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Secretaires

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Secretaires For Sale
Style: Baroque
Style: Biedermeier
Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary Desk, circa 1860, after Renovation
Located in Opole, PL
We present you another incredible piece of furniture in our collection -- this elegant and highly exquisite Biedermeier secretary desk circa 1860. The secretary desk was manufactu...
Category

1860s Scandinavian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Unique Mahogany Antique Secretary Desk, Northern Europe, circa 1870
Located in Chorzów, PL
Historic secretary from the second half of the 19th century. Very good condition, after professional renovation. Wood: Mahogany Dimensions: he...
Category

1870s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Biedermeier Antique Secretary Circa 1840 Veneered With Mahogany
Located in Opole, PL
Biedermeier Antique Secretary Circa 1840 Veneered With Mahogany Furniture in the Biedermeier style, made of soft wood veneered with mahogany, dated around 1840. The monumental shape...
Category

1840s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Biedermeier Secretary shelve circa 1810 Cuba Mahogany veneer
Located in Berlin, DE
High-quality Cuba mahogany on solid oak . Rectangular body on pointed legs. Provided with three drawers . Straight writing tablet, behind it architectur...
Category

19th Century German Biedermeier 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

19th Century Fine Biedermeier Walnut Secretaire. Vienna, c. 1825.
Located in Vienna, AT
Hello, This elegant and truly exceptional early Viennese Biedermeier Secretaire was made in Vienna circa 1825. Viennese Biedermeier is distinguished by their sophisticated proportio...
Category

Early 19th Century Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

20th Century Vienna Biedermeier Style Secretaire after Johann Härle
By Johann Härle
Located in Berlin, DE
Aristocratic secretaire of Vienna Biedermeier after Johann Härle, 1813. Highly valuable bird’s-eye maple root veneer on solid pinewood, partially ebonized, crested with classicist m...
Category

20th Century Biedermeier Secretaires

Materials

Pine, Wood, Birdseye Maple

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

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

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

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

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 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...
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19th Century European Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble, 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

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

20th Century Inlaid Carved Wood Austrian Biedermeier Style Secretaire Desk, 1960s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Austrian secretaire from the 20th century. Biedermeier style furniture elegantly inlaid, veneered and carved in walnut, maple, beech and fruitwood. Secretaire built in a single body,...
Category

1960s Austrian Biedermeier Vintage 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

Vintage Italian Baroque Style Marquetry Inlay Flip-Up Secretary Display Cabinet
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Italian Baroque Style Marquetry Inlay Carved Flip-Down Secretary Display Cabinet A practical and elegant addition to any office or living room, this cabinet contains a remar...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Wood

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

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

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

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

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

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

PORTUGUESE COMMODE / SECRETARIAT from the 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
PORTUGUESE COMMODE / SECRETARIAT from the 19th Century In oak and other wood, with two drawers and two drawers, inside drawers, bins and central door, with secret, engraved brass h...
Category

19th Century Portuguese Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Early 19th Century Biedermeier Secretary, Birchwood
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Early 19th Century Biedermeier Secretary, Germany, 1820 Birchwood Antique Biedermeier secretary made of birch wood, handmad...
Category

1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Birch

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

Antique Biedermeier Secretary Desk, Early 19 Century
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique Early 19C Biedermeier Secretary Desk Extended depth is 31". Additional information: Materials: Ebony Color: Light Yellow Per...
Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Ebony

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

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

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

Birch Secretary Bureau from Germany, circa 1840-60
Located in Round Top, TX
Rich birch and stately lines define this handsome Biedermeier drop front secretary. Refer to close up photos to appreciate the stunning grain pattern of the flame birch veneer. Multi...
Category

Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Birch

Early 19th Century Neoclassical Karelian Birch Secretary
Located in Houston, TX
An extraordinary early 19th Century Neoclassical style Karelian birch secretary. This wonderful cabinet features four ebonized columns supporting giltwood caryatids, two gothic arched cabinet...
Category

Early 19th Century Baltic Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
19th Century Conical Shape Secretary, Germany, 1820 This fine Biedermeier secretary made of mahogany is a real gem for every lover of antique furniture. With a height of 194 cm, a width of 106 cm and a length of 52 cm, it offers plenty of storage space with its five spacious drawers. The elegant mahogany finish and conical shape make it a real eye-catcher in any room. This 1820 original is free standing and in excellent condition. Carefully restored and hand-polished with shellac. A real highlight for anyone looking for antique furniture.Frame dimensions at top 95 cm, bottom 103 cm.The attachment with gable, underneath a hidden compartment, is opened with a compression spring. Very nice cabinet with 10 drawers...
Category

1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century German Biedermeier Cherrywood Secretaire - Antique Secretary
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 19th Century, antique German Biedermeier tall secretaire with a writing flap made of hand crafted shellac polished, partly veneered Cherrywood and Burlwood, in good condition. The ...
Category

Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Metal, Brass

19th Century Biedermeier Secretary
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
19th Century Biedermeier Secretary, Germany, Ca.1820 Walnut Original secretary veneered in walnut, impressive veneer pattern, stepped pedestal, gable, underneath drawer with push bu...
Category

1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Biedermeier secretary, Western Europe, circa 1840.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Biedermeier secretary, Western Europe, circa 1840. Obacie is undergoing renovation. Wood: mahogany dimensions: height 169 cm width 106 cm depth 59 cm
Category

1840s French Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Biedermeier Secretaire in Ashwood, circa 1820
Located in Greding, DE
Spacious secretary featuring a two-door cabinet top and a three-tier chest of drawers base. The secretary is veneered with ash and meticulously hand-polis...
Category

1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Ash

Italian Biedermeier Style Mixed Fruitwood Two-Part Secretary Bookcase Cabinet
Located in Germantown, MD
Late 19th Century Italian Biedermeier Style Walnut Mixed Fruitwood Two-Part Secretary Bookcase Cabinet. Veyr light weight. Measures 24" in width, 17" in depth and stands 75" tall.
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Fruitwood, Walnut, Wood

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

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

Antique Biedermeier-Style Drop-Front Mahogany Secretary Chest
Located in Milano, IT
This marvelous Biedermeier-style drop-front secretary chest, dating back to around 1830 and crafted in Austria, is a true work of art. Made from precious mahogany wood, it features b...
Category

Mid-19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Metal

18th Century Baroque Secretaire Walnut
Located in Münster, DE
Sloping flap secretary Baroque, Brunswick, around 1750, walnut and walnut root wood, plum and maple veneered on softwood corpus, 3 drawers, double curved corpus on ball feet, slant...
Category

1750s German Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut, Softwood

Portuguese Secretaire of the 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Portuguese Secretaire of the 19th Century, in mahogany wood with inlays. Bottom with two drawers. Elevation with two shelves. Small defects Dim.: 105 x 89 x 56 cm. very good condition
Category

19th Century Portuguese Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

19th Century Antique Swedish Secretary
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Skandinavian secretary with beautiful and functional secretary desk made of solid pine wood. The contrasting center of the secretary is made of walnut with a wonderful grain. The co...
Category

1830s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine, Wood

18th Century Baroque Secretaire Netherlands Nutwood
Located in Münster, DE
Secretary, Netherlands, baroque around 1780 walnut, symmetrically structured interior with rosewood pilasters rosewood, bottom with sliding shelf, claw feet shellac-wax polish ...
Category

Late 18th Century Dutch Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Nutwood

19th Century Biedermeier Cherry Fall Front Desk / Secretaire
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Introducing a stunning late Biedermeier Slant-Front Secretary, crafted from solid cherry wood in the 1840s. This exquisite piece of furniture features three drawers spanning the enti...
Category

19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Spruce, Cherry

19th Century Fine Biedermeier Walnut Secretaire. Vienna, c. 1825
Located in Vienna, AT
Hello, This elegant and rare early Viennese Biedermeier Secretaire was made in Vienna c. 1825. The secretaire is an example of beautiful, rare and refined design and excellent craft...
Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Walnut and plum Baroque Secretary à deux corps around 1760
Located in Münster, DE
Secretary à deux corps Baroque around 1760 Walnut and plum veneered on softwood, lower part with concave corrus and three drawers, two-door top with symmetrically arranged compart...
Category

1760s German Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Nutwood

Biedermeier secretary, Northern Europe, circa 1860.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Biedermeier secretary, Northern Europe, circa 1860. Wood: Mahogany dimensions : h. 130 cm w. 112 cm d. 62 cm
Category

1860s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

A fine Biedermeier period walnut and inlayed roll top secretary. Circa 1830
Located in Dallas, TX
A very fine and rare Biedermeier walnut roll top secretary . Fine satinwood inlay . French polished and ready to place. Several drawers and compartments for storage .
Category

Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Satinwood, Walnut

Biedermeier Maple Drop Front Secretary
Located in Bradenton, FL
A very attractive early 19th century Maple and Ebony German Biedermeier drop front secretary. Nice deep rich color and patina to the Maple surfac...
Category

Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Maple

19th Century Biedermeier Column Secretary
Located in Berlin, DE
Cuba mahogany on pine tree. Architecturally arranged front. High-right body on padfoot feet. Fitted with three drawers of different sizes, the base drawer is curved. Straight writing...
Category

19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

Birch Karl Johan Secretary Bureau from Sweden, circa 1840-60
By Karl Johan
Located in Round Top, TX
Stunning Karl Johan Swedish birch secretary or "bureau" with twelve inner drawers surrounding a 3-part central cubie area. Exterior has one upp...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Birch

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

Antique 19th Century Walnut Austrian Biedermeier Abatante Secretary Desk
Located in Charlotte, NC
An antique Biedermeier style abatante secretary desk, unbranded. Walnut with walnut & other wood veneers, decorative overhang to top, wood keyhole escutcheons to doors with brass key...
Category

19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mirror, Wood, Walnut

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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