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Secretaires

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Secretaires For Sale
Style: Louis XVI
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

Antique Louis XVI Style Ormolu and Sèvres Porcelain Mounted Secretaire
Located in London, GB
Antique Louis XVI style ormolu and Sèvres porcelain mounted secretaire French, c. 1840 Height 127cm, width 76cm, depth 37cm This magnificent secretaire was crafted around 1840 from ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Ormolu

Late 18th Century Louis XVI Cylinder Desk with central lock and beautiful patina
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Late 18th Century Cylinder Desk with beautiful Patina, 1800, France Cylinder desk with straight sides, closed in the upper part with a semi-circular flap, with two drawers. The whol...
Category

1790s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Louis XVI Period Secretary - Work From The East - Elm - 18th
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Superb Louis XVI period straight secretary from the end of the 18th century. Work from Eastern France in elm burl, rosewood and rosewood. In the upper part, it has thirteen drawers, ...
Category

Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Ebonized Antique Louis XVI Secretary
Located in Austin, TX
Secretary, drop front desk, from France, of Mahogany in the Louis XVI style. This cabinet is finished in a lustrous museum quality ebonized French polish. There are two lower doors w...
Category

1910s French Louis XVI Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Carrara Marble, 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

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

Late 18th or Early 19th Century Secretary with Hidden Mechanisms, Mahogany
Located in Greven, DE
Antique secretary after designs by Friedrich Gottlob Hoffmann Central German (Leipzig) Mahogany, maple burl around 1800 Dimensions: H x W x D: 144 x 89 x 51 cm Description: The tw...
Category

1790s German Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany, Maple

19th Century Louis XVI Style French Secretaire with Black Marble Top
Located in Houston, TX
In the lavish world of 19th-century French design, the Louis XVI Style Secretaire with a Black Marble Top stands as a masterpiece of sophistication and functionality. Adorned with th...
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19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble

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

Bonheur Du Jour In Amboyna Burl Marquetry And Hard Stone Panels
Located in BARSAC, FR
Sublime Bonheur du jour in Louis XVI style in amboyna burl veneer in rosewood frames and presenting two magnificent vegetal compositions (flowers and red fruits) in hard stones (piet...
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Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble

Louis XVI Style Parquetry, Gilt-Bronze and Lacquer Mounted Petit Secretaire Cabi
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A Fine Louis XVI Style Parquetry, Gilt-Bronze and Lacquer Mounted Petit Secretaire Cabinet, Attributed to Maison Beurdeley. Stamped to the reverse of the bronze mounts to the botto...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

Dutch 18th century Cuban mahogany bombé writing cabinet with glass upstand.
Located in AALSMEER, NL
Very beautiful Cuba flower mahogany writing cabinet with 'S-lid' inlaid with olive green leather. wall cabinet with two (old) glass doors, mirrored flower veneer and carvings on the ...
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Late 17th Century Dutch Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany, Oak

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

Louis XVI Secretaire with Urn Decoration, around 1790
Located in Greding, DE
Louis Seize secretary featuring five drawers and a flat writing flap. Veneered with cherry wood, this secretary is adorned with fire-shaded inlays. The central motif of the laurel wr...
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1790s German Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

Louis XVI Style French Scriban Chest
Located in Austin, TX
Scriban or secretary chest in the Louis XVI style from France. This piece is made of mahogany that has been ebonized and finished with a lustrous French polish. There are two doors t...
Category

1880s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Brass

19th C. Drop Front Desk, Secretary Abattant, with Multiple Wood Marquetry Inlay
Located in Madrid, ES
This handsome Carlos IV style "secretaire-abattant" or drop front desk combines functionality with ample storage space. Top, front and sides feature detailed marquetry inlay in geome...
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Early 19th Century Spanish Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Hardwood, Kingwood, Mahogany

20th Century Inlaid Wood Dutch Louis XVI Style Secretaire, 1960
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Dutch secretaire from the second half of the 20th century. Louis XVI style furniture pleasantly inlaid in walnut, palisander, maple, rosewood, mahogany, burl, ebonized wood and fruitwood. High-leg secretaire equipped with a front drawer and drawer (see photo). Interior complete with 8 small drawers, an open compartment and a large secret compartment (see photo). Desk top with a central stain with a small lack of veneer (see photo). Furniture supported by 4 legs in the shape of an inverted pyramid, wooden upper shelf with some small signs of wear (see photo). Secretaire of excellent proportions and pleasant furnishings, adorned on the front with a female figure inlaid...
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1960s Dutch Louis XVI Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Wood

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...
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Late 18th Century Danish Rococo Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wrought Iron

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 ...
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Late 18th Century Danish Rococo Antique Secretaires

Materials

Oak, Paint

19th Century Louis XVI Country French Secretary Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century Louis XVI Country French Secretary Desk is the epitome of efficiency with style! Artfully hand-crafted from dense, old-growth oak, it features a slant front design wher...
Category

Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Antique Louis XVI Desk Cabinet "bureau à pente"
Located in Senonches, Centre-Val de Loire
Louis XVI style antique desk chest of drawers called "bureau à pente". Three dovetailed drawers, bronze details. On the front opens a tab...
Category

Early 1900s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Louis XVI Mahogany Secrétaire à Abattant Circa 1820, France
Located in Alexandria, VA
This neo-classic fall-front secretary not only has the beauty of Louis XVI style furniture but is very practical for modern living. It is perfect for small spaces, yet still provides a lot of storage and a large desk surface quite suitable for a laptop computer...
Category

Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Bronze

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

c1900 French Antique Louis XVI Style Burl Wood Secretary/ Desk - Petite Size
Located in Opa Locka, FL
c1900 French Antique Louis XVI style Petite Secretary/ Desk. Louis XVI style and made from Exotic Burl Wood. Upper cabinet book storage/ display. Dr...
Category

Early 1900s Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Burl

Louis XVI Period Secretary 18th Century
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A late 18th century ‘secrétaire à abattant’, or drop-leaf desk, in fruit wood. This lovely piece of upright furniture benefits from a wealth of useful storage compartments, both internal and external. The front flap lowers down to become a writing surface, revealing three spacious open shelves and a range of slim drawers suitable for documents or trinkets. Four further external drawers, wide and shallow, and a white marble top, complete the design. The side edges are fluted, with glorious brass, rounded detailing at the top, while the legs are tapering, ending in ‘toupie’ style feet. The ‘secretaire’ was an extremely popular choice in its time, being economical in space and perfectly suited to intellectual activities and letter writing...
Category

18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

Antique French Louis XVI Style Secretaire a Abattant
Located in Sheridan, CO
French Louis XVI style fall front desk, early 20th c. This Secretaire desk features a single drawer over fall front panel, opening to fitted interior gallery, inset leather writing s...
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1910s French Louis XVI Vintage 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

18th Century Louis Seize Rosewood and Walnut Secretaire Secretary
Located in Münster, DE
Diagonal flap secretary Louis Seize, around 1780/90, rosewood, walnut and other precious woods veneered and marquetry, 1 spacious drawer, original fittings, wax polish Dimension...
Category

Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Rosewood, Walnut, Softwood

Louis Seize Secretary around 1800 Nutwood Veneer on Oak
Located in Münster, DE
Cylinder bureau, Westphalia circa 1800, walnut and other fine woods veneered on oak, marquetry work, partly fire shaded, fluting and meander frieze, on the cylinder closure depiction...
Category

Early 1800s German Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Nutwood, Oak

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

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

Verni Martin secrétaire abattant , circa 1880
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality late 19th Century French Louis XVI style secretaries abbattant, having bombe shaped sides, gilded rococo style scrolling ormolu mounts. Wonderful hand painted Ver...
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Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century French Rosewood Inlaid Louis XVI Ladies Desk Bonheur Du Jour
Located in Long Branch, NJ
​19th Century French Rosewood Inlaid Louis XVI Ladies Desk Bonheur Du Jour Dimensions : 30" Wide X 19" Deep X 52.75" Tall This stunning ladies ...
Category

1870s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Rosewood, Satinwood

Louis XVI Style Cerused Oak Secretary Bookcase Writing Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fabulous French secretaire bookcase featuring a pull-out leather writing table or petite desk. Mid-century 2 part case crafted from oak. The chest is fronted by two large storage drawers with patinated brass ring pulls with a ribbon and bow motif. The top of the commode has a pull-out leather writing surface with embossed leather and gilt borders. The leather has a lovely aged patina with craquelure. The case has fluted corners supported by square legs that taper ending with brass sabot feet. The bookcase has two large doors with gilt wire mesh inset opening to a three shelf case. Below the book storage...
Category

20th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Antique French Louis XVI Inlaid Rosewood Secretaire Abattant Desk Dresser, 1880
Located in Portland, OR
A good quality antique French inlaid marquetry Rosewood secretaire abattant, circa 1880. Made from the finest rosewood and of serpentine or bombe shape, with a Carrara marble top, th...
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Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble

French Bureau Plat Around 1900
Located in Heiligenberg, DE
Splendid Bureau Plat veneered with rosewood and decorated with bronze applications, France 19th century. Bureau Plat is in restored condition with shellac polished surface. This ...
Category

1890s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Kingwood

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

French 19th Century Walnut Secrétaire à Abattant
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This wonderful walnut secre´taire a` abattant was constructed in the style of Louis XVI during the 19th century. Topped with a great piece of black and white marble. A single, slim d...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Stone, Marble, Metal, 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 ...
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18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

19th Century George III Style Mahogany Bureau Secretary Bookcase
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a sophisticated and stately Danish secretary bookcase. The partially pierced cornice and a secondary tiered; a shaped cornice over tw...
Category

Early 19th Century Danish Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Louis XVI Cylinder Secretary, Writing Desk, Walnut, circa 1800
Located in Greven, DE
Louis XVI cylinder secretary in walnut, writing desk West Germany Walnut and others Louis XVI around 1800 Dimensions: H x W x D: 112 x 96 x ...
Category

Early 19th Century German Louis XVI 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

Louis XVI Style Secretary Stamped Quignon in Paris
Located in BARSAC, FR
Gustave-Frédéric Quignon Superb Louis XVI style piece of furniture in very finely carved solid mahogany forming a secretary / document holder cabinet. Opening 6 drawers including...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Antique French Louis XVI Secretary Desk Chest Mahogany, Carrara Marble & Bronze
Located in Senonches, Centre-Val de Loire
Antique French Louis XVI mahogany secretary chest of drawers topped with a white Carrara marble, fluted legs finished with golden bronze clogs and thorough dressed in bronze and bras...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Louis XVI Roll Top Desk, France 1780
Located in Belmont, MA
This unique Louis XVI Roll Top Desk was made in France around 1780. The outside of the secretary desk has a kingwood veneer with a gorgeous mar...
Category

1780s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Kingwood, Yew

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

François Linke, Ormolu and Mahogany Secretaire After Riesener
Located in BARSAC, FR
Large Louis XVI style secretaire in mahogany marquetry in frames of light wood and ebony fillets, rich ornamentation of very finely chiseled gilt bronze such as flower garlands, inte...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Ormolu

Very Fine 19th Century French Louis XVI Marquetry Secretaire Abattant by Diehl.
Located in Dallas, TX
A very fine 19th century Louis XVI marquetry inlay secretaire A Abattant by Charles Diehl. Kingwood, satinwood and tulipwood inlay with fine gilt bronze ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

Louis XVI Secretary in Mahogany Called Bonheur Du Jour
Located in Brussels, Brussels
lovely and rare bonheur du jour Louis XVI in mahogany from the end of the 18th century. Very beautiful little secretary in mahogany with its...
Category

18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

French 19th Century Inlay Lady’s Desk
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This is a darling petite lady’s writing desk from France circa 1850. Sleek and uncluttered design, typical of its Louis XVI style. A wonderful white marble top is encircled by an ele...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Stone, Marble, Metal, Brass

French Louis XVI Secretaire Abattant / Secretary desk, circa 1800
Located in Lucenec, SK
The secrétaire à abbatant or fall front desk is nearly identical to the desk 5th President James Monroe brought back from France in 1797. These desks are ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Late 18th Century German Louis XVI Secretary, Walnut, Marquetry, Cylinder Desk
Located in Greven, DE
Louis XVI cylinder desk with marquetry Germany (Westphalia) Walnut etc. Classicism around 1795 Dimensions: H x W x D: 118 x 116 x 62 cm Description: Beautiful writing fur...
Category

Late 18th Century German Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Maple, Oak, Walnut

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

19th Century Country French Louis XVI Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century Country French Louis XVI Secretary represents the essence of efficiency with a flair for style! Hand-crafted from solid oak, i...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Impressive Rolling Secretary in Louis XVI, 20th Century, Mahogany
Located in Berlin, DE
Impressive rolling secretary in Louis XVI, 20th Century. Scroll function with a Watteau painting, signed. Extendable writing surface covered with leather. Rich marquetry on the si...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Large Secretaire With Flap In Marquetry, Late 19th Century
By Jean-François Oeben
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Massive secretaire with flap in marquetry of cubes on the doors and sides and bronzes (partly gilded): the flap covered with leather inside opens on...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

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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