Secretaires
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213
605
465
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1,084
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95
66
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377
707
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95
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Secretaires For Sale
Period: 19th Century
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
French Transitional 19th Century Ladies Writing Secretaire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A charming French 19th century Transitional style tulipwood, ormolu, and white Carrara marble secretary desk. The secretary is raised by fine cabriole legs with elegant foliate ormol...
Category
19th Century French Antique Secretaires
Materials
Carrara Marble, Ormolu
Very Fine Amboyna Italian Secretaire Bookcase
Located in Seaford, GB
A superb piece of 19th Century Furniture, made in Italy predominantly from Amboyna wood but also Ebony. The 2 urns on top are bronze as are the mounts. The 2 top doors doors are fitted with plate glass and open to reveal 3 fully adjustable shelves, under this is the bureau section with drop down flap and leather writing surface, small drawers and pigeon holes. In the base a 2 door storage...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Amboyna
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
Antique Genuine Swedish Escritoire, Original Faux Paint Country Secretary Desk
Located in Kramfors, SE
Genuine antique Swedish escritoire from the early 1800s. This escritoire, or secretary desk, is a genuine country furniture from northern Sweden made around 1820 to 1840. Made by han...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Country Antique Secretaires
Materials
Pine
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 secretaire was crafted around 1840 from ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Ormolu
Antique secretary's office, Northern Europe, circa 1870. After renovation.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique secretary from around 1870, Northern Europe.
The furniture is in very good condition, after professional renovation.
Dimensions: height 131 cm / width 109 cm / depth 75 cm
Category
1870s Scandinavian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Antique Italian Renaissance Revival Walnut Figural Carved Writing Desk 52"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Neo-Renaissance Revival writing desk. Made of walnut featuring Neoclassical styling with high relief figural carvings of cherubs / puttis, Northwind faces, and acanthus / fl...
Category
Late 19th Century Renaissance Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
18th Century South German Neoclassical Style Fruitwood Bureau-Bookcase
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Introducing an exquisite 18th century South German Neoclassical-style fruitwood bureau-bookcase, a stunning testament to the refined aesthetics and masterful craftsmanship of late 18...
Category
1790s German Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Venetian painted cabinet/secretary 19 th century
Located in Houston, TX
The exceptional painting on this piece makes it a real
Showpiece. The pale mint green and silver gilt accents
Are of the best quality. The doors open wide for a diplay
The front drop...
Category
Early 1800s Italian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Fruitwood, Paint
Pair of Louis XVI Style Dutch Chinoiserie Secretary and High Chest
Located in Greven, DE
Pair of chinoiserie furniture - secretary and chiffonier
The Netherlands
Satinwood and others, lacquered panels
around 1890
Dimensions: H x W x D: 130 x 63 x 39 cm
Description:
Ve...
Category
Late 19th Century Dutch Antique Secretaires
Materials
Satinwood
Exceptional Consulate Period Mahogany Secretary 1800s -1X42
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Step into the grandeur of the Consulate era with this exceptional mahogany secretary, crafted towards the end of the 18th century. Rich in history and elegance, this piece embodies t...
Category
Early 1800s Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Fantastic American Centennial Solid Walnut Philadelphia Carved Secretary Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
From Slatoff Estate. Walnut. 2piece. Top has 2 glass doors containing 2 shelves. Bottom has 5 dovetail drawers and drop down door with fitted interior. 98 3/4" h x 41 7/8" w x 22 1/2...
Category
1870s American Federal Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Tall Walnut Cabinet with a Bureau Desk Compartment
Located in Dubai, AE
Tall walnut desk cabinet in Baroque style with gilded brass ornamentation. The upper glazed part reveals seven drawers, a leaf, and fifteen lockers, the flap revealing six drawers, s...
Category
19th Century German Baroque Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Antique English Edwardian Mahogany Chest of Drawers Secretary Desk Bureau
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique English Edwardian Mahogany Chest of Drawers Secretary Desk Bureau. Item features a fall front top drawer with green tooled leather writing surface and fitted interior, hand d...
Category
19th Century Edwardian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
19th Century Empire / Biedermeier Walnut Secretaire
Located in Darmstadt, DE
A beautiful small secretary made of walnut veneer and solid walnut from the Biedermeier / Empire period at the beginning of the 19th century. The secretary is covered on the outside ...
Category
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
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
Biedermeier Secretary Desk, Austria, 19th Century
Located in Wrocław, Poland
This beautiful Secretary comes from Austria and was made in 19th century. The piece is made of oak wood, veneered with mahogany veneer. When opening the main section the doors transf...
Category
19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Maple, Oak
Napoleon III Secretary In Blackened Pear Wood - Brass Marquetry
Located in Brussels, BE
Napoleon III Secretary In Blackened Pear Wood - Brass Marquetry
Category
19th Century Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Sheraton Secretary desk
Located in Bradenton, FL
A very fine Sheraton Secretary Desk 1810-1820 in a old refinish with an excellent color and patina. Decorative cross banded veneers and inlay work ...
Category
Early 19th Century English Sheraton Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Louis Philippe Period Secretary, Mid 19th Century, Burl Walnut
Located in SAINT-CLÉMENT-DE-LA-PLACE, FR
Secretary period Louis Philippe, mid 19th century, is in walnut bramble.
A video of this piece of furniture is available on Instagram. Join me at: antiquites_guideau.
Walnut brambl...
Category
1840s French Louis Philippe 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
Secretary Period Louis Philippe, Mid 19th Century, In Walnut Bramble
Located in SAINT-CLÉMENT-DE-LA-PLACE, FR
Secretary period Louis Philippe, mid 19th century, is in walnut bramble.
Walnut brambles are flamed because they have many aesthetic designs. These drawings have complex, highly con...
Category
1840s French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
19th Century American Chippendale Maple Slant Front Secretary / Desk
Located in Houston, TX
The 19th Century American Chippendale Maple Slant Front Secretary/Desk is a testament to the meticulous artistry and timeless allure of traditional craftsmanship. Painstakingly craft...
Category
19th Century American Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Maple
Antique English Adams Decorated Satinwood Drop-Front Desk, 18th-19th C
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique English Adam decorated drop-front desk offers satinwood construction with slant front having neoclassical reserve of woman and cherub in co...
Category
19th Century English Adam Style Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Satinwood
Secretary/davenport In Bamboo And Lacquer With Asian Decor - 19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
superb and unique secretary called davenport in bamboo and Chinese lacquer with Asian decoration from the 19th century from England
Very beautiful little secretary, the first we ha...
Category
19th Century English Aesthetic Movement Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bamboo
Antique Victorian Walnut & Burl Barrel Roll Top Secretary Bookcase & Desk C1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
***Ask About Reduced In-House Delivery Rates - Reliable Professional Service & Fully Insured***
Antique Victorian Walnut & Burl Barrel Roll Top Secretary, Double Glass Door Bookcase ...
Category
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut, Glass
Stunning Louis XV Marquetry Secretary, circa 1850 -1X22
Located in Bordeaux, FR
Elevate your interior with the timeless elegance of this stunning Louis XV marquetry secretary, crafted around 1850. Imbued with the opulence and refinement of the French Rococo peri...
Category
1850s Antique Secretaires
Materials
Marble
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
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
An 18th century Swedish fall-front bureau from the Gustavian period wearing beautiful black paint, circa 1790. Original brass hardware and locks. This secretary displays neoclassical...
Category
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Antique 19th Century Flame Mahogany Rope Twist Abatante Secretary Desk
Located in Charlotte, NC
An antique Biedermeier style abatante secretary desk, unbranded. Mahogany with flame mahogany veneers, decorative overhang to top, later added white marble top, brass keyhole escutch...
Category
19th Century European Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Marble, Brass
Antique French Empire Mahogany Gilt-Bronze Mounted Marble-Top Abattant Secretary
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Imported French Empire Flame Mahogany Gilt-Bronze Mounted Marble-Top Abattant Secretary Desk
This 19th-century French Empire-style secretary desk is a true work of art. Craf...
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Marble, Brass
Antique secretary desk from around 1870, Northern Europe. After renovation.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique secretary desk from the second half of the 19th century, Northern Europe.
The furniture is in very good condition, after professional renovation.
Dimensions: height 113 cm ...
Category
1870s Norwegian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
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
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
19th Century French Bureau de Dame Napoleon III Ladies Writing Desk
Located in Milan, IT
A late 19th century Napoleon III bronze-mounted mahogany bureau à cylinder, an elegant French Bureau de Dame or Bonheur du Jour, a ladies writing desk with cartonnier which opens up ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
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 Victorian Chippendale Mahogany Secretary Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Transport your workspace into another time and place with this exquisite antique secretary desk. Made of carved red mahogany with a generous lacquer, this piece opens up to reveal a ...
Category
Late 19th Century English Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Brass
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
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
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
Danish Blue Painted Baroque Cabinet Bureau / 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
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
19th c. Swedish Rococo Secretary with Library in Original Paint
Located in Wichita, KS
A rare, early 19th century Swedish Rococo style slant-front secretary from Fryksdalen in Värmland with arched cornice, circa 1820. The paint has been hand-scraped down to the origina...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Paint
Empire Style Secretary Made In Mahogany & Intarsia From 1820s
Located in Lejre, DK
This impressive Empire style secretary from the year 1820 is a true masterpiece of craftsmanship and aesthetic beauty. Hand-polished mahogany wood gives the secretary an elegant and ...
Category
1820s Danish Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Secretaire "a Abbatant" Napoleon III Empire, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Title: Secretaire "a Abbatant"
Date/Period: 19th century
Dimension: 147cm x 105cm x 51cm.
Material: Mahogany wood
Additional Information: Secretaire "a Abbatant" French, Empire Style...
Category
Early 19th Century European Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
19th Century Louis XVI Style French Secretaire with Black Marble Top
Located in Houston, TX
In the lavish world of 19th-century French design, the Louis XVI Style Secretaire with a Black Marble Top stands as a masterpiece of sophistication and functionality. Adorned with th...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Marble
Painted Swedish Gustavian Style Secretary
Located in Houston, US
Really beautiful Swedish secretary with drop front, interior drawers, cubbies and a secret compartment. Two doors sit on two drawers on the top and there are two small drawers over t...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Early 19th Century George II Walnut Secretary With Mirrored Doors
Located in Charlottesville, VA
A petite size secretary with lots of style. Mirrored doors are beautiful.
Category
Early 19th Century British Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mirror, Walnut
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
Hand-Painted & Decorated Front Neoclassical Style Breakfront Secretary Bookcase
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Introducing our exquisite 19th-century Neoclassical Style Hand-Painted & Decorated Front Breakfront/Secretary Bookcase, a stunning blend of artistry and functionality that adds a tou...
Category
1840s French Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Antique Oak Secretary Bureau, Denmark circa 1800-40
Located in Round Top, TX
This oak secretary reflects the refined grace and style of early 1800's Denmark. The fluted carving along the mid-section and half columns at sides adds a decorative touch to the dro...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Country Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Circa 1810. French Empire Mahogany Secretary With Ormolu Fittings & Trim
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Circa 1810. French Empire Mahogany Secretary With Ormolu Fittings & Trim
Category
Early 19th Century French French Provincial Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
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
A fine 19th c Biedermeier birch secretary. Ebonized details and gilt bronze
Located in Dallas, TX
A very fine Biedermeier period drop front secretary. Fine Empire gilt bronze details . Ebonized details . Beautiful walnut and birch woods
Category
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
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
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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