Carved Secretary
Antique 1870s English Arts and Crafts Secretaires
Oak
Antique 18th Century Scandinavian Rococo Secretaires
Wood
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Spanish Secretaires
Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Secretaires
Brass
Vintage 1940s Italian Secretaires
Antique Early 19th Century British Regency Secretaires
Mahogany
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Brass
Vintage 1940s Italian Secretaires
Maple, Rosewood
20th Century Indonesian Anglo-Indian Cabinets
Wood, Mirror
Early 20th Century Japanese Art Nouveau Secretaires
Ivory, Wood
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Wood
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Wood
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Wood
Antique 19th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Brass, Bronze, Iron
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Swedish Baroque Secretaires
Wood
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Baroque Secretaires
Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Neoclassical Secretaires
Wood
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Wood
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Secretaires
Brass
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Wood
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Pine
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century English Renaissance Secretaires
Brass
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Wood
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks
Wood
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Glass, Wood
Antique 18th Century Swedish Rococo Secretaires
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Brass
Antique Mid-19th Century European Louis Philippe Secretaires
Rosewood, Fruitwood, Mahogany
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Carved Secretary For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Carved 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.
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