV Bombe` Secretaire with Secret Door
Located in New Orleans, LA
French 18th century Louis XV Bombe` heavily veneered secretaire, with glass doors at top, and secret door with checkerboard floor in small compartment, with mirrored walls to give th...
Category
18th Century French Antique Secretaires
Materials
Satinwood
18th Century English George III Mahogany Inlaid Secretaire Chest of Drawers 1700
Located in Roma, RM
English secretaire with mahogany chest of drawers and finely inlaid in fruitwood and satinwood in the manner of Thomas Sheraton, on the sides also two columns with gilt bronze capita...
Category
1760s English George III Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
18th Century Italian Walnut Parquetry Important Bureau Cabinet Trumeaux
Located in Rome, IT
An Italian walnut, parquetry bureau cabinet fruitwood inlaid with scrolling foliage,
The upper section with a shaped carved cresting, a shaped doors opening to reveal three shelves, ...
Category
Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Secretaires
French Louis XV Period 18th Century Walnut Slant Front Secretary and Buffet
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Louis XV period walnut slant front secretary from the 18th century with buffet in the lower section. Step into the world of regal elegance with this French Louis XV period w...
Category
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
18th century Norwegian carved oak bureau bookcase
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Stunning and rare Norwegian baroque oak bureau bookcase circa 1760.
Comprising of 3 sections due to the monumental proportions.
Top section with shaped cornice, below which the car...
Category
Mid-18th Century Norwegian Baroque Revival Antique Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Swedish 1770s Baroque Period Light Gray Painted Secretary with Slant Front Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Baroque tall secretary from circa 1770, with slant front desk, light Gustavian gray painted finish, two doors and four drawers. Experience the timeless elegance of this Swedish tall secretary from circa 1770, a piece that seamlessly marries the grandeur of Baroque design with the serene simplicity of the Gustavian painted finish. Indeed, this secretary, with its light gray painted finish, two doors, and four drawers, is a testament to the refined craftsmanship and understated beauty of Nordic furniture.
The secretary's tall, imposing structure is softened by the light Gustavian gray finish, creating a sense of calm sophistication. The two doors, featuring simply carved panels, open to reveal an interior bathed in antique powder...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Baroque Antique Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Wood
18th Century Northern European Tortoiseshell Lacquer Japanned Bureau Cabinet
Located in Southampton, NY
18th Century Northern European Tortoiseshell Lacquer Japanned Bureau Cabinet Secretary
A rare and fine bureau cabinet. Three sections: a broken pediment crown atop a tall cabinet with 2 shelves (included but not shown in photo) and two drawers. Atop a slope front bureau writing section with three stepped drawers on either side of a cubby section and a center door. Atop of chest of three drawers. Beautiful orange red paint on interior of bureau. Original hardware. Tortoiseshell faux paint ground with gilded Japanned Chinoiserie painted scenes. Some chips and losses to lacquer. Damage to top left back corner of chest section (as shown in photo). Overall good structural condition. Condition is consistent with age and use.
This bureau is decorated in one of the most fashionable styles of the Baroque period, Japanned lacquer with gilded decoration and tortoiseshell imitation ground and would have been a statement piece within the interior. Tortoiseshell furniture...
Category
18th Century Unknown Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Louis XVI Secretaire with Urn Decoration, around 1790
Located in Greding, DE
Louis Seize secretary featuring five drawers and a flat writing flap. Veneered with cherry wood, this secretary is adorned with fire-shaded inlays. The central motif of the laurel wr...
Category
1790s German Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
Oak Secretary Bureau With Painted Finish from Sweden circa 1760-1800
Located in Round Top, TX
This oak secretary or "bureau" reflects the grace and class of Swedish styling from the early 1800's.
The dramatic serpentine drawers and carved outer panel of the drop down desk add a romantic touch, accented by brass pulls and key escutcheon.
The traditional interior with 12 unique, small drawers and central “cubbie” with two petite drawers offers perfect space to organize.
Under the desk top is three standard large size drawers and upper narrow drawer, each has two brass pulls used to open drawer.
It was later professionally painted with an exceptional layered salmon/desert pink...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
paved "urn" secrétaire
Located in Firenze, IT
Beautiful "urn" secretaire panelled in rosewood with fruitwood fillets.
The shape of the secretaire is highly elegant, with a three-tiered arrangement reflecting a balanced distrib...
Category
18th Century Antique Secretaires
Materials
Kingwood
18th century Georgian secretary in hand painted blue wedge wood swirl finish
Located in Charleston, SC
Wonderful 18th century Georgian mahogany secretary with hand painted wedgewood swirl finish by “The Fabulous Things”. This piece is a statement piece that will elevate any room. The ...
Category
18th Century English Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Paint
Yellow Painted Oak Secretary, Denmark circa 1760-80
Located in Round Top, TX
This oak secretary reflects the grace and class of European styling in the early 1800's with four serpentine drawers and curved skirt.
The traditional interior with 12 small drawers ...
Category
Late 18th Century Danish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Materials
Oak, Paint
Black Painted Rococo Secretary from Denmark circa 1760-1800
Located in Round Top, TX
This pine rococo secretary reflects the grace and class of Swedish styling in the early 1800's.
The dramatic serpentine drawers with curvaceous front and carved skirt resting on cabr...
Category
Late 18th Century Danish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wrought Iron
Painted Oak Secretary Bureau, Denmark circa 1760-80
Located in Round Top, TX
This striking oak secretary is an elegant statement piece crowned with a beautifully curved and carved bonnet or crown.
The entire secretary has been given a professional custom layered salmon/desert...
Category
Late 18th Century Danish Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass, Iron
18th Century Baroque Secretary or Writing Desk in Walnut
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
Exceptional Baroque secretary or writing desk, probably from southern Germany, around 1760.
The softwood corpus à deux corps, ornamentally veneered in walnut, burl and other preciou...
Category
18th Century German Baroque Antique Secretaires
Materials
Nutwood, Walnut, Pine
Louis XV Secretary In Floral Marquetry
Located in BARSAC, FR
Sublime Louis XV secretary desk in rosewood and violet marquetry presenting over the entire facade a large floral motif framed by double scrol...
Category
Mid-18th Century French Agra Antique Secretaires
Materials
Breccia Marble, Bronze
18th Century Oak Drop Front Secretaire
Located in Dallas, TX
French oak drop front secretarie with green leather writing surface.
Circa 1780
Category
18th Century French Antique Secretaires
Materials
Metal
Secrétaire Neoclassical Lombardy Late 18th Century
Located in Milano, IT
Neoclassical secrétaire supported by truncated-pyramidal feet, on the front has two doors surmounted by flap-opening door concealing scarab with morocco top, central compartment, sma...
Category
18th Century Italian Neoclassical Revival Antique Secretaires
Materials
Maple, Nutwood
IMPORTANT GERMAN STATIONERY/SECRETAYRE 18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
IMPORTANT GERMAN STATIONERY 18th Century
plated in fruit wood with inlays representing gallant scenes and floral motifs.
Wavy box with three drawers, showing factory interior with d...
Category
18th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
18th Century Swedish Baroque Secretaire
Located in Charleston, SC
18th century Swedish late Baroque secretaire in original gorgeous blue/green patinated color with slant front desk with a fitted interior over the two long and two smaller drawer bas...
Category
Mid-18th Century Swedish Baroque Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
18th Century Grey Swedish Gustavian Pine Two Part Bureau - Antique Secretaire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 18th Century, light-grey, white antique Swedish Gustavian two part bureau made of hand crafted painted Pinewood, in good condition. The Scandinavian secretaire is composed with two...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Metal
18th Century Grey Swedish Gustavian Two Part Pine Secretary - Scandinavian Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A light-grey, white antique Sweden Gustavian two part bureau with a writing flap made of hand crafted painted Pinewood, in good condition. The Scandinavian writing table, desk is com...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Brass
Original 18th Century Venetian Secretary Desk Bookcase burled walnut with inlaid
Located in Vigonza, Padua
What makes this piece unique and special is its originali twist to the characteristic Secretaire, a must-have object among Venetian aristocratic families that could not be missing in...
Category
Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Swedish 1790s Gustavian Period Two-Part Painted Secretary with Slant Front Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian period two-part tall secretary from circa 1790 with elegant carved décor, creamy white painted finish and multiple inner drawers inside the slant-front desk. Disc...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
18th Century Swiss Made Secretaire
Located in Greven, DE
Antique secretary or chest of drawers
Switzerland
Yew, oak
second half of 18th century
Dimensions: H x W x D: 105 x 116 x 61 cm
Description:
Antique sloping flap chest of drawers ...
Category
Mid-18th Century Swiss Baroque Antique Secretaires
Materials
Oak, Yew
Baroque Tabernacle Secretaire, Mid-18th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Baroque Tabernacle Secretaire in three parts, boasting a three-drawer lower chest set on graceful compressed ball feet. The gently curved...
Category
Mid-18th Century Baroque Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Black Painted Gustavian Style Writing Desk Secretary, 18th Century Denmark
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Period Danish Black Painted Gustavian Style Writing Desk Secretary. Refinished in painted black with pull down desk area and multiple drawers that vary in size. The brass hardware el...
Category
Mid-18th Century Danish Baroque Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
1780s Gustavian Period Swedish Grey Painted Drop-Front Secretary with Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian period grey painted drop-front secretary from circa 1780 with multiple inner drawers and four drawers on the façade. Discover the sublime craftsmanship of this Sw...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Antique, New and Vintage Secretaires
Your antique, new or vintage secretary desk has become the (chic) saving grace of the "new normal" at home.
Simply put, a secretary desk is a multifunctional piece of furniture with a hinged writing surface that folds open or drops down. When the leaf is folded out, small inner storage compartments — pigeonholes, cubbies, recesses or drawers — are revealed.
Traditionally, a secretary is composed of two parts — a chest of drawers on the bottom and a cabinet with shelves on the top. Taking its name from the French word for the piece, secrétaire, the secretary desk dates back to the 18th century, when Paris-based cabinetmaker Jean-François Oeben, known for his exquisite marquetry and clever mechanical desks, is thought to have invented the secrétaire à abbattant, or drop-leaf desk.
While the defining drop-down feature of the secretary desk has remained constant, the materials used, as well as its configuration, size and style have evolved over time.
At first, secretaries were typically made from exotic woods, like rosewood, tulipwood and kingwood; later, hardwoods like cherry, maple, oak and mahogany were more common. The desks also became lighter, with space carved out of the lower half for the writer’s feet or with drawers replaced by legs — making them more table-like.
When open, the secretary is a dynamic, versatile Wunderkammer. When closed, it’s a sophisticated, space-saving piece of furniture.
“A fine secretary with a good provenance adds stature and credence to its owner — it is a cornerstone piece,” says antiques dealer Stanley Weiss, who specializes in 18th- and 19th-century English and American furniture. “In this disposable world, fine furniture is always passed on and speaks to who its owner is.”
No matter what style or period you choose, and no matter how you decide to use it, the timeless, flexible secretary desk is bound to become an indispensable part of your daily routine.
Browse a range of antique and vintage secretary desks on 1stDibs, including mid-century modern secretaires, Georgian secretaires and others.
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