Antique Painted Secretary
18th Century and Earlier Swedish Baroque Antique Painted Secretary
Wood
Mid-18th Century Swedish Baroque Antique Painted Secretary
Brass
18th Century and Earlier Swedish Baroque Antique Painted Secretary
Early 18th Century Macedonian Baroque Antique Painted Secretary
Bronze
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Painted Secretary
Oak
Late 18th Century Swedish Baroque Antique Painted Secretary
Wood
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Painted Secretary
Wood
19th Century French Antique Painted Secretary
Wood
19th Century French Antique Painted Secretary
Mid-18th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Painted Secretary
Lacquer
Late 19th Century English Adam Style Antique Painted Secretary
Satinwood
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Painted Secretary
Beech
18th Century Scandinavian Rococo Antique Painted Secretary
Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Painted Secretary
Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Painted Secretary
Brass
19th Century Swedish Antique Painted Secretary
Wood
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Painted Secretary
Brass
1890s English Antique Painted Secretary
Oak
18th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Painted Secretary
Wood
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Painted Secretary
Wood
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Antique Painted Secretary
Wood
Late 18th Century Swedish Baroque Antique Painted Secretary
Pine
1850s American Antique Painted Secretary
19th Century Swedish Antique Painted Secretary
Brass
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Painted Secretary
Wood, Paint
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Painted Secretary
Wood
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Painted Secretary
Wood
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Painted Secretary
Wood
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Painted Secretary
Wood
Mid-19th Century Swedish Neoclassical Antique Painted Secretary
Wood
Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Painted Secretary
Brass
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Painted Secretary
Wood
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Painted Secretary
Wood
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Painted Secretary
Pine
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Painted Secretary
Brass
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Painted Secretary
Wood
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Painted Secretary
Wood
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Painted Secretary
Glass, Wood
18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Painted Secretary
Wood
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Painted Secretary
Wood
19th Century Swedish Karl Johan Antique Painted Secretary
Wood
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Antique Painted Secretary For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Antique Painted Secretary?
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.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To date an antique secretary desk, start by determining the type of hinge used to secure the writing surface. Consult an authoritative resource to find out which furniture makers worked with that type of hinge. You can also look for the name of the manufacturer on the back or bottom of the piece. Find a range of expertly vetted antique secretaries on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021An antique secretary desk will range in value depending on its authenticity and condition. The price can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. On 1stDibs find the antique secretary desk you’re looking for today.
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