Secretaires
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9
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373
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Secretaires For Sale
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...
Category
Early 19th Century Spanish Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Hardwood, Kingwood, Mahogany
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
19th Century Charles X Writing Desk with secret compartment
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century Charles X Writing Desk with secret compartment. Gorgeous piece. Age appropriate wear on wood and red leather top, see detailed pics.
Category
Early 19th Century French Charles X Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Antique Victorian Chippendale Mahogany Secretary Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Transport your workspace into another time and place with this exquisite antique secretary desk. Made of carved red mahogany with a generous lacquer, this piece opens up to reveal a ...
Category
Late 19th Century English Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Brass
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...
Category
1960s Dutch Louis XVI Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Secrétaire en bois laqué à riches décors de fleurs sur fond noir, XIXe
Located in ROYÈRE-DE-VASSIVIÈRE, FR
Secrétaire en bois laqué à riches décors de fleurs sur fond noir, XIXe
Il ouvre à un abattant (manque la serrure, remplacée par un aimant) et quatre tiroirs.
L’abattant ouvre sur tro...
Category
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
18th century Georgian secretary in hand painted blue wedge wood swirl finish
Located in Charleston, SC
Wonderful 18th century Georgian mahogany secretary with hand painted wedgewood swirl finish by “The Fabulous Things”. This piece is a statement piece that will elevate any room. The ...
Category
18th Century English Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Paint
Vintage Danish Mid Century Modern Rosewood Secretary Desk
Located in San Marcos, CA
Here is a beautiful scandinavian modern secretary desk in rosewood attributed to Gunnar Falsig, Denmark, 1960's.
This exquisite piece, recently imported from Europe to California bef...
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Rosewood
George Nelson Thin Edge Secretary Desk Cabinet for Herman Miller
Located in Lake Worth, FL
1950s original Thin Edge secretary desk cabinet designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. This early version features the rare black enamel stainless large pulls and tapered wood feet. Cabinet on the right includes an adjustable shelf and 2 drawers. Pull down desk is covered with black leather and features 5 drawers on the left side with original small white porcelain George Nelson drawer pulls...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
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
Slant Front Pine Chest Paint Decorated In White And Green
Located in Bridgeport, CT
The chest in white paint with two short over two long drawers with baroque style bales and escutcheons (lacking a key). The slant front opens to an emerald green painted interior wit...
Category
20th Century Country Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Johannes Sorth Secretary Bookcase Desk
Located in Southampton, NJ
Danish Modern Brazilian Rosewood secretary desk by Johannes Sorth number 331 32.
Multifunctional having three adjustable bookshelves to the tapered top with pull out pocket desk & t...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Materials
Rosewood
20th Century Vienna Biedermeier Style Secretaire after Johann Härle
By Johann Härle
Located in Berlin, DE
Aristocratic secretaire of Vienna Biedermeier after Johann Härle, 1813.
Highly valuable bird’s-eye maple root veneer on solid pinewood, partially ebonized, crested with classicist m...
Category
20th Century Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Pine, Wood, Birdseye Maple
Mid century Danish Modern Magic Box Desk in Teak Made in Denmark
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Mid century teak closable locking teak writing desk Similar to the Magic Box desk. The piece closes completely and can be key-locked to protect all your...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Teak
Vintage Boho Henredon Folio Arched Secretary Desk
Located in west palm beach, FL
A chic vintage Boho secretary desk. Made by the iconic Henredon group. Part of their Folio 14 collection. Beautiful double arch design with beautiful wood grain detail. Acquired from...
Category
Late 20th Century American Bohemian Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Wood
Birch Secretary Bureau from Germany, circa 1840-60
Located in Round Top, TX
Rich birch and stately lines define this handsome Biedermeier drop front secretary.
Refer to close up photos to appreciate the stunning grain pattern of the flame birch veneer.
Multi...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Birch
Superb American Stacking Filing Cabinet by Yawman and Erbe
By Yawman Erbe
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Superb American Stacking Filing Cabinet by Yawman and Erbe
This is a superb Example of an American Stacking System Waterfall Filing Cabinet, this hands...
Category
Early 1900s Art Deco Antique Secretaires
Materials
Oak
18th Century Oak Drop Front Secretaire
Located in Dallas, TX
French oak drop front secretarie with green leather writing surface.
Circa 1780
Category
18th Century French Antique Secretaires
Materials
Metal
Painted Oak Secretary Bureau, Denmark circa 1760-80
Located in Round Top, TX
This striking oak secretary is an elegant statement piece crowned with a beautifully curved and carved bonnet or crown.
The entire secretary has been given a professional custom layered salmon/desert...
Category
Late 18th Century Danish Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass, Iron
Crotch Mahogany Individual Glass Pains Door Drop Front Secretary Breakfront MINT
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Crotch Mahogany Individual Glass Pains Door Drop Front Secretary Breakfront MINT!
Category
20th Century American Federal Secretaires
Materials
Brass
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 Baroque Antique Secretaires
Materials
Nutwood, Walnut, Pine
Mid century Danish Modern Magic Box Desk in Teak by Mummenthaler & Meier
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Mid century teak closable locking teak writing desk called the "Magic Box", designed by Swiss Mummenthaler and Meier. The piece closes completely and can be key-locked to protect all...
Category
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Conant Ball Gallery Drawer Box Modern Mates Leslie Diamond Rare
Located in Fraser, MI
Please feel free to reach out for efficient shipping to your location.
Gallery box with three drawers.
Solid Flame Birch construction.
Designed by Leslie Diamond for the famed Mode...
Category
1950s American Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Birch
Late 19th Century Charles X Style Letter Storage Desk Cabinet
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A antique desk cabinet for storing letters and cards. Made of wood veneer with foliage wood inlay. Made in France, circa 1870-1880
Note: one of th...
Category
1880s French Charles X Antique Secretaires
Materials
Fruitwood
Secrétaire Neoclassical Lombardy Late 18th Century
Located in Milano, IT
Neoclassical secrétaire supported by truncated-pyramidal feet, on the front has two doors surmounted by flap-opening door concealing scarab with morocco top, central compartment, sma...
Category
18th Century Italian Neoclassical Revival Antique Secretaires
Materials
Maple, Nutwood
solid pine secretary desk by WASA, Germany 1990s
Located in ECHT, NL
Secretary desk made by German company Wasa in 1992. it is made from solid pine.
It has a lid that folds down to function as a work top. Behind the lid there are shelves and drawers....
Category
Late 20th Century German Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Materials
Pine
Secretary in Rosewood of Danish Design from the 1960s
Located in Lejre, DK
This secretary, crafted in rosewood and showcasing Danish design from the 1960s, epitomizes both functionality and aesthetic appeal. With its sleek lines and rich wood grain, it exu...
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Rosewood
Børge Mogensen for Søborg Secretary Desk 1960s
Located in Handewitt, DE
Secretary desk / cabinet, designed in 1950s by Børge Mogensen for Søborg Møbelfabrik Denmark. Made in fine walnut early 1960s. Front with three drawers and a writing flap. Behind the...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Materials
Wood
A drop-front secretary desk - 1950 - France.
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A secretary desk from the 1950s, French craftsmanship. Solid elm wood with a beautiful patina.
Height with the drop-down leaf open: 75 cm.
Dimensions of the drop-down leaf: 45 cm ...
Category
1950s French Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Elm
Rosewood secretary desk, Denmark, 1960s.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Rosewood secretary desk, Danish design, 1960s
Very good condition.
Wood: rosewood
h. 117 cm w. 110 cm d. 43 cm
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Rosewood
Swedish 1800s Light Gray Painted Secretary from Värmland with Slant Front Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish tall secretary from Värmland circa 1800, with gray painted finish, carved bonnet top, four doors, slant front desk and bracket feet. Embrace the understated elegance of Swe...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
19th Century German Biedermeier Cherrywood Secretaire - Antique Secretary
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 19th Century, antique German Biedermeier tall secretaire with a writing flap made of hand crafted shellac polished, partly veneered Cherrywood and Burlwood, in good condition. The ...
Category
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Brass
Ivory Lacquered French Art Deco Cabinet or Writing Desk in the style of Arbus
By André Arbus
Located in Miami, FL
Very elegant and rare piece of furniture. This writing desk cabinet is in lacquered wood and has drawers and two side doors with shelves and bookc...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Italian Louis XV Style Painted Bombe Secretary
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Italian Louis XV style painted bombe secretary, circa 1960's. The top section with double serpentine shaped top and two doors with birdcage wire and two shelves, the bottom section o...
Category
1960s Italian Louis XV Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Brass
Teak Mid-Century Dresser w/ Secretary Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage Danish modern secretary desk. Fold down table with office storage and four dresser drawers. Classic Danish modern design with w...
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Teak
IMPORTANT GERMAN STATIONERY/SECRETAYRE 18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
IMPORTANT GERMAN STATIONERY 18th Century
plated in fruit wood with inlays representing gallant scenes and floral motifs.
Wavy box with three drawers, showing factory interior with d...
Category
18th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Antique Walnut French Provincial Secretary Cabinet
Located in Portland, OR
Exceptional in every way! Imported from Belgium this French display cabinet with secretary desk is as enchanting as it is functional. Exquisitely crafted of walnut with incredible ha...
Category
Early 20th Century French French Provincial Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Walnut
Ernest Gimson A walnut bureau inlaid with holly chequered string inlay.
Located in London, GB
Ernest Gimson attributed. Arts & Crafts Cotswold school walnut bureau inlaid with holly chequered string inlay. The quality of this craftsman handmade bureau is a step above. The fol...
Category
1910s English Arts and Crafts Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Early 19th Century Neoclassical Karelian Birch Secretary
Located in Houston, TX
An extraordinary early 19th Century Neoclassical style Karelian birch secretary. This wonderful cabinet features four ebonized columns supporting giltwood caryatids, two gothic arched cabinet...
Category
Early 19th Century Baltic Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Ormolu
Burl Walnut Art Deco Cabinet
Located in Dronten, NL
Period Dutch Art Deco secretary in wonderful burl walnut veneer in symmetrical pattern.
Cut-glass pane, drop front desk, ebony wood door handles.
Comes with three beautiful original ...
Category
1920s Dutch Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Cut Glass, Ebony, Burl
English Satinwood Painted Bureau Bookcase
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th Century English Satinwood secretary/bookcase. Two astragal glazed doors above open to reveal two adjustable shelves for display, a fall front opening to reveal a fully fitted in...
Category
Early 19th Century English Sheraton Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Swedish 1820s Late Gustavian Period Painted Slant-Front Desk with Five Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Late Gustavian period secretary from circa 1820, with tan/cream painted finish, slant-front desk, five drawers, carved reeded motifs and bracket feet. Embrace the timeless ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Antique Italian Venetian Olive Burl Serpentine Secretary Slant Desk Bureau Chest
Located in Dayton, OH
An impressive antique Italian Venetian drop front secretary desk. Made from olive burl with a downswept lid and serpentine frame. Each panel shows off exquisite burl and shapely cro...
Category
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Secretaires
Materials
Olive, Burl
Paolo Buffa Italian Mid-Century Brass Inlaid Secretary
Located in Atlanta, GA
Paolo Buffa, Secretary, Italy c. 1948, Brass Intarsia by Giovanni Gariboldi, Manufactured by Marelli e Colico, Cantù.
An exquisite and collectible Mid-Century secretary by esteemed ...
Category
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Brass
19th Century Biedermeier Secretary
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
19th Century Biedermeier Secretary,
Germany, Ca.1820
Walnut
Original secretary veneered in walnut, impressive veneer pattern, stepped pedestal, gable, underneath drawer with push bu...
Category
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
19th Century Conical Shape Secretary,
Germany, 1820
This fine Biedermeier secretary made of mahogany is a real gem for every lover of antique furniture. With a height of 194 cm, a width of 106 cm and a length of 52 cm, it offers plenty of storage space with its five spacious drawers. The elegant mahogany finish and conical shape make it a real eye-catcher in any room. This 1820 original is free standing and in excellent condition. Carefully restored and hand-polished with shellac. A real highlight for anyone looking for antique furniture.Frame dimensions at top 95 cm, bottom 103 cm.The attachment with gable, underneath a hidden compartment, is opened with a compression spring. Very nice cabinet with 10 drawers...
Category
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Arts & Crafts Mahogany Five Stack Barrister Secretary & Bookcase c1910
Located in Big Flats, NY
***Ask About Discounted In-House Shipping***
An antique Arts and Crafts barrister bookcase offers mahogany construction with central...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
Chinese Two-Pieces Furniture with Table and Cupboard with Doors and Drawers
Located in Marbella, ES
Chinese Two-Pieces Furniture with Table and Cupboard with Doors and Drawers
Category
Late 20th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Metal
English secretary bookcase Arts&Crats 1910
Located in Meulebeke, BE
This English secretary bookcase in arts & crafts style is a beautiful piece of furniture that expresses both elegance and functionality. The secretary bookcase was made around 1910 i...
Category
1910s English Arts and Crafts Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Copper
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 Baroque Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Italian Biedermeier Style Mixed Fruitwood Two-Part Secretary Bookcase Cabinet
Located in Germantown, MD
Late 19th Century Italian Biedermeier Style Walnut Mixed Fruitwood Two-Part Secretary Bookcase Cabinet.
Veyr light weight. Measures 24" in width, 17" in depth and stands 75" tall.
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Fruitwood, Walnut, Wood
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
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
Danish Teak Secretary Desk with Hidden Vanity Mirror
Located in Oakland, CA
Danish teak secretary desk crafted of teak with book-matched grain across the drawers. The secretary features a pull-out writing surface over three drawers. A pair of sliding glass c...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Teak
Mid Century Modern Walnut, Chrome & Cane Modular Secretary by Founders 20thC
Located in Big Flats, NY
***Ask About Discounted In-House Shipping***
A Mid Century Modern secretary offers chrome frame with walnut modular units including caned double door cabinets and drop down desk, mak...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Chrome
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
Beautiful antique slanted flap secretary, 20th century. Walnut root veneer.
Located in Berlin, DE
Beautiful antique slanted flap secretary, 20th century. Walnut root veneer.
Solid wood with walnut root veneer and inlays. Slanted flap secretary made of solid wood, baroque. Multi-curved body...
Category
20th Century Italian Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Mid century Vintage small TV cabinet by František Jirák, 1960´s, Czechoslovakia
Located in Prague 8, CZ
Mid century Vintage small cabinet or TV table from the 1960´s. It was designed by František Jirák and was manufactured by Tatra nábytok company in the former Czechoslovakia. Walnut v...
Category
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Walnut, Plywood
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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