Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE
Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe mid-century modern American furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.
Postwar American architects and designers were animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist “International Style” architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the ’30s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale, in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.
Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for, respectively, pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair. George Nelson and his design team created Bubble lamp shades using a new translucent polymer skin. Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were re-purposed: the Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs that used surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.
As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century designers caught the spirit.
Classically-oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb — who designed holistic groups of sleek, blonde-wood furniture — and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.
As the collection of vintage mid-century modern American furniture on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.
137
to
8
70
65
137
102
87
74
66
64
53
50
34
31
23
19
15
7
5
4
2
1
137
105
13
3
7
31
34
12
1
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
124
51
34
33
21
137
137
137
108
43
37
26
19
6
6
5
4
4
Style: Mid-Century Modern
Guillerme et Chambron, Oak Drop Front Secretary, France, Mid-20th Century
Located in New York, NY
This midcentury, polished light oak secretary by the celebrated French designer Robert Guillerme, was created as part of a line of design he produced for the company Votre Maison. Wh...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Italian Mid-Century Teak Wood Sideboard with Secretaire by Vittorio Dassi, 1950s
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Stunning sideboard crafted with a gorgeous material like as warm teakwood, finished with brass details, and its uniqueness is given by the presence of a drop-leaf door on the right s...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Vintage Danish Filing Cabinet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Handsome vintage Danish Modern filing cabinet. This piece features teak woodgrain, inset handles, a locking mechanism w/ keys and plenty of storage for all of your filing needs. Plea...
Category
1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Gianfranco Frattini Mod. 804 Rolltop Desk
Located in Munich, DE
Walnut writing desk model 804 designed in 1961 by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini, Italy. Tambour top that hides small drawers and a pull out leather writing surface. Front side with...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Italian Mahogany Cabinet Secretary, 1950s
Located in Meda, MB
Precious cabinet secretary produced in Italy in the 1950s,
The whole cabinet is veneered in mahogany with a fine solid wood carving in the center of the two doors representing two b...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany, Maple
Danish Modern Walnut Secretary Desk
Located in Pasadena, TX
Danish Modern Walnut Secretary Standing Desk
Pull down cabinet that can serve as standing desk
One shelf
Four solid walnut tapered legs
Category
1960s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Teak
Mid Century Bentwood Desk by Paul Goldman for Plymold 1946
By Paul Goldman
Located in Oakland, CA
Streamlined midcentury desk of Bentwood construction by designer Paul Goldman for Plymold. This unique and beautiful treatment of wood furniture was developed by Goldman, a master bo...
Category
1940s North American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Bentwood
Pull-Out Desk Top Borge Mogensen Danish Teak Bookcase Tambour Door Secretary
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Borge Mogensen early Mid-Century Modern Danish teak desk. The stately piece has a deep red-orange patina from over half a century of age. No press board composite material on this. I...
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Teak
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage modern writing desk featured in rich walnut grain. This desk sits on sleek tapered legs and has three spacious drawers. This would be a perfect addition to any creative space...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Danish Rosewood Secretaire Bookcase by Johannes Sorth, 1965
Located in Richmond, Surrey
Mid-Century Modern Danish rosewood secretaire bookcase by Johannes Sorth, 1965
This stunning Rosewood Secretaire / bookcase was designed by Johannes Sorth in Denmark in the 1960s ...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Rosewood
French Midcentury Ebonised Secretaire
Located in London, GB
An elegant French midcentury ebonised bureau, with three drawers and a fall front desk. With swag shaped brass handles, a decorative key and star motif to the door.
Category
1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Guy Lefevre 70s Green Chestofdrawers, Secretaire, Lacquer Roche Bobois
By Guy Lefevre
Located in Valladolid, ES
One of a Kind design piece, exclusive for its shapes, size, finish and colour. It is a tall chest of drawers or secretaire made of chartreuse or Carthusian green lacquered wood, a 19...
Category
1970s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Antonino Gorgone Midcentury Secretaire / Desk Cabinet, Italy, circa 1950
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Italian midcentury writing desk / secretaire in Italian cherry. It has an extractable writing leaf.
Designer: Stabilimenti Napoli
Manufacturer: Antonino Gorgone
Country: Italy
Mo...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Cherry
Drop-Leaf Desk with Its Seat and Visitor’s Stool by Jacques Adnet
Located in Brussels, BE
Rare drop-leaf desk with black leather-covered letter holder accompanied by its seat and visitor's stool.
X-shaped base in brass in imitation of bamboo contrasting with the covering...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Secretary by Alfred Hendrickx for Belform, 1960s
Located in Lasne, BE
Wooden secretary, metal base, one flap and 2 doors. Wear and tear due to time and the age of the furniture. Measure: Depth of open flap 81cm.
Category
1960s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Metal
Rare 3-Piece Vanity Dresser Set Designed by Paul Mccobb Calvin Group
By Paul McCobb
Located in San Diego, CA
A very rare set of 3 pieces vanity and 2 dressers designed by Paul Mccobb for the Calvin Group, circa 1950s with brass legs and brass details the vanity sits in the middle of the 2 d...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Cabinet Secretary Desk by Cees Braakman
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Wonderful piece from the Birch - series with the distinctive laced legs. Designed by Cees Braakman for Pastoe in the early 1950's. Bookcase with 2 shelves and a drop-down desktop wit...
Category
1950s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Birch
Birch Series Cabinet Secretaire BB04 by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, 1950s
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Appeltern, Gelderland
Cabinet or secretaire (BB04) from the birch series designed by Cees Braakman and produced by Pastoe. If features bentwood legs and it can be used as a desk with the door down.
Di...
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Birch
Mid-Century Teak Danish Desk/Bureau by Gunnar Nielsen Tibergaard, 1960s
Located in Chesham, GB
A teak Danish Bureau by Gunnar Nielsen Tibergaard, which features two drawers and a locked pull out desk with compartments.
Designer - Gunnar Nielsen Tibergaard
Design Period -...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Teak
Walnut Mid Century Modern Drop Down Desk Secretary
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Square and straigh lines Mid Century Danish modern drop down front secretary desk with large Art Deco style Pulls and storage cabinet on the bottom.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Aluminum
Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini Secrétaire and Wall Shelves
Located in London, GB
An Italian secrétaire with three wall shelves by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini. In rosewood veneer, with brass handles and key and brushed gold legs.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Beech
Solid Oak Cabinet and Desk by Guillerme et Chambron, Edition Votre Maison
Located in Wiesbaden, DE
Elegant and rare desk, Bureau and cabinet by French designers Guillerme and Chambron featuring leather straps holding the desk tray. Chest of 4 drawers in overall good vintage condit...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Oak
1950's Secretary Cabinet with Shelves, Fully Adjustable, Teak, Zebra Wood, Italy
Located in Girona, ES
Secretary cabinet with shelves, two solid teak blocks with teak veneer and blackened steel, fully adjustable, zebra wood inside, shellac finishing. Polished brass hardware.
Italy ...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Brass, Steel
Wide Erling Torvits Secretary Desk in Rosewood
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Denmark
Designer: Erling Torvits
Manufacturer: Klim Møbelfabrik
Era: 1960s
Materials: Rosewood
Measurements: 41? wide x 18.5? deep x 47.5? tall
Condition:
In excelle...
Category
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Rosewood
Tall Mid-Century Highboy Drop Front Secretary
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Unique highboy dresser with burl wood drop font writing surface with fitted insert. Additional storage drawers above and below. Please confirm item location (NY or NJ) with dealer.
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Walnut, Burl
Mid Century Secretary Desk, Denmark 1960s
Located in Herentals, BE
Danish secretary-desk in blond oak 1960s
At the bottom there is a cupboard element with 2 doors and 1 shelf inside.
1 drop leaf shelf in the middle of the secretary and a open spac...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Erling Torvits Rosewood Secretary Desk #2
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Denmark
Designer: Erling Torvits
Manufacturer: Klim Møbelfabrik
Era: 1960s
Materials: Teak
Measurements: 41? wide x 18.5? deep x 48? tall
Desk: 39? wide x 15? deep x 29...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Teak
Andre Cordemeijer 5600 Secretary Cabinets Gispen Culemborg the Netherlands, 1962
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Very nice secretary cabinets from the famous 5600 modular series designed by Andre Cordemeijer and manufactured by Gispen Culemborg, The Netherlands, 1962. These cabinets are one of ...
Category
1960s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Metal
American of Martinsville Secretary Dresser
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern American of Martinsville drop down secretary dresser with louvered front drawers.
Please confirm item location (NJ or NY).
Category
1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Scandinavian Wooden Secretary by Arne Vodder, 1960s
By Arne Vodder
Located in Brussels, BE
Scandinavian wooden secretary by Arne Vodder, 1960s.
Category
1960s Scandinavian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Gordon Russell Bureau Desk, 1938, Stunning Original and Unique Piece
Located in London, GB
Gordon Russell, c. 1938
Bureau (desk, secretaire)
Walnut with brass and chrome fittings.
Original metal label to rear.
This is a rare item and a superb example of the best of B...
Category
1930s British Vintage Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Walnut, Wood
Japanese Series Highboard by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, the Netherlands, 1960s
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Appeltern, Gelderland
Dutch vintage design cabinet CU01 designed by Cees Braakman for Pastoe, 1958. This design from the Japanese series is one of the top pieces from Pastoe's history. The warm teak and t...
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Teak
Rosewood Bar Cabinet or Secretaire by Cees Braakman for Pastoe CT69
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Rosewood veneer bar cabinet on metal legs. Designed in The Netherlands by Cees Braakman for Pastoe in 1959.
Cees Braakman was a Dutch furniture designer who worked for UMS Pastoe i...
Category
1950s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Metal
Mid-Century Italian Secretary
Located in Austin, TX
Desk with drop front from Italy made of rosewood and black lacquered steel legs with brass hardware and feet. There are two dovetailed drawers and an interior shelf.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Brass, Steel
Unusual Mid-Century Modern Drexel Two-Piece Hutch
By Drexel
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A beautiful vintage modern wall unit that consists of two pieces. A unique design that offers plenty of storage without sacrificing style. Sturdy construction, elegant walnut wood gr...
Category
1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Raymond Loewy for Mengel Highboy Secretary Dresser, circa 1955, Restored, Signed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A desirable and rare fully restored highboy secretary dresser by Raymond Loewy for Mengel, circa 1955, comprised of a drop-front secretary with pullout / pull-out storage drawer, cub...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Oak
High Teak Vintage Secretaire, 1960s
By Bornholm Møbelfabrik
Located in Elshout, NL
This tall Danish chest of shelves with pull out desk is made from a pressed wood teak veneer composite. Made late 60s this chest of shelves was aimed for city folk that needed to com...
Category
1970s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Teak
1980s Rud Thygesen and Johnny Sørensen Desk and Chair, Denmark
Located in Praha, CZ
- Made of Mahogany
- Very good original condition with minor signs of use
- The dimensions of chairs : Total height 88cm Seat height 59cm width: 45cm depth 51cm.
Category
1980s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Mid-Century Modern Wooden Secretary Desk, Italy, 1970s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern wooden secretary desk, Italy, 1970s.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Danish Modern Teak Pull Out Desk Secretary or Bachelor Chest Bookcase Bow Front
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice Danish modern cabinet pull-out desk secretary.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Teak
Danish Modern Teak Secretaire, 1960s
Located in Nibe, Nordjylland
Danish modern teak secretaire, 1960s
Very versatile piece of Mid-Century Modern Danish design, elegant and suitable for many uses.
This secretary has a lower section with four wid...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Teak
Danish Modern Teak Secretary Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rare and unique secretary desk finished in Teak. This Danish modern style secretary desk features 1 drawer and multiple shelves to file away paperwork and desk accessories. When not ...
Category
1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Teak
Mid-Century Modern Bookcase with Secretary Desk by Heywood Wakefield
Located in Burbank, CA
Amazing Mid-Century Modern bookcase with secretary desk manufactured by Heywood Wakefield in the United States, circa 1950s. This bookcase belongs to the "Encore" line and is identif...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Maple
Cees Braakman for Pastoe "P5" Jacaranda Secretaire
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cees Braakman for Pastoe Jacaranda wood secretaire with drop down desk or dry bar and light with original wiring. Lightly refinished exterior with signature curve drawer interior. To...
Category
1960s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Metal
Vintage Leather Secretary
Located in Austin, TX
Secrétaire, French, Mid-Century Modern made of cherry wood covered with lambskin leather and decorated with brass nails throughout. The drop front offers a large writing surface with...
Category
1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Guillerme et Chambron, Oak Drop Front Secretary, France, Mid-20th Century
Located in New York, NY
This midcentury, polished light oak secretary by the celebrated French designer Robert Guillerme, was created as part of a line of design he produced for the company Votre Maison. Th...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Poul Hundevad Rosewood - Drop Desk - Wall Unit Bookcase
By Poul Havgaard
Located in Wallkill, NY
Stunning rose wood book case or desk. Sliding door on the bottom with file draw and shelving. Two pieces. Top is shelves with a locked drop down desk on the right. Measures: Top is 5...
Category
1960s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Midcentury Wall Unit
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stylish midcentury free-standing wall unit with shelving. Please confirm item location with dealer (NJ or NY).
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Guillerme et Chambron Secretary in Solid Oak
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme et Chambron, secretary, oak, France, 1960s
A secretary equipped with a drop-down door that transforms the panel into a writing space. The upper and bottom part of the cons...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Erling Torvits Rosewood Secretary Desk
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Denmark
Designer: Erling Torvits
Manufacturer: Klim Møbelfabrik
Era: 1960s
Materials: Teak
Measurements: 41? wide x 18.5? deep x 48? tall
Desk: 39? wide x 15? deep x 29...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Teak
Beaver + Tapley Narrow Secretary Desk in Mahogany
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Denmark
Designer: Unknown
Manufacturer: Beaver + Tapley
Era: 1960s
Materials: Teak
Measurements: 30" wide x 11" deep x 39.5" tall, Desk: 28? wide x 16? deep x 27? tall
...
Category
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Teak
Belmondo Mahogany Cabinet with Shelves and Drawers in High Gloss Finish, 1970
By Novy Domov
Located in Praha, CZ
"BELMONDO" mark was used for high class furniture in 1970s in Czechoslovakia. Made by Novy domov in Spisska Nova Ves, marked.
Lightly used, high gloss finish on mahogany veneer is s...
Category
1970s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Wall Mounted Secretaire by Tjerk Reijenga for Pilastro
Located in Dronten, NL
Minimalist wall system by Reijenga for Pilastro.
Two shelves and a drop down desktop in beige.
The desk has a hidden light behind front panel.
For tiny house owning Dutch design l...
Category
1950s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Steel
1940's Italian Secretaire with Reverse Painted Glass
Located in Hingham, MA
Golden birch veneered drop front secretary desk with three drawers and reverse painted glass panel of stylized Egyptian women and a charioteer similar to a design by Osvaldo Borsani ...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Birch
1950 Compact Home Office Desk in Mahogany and Blond Wood
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
1950 compact home office desk in mahogany and blond wood.
Original lamp.
Interesting desk storage.
114 x 82 x 53 cm closed.
114 x 164 x 50 cm open.
Category
1950s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany, Sycamore
Vintage Danish Modern Teak Bookcase Cabinet and Secretary Desk by Domino Mobler
Located in Lafayette, IN
Vintage Danish Modern teak bookcase cabinet and secretary desk by Domino Mobler.
Cabinet Features:
Beautiful teak Veneer
Open Upper Shelves w/ 11.25" Shelf Depth
Fold-Down De...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Teak
Chinoiserie Black Lacquered Breakfront Sideboard China Cabinet Secretary
Located in West Hartford, CT
Elegant and sought after two piece chinoiserie black lacquered breakfront by Union National, NY circa 1950's. Come with top and bottom and is electrified. Features handpainted red in...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Wood, Lacquer
1940s Italian Secretaire a Cantù
Located in Hingham, MA
Rare and very unusual piece of Italian modern design.
Vintage 1940s Italian bow-fronted secretary in walnut with seven drawers with brass ring pulls.
The curved drawer faces are appl...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Goatskin, Walnut
