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Saporiti Secretaire
By Saporiti
Located in Mexico City, MX
Saporiti Secretaire.
Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Secretaires
$6,000
LH Black and White Rose Embroidered Mono Secretaire
By Estemporaneo
Located in Firenze, IT
A visually striking black/white optical effect for this original mono secretaire that make couple
Category
2010s Italian Other Secretaires
Materials
Other
$21,378 / item
Early 19th Century Empire Flame Mahogany and Black Marble Secretaire
Located in Toledo, Castilla La Mancha
Wonderful French empire secretaire, early 19th century. Flame mahogany, Belgian black marble
Category
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Secretaires
Materials
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
Contemporary Rh Black and White Mono Secretaire with Roses Embroidery
By Estemporaneo
Located in Firenze, IT
A visually striking black/white optical effect for this original mono secretaire that make couple
Category
2010s Italian Other Secretaires
Materials
Other
19th Century French Empire Secretaire
Located in Nashville, TN
This 19th century French Empire secretaire features lovely columns with finely cast gilt brass
Category
Antique 19th Century French Empire Secretaires
Materials
Marble
A Dutch Secretaire à Abattant with Fall-Front with Black Leather Inlay
Located in Oisterwijk, NL
A Dutch mahogany secretaire à abattant with fall front to reveal beautiful fitted interior with
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Dutch Empire Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Small Secretaire with Faience Medaillons
Located in Wels, AT
A small charming historism secretaire with folding writing area. Eight faience medaillons and brass
Category
Antique 1860s European Secretaires
American Art Deco Skyscraper Drop-Front Veneer and Black Lacquer Bar/Secretaire.
By Paul Frankl
Located in Port Hope, ON
This American Art Deco drop-front bar or secretaire is in the Skyscraper style of Paul Frankl. We
Category
Vintage 1930s American Secretaires
Materials
Lacquer
Early 18th Century English Queen Anne Chinoiserie Japanned Secretaire
Located in Dallas, TX
Rare and early 18th century Queen Anne secretaire in chinoiserie or Japanned black and gold lacquer
Category
Antique Early 18th Century British Queen Anne Secretaires
Materials
Lacquer, Wood
Gilt Bronze-Mounted Mahogany Secretaire a` Abattant in French Empire Style, 1820
Located in Napoli, IT
The superstructure with a white marble top flanked by volute scrolls above a frieze drawer and recessed fall flap enclosing a fitted interior with mirror within columns over a flush ...
Category
Antique 1720s French Empire Secretaires
Magnificent William and Mary Red Lacquer and Gilt Secretaire on Chest
By Peter Miller
Located in London, Middlesex
this design is known. For other examples see a black chinoiserie secretaire illustrated in The Present
Category
Antique Late 17th Century English William and Mary Secretaires
Materials
Lacquer
1820s Secretaire Commode from Austria
Located in Senden, NRW
A in 1820 manufactured black secretaire commode from Austria. The commode was polished with black
Category
Antique 1820s Austrian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Mid Century Cabinet Dressing Valet Chest with Brass Pulls
Black Glass Top
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage cabinet with brass pulls and black glass top.
Many pieces are stored in our warehouse, so
Category
Vintage 1960s American Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Art Deco Secretary on Long Feet in Black High Gloss Piano Lacquer with Drawers
Located in Baden-Baden, Baden-Württemberg
A puristic secretary in black piano lacquer
High quality restoration.
Hand-polished inside.
Two
Category
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Secretaires
Materials
Metal
1800s Burl Wood Veneered Tall Secretary with Black Trim Throughout
Located in Memphis, TN
inlay and glossy black trim throughout the piece. Original hardware (except one drawer missing hardware
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Burl
Cabinet, Double Secrataire with Rose Embroidery
By Estemporaneo
Located in Firenze, IT
A visually striking black/white optical effect for this original double cabinet. Double secretaire
Category
2010s Italian Other Secretaires
Materials
Other
$38,006 / item
Neoclassical Secretary by Jean Pascaud
By Jean Pascaud
Located in Geneva, CH
Neoclassical secretary in black stained pear wood decorated with “barleycorn” marquetry. Inside
Category
Vintage 1930s French Secretaires
18th Century Venetian Lacquered Secretary Bookcase
Located in Natchez, MS
Exceptional 18th century lacquered secretary bookcase with mirrored doors. The lacquer features snake charmers and a chinoiserie scenes with children.
This came from an important P...
Category
Antique 18th Century Italian Secretaires
Indo-Portuguese Secretary
Located in New Jersey City, NJ
The chest is in rosewood with sunburn pattern.
The top is a secretary on a two-drawer chest.
Category
Antique 1890s Indian Secretaires
Rare 18th Century Northern Italian Lacquer Bureau Bookcase
Located in Sydney, NSW
Chinoiseries Detailed Gold, Black, Silver And Scarlet Blue Ground The Scarlet Interior Decorated With Scratch
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century Italian Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Lacquer
SERPENTINE BAROQUE BUREAU, DENMARK, 18th Century
Located in Los Angeles, CA
18th Century white oak bureau with serpentine front, iron side mounts and brass door mounts.
Original lock and key in working order.
Category
Antique Early 18th Century Danish Secretaires
Materials
Oak
English Secretary Bookcase in Mahogany with Greek Key Inlay and Original Brasses
Located in Athens, GA
English Regency secretary bookcase, circa 1820, mahogany with Greek Key inlay on the fall front, tan leather on writing surface, original brass oval pulls, nice glass configuration a...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Scandinavian Roll Top Secretary Desk
Located in New York, NY
Attractive modern roll top secretary with a pull-out desk surface and small drawers and slots for organization. Please contact for location.
Category
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Materials
Teak
Desk by Daciano da Costa for Metalurgica da Longra
By Daciano da Costa
Located in Porto, PT
Desk by Daciano da Costa for Metalurgica da Longra, "Linha Cortez", designed in 1962, laminated wood and metal.
Category
Vintage 1960s European Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Formica
Neo-Gothic Reliquary Masterpiece with Notary
Located in Carrocera, Spain
Reliquary of the 18th century Neo-Gothic architecture with slender pointed Silhouette representing slender cathedral facade topped by angular and rich golden cornice. Five balanced h...
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Gothic Revival Secretaires
Gilbert Rohde secretary
By Herman Miller, Gilbert Rohde
Located in Dallas, TX
Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller secretary with 1 drawer and dropfront opening, Paldao veneer
Category
Vintage 1940s American Secretaires
Materials
Paldao
Secretary Made in Milan, 1940
Located in New York, NY
Mahogany secretary, bookcase or vitrine.
Two drawers below front pull down door. Which has classical carved figures in gold leaf on gesso? Gilt bronze medallion of a face with sun m...
Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Neoclassical Revival Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
FRENCH OAK SECRETARY FROM ARLES ESTATE
Located in Natchez, MS
Exceptional estate piece from an estate in Arles France with date carved in center style. Done for marriage this is a rare form with drop down secretary and cabinets top and bottom
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Gustavian Style Writing Desk
Located in Sheffield, MA
Writing desk in the Gustavian Style, Sweden, circa 1880. Raised, reeded panels on the three-drawer fronts and on the slant front. The interior is fitted with drawers and compartments...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
19th Century English Mahogany Two-Part Secretary Bookcase
Located in Miami, FL
English mahogany two-part secretary bookcase; the upper section with a molded cornice over two long cabinet doors decorated in the Adams style with etched glass mirrors depicting neo...
Category
Antique 19th Century English George III Secretaires
Materials
Brass
18th Century English Red Lacquer Double-Domed Bureau Bookcase
Located in Millbrook, NY
Fine English 18th century red lacquer double-domed bureau bookcase with chinoiserie decoration. The top with later finials over two decorated cabinet doors concealing shelves, pigeon...
Category
Antique 1720s British Queen Anne Secretaires
Materials
Lacquer
18th Century small Lacquer Bureau Bookcase
Located in Salisbury Wiltshire, GB
A small early 18th century lacquer bureau bookcase. This is an extremely rare example of a bureau bookcase made in England, and shipped out to China to be lacquered. Whilst in China ...
Category
Antique Early 18th Century British George I Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Blackout Desk / Secretaire in oak wood, exotic leather and black iron structure
By Cristina Jorge de Carvalho
Located in Lisboa, PT
The sophistication and elegance of the embossed leather conquers a new dimension with the black out
Category
2010s Portuguese Desks
Materials
Iron
Art Deco secrétaire bookcase, and bar
By Maxime Old
Located in New York, NY
Palisander veneer with inset gilt and enamel decorative panels. Fitted internal compartments in sycamore include a drop front writing panel with interior drawers, and interior dry bar.
Category
Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Dry Bars
Materials
Leather, Palisander, Sycamore
English Regency Brass Mounted Mahogany Secretaire Bookcase
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Regency Bookcase in Neocalssic Taste
Category
Antique 19th Century English Bookcases
Materials
Brass
Antique Ebonized Silver Empire Secretary an Abattant from France, 19th Century
Located in Vienna, AT
An original antique Empire secretary from the early 19th century from France. The secretary is ebonized and has wonderful silver plated fittings.
The secretary has two main compar...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Secretaires
Materials
Marble, Bronze
1970s Elegant Secrétaire or Bar In Black Lacquer
By Maison Jansen
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
1970s sécrétaire-bar in black lacquer with ivory lacquer strips, attributed to Maison Jansen. Two
Category
Vintage 1970s French Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Two-part Black-painted Louis XVI Secrétaire
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant two-part Louis XVI secrétaire in black-painted pine.
The upper section features a molded
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Danish Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Paolo Buffa Secrétaire
Located in Kent, Dover
An Italian secrétaire by Paolo Buffa of good quality in rosewood with box wood stringing. With four
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Secretaires
$4,112
Black Laquered Asian Chinoiserie Secretary Secretaire Desk and Chair
Located in West Hartford, CT
Black and gold chinoiserie vintage Asian secretary desk that comes with matching chair. Spectacular
Category
Vintage 1970s Chinese Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
French 19th Century Black Lacquer with Gold Detailing Chinoiserie Secretaire
Located in London, GB
A delightful 19th century French chinoiserie secretaire in black lacquer and gilded raised gold
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Lacquer
19th Century Gustavian Tall Black Writing Desk Secretaire, Sweden 1820
Located in Berlin, DE
This beautiful 19th century Gustavian tall black writing desk secretaire was made in Sweden around
Category
Antique 1820s Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Pine
19th Century Mahogany Secretaire
Located in Casteren, NL
19th century mahogany secretaire.
Originates England, dating app.1830
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century English Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Mahogany Secretaire
Located in Austin, TX
Fabulous antique French Empire secretaire of Cuban flamed mahogany with a lustrous French polish
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Empire Secretaires
Materials
Marble, Bronze
French Provincial Walnut Secretaire Chest
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A handsome Louis XVI period walnut secretaire chest, circa 1790.
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Louis XVI Secretaires
Cees Braakman CB07 Secretaire in Birch black / white plywood for Pastoe
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stylish Secretaire Model CB07 designed by Cees Braakman and manufactured by Pastoe in the 1950s
Category
Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Birch
Large Art Deco Secretaire Cabinet, Black Lacquer, Oak, France circa 1930
Located in Regensburg, DE
Big fully restored original Art Deco Secretaire or Writing Cabinet in excellent Black Piano Lacquer
Category
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Secretaires
Materials
Stainless Steel, Chrome
An Antique Napoleon III Secrétaire à Abattant
Located in London, GB
Constructed in bois noirci, extensively dressed with gilt bronzes, and brass inlays; rising from oblate bun feet dressed with foliate gilt bronzes; two lockable lower doors enclose...
Category
Antique 1870s French Napoleon III Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
Drop-Leaf Sculpted Secretaire by Jacques Jarrige, 2006
By Jacques Jarrige
Located in New York, NY
A spectacular sculpted cabinet or desk by Jacques Jarrige. This unique drop-leaf desk is silver leafed inside and has three small drawers plus a large one on top. Equipped with a rec...
Category
Early 2000s French Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Antique Flame Mahogany Biedermeier Drop Front Secretaire, 19th Century
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique flame mahogany Biedermeier Abattant Secretary features drop front writing surface with interior pigeon holes and drawers, above lower storage, 19th century
Measures - 68&quo...
Category
Antique 19th Century North American Biedermeier Secretaires
Small Early 19th Century Empire secretaire, Mahogany, France circa 1820
Located in Greven, DE
Small antique Empire secretary
France
Mahogany
early 19th century
Dimensions: H x W x D: 136 x 69 x 42 cm
Description:
Extraordinarily small French Empire secretary.
When closed, ...
Category
Antique 1820s French Empire Secretaires
Materials
Belgian Black Marble
French Modernist Macassar Ebony, Plexi, Mother-of-Pearl Secretaire or Cabinet
Located in New York City, NY
A fine French Art Deco ebene de Macassar drop front bar or secretaire. The exquisite geometric
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Louis XVI-Style Mahogany and Marble-Top Secretaire Abbatant, Early 19th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
Louis XVI-Style Mahogany and Marble-Top Secretaire Abbatant, Early 19th Century. The inset
Category
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Marble, Brass
Norwegian Black Secretary Hutch
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Norwegian black secretary hutch, it has been restored and repainted with milk paints "Jet
Category
Antique 1790s Norwegian Primitive Secretaires
Materials
Wood
French Black Secretary Desk, 2010s
Located in LEGNY, FR
Really nice French secretary desk called "L'astucieux" means "the clever".
Swivel Writing part with a wooden base which hold it. The base can be tidy up on the right side of the Sec...
Category
2010s French Secretaires
Secretary Swedish Black Rococo, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
A secretary made during the Rococo period in Sweden, 1750-1775. Painted in our Laserow Black
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century Swedish Rococo Secretaires
French Black Secretary Desk, 2010s
Located in LEGNY, FR
Really nice French secretary desk called "L'astucieux" means "the clever".
Swivel writing part with a wooden base which hold it. The base can be tidy up on the right side of the sec...
Category
2010s French Secretaires
Materials
Wood
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Black Secretaire For Sale on 1stDibs
Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the black secretaire you’re looking for at 1stDibs. A black secretaire — often made from wood, metal and brass — can elevate any home. Find 126 options for an antique or vintage black secretaire now, or shop our selection of 6 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished piece. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer black secretaire, there are earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 21st Century. Each black secretaire bearing Georgian, Baroque or Art Deco hallmarks is very popular. T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Baker Furniture Company and Barbara Schweizer each produced at least one beautiful black secretaire that is worth considering.
How Much is a Black Secretaire?
The average selling price for a black secretaire at 1stDibs is $5,949, while they’re typically $608 on the low end and $346,832 for the highest priced.
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.
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