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Secretaires

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Secretaires For Sale
Style: Scandinavian Modern
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

Secretaire by Torbjørn Afdal for Nesjestranda, Norway, 1960s
Located in Hägersten, SE
Rare secretaire designed by Torbjørn Afdal. Produced by Nesjestranda møbelfabrikk during the 1960s. Made from palisander with solid wood in the legs and the drawers. The drawers made...
Category

1960s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Palisander

Secretary in Rosewood of Danish Design from the 1960s
Located in Lejre, DK
This secretary, crafted in rosewood and showcasing Danish design from the 1960s, epitomizes both functionality and aesthetic appeal. With its sleek lines and rich wood grain, it exu...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Rosewood

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

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

Danish secretary in light rosewood by Arne Wahl Iversen 1960's
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Danish secretary desk in light rosewood designed by Arne Wahl Iversen for Brouers Møbelfabrik dating from the 1960's Model stamped on the back "Made in Denmark" It is made up of 3 ...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Brass

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

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

Secretary, desk, Danish in Rio rosewood by Dyrlund 1960.
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Magnificent Scandinavian Secretary/Desk composed of 3 large drawers on the lower part and a hinged door which opens onto storage lockers. Modernist square base. Sober and elegant des...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Rosewood

Vintage teak Secretary by Erling Torvits for Klim Mobelfabrik, 1960s
Located in The Hague, NL
Danish teak secretary designed by Erling Torvits for Klim Møbelfabrik. This secretary has a hinged leaf that drops down and becomes a sturdy desktop. Behind this leaf are three drawe...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires

Materials

Teak

Vintage Danish Mid Century Modern Teak Secretary Desk
Located in San Marcos, CA
Here is a beautiful Scandinavian modern secretary desk in teak wood manufactured in Denmark in the 1960's. This exquisite piece, recently imported from Europe to California before it...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Teak

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

Danish Modern Mahogany Secretary Desk
Located in Minneapolis, MN
This elegant secretary desk is made from Cuban mahogany, which tends to have a honey colored appearance compared to more ubiquitous forms of the wood. It would be well placed in an ...
Category

20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

1950's Brazilian Rosewood Danish Secretary Desk
Located in Oakland, CA
High-quality Brazilian rosewood secretary desk, 1955, Denmark. The secretary desk is finely crafted of stunning Brazilian Rosewood with dark grains and dynamic book-matched patterns ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires

Materials

Rosewood

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...
Category

19th Century European Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Brass

Secretary in Teak by Nils Jonsson for HJN Möbelfabrik, 1960s
Located in Kiel, SH
High quality secretary by Nils Jonsson in good used condition
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Teak

Børge Mogensen Two Piece Cabinet or Secretary for Karl Andersson and Sons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Oak and teak storage unit and desk by Børge Mogensen for Karl Andersson and Sons c.1960s, Sweden. This two piece storage cabinet has eight drawers along the lower cabinet and a drop ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires

Materials

Oak, Teak

Johannes Sorth Secretary Bookcase Desk
Located in Southampton, NJ
Danish Modern Brazilian Rosewood secretary desk by Johannes Sorth number 331 32. Multifunctional having three adjustable bookshelves to the tapered top with pull out pocket desk & t...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires

Materials

Rosewood

Rosewood secretair by Torbjørn Afdal, Norway, 1960s, Palisander
Located in Hägersten, SE
Secretair designed by Torbjørn Afdal. Produced by Nesjestranda møbelfabrikk during the 1960s. Made from palisander with solid wood in the legs and the drawers. The drawers made with ...
Category

1960s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Palisander

Danish Rosewood Secretary Desk and Bookcase
Located in Oakland, CA
Mid century secretary desk and bookcase crafted of Brazilian rosewood with pull-out writing surface over a small cabinet with sliding doors. Mid-section has pair of solid rosewood ta...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires

Materials

Rosewood

Arne Vodder Scandinavian Danish Modern Teak Desk Vanity Table Top Organizer
Located in Wayne, NJ
Wonderful aged teak three-drawer organizer. Beautifully crafted, finished on all sides. This can also be for multiple purposes such as used as jewelry , Makeup , flatware chest , Re...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Teak

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

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

Vintage Danish Mid Century Modern Rosewood Secretary Desk
Located in San Marcos, CA
Here is a beautiful scandinavian modern secretary desk in rosewood manufactured in Denmark in the 1960's. This exquisite case piece, recently imported from Europe to California befor...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Rosewood

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

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

Secretary desk 1152M in solid oak, Dyrlund, Denmark, 1990's
Located in La Tour-de-Peilz, CH
Without ever skimping on quality, this company, founded in 1960, once again shows the high level of standards that it applies to all its achievements. If Dyrlund prides itself on ha...
Category

1990s Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Oak

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

Mid-century Torbjorn Afdal Danish Rosewood Secretary Desk
Located in Oakland, CA
Danish secretary desk designed by Torbjørn Afdal for Nesjestranda Møbelfabrik, Norway, 1965. Crafted from Brazilian rosewood, the secretary desk ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires

Materials

Rosewood

Bruno Mathsson reading stand, Karl Mathsson 40's Sweden modernist collector
Located in Forest, BE
Table de lecture en bois et acier nickelé. Daté du début des années 1940. La tablette en bois a été restaurée mais la patine du piétement reste non touché et dans son état le plus proche de l'origine. Ajustable en hauteu. Il y à de beaux détails en laiton. Produite dans les ateliers de son père Karl Mathsson...
Category

1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Steel, Nickel

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

Stunning Poul Hundevad Rosewood Secretary Cabinet , Denmark
Located in Buffalo, NY
Danish modern, two piece, book matched rosewood, bookcase secretary cabinet by Poul Hundevad ... Birch wood interior,,, features a 26 inch height bottom cabinet with sliding doors, a...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Birch, Rosewood

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

Vintage Danish Mid Century Modern Rosewood Secretary Desk
Located in San Marcos, CA
Here is a beautiful scandinavian modern secretary desk in rosewood attributed to Gunnar Falsig, Denmark, 1960's. This exquisite piece, recently imported from Europe to California bef...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Rosewood

Rosewood secretary desk, Denmark, 1960s.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Rosewood secretary desk, Danish design, 1960s Very good condition. Wood: rosewood h. 117 cm w. 110 cm d. 43 cm
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Rosewood

solid pine secretary desk by WASA, Germany 1990s
Located in ECHT, NL
Secretary desk made by German company Wasa in 1992. it is made from solid pine. It has a lid that folds down to function as a work top. Behind the lid there are shelves and drawers....
Category

Late 20th Century German Scandinavian Modern Secretaires

Materials

Pine

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

Børge Mogensen for Søborg Secretary Desk 1960s
Located in Handewitt, DE
Secretary desk / cabinet, designed in 1950s by Børge Mogensen for Søborg Møbelfabrik Denmark. Made in fine walnut early 1960s. Front with three drawers and a writing flap. Behind the...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires

Materials

Wood

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

Arne Wahl Iversen Model 68 Teak Secretary Desk for Vinde Mobelfabrik
Located in Winnipeg, MB
Stunning Model 68 teak drop-front secretary desk designed by Arne Wahl Iversen for Vinde Mobelfabrik, Denmark. This beautiful piece features solid construction, a drop-down writing s...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Teak

Mid-Century Teak Secretaire by Børge Mogensen 1960s
Located in Asaa, DK
Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern teak Secretaire by Børge Mogensen for Søborg Møbelfabrik, Denmark. 1960s. Large Danish Modern teak secretary desk with legs...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Teak

Vintage Danish Mid Century Modern Teak Secretary Desk by Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in San Marcos, CA
Here is a beautiful and sought after scandinavian modern secretary desk designed by Arne Wahl Iversen and manufactured by Vinde Mobelfabrik in Denmark in the 1960s. This exquisite ca...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Teak

Vintage Scandinavian Modern Teak Drop Front Desk Secretary in a Box, 1960-2000
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome MCM (a.k.a. Mid-Century Modern) vintage Scandinavian Modern drop front desk or secretary in a box. It is in wonderful vintage condition. There...
Category

Late 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires

Materials

Teak

Danish Teak Secretary Desk with Hidden Vanity Mirror
Located in Oakland, CA
Danish teak secretary desk crafted of teak with book-matched grain across the drawers. The secretary features a pull-out writing surface over three drawers. A pair of sliding glass c...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Teak

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

Midcentury Danish Brazilian Rosewood Secretary Desk
Located in Oakland, CA
Brazilian Rosewood secretary desk with locking drop-front desk over three drawers with carved pulls, raised on tapered legs. Designed by William Jensen for Skrillinge Mobelfabrik, mo...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires

Materials

Rosewood

Vintage Danish Mid Century Teak Secretary Desk Attributed to Erling Torvits
Located in San Marcos, CA
Here is a beautiful Scandinavian modern teak secretary desk attributed to Erling Torvits, Denmark, 1960's. This case piece, recently imported from Copenhagen to California before its...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Teak

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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