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Secretaires

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Secretaires For Sale
Style: Georgian
Style: Rococo
George III Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
Located in Westwood, NJ
Elegant Georgian style cabinet with classical pediment, geometric glazing bars over the twin doors with three adjustable shelves within, the lower section with a fall front, fully li...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese George III Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

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

Exceptionally Fine Queen Anne Burr Walnut Dome Top Bureau Bookcase Secretary
Located in Bradenton, FL
The best English Queen Anne / George I burl walnut secretary bureau bookcase in two sections. The upper arched top portion with a molded and domed cornice inset with mirrored glass a...
Category

Early 18th Century English George I Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Georgian 18th Century Mahogany Secretaire Cupboard
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A superb quality late 18th century Georgian mahogany secretaire cupboard having well figured and banded top over one secretaire drawer to frieze, enclosing attractive satinwood in...
Category

Mid-18th Century English Georgian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

English Georgian Two Part Mahogany Secretary circa 1780
Located in Milford, NH
A two part English Georgian secretary, its upper case featuring a cornice with dentil and fluted molding, accented with three satinwood oval paterae, surmounting two glass doors, ope...
Category

1780s English Georgian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

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

Late 1700's English George III Mahogany Secretary / Bookcase w/ Pull Out Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Late 1700's English George III Mahogany Secretary / Bookcase w/ Pull Out Desk with an overhanging cornice above a pair of doors dissected with mahogany lattice panels infilled with ...
Category

Late 18th Century British George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Georgian Style English Desk Bureau Bookcase with Banded Drawers, Leather Top
Located in Toronto, CA
A stunning vintage Georgian style English secretary desk with bookcase top. Crafted in mahogany with flamed mahogany drawer faces and satinwood accent woods and banding The top drawer drops down to reveal a desk area with a green leather writing surface with gold tooling. Eight small drawers and ten pigeon holes allow for the charm of this piece to flourish. Satinwood drawer faces contrast with the mahogany with an elegant balance. Three larger drawers below provide additional storage and the locking doors with brass accent, banding and individual hand cut glass provide a beautiful frame for your treasures. The shelves are adjustable. This is a special piece! A brief history of the secretary desk. The Georgian secretary desk...
Category

20th Century English Georgian Secretaires

Materials

Hardwood

A fine late George III satinwood and snakewood secretaire cabinet
By George Simson
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A fine late George III satinwood and snakewood secretaire cabinet, attributed to George Simson of London, of rectangular form, the upper section with a pair of glazed doors with fine...
Category

Early 18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Satinwood

George III Mahogany Astral Glazed Secretaire Bookcase
Located in Basingstoke, Hampshire
An early 19th century astral glazed bureau bookcase of large proportions. Displaying a pair of astral glazed doors. The base houses four long drawers, on...
Category

Early 19th Century British George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Antique English Georgian Mahogany Bureau Desk
Located in Sheridan, CO
Antique English Georgian mahogany secretary, early 19th c.. This piece features an oak secondary, slant front opening to inset leather writing surface, fitted interior gallery with arcaded niches, small drawers, a center cabinet door with marquetry urn, flanked by concealed compartments...
Category

1840s English Georgian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Exceptional Pair Of George III Style Mahogany Secretary Bookcases
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A superb Pair of Secretary Bookcases having side shelving, inlaid doors, pull-out desk, drawers, ring pulls, handsome geometric glass doors and em...
Category

19th Century European George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Glass, Mahogany

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

Antique High-Quality Mahogany Housekeeper's Cupboard with Secretaire, circa 1800
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Antique Georgian housekeeper's cupboard secretaire bookcase chest crafted during the George III era around 1800. Also known as an estate cupboard, this rare period piece showcases ex...
Category

Early 1800s George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

18th Century English George III Mahogany Inlaid Secretaire Chest of Drawers 1700
Located in Roma, RM
English secretaire with mahogany chest of drawers and finely inlaid in fruitwood and satinwood in the manner of Thomas Sheraton, on the sides also two columns with gilt bronze capita...
Category

1760s English George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

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

19th Century Georgian Mahogany Secretaire
Located in Richmond, Surrey
19th Century Georgian Mahogany Secretaire has a fitted desk drawer over three long drawers with brass oval handles. The fitted desk drawer interior has a writing surface with 7 strun...
Category

19th Century English Georgian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

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

Glazed Secretary From The 18th Century In Mahogany-england
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Mahogany glazed secretary from the end of the 18th century of very good quality Very beautiful secretary composed of 4 drawers as well as a theater in the lower part and an upper gl...
Category

18th Century British Georgian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

English George III Mahogany Secretary Desk and Bookcase, 18th Century
Located in Shippensburg, PA
GEORGE III MAHOGANY SECRETARY DESK AND BOOKCASE England, circa last quarter of the 18th century Item # 305PKI25A An incredibly beautiful George III mahogany fall-front secretary de...
Category

18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Fine English George III Antique Mahogany Secretary Desk circa 1780
Located in Shippensburg, PA
A VERY FINE GEORGE III MAHOGANY SECRETAIRE WITH A GLAZED BOOKSHELF ABOVE A CHEST OF DRAWERS England, circa 1780 Three drawers signed "William Jones" ...
Category

18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

George III Glazed Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
Located in Batley, GB
A Georgian mahogany beurau bookcase with 4 long drawers raised on bracket feet. The desk fitted with a delicate interior retaining all its original drawers and keys. The astral glaze...
Category

Late 18th Century British George III 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

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

Monumental Irish George III Mahogany Secretary Bookcase, c. 1780
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Large Irish George III mahogany secretary bookcase, the upper portion with an elaborate cornice carved with trailing shells, dentils and foliate moldings. The glazed doors with engaged fluted pilasters open to three fixed shelves. The desk portion has a figured fall-board opening to a tooled leather surface and interior fitted with pigeon holes and small drawers, centered by a quarter-matched prospect door and two document slots with brick-work inlay. The lower portion has an unusual drawer configuration of four long graduated drawers flanked by short drawers, each with replaced shell hardware, all on a carved molding raised on three bracket feet. 60" wide 64" wide at the cornice 20" deep, closed 36.5" deep, open 95" high This monumental secretary...
Category

Mid-18th Century Irish George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

George I Secretary Bureau or Escritoire of Figured Walnut from the 18th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A fine English period George I secretary bureau escritoire or scriptor of figured patinated walnut from the 18th century featuring original s...
Category

18th Century English George I Antique Secretaires

Materials

Metal, Brass

George III Scarlet Japanned Secretary Cabinet
Located in Essex, MA
The case 18th century with later scarlet Japanned decoration. With shaped arched pediment over a pair of arched doors with beveled glass. Opening to an elaborate interior with variou...
Category

1750s English George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Oak

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

Georgian Mahogany Blind Door Bookcase Secretary
Located in Bradenton, FL
A very nice early Georgian Mahogany blind door bookcase secretary desk 1740-50. This is a great looking piece that retains an old and possibly original surface with a great mellow color and patina to the aged Mahogany. Three adjustable shelves in the top section. The bottom piece with two over two drawers and the fitted interior with a sliding lid that opens to a well area. All hardware is original to the piece and all of the locks are working with a key to the bookcase top and desk lid...
Category

1740s English George II Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Secretary In Walnut 18 ° Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
a fine Secretary in walnut and burr walnut from the 18th century Very good quality and small English model secretary composed of 3 drawers as well as a...
Category

18th Century British Georgian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

A George I Style Burl Walnut Secretary Desk, England
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A beautifully detailed and well appointed Georgian style secretary desk, made in England. The dovetailed drawers with brass hardware with a leather fall front section above the draw...
Category

20th Century English George I Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Swedish Rococo Period Slant Front Desk Painted in Black with Distressed Finish
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Rococo period two-part slant-front desk from the 18th century, repainted in black with a blue interior and later iron hardware. Created in Sweden during the Rococo period, ...
Category

18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires

Materials

Iron

Antique 19th Century English Georgian Slant Front Desk or Secretary
Located in Casteren, NL
This classic slant front desk or bureau was made in England in the early 19th century. It was made in the finest quality watered European oak. The secretary is elevated on bracket feet. It features four drawers fitted with the original brass ajour cut bat-wing period swing grip handles. The bureau has a beautiful and elegant interior that features 6 small drawers, six pigeonholes, and a compartment with a small door. The door has crossband inlay panels...
Category

Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Seaweed Inlaid Walnut Mirrored Tombstone Georgian Secretary Desk Bookcase Top
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
For customers that require professional insured delivery we are proud to have teamed up with a nationwide professional delivery company that will assist with coordinating your delivery needs! They offer a reasonable flat-rate fee for delivery and set up to the ground floor of your home. They deliver to the vast majority of the lower 48 states. They offer a flat rate for most of our items with exclusions for the largest or most complex items such as breakfronts or crystal chandeliers or other items of greater complexity. For those items please ask for a shipping quote prior to purchase as these rates are different from our stated pricing. For those items please ask for a shipping quote prior to purchase. Most deliveries to the East Coast will be 295.00, to the mid-west and Southern mid-west 395.00. To the areas west of Kansas 495.00 and the farthest points to the West coast will be 595.00. Again, some areas we can't cover, however we can deliver to most of the lower 48 states so please inquire to be sure! Delivery times range from as fast as 1-4 weeks for the east coast to 5-9 weeks to the farthest areas of the west coast, sometimes longer and sometimes even shorter. If it is a time sensitive purchase, we may be able to accommodate you for a higher price. It is our goal to please each and every one of our customers with the highest standard of service possible. You must realize and accept that we are shipping antique, vintage and quality used furnishings to your home. We cannot control traffic, weather, and acts of God. There will be times when additional patience will be necessary. This is a beautiful and unique seaweed inlaid walnut and mirror secretary...
Category

1930s English Georgian Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Mirror, Satinwood, Walnut

18th Century Double Dome Secretaire
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Glazed secretary in oak from the first part of the 18th century of very good quality with double dome Double dome secretaries are the rarest and ...
Category

18th Century British Georgian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Oak

18th Century Painted Bureau
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Late 18th century English painted oak bureau with fitted interior. 1790. Height to desk is 34". Reference: 7880 Dimensions 41.5 inches (105 cms) Wide 20.5 inches (52 cms) ...
Category

18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Oak

Antique English Mahogany Secretary Bookcase, Circa 1790
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
The image displays an English George III mahogany two-piece secretary cabinet, a fine example of 18th-century craftsmanship. The cabinet is constructed from rich mahogany, a wood cho...
Category

1790s British George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

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

Georgian Style Two Piece Cerused Secretaire Bookcase
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Painted English Georgian style two-piece secretaire bookcase featuring a slant front or drop front desk. The top section has two paneled glass doors opening to a three shelf interior...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Georgian Secretaires

Materials

Brass

George IV Mahogany Secretary Bookcase with Brass Inlay and Ormolu Mounts England
Located in Atlanta, GA
George IV Mahogany Secretary Bookcase with Brass Inlay and Ormolu Mounts, England, circa 1830.
Category

Early 19th Century English George IV Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

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

H.E. SHAW Antique Early 20th Century Mahogany Georgian Secretary Desk
Located in Charlotte, NC
A Georgian style secretary desk by H.E. Shaw Furniture. Mahogany with brass hardware, wood drawer knobs, scroll pediment top with three finials, an e...
Category

Early 20th Century American Georgian Secretaires

Materials

Brass

18th Century George II Miniature Campaign Bureau Chest on Later Chest Stand
Located in Dallas, TX
PRESENTING A GORGEOUS and beautifully proportioned Mid-18th Century George II Miniature Campaign Bureau Chest on later Chest/Stand. Mid-18th century, made in Britain, circa 1760-1770. The bureau chest sits on a later stand/chest, that we estimate is late 19th century, circa 1860-1880. It is also British. We believe that the primary wood in this piece is either Elm or Sycamore with mahogany elements. Classic Campaign style miniature Bureau Chest, with its ORIGINAL George II brass hardware, including handles on the sides for easy carriage, which is what proves to us, that this chest was made for campaign purposes. The brasses are GORGEOUS and are classically George II in style, design and construction. The quality, thickness and patina to the brasses, is what ‘initially’ tells us, that this is a ‘period’ piece and not a reproduction. Likewise, the dovetailing detail to the drawers, tells us that this was a hand crafted piece and certainly NOT machine made. The secondary woods appear to be a combination of oak and pine, exactly as one would expect. The central keyhole escutcheons are FANTASTIC and are in the form of a pair of opposing ‘lyres’. We have never seen anything like them! Beautiful natural patina! The ‘brasses’ look like they have been polished a ‘little too often and vigorously’, over the piece’s 250+ years history … BUT … the bonus of this cleaning is the creation of a rather appealing, '2 Tone effect’, on the patina of the wood around the brasses. The Bureau has a flat gallery...
Category

18th Century English George II Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Unusual 18th-19th Century Continental Secretary Bookcase
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Figured wood veneer, the top with a carved cornice over double doors. They open to two shelves over drawers and cubby holes. A middle frieze with three drawers (lacking a key) over t...
Category

19th Century European Georgian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Antique Stunning circa 1780 Jacobean Hand Carved Bureau Desk with Hunting Scene
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare and highly collectable, ornately carved, circa 1780 Jacobean revival, Antique Library Bureau What a piece! Hand carved from ever...
Category

1780s English George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Oak

Fine and Rare 18th C Georgian Black Lacquered and Chinoiserie Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine and rare 18th century Georgian black lacquered and Chinoiserie decorated elaborate secretary.
Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood

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

Georgian-Inspired Miniature Italian Walnut Secretaire
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This stunning Miniature Italian walnut Secretaire is not only a remarkable piece of furniture but also a tribute to the iconic era of King George I. Inspired by the pieces built during this period, this Secretaire exudes the grandeur and elegance of the Georgian era. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, the Secretaire features exquisite crossbanding of mahogany and Italian walnut that was popular during the Georgian period. The four center drawers and the slant top desk with locks and keys further reflect the practicality and functionality that were hallmarks of furniture built during the time of King George I. French polished in the traditional style, this Secretaire boasts a gleaming finish that brings out the natural beauty of the Italian walnut wood. The slant top desk also reveals four small drawers on top with a center compartment, which is a characteristic feature of Georgian furniture. This miniature Italian Walnut Secretaire is a masterpiece that captures the essence of the Georgian era, making it a valuable addition to any collection of antique or vintage furniture...
Category

Early 2000s Georgian Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany, Walnut

19th Century George III Hepplewhite Cylinder Top Secretary Bookcase
Located in Essex, MA
Period Mahogany George III Hepplewhite Cylinder Top Secretary Bookcase. Tapered Legs. Maple inlaid top. Interior reveal leather writing surface and pigeon hole compartments. Beau...
Category

Early 19th Century English George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany, Maple

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

1930s Georgian Style Painted Chinoiserie Secretary Desk with Bookcase
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a 1930s Georgian style painted chinoiserie secretary desk with open bookcase top. It is predomently gold and red. It does include th...
Category

1930s Italian Georgian Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Paint

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

George III Mahogany Chest on Chest
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine Georgian period mahogany chest on chest, the dentil molded top with reeded canted corners having three short and three wide drawers over lower section having secretary drawer an...
Category

1770s English George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Oak, Pine, Mahogany

Diminutive George III Walnut Block Front Slant Front Bureau Bookcase Cabinet
Located in Germantown, MD
A mid 19th century, fully professionally restored Diminutive George III Walnut And Block Front Slant Front secretary Bureau Bookcase Cabinet in great vintage condition. Restored thro...
Category

Mid-19th Century American George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Walnut

18th Century George II Yew Wood Secretary Bookcase
Located in Essex, MA
Period early 18th century George II Yew Secretary bookcase. Original Mirrors and interior. Integrity throughout. Beautiful compartmented interior. Original carved and gilded framing around mirrors. Retains original extremely high quality Georgian hardware...
Category

Early 18th Century English George II Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut, Yew

Vintage Thomasville Georgian Flame Mahogany Blockfront Secretary Desk
Located in Germantown, MD
This Georgian style traditional block front secretary desk is matched flame grain mahogany is signed Thomasville Original finish in fine c...
Category

Late 20th Century Georgian Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Satinwood Mahogany Secretaire Bookcase Chest Drawers Gillows Lancaster Georgian
Located in Dublin, Ireland
A very fine example of a George III Sheraton Period West Indian Satinwood Secretaire Bookcase of museum quality, firmly attributed to Gillows of Lancaster, England. Last quarter of t...
Category

Late 18th Century Irish Georgian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Satinwood, Mahogany

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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