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Secretaires

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Secretaires For Sale
Style: Baroque
Style: Rococo
National Trust John Locke Secretaire
Located in Asheville, NC
This very rare Kindel reproduction is part of The National for Historic Preservation Collection, The Cliveden desk and bookcase is truly a masterpiece. An outstanding example of the Rococo style, the Cliveden desk and bookcase is English, circa 1750, and part of the collection on display at Cliveden Mansion in Germantown, PA. Kindel Furniture Company was selected as licensee to the National Trust to make a faithful reproduction of this secretary desk. This reproduction has all of the outstanding qualities of the original. Made of select mahogany, the bookcase has a "broken molded pediment" with decorative frieze and a superb hand-carved bust of John Locke...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Rococo Secretaires

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Swedish Rocco Style Secratery Hutch
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Swedish Rocco Style Secratery Hutch . its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Category

1970s Swedish Rococo Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Pine

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

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

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

Swedish Rococo Style Chapeau de Gendarme 1820s Gray Painted Tall Secretary
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Rococo style tall secretary from circa 1820 with gray painted finish, chapeau de gendarme bonnet top, two doors, slant-front desk and four d...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires

Materials

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

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

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

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

Swedish Rococo Secretary Hutch
Located in Hollywood, FL
Desk 32 inches high, 43 inches open Upper cabinet 12 inches deep, bottom 25 inches deep.
Category

1780s Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

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

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

Early 19th Century Stunning Swedish Gustavian Secretary
Located in San Angelo, TX
Here is a stunning early 19th century Swedish Gustavian secretary. This secretary features a newer, professionally applied white and gray e...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

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 Venetian Paint Decorated Secretary Bookcase
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A tall cabinet made in two parts in blue paint with polychrome painted floral and gilt figural decoration. With a serpentine baroque crest with a gilt landscape in the center cartouc...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Early 18th C Italian Baroque Figured Walnut Secretary w/ Architectural Pediment
Located in Atlanta, GA
Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Figured Walnut Secretary with Architectural Pediment, Arched Mirror Cabinet Door
Category

Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Baroque Bureau /Secretary Denmark c 1750
Located in Kastrup, DK
Baroque secretary /bureau in two parts. Upper cabinet with curved top, pair of doors with marked profiled fillings. Top of the doors is followed by the top of the bureau. Bottom with slanted writing flap and marked profile filling. Small drawers behind slanted writing flap, including three drawers with curved front. Painted midt 19'th. ctr. in charming light gray and blue shades with edges and profiles in gold leaf Measurement (cm) H: 202 W: 87 D: 54 ( 81 open ) A charming small bureau...
Category

Mid-18th Century Danish Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Oak

18th C. Swedish Baroque Secretary with Library in Original Paint
Located in Wichita, KS
A Swedish slant-front secretary from the 18th century in two parts with arched cornice and bracket base. Found in Kronoberg in southern Sweden, an area known for crystal and furnitur...
Category

18th Century Swedish Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Paint

Swedish 18th Century Rococo Secretary
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
18th century Rococo cabinet. With a decorative carved pediment and two doors opening to storage. Below sits a fall front desk, opening to useful writing or computer space. With two further small storage drawers...
Category

18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

18th C. Swedish Rococo Period Writing Desk in Original Paint
Located in Wichita, KS
A period Rococo writing desk from the 18th century in original painted alder wood with period key hole fittings, circa 1760. There are two smaller drawers behind the writing surface ...
Category

18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

German Baroque Secretary with Mirror and Silver Plated Fittings from 1730/35
Located in Heiligenberg, DE
Two-piece baroque secretary with mirrored doors, exceptional original silvered fittings with numerous princely crowns, walnut saw veneer on softwood, Thuringia circa 1730/35. This secretary comes from princely property, was made in very high craftsmanship and is in an impeccably restored condition. In addition to the mirrored glass, the elaborate front of the top is adorned with three pilasters, the shaft of which is framed by double fillet bands and features a walnut field in the center. The profiled bases are cast in silver-plated brass. The three capitals are elaborate silvered castings with leaves and volutes. Under the doors, two delicate shelves with walnut fronts can be pulled out on fine silver-plated knobs. The knobs are the same model as the small drawers in the single-door. Pulling out the shelves reveals a framed area of oak. The framing is multi-profiled, very finely worked and mitered. The trays were probably intended for candlesticks. The light from the candles is clearly enhanced by the mirrors. At that time, this effect was also used for wall blinds. The carcass sides of the entire piece of furniture are identical in design. The base shows mirrored fields with a cross-veneered framing. In the case of the top, the field is mirrored four times in the form of a cross joint and is also bordered by a cross-veneered framing. On both sides of the base and the top are strong, silver-plated handles, with a splendidly designed base plate of chased, silver-plated brass sheet. Here again we encounter the princely crown. On the original back panel is a handwritten note in chalk: "Salon der Durchl. Fürstin von der Lippe...
Category

1730s German Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Venetian Rococo Style Walnut Secretary Lacquered by Ira Yeager
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fantastic late 19th century Italian secretaire cabinet or bookcase made in the Venetian Rococo taste. Crafted from walnut the two-part case features a speckled lacquer finish centered by a cartouche shaped window with a painted bust by artist Ira Yeager (American 1938-2022). The bureau cabinet has a bombe shaped dresser base with a drop front diminutive writing table. The drop front has two storage drawers and a small pigeon hole storage above. Below the desk are two small drawers and two large storage drawers with rocaille patinated brass pulls. The dresser is supported by small cabriole legs with scrolled feet. The dresser is surmounted by a bookcase with a painted door depicting a nobleman holding a chicken. The painting is painted on board titled "Venezia" and signed by Yeager with a fictitious date of 1725. The door opens to a three-shelf bookcase. The case is topped with a pediment having a cartouche shaped window and corniced top. The entire secretary is speckled with a mustard yellow tone over a taupe background. This whimsical cabinet...
Category

19th Century Italian Rococo Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Italian Rococo Oyster Burl Secretary Cabinet / Desk
Located in New York, NY
Italian Rococo secretary desk / cabinet with an upper door that folds down to reveal a writing surface and 5 small interior drawers, over three drawers with serpentine fronts and orn...
Category

18th Century Italian Rococo Antique Secretaires

Materials

Metal, Brass

18th Century German Pine Baroque Secretary
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
German provincial baroque secretary à deux corps from around 1750. Solid made in pine wood. Consisting of a three drawer commode lower part with S-...
Category

18th Century German Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine

18th Century German Baroque Secretaire, Louis XV, Walnut, circa 1750
Located in Greven, DE
Baroque top secretary with Fine marquetry Brunswick walnut etc. Baroque around 1750 Dimensions: H x W x D: 215 x 119 x 56 cm Description: Beautiful slender writing cabine...
Category

Mid-18th Century German Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Dutch Secretary Desk, Around 1800, Mahogany
Located in Belmont, MA
Dutch secretary desk, Netherlands, around 1800. This elegantly curved secretary desk has three spacious drawers in the lower part. The writing flap ...
Category

1790s Dutch Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Swedish Baroque Secretary Hutch
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Swedish Baroque secretary hutch. It was found at an Estate Auction in Uppsala, Sweden.
Category

1870s Swedish Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Spanish Cabinet "Bargueño" Walnut, Wrought Iron, Stone, 17th Century
Located in Miami, FL
The rectangular locker rests on chest with legs, and has four drawers decorated with diamonds that lock and fittings and shield shown horseshoe. Answer...
Category

17th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Magnificent Italian Baroque Secretary, circa 1700
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The upper case with swept pediment and stepped molded edge fitted with 11 drawers and an arched door. The lower case with a slant front opening over a well above three long drawers e...
Category

Early 18th Century Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Maple, Olive

18th Century Baroque Secretaire/ Writing Cabinet Nutwood, Germany ca. 1770
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Important 18th century secrétaire or writing cabinet elaborately made in the baroque period in West Germany around 1770. Different kinds of fine nutwood/ walnut were used to set up a...
Category

Late 18th Century German Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Swedish Rococo Period 1790s Painted Two-Part Secretary with Slanted Front Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Rococo period painted wood two-piece tall secretary from the late 18th century, with bonnet top, two doors, slanted front desk and drawers on bracket feet. Created in Swede...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Italian 1850s Rococo Style Tall Secretary with Slanted Desk and Original Paint
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian Rococo style two-part secretary from the mid-19th century, with slanted desk, mirrored doors and original paint. How not to fall head over heels in love with this Rococo s...
Category

Mid-19th Century Italian Rococo Antique Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Wood

Extraordinary Italian Parquetry Bureau Cabinet Trumeaux Rome, 1740
Located in Rome, IT
Outstanding Italian walnut, parquetry bureau cabinet fruitwood inlaid with scrolling foliage, The upper section with a shaped carved cresting centere...
Category

Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Antique Italian Baroque Style Burl Walnut Secretary Cabinet
Located in Miami, FL
Italian Baroque style walnut veneer secretary cabinet, early 20th century. The top part of the cabinet over slant-front desk with writing compa...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Walnut, Mirror

Late 19th Century Spanish Walnut Bureau Bookcase ‘Secretaire’
Located in Miami, FL
A late 19th century Spanish Walnut Bureau bookcase ‘secretaire’ with fretwork open swan neck pediment, centred by a shaped finial, above a pair of doors, slant front enclosed writing...
Category

Late 19th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Exceptional 18thc Painted Venetian Secretary Desk
Located in New Orleans, LA
Fantastic painted Italian secretary with original designs, paint and interior silk fabric.
Category

Mid-18th Century Italian Rococo Antique Secretaires

Materials

Lacquer, Wood

Late 19th Century Spanish Walnut Bureau Bookcase ‘Secretaire’
Located in Miami, FL
A late 19th century Spanish Walnut Bureau bookcase ‘secretaire’ with fretwork open swan neck pediment, centred by a shaped finial, above a pair of doors, slant front enclosed writing...
Category

Late 19th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Impressive 18th Century Italian Venetian Walnut Secretaire
Located in San Francisco, CA
An impressive and unusually tall Venetian black walnut and burled walnut secretary. The mirrored top cabinet doors opening to reveal a multi dr...
Category

18th Century Italian Rococo Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mirror, Walnut

18th Century, Italian Walnut Wood Chest of Drawers with Secrétaire
Located in IT
18th century, Italian walnut wood chest of drawers with secrétaire The elegant small chest of drawers with secrétaire was built in th...
Category

Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Nutwood

Rare English Secretary Navy from the 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Rare English secretary navy. from the 19th century, in camphor wood, yellow metal hardware, top covered in leather. Dim.: 80 x 135 x 76 cm good conditions.
Category

19th Century English Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Ferdinando Pogliani Atrib. 19th Century Restored
Located in Madrid, ES
Ferdinando Pogliani Atrib. Amazing Italian Secretaire 19th Century. Perfect condition. RESTORED Wood, precious stones Measures: 170cm x 104cm...
Category

19th Century Italian Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Precious Stone, 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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