Secretaires
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Secretaires For Sale
Period: 19th Century
Period: 1920s
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Early 19th Century Mahogany Secretary
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Early XIX Century Mahogany Secretary
Germany, 1800
Mahogany
This classicist cylinder bureau made of mahogany dates from 1810 and is an original from the Empire & Biedermeier era. Th...
Category
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
American Indianapolis, Indiana Mahogany Wooton Armoire Desk, circa 1880
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A Wooton desk, produced from 1874 to 1890 in Indianapolis, Indiana
Designed by entrepreneur William S. Wooton.
Produced in mahogany on large sledge feet, four large brass hinges op...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Blue painted Biedermeier Secretaire, around 1820
Located in Greding, DE
Biedermeier secretary with three-drawer chest of drawers and two-door glazed top and sloping writing flap. The light blue painting is set off in white at the edges and the interior i...
Category
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Softwood
Italian 19th Century Secretaire
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Wonderful Painted Secretaire, this piece is very rafraishing.
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Antique Swedish Golden Ash Biedermeier Secretary Chest Dresser Desk inlaid 1820
Located in Portland, OR
A very fine antique Swedish Biedermeier golden ash secretary chest, circa 1820.
The chest is made of the finest gold ash; a beautiful blond wood with figured graining. To the top of ...
Category
1820s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Ash, Ebony
French secretary desk in Louis Philippe style, made of mahogany wood from the 18
Located in Barletta, IT
Secrétaire français de la deuxième moitié du XIXe siècle, de style Louis Philippe, en bois de mahogany et de plume de mahogany. Il présente deux tiroirs dans la partie supérieure, un...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Chinese Chippendale Style English Bamboo Slanted Lift-Top Secretary Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning Hand Crafted English Chinese Chippendale Bamboo Secretary.
This handsome and special Secretary has two top facing doors and a Middle "cubby Hole" opening for Books, small decorative pieces, etc., The tilt top Desk...
Category
19th Century English Chinese Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Bamboo, Wood, Maple
Burlwood Drop-Front Secretary, One of Four Produced; Båstad, Sweden, c. 1880
Located in Norwalk, CT
Dating from around 1880, this exceptional "secrétaire à abattant" is one of four identical chests, produced by a master Swedish cabinetmaker in the city of Båstad, commissioned as wedding gifts for the four daughters of a prominent local family. This remarkable piece was sourced by Atypical Find...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Burl
Louis Philippe Style Marquetry Secretaire, 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
Louis Philippe Style Marquetry Secretaire Cabinet, Circa 19th Century, the top drawer with gilt bronze pulls and key above a drop front opening to reveal leather-inset writing surfac...
Category
19th Century Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
A Biedermeier Chest with Secretaire Circa 1850
Located in Flower Mound, TX
A magnificent mid 19th century Biedermeier chest with figured mahogany secretaire cabinet, with a raised serpentine single drawer, a frieze drawer over paneled fall front, and the in...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Secretary Desk
Located in Bradenton, FL
A very handsome late American Empire Mahogany Secretary Desk. Very good condition overall with an old refinished surface exhibiting a beautiful color and patina to the figured Mahoga...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Antique Gustavian Style Painted Secretary Bureau
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Early 19th Century Swedish Slant Front secretary with solid columns,
Sweden, 1800-1810
Solid oak,
Standing on a block feet Swedish Gustavian slan...
Category
1810s Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Oak
English 19th Century Mahogany Secrétaire
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A mahogany secrétaire made in England circa 1890. This secrétaire is topped with a broken pediment design over a pair of glass front doors that open with a working lock and key. Insi...
Category
19th Century English Other Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
19th Century Antique English Display Secretaire, Mahogany
Located in Berlin, DE
19th Century Antique English Display Secretaire, Mahogany
Solid wood, manufactured to a high quality. The display cabinet has a pull-out function and can be used as a secretary than...
Category
19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Glass, Mahogany
Early French Art Deco Secretaire Desk with Marquetry and Inlays
Located in Ulm, DE
Secretary
Wooden body, hand-polished shellac
probably stained ash
elaborate inlays and marquetry
freshly mirrored inside
Early Art Déco, France around 1925
Dimensions:
Width: 70 c...
Category
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Bonheur Du Jour In Amboyna Burl Marquetry And Hard Stone Panels
Located in BARSAC, FR
Sublime Bonheur du jour in Louis XVI style in amboyna burl veneer in rosewood frames and presenting two magnificent vegetal compositions (flowers and red fruits) in hard stones (piet...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Marble
Fine Antique French Louis XV Marquetry Rosewood Ormolu Secretaire Abattant 1880
Located in Portland, OR
A very fine quality antique French Louis XV rosewood, marquetry, ormolu and marble topped secretaire abattant, circa 1880.
The serpentine shaped secretary is modeled as a semainier (...
Category
1880s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Louis XVI Style Parquetry, Gilt-Bronze and Lacquer Mounted Petit Secretaire Cabi
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Fine Louis XVI Style Parquetry, Gilt-Bronze and Lacquer Mounted Petit Secretaire Cabinet, Attributed to Maison Beurdeley.
Stamped to the reverse of the bronze mounts to the botto...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
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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