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Heals and Son limed oak fold down bureau, England circa 1930
By Heal
s
Located in Macclesfield, Cheshire
Heals and Son limed Oak fold down bureau
The fall front opening to reveal pigeon holes.
Two
Category
Vintage 1930s British Secretaires
Materials
Oak
George II Mahogany Bureau Bookcase, Attributed to Giles Grendey, circa 1740
By Giles Grendey
Located in New York, NY
George II mahogany Bureau bookcase attributed to Giles Grendey (London 1693-1780), the upper
Category
Antique 1740s English George II Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
English Vintage Teak Bureau Writing Desk Retro Mid-Century Modern, 1960s-1970s
Located in Newcastle upon Tyne, GB
An impressive mid-20th century teak writing bureau.
The angled paneled fall flap enclosed a fitted
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Secretaires
Materials
Teak
Biedermeier Secretaire a Abatant Walnut Veneer, German, circa 1820, Bureau
Located in Seattle, WA
A handsome Biedermeier secretaire a abatant in walnut veneer
Elegant minimal design with
Category
Antique 1810s German Biedermeier Desks
Materials
Walnut
Victorian Bureau Bookcase Mid-Size 19th Century Cylinder Top Secretaire
Located in Santander, ES
Bureau bookcase dating to the second half of the 19th century of English origin featuring the
Category
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Bookcases
Materials
Mahogany
Gothic Mahogany Secretaire and Bookcase, Original Glass
Located in Port Chester, NY
proportioned bookcase on top, and built in secretaire or bureau with a flip down writing surface and charming
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century English Bookcases
Materials
Mahogany
18th Century Dutch Cylinder Bureau/Secretaire
Located in Charleston, SC
18th century Dutch Cylinder Bureau/Secretaire with roll top enclosing an interior fitted with many
Category
Antique 18th Century Dutch Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
Danish Craftsman Mid-Century Bureau/Secretaire, 1960s
Located in London, GB
High quality craftsman produced bureau/secretaire, Denmark, circa 1960. Pull-out desk/surface with
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rosewood
18th Century Marquetry Walnut Dutch Bureau Secretaire
Located in Aci Castello, IT
An amazing Dutch bureau made in the second half of 18th century, it's in superb conditions
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Dutch Dutch Colonial Secretaires
Materials
Fruitwood, Walnut
Swedish Rococo Style Bureau / Secretaire, Blue Painted
Located in Kastrup, DK
Swedish rococo style bureau in beautiful blue color.
Wall cabinet with a pair of barred glass
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Danish Blue Painted Baroque Cabinet Bureau / Secretaire
Located in Kastrup, DK
18th Century Danish Baroque period secretary cabinet in two parts. Crafted in oak, painted in a beautiful blue color and a dark grey interior.
Upper cabinet with curved crown and a ...
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century Danish Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Exceptional George I, Burr Elm Fall Front Bureau, Secretaire Burl Secretary
Located in London, by appointment only
bureau / secretaire burl secretary.
Category
Antique Early 18th Century British George I Desks
Materials
Burl
Bureau secretaire à pente / d
âne French, Napoleon III Floral marquetry
Located in Valladolid, ES
Exquisite small desk made in France during the Napoleon III era, 19th century. It features extraordinary, well-made marquetry; different woods are used for the ornaments, both polygo...
Category
Antique 1890s Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Danish mid-century Bureau by Erling Torvits
By Erling Torvits
Located in London, GB
Brazilian rosewood bureau/secretaire by Erling Torvits, Denmark, circa 1960. Lockable drop down
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Palisander
Danish Midcentury Rosewood Secretaire by Erling Torvits
By Erling Torvits, HJN Møbler
Located in London, GB
Outstanding bureau - secretaire designed by Erling Torvits, Denmark, circa 1960.
Superb cabinetry
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Rosewood
Danish Rosewood Desk/ Bureau/ Secretaire by Nils Jonsson for Møbelfabrik, 1960s
By Nils Johnsson
Located in London, GB
Beautiful and rare Danish rosewood secretaire by Nils Jonsson for Møbelfabrik, 1960s.
Very
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rosewood
A Fine Art-Deco Secretaire, circa 1930
Located in Doylestown, PA
A fine French slant-front bureau secretaire in rosewood veneer with sycamore trim and interior
Category
Early 20th Century French Secretaires
Materials
Rosewood, Sycamore
19th Century Dutch Secretaire
Located in Charleston, SC
19th century Dutch Bureau/Secretaire with drop down writing surface. The desk interior is a
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Dutch Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
Mid Century Modern Teak Danish Bureau Secretaire by Dyrlund Work Desk Vintage
By Dyrlund
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A 1970s Dyrlund of Denmark teak bureau with tambour front.
Lovely quality by the well known Danish
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks
Materials
Teak
Impressive George III Style Cabinet/Secretaire
Located in Palm Beach, FL
A Fine George III Style, Carved and Polished Burl Walnut Bureau Secretaire, with Two Finials and
Category
Antique 19th Century British George III Secretaires
Materials
Burl, Walnut
19th Century Grey Swedish Gustavian One Part Pine Bureau, Chrome Writing Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A light-grey, white antique Swedish Gustavian one part bureau, secretaire made of hand crafted
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Chrome
18th Century Louis XV Bureau Italian Genoese Walnut Marquetry Drop-Front Desk
Located in Milano, MI
An exceptional Italian Genoese walnut veneered and inlaid fall front bureau secretaire desk, dating
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Italian Louis XV Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Torbjørn Afdal Secretaire, nesjestranda møbelfabrikk
By Torbjørn Afdal
Located in London, GB
This is a very rare bureau secretaire designed by Torbjørn Afdal and produced by Nesjestranda
Category
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Hardwood
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Three Part Pine Bureau, Scandinavian Secretaire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 18th century, dark-grey antique Swedish Gustavian three part bureau, secretaire made of hand
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Cabinets
Materials
Metal, Brass
Handpainted Italian Bureau Bookcase/Secretaire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Bureau Bookcase or Secretaire, painted, having scrolled broken arch pediment, above double doors
Category
Antique 19th Century Italian Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Mirror
Painted Italian Secretaire/Bureau Bookcase
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Secretaire, in white with parcel gilt, the entire piece handpainted with flora and blue scrollwork
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Mirror
Danish Midcentury Secretaire, Bureau, Erling Torvits
By Klim Møbelfabrik, Erling Torvits
Located in London, GB
Superb rosewood Danish midcentury secretaire - Bureau. Designed by Erling Torvits. Wonderful
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Rosewood
Antique Swedish Biedermeier Secretaire Desk Bureau
Located in London, GB
This antique Swedish Biedermeier secrétaire is in good condition and full of character. It has many
Category
Antique 1860s Swedish Secretaires
Materials
Satinwood
Antique Swedish Satin Birch Secretaire Bureau
Located in London, GB
Antique Swedish Biedermeier satin birch secretaire with a stunning interior and full of character
Category
Antique 1850s Swedish Victorian Secretaires
Materials
Birch
Antique Original Painted Swedish Secretaire Bureau, Dated 1848
Located in Round Top, TX
The highly decorative paint on this charming secretaire, also referred to as a bureau, is in the
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Materials
Pine, Paint
Antique Campaign Chest, Edwardian, Officer
s Secretaire, Drawers, Bureau
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique campaign chest, an English, Edwardian, Officer's secretaire chest of drawers, a
Category
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
French Secretaire , Bureau à pente / d’âne Louis XV
By French House
Garden
Located in Valladolid, ES
One of a kind and very refined French piece , a Louis XV Bureau à Pente / Secretaire ,made in
Category
Antique Early 1800s French Louis XV Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
Exceptional Quality 18th Century Mahogany Georgian Bureau or Secretaire
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Exceptional Georgian bureau in mahogany 18th century of superb quality.
This beautiful bureau
Category
Antique 18th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Italian Walnut Marquetry Bureau Directoire Secretaire from Albenga Liguria 1840
Located in Milano, MI
1840s Directoire walnut secretaire, an elegant Italian Directoire bureau with flap with finely
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Italian Directoire Secretaires
Materials
Marble
George III England Antique Mahogany Secretaire Secretary Desk Bureau Bookcase
Located in West Hartford, CT
Early George III antique drop front secretary desk with gorgeous detail and multiple drawers and compartments. Features an intricately carved pierced pediment and finials and fretwor...
Category
Antique 1810s English George III Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Ladies Desk, Secretaire En Pente, Bureau De Dames, France, 19th Century
Located in Greven, DE
Antique ladies' desk - Bureau des Dames - Secretaire en Pente.
France
second half of 19th
Category
Antique 19th Century French Secretaires
Materials
Wood
1950s Welters of Wycombe Secrétaire Bureau Desk With Leather Flip-down Worktop
By Welters of Wycombe
Located in Torquay, GB
Retro 1950s Welters of Wycombe Secrétaire Bureau Desk with leather lined flipdown platform
Lockable
Category
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Teak Bureau
Located in Puslinch, ON
Condition: Restored
Dimensions: 34.5” L x 16.5” D x 44.25” H (28” Desk Height)
Description: A vintage teak vanity/desk with drawers. Lock works and comes with key. Freshly imported...
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Teak
$1,650
Swedish Bureau
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
19th century Swedish bureau with original painted interior.
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Secretaires
$5,420
German Pine Secretaire
Located in Baltimore, MD
Here is a German pine secretaire or bureau bookcase with Louis-Philippe styling which almost has
Category
Antique Late 19th Century German Secretaires
Materials
Pine
$3,350
Painted Dutch Bureau
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Early 19th century painted Dutch bombe bureau with traces of original gilding.
Category
Antique 19th Century Dutch Secretaires
$4,440
Small Walnut Bureau
Located in Eindhoven, NL
Small walnut bureau in good and original condition. Beautifully patina. Entirely in good condition
Category
Antique 1890s English Georgian Secretaires
Materials
Oak, Walnut
$1,958
Painted Italian Bureau Bookcase
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Bureau bookcase/Secretaire, of bombe form, painted and parcel gilt; scrolled broken arch pediment
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Teak Bureau/Vanity
Located in Puslinch, ON
Condition: Pre-Restored
Dimensions: 33.25” L x 17” D x 41.5” H (27” Desk Height)
Description: A vintage teak vanity/desk with drawers. Lock works and comes with key. Freshly import...
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Teak
$1,600
Antique Edwardian Mahogany Bureau
Located in London, GB
Very smart, good quality antique Edwardian mahogany bureau with some unusual and useful features
Category
Antique Early 1900s English Edwardian Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Italian 19th Century Bureau
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Italian 19th century hand-carved bureau.
Category
Antique 19th Century Italian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
$10,000
Gustavian Bureau, circa 1790
Located in Aalsgaarde, DK
A richly carved Gustavian bureau with original locks and keys, circa 1790.
Category
Antique 18th Century Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Mirrored door bureau bookcase.
Located in Lincolnshire, GB
A fine 18th century mahogany bureau bookcase with a broken arch pediment and unusual mirrored doors.
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
18th Century Walnut Bureau
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Wonderful 18th century marquetry walnut bureau - original hand-blocked paper lining to drawers
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Secretaires
$11,735
Antique Georgian Walnut Bureau
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Delightful George II Period Walnut Bureau Having Superbly
Figured Fall Revealing Superbly
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
18th Century Painted Bureau
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Late 18th C English painted oak bureau with fitted interior. 1790.
Height to desk is 30
Category
Antique 18th Century English George III Secretaires
Materials
Oak
18th Century Painted Bureau
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Late 18th century English painted oak bureau with fitted interior. 1790.
Height to desk is 34
Category
Antique 18th Century English George III Secretaires
Materials
Oak
19th Century Swedish Bureau
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
19th Century Swedish bureau.
With a fall front desk, opening to nine drawers this makes the
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Materials
Wood
English Painted Writing Bureau
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
18th century English painted oak writing bureau with a nice fitted interior. 1780.
Height to
Category
Antique 18th Century English George III Secretaires
Materials
Oak
French Provincial Bureau Bookcase.
Located in Middleburg, VA
French Provincial Bureau Bookcase. Made of pine with old painted finish. Arched cornice over two
Category
Antique 19th Century French Secretaires
Materials
Pine
Gillows Aesthetic Movement Bureau
By Gillows of Lancaster
London
Located in London, GB
An aesthetic movement parcel-gilt walnut bureau by Gillows, the design attributed to H.W. Batley
Category
Antique 19th Century British Aesthetic Movement Secretaires
19th Century Swedish Bureau
Located in Charleston, SC
Charming small Swedish Gustavian ladies Bureau with marble top and drop-down desk surface with
Category
Antique 19th Century Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
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Bureau Secretaire For Sale on 1stDibs
Find many varieties of an authentic bureau secretaire available at 1stDibs. Frequently made of wood, mahogany and walnut, every bureau secretaire was constructed with great care. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect bureau secretaire — we have versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 21st Century are available. Each bureau secretaire bearing Georgian, Louis XV or Scandinavian Modern hallmarks is very popular. You’ll likely find more than one bureau secretaire that is appealing in its simplicity, but Pier Luigi Colli, Erling Torvits and Giovanni Gariboldi produced versions that are worth a look.
How Much is a Bureau Secretaire?
A bureau secretaire can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $5,694, while the lowest priced sells for $504 and the highest can go for as much as $1,844,713.
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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