Skip to main content

Baroque Secretaires

BAROQUE STYLE

The decadence of the Baroque style, in which ornate furnishings were layered against paneled walls, painted ceilings, stately chandeliers and, above all, gilding, expressed the power of the church and monarchy through design that celebrated excess. And its influence was omnipresent — antique Baroque furniture was created in the first design style that truly had a global impact.

Theatrical and lavish, Baroque was prevalent across Europe from the 17th to mid-18th century and spread around the world through colonialism, including in Asia, Africa and the Americas. While Baroque originated in Italy and achieved some of its most fantastic forms in the late-period Roman Baroque, it was adapted to meet the tastes and materials in each region. French Baroque furniture informed Louis XIV style and added drama to Versailles. In Spain, the Baroque movement influenced the elaborate Churrigueresque style in which architecture was dripping with ornamental details. In South German Baroque, furniture was made with bold geometric patterns.

Compared to Renaissance furniture, which was more subdued in its proportions, Baroque furniture was extravagant in all aspects, from its shape to its materials.

Allegorical and mythical figures were often sculpted in the wood, along with motifs like scrolling floral forms and acanthus leaves that gave the impression of tangles of dense foliage. Novel techniques and materials such as marquetry, gesso and lacquer — which were used with exotic woods and were employed by cabinetmakers such as André-Charles Boulle, Gerrit Jensen and James Moore — reflected the growth of international trade. Baroque furniture characteristics include a range of decorative elements — a single furnishing could feature everything from carved gilded wood to gilt bronze, lending chairs, mirrors, console tables and other pieces a sense of motion.

Find a collection of authentic antique Baroque tables, lighting, decorative objects and other furniture on 1stDibs.

1
68
1
to
15
34
34
69
69
69
177
112
110
92
81
73
56
29
27
26
26
14
9
4
3
1
1
53
11
4
1
1
2
1
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
67
31
11
10
9
63
18
17
9
5
3
1
1
1
Style: Baroque
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 Antique Baroque 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 Antique Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Brass

18th Century German Baroque Secretary with Marquetry and Patina, circa 1750
Located in Greven, DE
Baroque secretary with impressive marquetry Southwest Germany Walnut a.o. around 1750 Dimensions: H x W x D: 211 x 127 x 65 cm Description: Antique top-mounted secretary from the ...
Category

Mid-18th Century German Antique Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Fruitwood, Maple, Walnut

Danish Blue Painted Baroque Cabinet Bureau / Secretaire
Located in Kastrup, DK
18th Century Danish Baroque period secretary cabinet in two parts. Crafted in oak, painted in a beautiful blue color and a dark grey interior. Upper cabinet with curved crown and a ...
Category

Mid-18th Century Danish Antique Baroque 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 Antique Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Wood

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 Antique Baroque 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 Antique Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Wood

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 Antique Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Wood

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 Antique Baroque 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 Antique Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Brass

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 Antique Baroque 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 Antique Baroque 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 Antique Baroque 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 Antique Baroque 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 Antique Baroque 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 Antique Baroque 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 Antique Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Nutwood

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 Antique Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Nutwood

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 Antique Baroque 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 Antique Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Wood

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 Antique Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Oak

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 Antique Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

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 Antique Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Paint

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 Antique Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Wood

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 Antique Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

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 Antique Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Pine

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 Antique Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

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 Antique Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

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 Antique Baroque 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 Antique Baroque 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 Antique Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Brass

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 Antique Baroque 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 Antique Baroque Secretaires

Materials

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 Antique Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Nutwood

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 Antique Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

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 Antique Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Antique 18th Century Dutch Oak Drop Front Bombe Secretary Desk Secretaire
Located in Casteren, NL
A beautiful Dutch Baroque style secretary with a 3-drawer bombe front and carved ball and claw feet. The drop front opens up to reveal an oak writing area and stepped drawers...
Category

Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Brass

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 Antique Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Precious Stone, Wood

Baroque Secretary Desk, Switzerland 1750, Walnut
Located in Belmont, MA
Baroque secretary desk, Switzerland, 1750. This gorgeous baroque secretary desk stands out for its very pretty walnut veneer. The writing flap opens...
Category

1750s Swiss Antique Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Italian Baroque Ebonized and Eglomise Bureau Cabinet
Located in Essex, MA
Slightly arched top that may have held a bust at some point, over a middle section with drawers with reverse painted panels with scenes of ancient towns and ruins with a central mirr...
Category

1690s Italian Antique Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Pine

18th Century Spanish Colonial Vargueno Set on a 19th Century Mission Chest
Located in Hudson, NY
This interesting two-part piece of furniture is an example of the Spanish dominion over the Americas during the global colonization associated with Empire and trade supremacy. The to...
Category

Mid-18th Century Mexican Antique Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

18th-19th Century Grey Russian Two Part Bureau - Antique Baroque Oak Secretaire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 18th - 19th Century, antique Russian two part bureau made of hand crafted painted Oakwood, designed and produced by an unknown carpenter from St. Petersburg, in good condition. The vintage secretaire...
Category

Late 18th Century Russian Antique Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Antique 18th Century Dutch Marquetry Inlaid Burr Walnut Bombe Slope-Front Bureau
Located in Charleston, SC
Finest antique Dutch marquetry inlaid burr walnut bombe' shape slope-front bureau with exceptional fitted interior and baize writing surface Please note extraordinary cast brass h...
Category

Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Flemish Style Bombe Secretary Bookcase by Marge Carson
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A large and flamboyant cabinet in the Flemish style, by Marge Carson, Inc., 2004. In a fine distressed ecru with gilt trim finish. The scrolled crest rail with a shell center over double textured glass...
Category

Early 2000s American Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Wood

Antique Baroque Style Top Desk Fully Inlaid
Located in Berlin, DE
With rich marquetry in this version, it is very rare to find such a similar piece of furniture. The cupboard stands on paw feet, high-quality maceteria inlays on all sides, i.e. inla...
Category

20th Century Italian Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Wood

17th Century Spanish Vargueno with Decoupage Exterior on Baroque Style Base
Located in Milford, NH
An exceptional Spanish vargueno or collector cabinet with a sophisticated assemblage of decorated drawers and cabinets on the interior with columnar accents. The exterior with except...
Category

17th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Wrought Iron

19th Century Venetian Secretary Bookcase with Painted Scenes and Floral Sprays
Located in Miami, FL
A very lovely painted green and yellow Italian fall-front secretary bookcase in the Venetian Baroque style with arched doors painted with 18th century-style scenes with figures in a garden landscape amid Roman ruins. Gold relief-work with acanthus leaves and rocaille create cartouches throughout the piece that are embellished with floral swags, as on the arched bonnet, the fall-front, the bottom drawers and the sides. The desk top opens...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Paint

Italian Olive Burl Wood Bombe Secretary Vanity with Display Top & Matching Chair
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous Italian bombe drop front secretary cabinet in olive wood with the matching chair. Bookcase top with Two drawers with brass hardware and exquisite cabriole legs. Expert craft...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Brass

18th Century, Italian Inlaid Wood Chest of Drawers with Secretaire
Located in IT
18th century, Italian inlaid wood chest of drawers with secretaire This chest of drawers with secretaire represents the elegant pr...
Category

Early 18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Baroque Walnut Secretaire, 18th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Italian secretaire standing on bracket feet with four drawers and trapezoidal top with an inclined flap. The walnut veneer is contrasted with panel-shaped frames and decorated with a...
Category

18th Century European Antique Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

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 Antique Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Danish Baroque Oakwood Bureau with Iron Handles, Late 18th Century
Located in Virum, DK
A Danish Baroque oakwood bureau with iron handles, late 18th century.
Category

Late 18th Century Danish Antique Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Oak

19th Century Large German Baroque Style Secretary a Deux Corps
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
Large German Provincial Baroque secretary a Deux corps from the Eifel region. Probably a one-off production from the 19th century. Solidly handcrafted from different types of wood (i...
Category

Early 19th Century German Antique Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Hardwood, Maple, Pine, Oak

18th Century Danish Late Baroque Secretaire
Located in Mjöhult, SE
Fine 18th century Danish late Baroque secretaire in its original finish with three drawers in the bottom half. The desk compartment features four drawers ...
Category

18th Century Danish Antique Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Frisian Baroque Oakwood Bureau, Mid-18th Century
Located in Virum, DK
The Frisian bureau is in excellent condition with bracket feet and curved front on either side. It still retains the original brass hardware drawer pulls...
Category

Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Oak

18th Centurey Baroque Walnut Tabernacle / Secretaire
Located in Darmstadt, DE
The Tabernacle Secretaire is divided into 3 parts. The upper part has a door with a snap lock in the middle, in this compartment the three small drawers on the right and left side c...
Category

18th Century Austrian Antique Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Baroque secretaires for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Baroque secretaires for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage secretaires created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, walnut and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Baroque secretaires made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and Germany pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original secretaires, popular names associated with this style include Europa Antiques, Bassano's Ebanisteria, Ferdinando Pogliani, and Marge Carson. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for secretaires differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $2,195 and tops out at $154,144 while the average work can sell for $11,055.

Recently Viewed

View All