18th Century Chippendale Secretaries
Antique 18th Century American Chippendale Maple Secretary Desk Writing Bureau
Located in Dayton, OH
Exquisite and Rare antique American Chippendale Period secretary writing desk or Escritoire. Made
Category
Antique 18th Century American Chippendale Secretaires
Materials
Maple
$3,856 Sale Price
34% Off
H 40 in W 40.5 in D 19.75 in
Antique RI or CT Chippendale Mahogany Slant Front Secretary c. Late 18th Century
Located in Westfield, MA
The Chippendale Mahogany Secretary, a late 18th-century gem hailing from Rhode Island or Southern
Category
Antique Late 18th Century American Chippendale Desks
Materials
Mahogany
$3,460
H 43 in W 37 in D 24 in
Recent Sales
18th Century, George II Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A magnificent English 18th century Chippendale secretary bookcase of exceptional detail. The
Category
Antique 1760s English Chippendale Bookcases
Materials
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century English Oak Chippendale Slant Drop Front Secretary Desk
Located in Charlotte, NC
An antique 18th Century drop front secretary desk in the Chippendale style, unbranded. Solid oak
Category
Antique 18th Century American Chippendale Secretaires
Materials
Brass
H 41 in W 37.25 in D 20.25 in
Chippendale Bonnet-Top Secretary
Located in Litchfield, CT
Connecticut River Valley, circa 1765-1775.
Maple, pine: Secondary wood.
Having carved rope-twisted quarter columns and vine carved panels flanking raised panel doors is fitted abov...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century American Chippendale Secretaires
English Secretary Bookcase
Located in Athens, GA
English secretary bookcase in mahogany, 18th century, made in 3 parts, original shaped feet, period
Category
Antique Late 18th Century English Chippendale Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Antique English Chippendale Mahogany Drop Front Bookcase Secretary, 18th Century
Located in Big Flats, NY
An English Chippendale secretary offers mahogany construction with mirrored upper bookcase cabinet
Category
Antique 18th Century English Chippendale Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
H 87 in W 39 in D 22.25 in
18th Century Connecticut River Valley Two-Part Cherry Chippendale Secretary
Located in Milford, NH
A splendid two-part cherry Chippendale secretary, its upper case with broken arched pediment
Category
Antique 18th Century American Chippendale Secretaires
Materials
Cherry
H 92.5 in W 41.25 in D 22.25 in
18th Century American Maple Secretary Bookcase
Located in San Francisco, CA
An American (New England) tiger maple secretary bookcase, the paneled cupboard doors concealing
Category
Antique 18th Century American Chippendale Bookcases
Materials
Maple
American Chippendale Secretary, Connecticut circa 1780
Located in Milford, NH
In cherry. Upper case features three spiral-form finials and a broken arch pediment with scrolls culminating in beautifully carved floral rosettes. Paneled doors with serpentine mold...
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier American Chippendale Secretaires
Materials
Cherry
Period Chippendale Figured Mahogany Secretary Bookcase, circa 1765
Located in Essex, MA
Period Chippendale George III Secretary Bookcase with Desk Interior
British, circa 1765, highly
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century English Chippendale Desks
Materials
Mahogany
American Chippendale Mahogany Bookcase over Secretary Desk, Massachusetts
Located in Shippensburg, PA
report:
Surface cleaned and perhaps refinished during the 20th century, overall with excellent color
Category
Antique 18th Century American Chippendale Bookcases
Materials
Brass
H 102 in W 47.25 in D 25 in
English George III Chippendale slant front secretary desk, c. 1770
Located in Kenilworth, IL
George III secretary bookcase with glazed astral doors on a slant front desk. The case is defined
Category
Antique Late 18th Century British George III Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Fine Quality George III Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
Located in San Francisco, CA
A fine quality George III mahogany secretary bookcase, the lattice form broken pediment cornice
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier British Chippendale Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
18th Century Early American Chippendale Cherrywood Drop-Front Secretary Desk
Located in South Bend, IN
A stunning 18th century early American cherrywood drop-front secretary desk. The desk features
Category
Antique 18th Century American American Colonial Desks
Materials
Brass
H 40 in W 35.5 in D 18 in
Period George III Chippendale Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
Located in Essex, MA
Georgian period Chippendale mahogany slant lid secretary bookcase.
Period Georgian slant lid
Category
Antique Late 18th Century English George III Bookcases
Materials
Mahogany
Walnut Chippendale Secretary Desk
Located in West Chester, PA
complete the top half of the secretary. The lower half of the desk has an interior with four pigeon holes
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier American Chippendale Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Walnut Chippendale Secretary Desk
Located in West Chester, PA
do with a secretary desk. A scrolled top with three urn and finials are all nicely complemented by
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Chippendale Cherry Secretary
Located in Sheffield, MA
Two-piece Chippendale secretary, cherry, with a bracket base, raised panel doors, and four
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier American Chippendale Secretaires
Chippendale Walnut Fall-Front Secretary
Located in San Francisco, CA
American Chippendale walnut fall-front secretary, the slant front opening to a plain writing
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier American Desks
Materials
Walnut, Maple
Exceptional Chippendale Period Secretary, circa 1770
Located in Bantam, CT
An exceptional quality George III mahogany Chippendale secretary bookcase,
With a swan neck fret
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Chippendale Secretaires
Rare and Important Chippendale Secretary
Located in Litchfield, CT
Transitional Chippendale Bonnet-Top Secretary
New York, ca. 1755-1765.
The upper case has a
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier American Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany, Poplar
American Cherry Chippendale Secretary
Located in Norwalk, CT
Connecticut Chippendale Cherry Bonnet top Secretary in
two parts the top with solid doors
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier American Secretaires
Materials
Cherry, Poplar
Rhode Island Chippendale Secretary Bookcase
Located in Woodbury, CT
A cherry wood slant-front secretary raised on ogee bracket feet, with a complex blocked fan or
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Secretaires
Materials
Cherry, Pine
Fine Mahogany Chippendale Secretary Bookcase
Located in Providence, RI
This secretary bookcase is extremely well executed with all of the important embellishments this
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Bookcases
Diminutive English Mid-18th Century Mahogany Bureau Secretary
Located in Woodbury, CT
A diminutive mahogany bureau secretaire with pitched pediment and mirrored door flanked by stop fluted pilasters and gilt lined frame. The pediment retains a giltwood applique within...
Category
Antique 1750s English Chippendale Secretaires
Fine George III Chippendale Secretary Bookcase. Circa 1755
Located in New York, NY
feet.
English, C 1785
See similar examples of secretaries, bookcases and desks on our web site
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier British Georgian Bookcases
Superb Padauk (Padook) Wood Secretary
Located in Woodbury, CT
made of all padauk wood, including drawers, stained to resemble mahogany. made in 2 sections the double glazed doors above with 3 adjustable shelves. below, the slant front rests...
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Chinese Chippendale Secretaires
Materials
Brass
A Fine English Secretary Bookcase in Mahogany by Gillows
By Gillows of Lancaster
London
Located in Woodbury, CT
An impressive mahogany Gillows secretary bookcase with dentil crown molding over glazed doors with
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier British Chippendale Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Chippendale Secretary
Located in Athens, GA
Period English Chippendale Bureau bookcase with secretary interior. Only 36" wide, original dental
Category
Antique Late 18th Century English Chippendale Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
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Category
Early 20th Century English Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
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Category
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Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique French carved oak secretary desk Bureau drop front Louis XV style.
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Category
Vintage 1920s French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
$2,250
H 38 in W 38 in D 19.5 in
Early 19th Century American Mahogany Butler
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Located in Louisville, KY
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Category
Antique Early 19th Century American American Empire Commodes and Chests ...
Materials
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Category
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$5,127 / item
H 31.11 in W 22.05 in D 14.97 in
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Located in Charlottesville, VA
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Category
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Materials
Bronze
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Located in Woodbury, CT
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Category
Antique Early 19th Century British William IV Drop-leaf and Pembroke Tables
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By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
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Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
Materials
Wood
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Located in Eindhoven, NL
A very fine antique secretary/ bureau.
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Two ...
Category
Antique 19th Century English George III Secretaires
Materials
Brass
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$1,230 Sale Price
20% Off
H 28.75 in W 43.71 in D 19.3 in
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18th Century Chippendale Secretaries For Sale on 1stDibs
There is a range of 18th century chippendale secretaries for sale on 1stDibs. Frequently made of wood, mahogany and metal, all 18th century chippendale secretaries available were constructed with great care. Georgian 18th century chippendale secretaries are consistently popular styles.
How Much are 18th Century Chippendale Secretaries?
18th century chippendale secretaries can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price at 1stDibs is $16,250, while the lowest priced sells for $1,795 and the highest can go for as much as $57,000.
Finding the Right Secretaires for You
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.
Questions About 18th Century Chippendale Secretaries
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 13, 2024To identify 18th-century furniture, you can research your piece in the context of the prevailing styles of the period or consult a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer. To identify your item on your own, look over it for maker's marks, such as carvings, stamps, brands and labels. Researching the marking can help you determine the maker of your piece, and from there, you can search further to learn more about your particular item. Without a maker's mark, the best approach is to consider the characteristics of the dominant furniture styles during the 18th century. In England, these included William and Mary, Queen Anne, Georgian, Chippendale, Hepplewhite and Sheraton. Some French furniture styles of the 1700s include Louis XV, Louis XVI and Régence. Find a diverse assortment of 18th-century furniture on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, wedding rings have a long history, stretching back to ancient Egypt. The first diamond engagement ring was created in 1477 by Archduke Maximillian of Austria. Browse a wide array of vintage and contemporary wedding rings on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022In the 18th century, art changed in style from Baroque to Rococo and Neoclassicism. Art became more ornamented and idealized during the Rococo period and then shifted toward a style that emulated the artwork of ancient Greece and Rome near the end of the century. You’ll find a variety of fine art on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022One way to check if your brass candlesticks are from the 18th century is to look for the two seams running lengthwise on either side. This is from when the candlestick was molded in two halves and then soldered together. You’ll find a variety of candlesticks of all shapes and sizes from some of the top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertJanuary 10, 2025The individuals considered the Big Three of 18th-century cartoons are William Hogarth, James Gillray and George Cruikshank. Although the 18th century saw a widespread increase in illustrations in newspapers, these three illustrators were particularly well-known for their work. Hogarth's work was extremely diverse, ranging from serious, realistic paintings and portraits to satirical and moralistic illustrations filled with symbolism. A British caricaturist, Gillray is remembered today for his artworks representing political and social satires, like his political cartoons against George III of England. Despite being a prolific caricaturist, Cruikshank is now most famous for illustrating the works of Charles Dickens. On 1stDibs, find a wide variety of illustrations.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022At the end of the 17th century, Europe went into a frenzy over porcelain. Asian porcelain was highly sought after, and spurred the foundation of the Meissen factory in France, where hard porcelain went on to be made. You’ll find a large collection of porcelain pieces from many of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
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