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Rococo Secretaires

ROCOCO STYLE

Rococo was an aesthetic movement in the fine and decorative arts in the 18th century that found its inspiration in nature and fostered an overall lightness and delicacy of form, construction and ornament in interior design. Rococo furniture, while greatly influenced by trends in Italy and Germany, is often called Louis XV style — the movement having reached its best expression during that sybaritic French king’s reign.

The term “rococo” is thought to be a portmanteau of the French words rocaille and coquilles — “rock” and “shells” — organic motifs frequently used in architecture and design of the style.

When it comes to authentic Rococo furniture's characteristics, it is above all sensuous and social. The furniture of earlier eras in Europe had been heavy in every sense; the Rococo period saw the appearance of light-framed upholstered armchairs, side chairs and occasional tables that could easily be moved to form conversational circles.

The signal detail of Rococo furniture design is the gently curved cabriole, or S-shaped chair-, table-, and cabinet-leg. It imitates the bend of a tree limb or a flower stem. In a further reference to nature, furnishings were often asymmetrical and painted white, or in soft, pastel shades. Rococo has become a timeless style, and as the furniture pieces presented on 1stDibs demonstrate, its playful, sculptural forms can provide visual excitement to contemporary, clean-lined spaces.

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Style: Rococo
Early 19th Century Danish Black Painted Secretary Bureau
Early 19th Century Danish Black Painted Secretary Bureau

Early 19th Century Danish Black Painted Secretary Bureau

Located in Round Top, TX

Late 18th-century Danish bureau or secretary featuring a newer professionally applied black layered painted finish, lightly distressed to reveal natural oak beneath and suit the age ...

Category

Early 19th Century Danish Antique Rococo Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Danish 18th Century Rococo Secretary, c.1760
Danish 18th Century Rococo Secretary, c.1760

Danish 18th Century Rococo Secretary, c.1760

Located in Atlanta, GA

A Danish secretary dating to the 18th century , in the Rococo style. Finished in a soft grey and with a blush grey interior painted surface. The proportions and construction reflect...

Category

18th Century Danish Antique Rococo Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Late 18th Century Oak Secretary Bureau Painted Black, Denmark
Late 18th Century Oak Secretary Bureau Painted Black, Denmark

Late 18th Century Oak Secretary Bureau Painted Black, Denmark

Located in Round Top, TX

This oak rococo secretary reflects the style and functionality of the late 1700's in Sweden. The traditional interior with 8 unique, small drawers and central “cubbie” (with addition...

Category

Late 18th Century Danish Antique Rococo Secretaires

Materials

Oak, Paint

Majestic Blue painted Rococo Bureau / Secretary
Majestic Blue painted Rococo Bureau / Secretary

Majestic Blue painted Rococo Bureau / Secretary

Located in Kastrup, DK

A Rococo secretary desk with a cabinet or bookcase top, beautifully painted in blue with a black-painted interior. This piece consists of two sections: Upper section consists of a c...

Category

Mid-18th Century Danish Antique Rococo Secretaires

Materials

Metal, Brass

Secretary Swedish Rococo. Black
Secretary Swedish Rococo. Black

Secretary Swedish Rococo. Black

Located in Kastrup, DK

Elegant Swedish Rococo Secretary Desk in Black-Painted Pine. Executed in a beautiful and characteristic Rococo style with a wavy body, sides, and back. The slanting writing flap with...

Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Secretaires

Materials

Brass, Iron

Danish Blue Painted Rococo Secretary Desk in the Manner of Mathias Ortmann
Danish Blue Painted Rococo Secretary Desk in the Manner of Mathias Ortmann

Danish Blue Painted Rococo Secretary Desk in the Manner of Mathias Ortmann

Located in Kastrup, DK

Beautiful Danish Rococo secretary desk executed in the manner of cabinetmaker Mathias Ortmann (1692–1757). The piece features an attractive, slightly dusty blue paint with fine patin...

Category

Mid-18th Century Danish Antique Rococo Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

Late 18th Century Blue Swedish Oak Secretary Bureau
Late 18th Century Blue Swedish Oak Secretary Bureau

Late 18th Century Blue Swedish Oak Secretary Bureau

Located in Round Top, TX

Late 18th Century Blue Swedish Oak Secretary Bureau Late 18th-century Swedish oak secretary bureau featuring a tall, elegant form with a graceful carved curved crown and three large ...

Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Oak, Paint

Early 19th Century Tall Swedish Black Secretary Bureau
Early 19th Century Tall Swedish Black Secretary Bureau

Early 19th Century Tall Swedish Black Secretary Bureau

Located in Round Top, TX

Late 19th-century 8' tall Swedish oak bureau or secretary featuring a newer professionally applied black layered painted finish, lightly distressed to reveal natural oak beneath and ...

Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Secretaires

Materials

Brass

19th c. Swedish Bureau Desk / Secretary in Original Paint
19th c. Swedish Bureau Desk / Secretary in Original Paint

19th c. Swedish Bureau Desk / Secretary in Original Paint

Located in Wichita, KS

A Swedish bureau secretary with a scalloped base in original paint. Circa 1870. Behind the drop-down desk there are three graduated drawers on either side of a center pigeon hole wit...

Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Paint

Swedish Rococo Style Secretary Hutch
Swedish Rococo Style Secretary Hutch

Swedish Rococo Style Secretary Hutch

Located in Hollywood, FL

This is a unique Swedish Rococo Secretary Hutch. Its been restored and repainted with Milk paints "Mint Green" its 2 piece, top and bottom. desk height when open 25" from the ...

Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Rococo Secretaires

Materials

Pine

Early 19th Century White Danish Oak Secretary Bureau
Early 19th Century White Danish Oak Secretary Bureau

Early 19th Century White Danish Oak Secretary Bureau

Located in Round Top, TX

Early 19th-century Danish oak secretary bureau with a newer professionally applied antique white painted exterior finish and a contrasting muted gray interior. The serpentine front e...

Category

Early 19th Century Danish Antique Rococo Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Superb Period 1780s era Italian Tombstone Paint Decorated Secretary Desk
Superb Period 1780s era Italian Tombstone Paint Decorated Secretary Desk

Superb Period 1780s era Italian Tombstone Paint Decorated Secretary Desk

Located in Swedesboro, NJ

Elevate your interior with this Superb Period 1780s Italian Tombstone Paint Decorated Secretary Desk, a rare and stunning example of 18th-century Italian craftsmanship. Featuring its...

Category

1780s Italian Antique Rococo Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Venetian Rococo Style Walnut Secretary Lacquered by Ira Yeager
Venetian Rococo Style Walnut Secretary Lacquered by Ira Yeager

Venetian Rococo Style Walnut Secretary Lacquered by Ira Yeager

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 Antique Rococo Secretaires

Materials

Brass

18th Century Danish Oak Secretary Bureau, Painted Black
18th Century Danish Oak Secretary Bureau, Painted Black

18th Century Danish Oak Secretary Bureau, Painted Black

Located in Round Top, TX

18th-century Danish oak secretary with a newer professionally applied layered black exterior finish and a contrasting dusky blue interior with gray undertones. The surface is lightly...

Category

18th Century Danish Antique Rococo Secretaires

Materials

Oak

Turn of the 18th -19th C. Swedish Rococo Style Slant Front Secretary w/ Drawers
Turn of the 18th -19th C. Swedish Rococo Style Slant Front Secretary w/ Drawers

Turn of the 18th -19th C. Swedish Rococo Style Slant Front Secretary w/ Drawers

Located in Atlanta, GA

A late 18th century-early 19th century Rococo style slant front painted fir Swedish secretary with bonnet top, two doors and multiple drawers. The doors open up on inner shelves, inc...

Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Secretaires

Materials

Fir

Travel Secretary Rococo
Travel Secretary Rococo

Travel Secretary Rococo

Located in New York, NY

A travel secretary with position. Made in Sweden during the Rococo period 1750-1775. Made from oak. Three drawers, a writing disc and compartements. Later painted and later fittings.

Category

Mid-18th Century Antique Rococo Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Italian Rococo Oyster Burl Secretary Cabinet / Desk
Italian Rococo Oyster Burl Secretary Cabinet / Desk

Italian Rococo Oyster Burl Secretary Cabinet / Desk

Located in Queens, 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 Antique Rococo Secretaires

Materials

Metal, Brass

18th Century Louis XV Provincial Walnut Secretaire
18th Century Louis XV Provincial Walnut Secretaire

18th Century Louis XV Provincial Walnut Secretaire

Located in New York, NY

Of unusually large scale; the upper section with arched cornice over a pair of wire-inset doors opening to fabric lined interior fitted with shelves; the lower section with a slant f...

Category

Mid-18th Century French Antique Rococo Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Swedish Rocco Style Secratery Hutch
Swedish Rocco Style Secratery Hutch

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 Vintage Rococo Secretaires

Materials

Pine

18th Century Painted Oak Secretary, Denmark
18th Century Painted Oak Secretary, Denmark

18th Century Painted Oak Secretary, Denmark

Located in Round Top, TX

This striking oak secretary is an elegant statement piece with paneled doors, crown and three large lower serpentine drawers. The entire secretary has been given a professional custo...

Category

Mid-18th Century Danish Antique Rococo Secretaires

Materials

Brass

18th century Rococo Secretary Desk, Germany 1750
18th century Rococo Secretary Desk, Germany 1750

18th century Rococo Secretary Desk, Germany 1750

Located in Leimen, DE

Exquisite Antique Rococo Secretary Desk, Germany, c. 1750 A true collector’s gem, this Rococo secretary desk from Germany, circa 1750, embodies 18th-century elegance and craftsmanshi...

Category

1750s German Antique Rococo Secretaires

Materials

Kingwood

Late 18th Century Danish Black Painted Oak Secretary Bureau
Late 18th Century Danish Black Painted Oak Secretary Bureau

Late 18th Century Danish Black Painted Oak Secretary Bureau

Located in Round Top, TX

Late 18th-century Danish oak bureau or secretary featuring a newer professionally applied black layered painted finish, lightly distressed to reveal natural oak beneath and suit the ...

Category

Late 18th Century Danish Antique Rococo Secretaires

Materials

Brass

18th Century Swedish Gray Painted Oak Secretary Bureau
18th Century Swedish Gray Painted Oak Secretary Bureau

18th Century Swedish Gray Painted Oak Secretary Bureau

Located in Round Top, TX

18th century Swedish oak secretary or "bureau" with a newer professionally applied layered gray painted exterior finish. The interior is painted a moody gray-blue with teal undertone...

Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Secretaires

Materials

Brass

19th Century Swedish White Rococo Secretary Bureau
19th Century Swedish White Rococo Secretary Bureau

19th Century Swedish White Rococo Secretary Bureau

Located in Round Top, TX

Early 19th-century Swedish oak secretary bureau with a newer professionally applied antique white painted exterior with pale gray undertones. The serpentine front enhances the visual...

Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Rococo Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Antique Italian or Dutch Small Rococo Bombe Secretary Desk w/ Marquetry, c 1870
Antique Italian or Dutch Small Rococo Bombe Secretary Desk w/ Marquetry, c 1870

Antique Italian or Dutch Small Rococo Bombe Secretary Desk w/ Marquetry, c 1870

Located in INTERLAKEN, NY

An exquisite 19th century Rococo secretary in mahogany with bombe front & sides, with floral & foliate inlays in tulipwood, kingwood & satinwood on the top, front panels of the drawe...

Category

Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Rococo Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany, Satinwood, Kingwood, Tulipwood

National Trust John Locke Secretaire
National Trust John Locke Secretaire

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

Charles IV Secretaire with Drawers with Inlaid Work. Spain, 18th Century.
Charles IV Secretaire with Drawers with Inlaid Work. Spain, 18th Century.

Charles IV Secretaire with Drawers with Inlaid Work. Spain, 18th Century.

Located in Madrid, ES

A very rare cabinet or secretaire with a chest of drawers in solid walnut wood, inlaid with fruitwood in a neoclassical style. The central lid can be folded down, turning into a writ...

Category

18th Century Spanish Antique Rococo Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Italian Venetian Secretary, 18th Century
Italian Venetian Secretary, 18th Century

Italian Venetian Secretary, 18th Century

Located in CH

Italian Venetian Secretary (Secretaire / Bureau Cabinet) 18th Century An 18th-century Italian Venetian Baroque secretaire, crafted in burl walnut and walnut veneer, exemplifying the...

Category

18th Century Italian Antique Rococo Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Rococo secretaires for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Rococo secretaires for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 18th Century and Earlier, 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 and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, brass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Rococo secretaires made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 $18,000 and tops out at $60,000 while the average work can sell for $39,000.