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19th Century French Louis Philippe Carved Walnut Secretary Cabinet
Located in Dallas, TX
in France, circa 1840, and built of solid walnut, he tall secretary with classical straight lines
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Italian Late Baroque Carved Walnut Secretary Commode
Located in Atlanta, GA
with a flip front and concealing smaller drawers and a writing surface, having carved panels and a
Category
Antique Early 1700s Italian Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Walnut
Antique American Empire Carved Flame Mahogany Secretary, Bookcase
Desk, C1840
Located in Big Flats, NY
***
Antique American Empire Flame Mahogany Secretary with Upper Bookcase with Double Glass Doors over Lower
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century American Empire Desks
Materials
Mahogany
20th Century Italian Louis XV Style Carved Walnut Secretary Chest
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Elegant secretary chest walnut carved, 1950s. The openable floor allows a support to write. Inside
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Walnut
Antique Horner School Inlaid
Carved Mahogany Secretary Desk Circa 1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique secretary in the manner of Horner offers mahogany construction with upper having glass
Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Italian Figural Mahogany Secretary Credenza, Carved in Relief, c1920
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Italian figural secretary credenza offers walnut construction with upper having double
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Credenzas
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Classical American Empire Carved Flame Mahogany Secretary Desk c1850
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Classical Greco American Empire secretary offers flame mahogany construction with upper
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century American American Empire Desks
Materials
Mahogany
George Winthrop Carved Mahogany Drop Front Secretary
Bookcase, circa 1950
Located in Big Flats, NY
A vintage George Winthrop secretary features mahogany construction with upper case having broken
Category
20th Century American Federal Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
Antique American Renaissance Revival Carved Walnut Secretary Desk Bookcase, 1870
Located in Portland, OR
A very grand antique American Renaissance Revival carved bookcase secretary, circa 1870. The
Category
Antique 1870s American Renaissance Revival Bookcases
Materials
Walnut
Vintage Oversized Carved Mahogany Chippendale Style Secretary Desk, 20th Century
Located in Big Flats, NY
A vintage oversized Chippendale style secretary offers mahogany construction with upper having
Category
20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Vintage Chinese Hand Carved Cherry Finished Secretary Desk
Located in Delray Beach, FL
The Vintage Chinese Hand Carved Cherry Finished Secretary Desk is a masterpiece of traditional
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Antique French Renaissance Secretary Abattant Desk Carved Oak Embossed Brass
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique French Renaissance Secretary Abattant Desk Carved Oak Embossed Brass
~Direct from France
Category
Antique 19th Century French Renaissance Secretaires
Materials
Brass
19th Century French Empire Marble Top Carved Walnut Secretary Cabinet
Located in Dallas, TX
secretary with classical straight lines stands on bracket feet and features round columns on both sides
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Secretaires
Materials
Marble
Mid-Century Italian Baroque Carved Walnut Secretary Chest of Drawers
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant, multi-function antique chest was created in Italy, circa 1960. Siting on bracket feet over a straight bottom plinth, the fruit wood cabinet features what appears to be ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Louis XIII Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Grand English Georgian Hand Carved Oak Secretary or Bookcase
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century English Georgian secretary or bookcase is a magnificent example of the genre, with
Category
Antique 1880s English Georgian Secretaires
Materials
Oak
French Louis XV Style Carved Oak Drop Front Secretary Bureau, 1930s
Located in Barntrup, DE
Louis XV Style carved oak drop front secretary or bureau or writing desk, France, 1930s.
Opened it
Category
Vintage 1930s French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Antique French Carved Oak Secretary Desk Bureau Drop Front Louis XV Style
Located in Shreveport, LA
~Direct from France~
~A lovely antique French carved “drop front” secretary/desk with
Category
Vintage 1910s French Louis XV Secretaires
Materials
Brass
18th Century French Louis XV Carved Walnut Secretary Desk Display Bookcase
Located in Dallas, TX
" (secretary bookcase) is an essential piece of furniture for a study or library. The traditional secretary was
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Walnut
Carved Walnut Italian Secretary Desk Abatant with Griffin Supports
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Italian Renaissance style secretary desk with a drop desk containing several compartments over 1
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Renaissance Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Antique French Carved Oak Secretary Desk Bureau Drop Front Louis XV Style
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique French carved oak secretary desk bureau drop front Louis XV Style.
Direct from France, a
Category
Vintage 1920s French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Antique French Carved Oak Desk Secretary Bureau Bookcase Louis XV Drop Front
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique French carved oak desk secretary Bureau bookcase Louis XV drop front
~Direct from France
Category
Vintage 1920s French Louis XV Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Antique Victorian R.J. Horner Style Victorian Carved Oak Secretary Bookcase
By R.J. Horner
Co.
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Victorian R.J. Horner style secretary bookcase offers oak construction with urn form
Category
20th Century American Late Victorian Bookcases
Materials
Bronze
Swedish 1790s Tall Slant-Front Secretary with Glass Doors and Carved Motifs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish two-part tall secretary from the late 18th century, with slanted front desk, carved
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Swedish Early 19th Century Karl Johan Secretary Cabinet with Lovely Carved Skirt
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish early 19th century Karl Johan secretary cabinet. This Swedish slant-front desk features
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Karl Johan Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Fine Antique Burl Walnut Inlaid Marquetry Carved Davenport Secretary Desk 1860
Located in Portland, OR
satinwood line inlay, this is flanked by a pair of carved & reticulated brackets with spiral columns
Category
Antique 1860s English High Victorian Desks
Materials
Leather, Maple, Satinwood, Walnut, Burl
Late 19th Century French Henri II Hand Carved Walnut Secretary Bookcase Desk
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This late 19th century French Henri II hand carved walnut secretary features fluted columns at the
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Secretaires
Materials
Fabric, Glass, Walnut
Antique French Carved Oak Secretary Desk Bureau Drop Front Louis XV Style
Located in Shreveport, LA
~ Direct from France
~ A lovely antique French carved “drop front” secretary/desk with
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Desks
Materials
Oak
18th Century French Louis XV Carved Bombe Cherry Scriban Secretary from Bordeaux
Located in Dallas, TX
"commode scriban". Carved in Bordeaux, France circa 1760, the "secretaire a abattants" is both stylish and
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Cherry
Antique French Louis XIV Style Carved Walnut Cupboard with Secretary, circa 1920
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Louis XIV style custom hand-carved French china cupboard features walnut construction with
Category
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Victorian Carved Walnut Standard Grade Signed Wooton Secretary Desk
By Wooton Desk Co.
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a completely original finish Wooton desk with cubbies and slots. The desk is a rare find today and they don't show up often. Signed. 2 doors. On wheels. Drop down door. Slots...
Category
Antique 1890s American Late Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
An 18th Century Belgian Regence Style Carved Oak Secretary Bookcase
Located in Dallas, TX
A Very Tall and Exceptional 18th Century Belgian Regence Style Carved Oak Secretary Bookcase from
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Belgian Régence Secretaires
Materials
Oak, Glass
Highly Carved Continental Drop Front Secretary Desk with Side Griffins
Located in Tarzana, CA
A magnificent 19th century highly carved continental drop front secretary desk with side griffins
Category
Antique 19th Century British Desks and Writing Tables
French Louis XV Style Hand Carved Walnut Vitrine or Secretary
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This c. 1920 hand carved walnut Louis XV style secretary or vitrine is finely detailed with scallop
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Vitrines
Materials
Walnut, Glass
Antique Victorian Eastlake Carved Walnut Double Bookcase with Secretary Desk
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful antique Victorian Eastlake double bookcase cabinet with drop front secretary desk
Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Bookcases
Materials
Brass
Georgian Carved Flame Mahogany Breakfront Bookcase Cabinet With Secretary Desk
By Vanleigh Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
secretary desk
In the manner of Baker Furniture
By Vanleigh
USA, Circa 1930s
Carved flame mahogany, with
Category
Vintage 1930s American Georgian Cabinets
Materials
Brass
English George III Carved Flame Mahogany Secretary Bookcase, 19th Century
Located in Big Flats, NY
English George III flame mahogany secretary bookcase features upper crest with carved drape and
Category
Antique 19th Century English George III Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Upholstery, Glass, Mahogany
Antique American Empire Carved Flame Mahogany and Bronze Secretary Bookcase
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique American Empire secretary features flame mahogany construction with three long drawers in
Category
Antique Early 19th Century American American Empire Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
English Secretary
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand-carved, English secretary with hand-blown glass and broken pediment detail.
Category
Antique 19th Century English Secretaires
Materials
Walnut, Glass
$44,500
Antique French Carved Tiger Oak Secretary Desk Bureau Drop Front Louis XV Style
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique French carved dark oak secretary desk bureau drop front Louis XV style
~ Direct from
Category
Vintage 1910s French Louis XV Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Baker Furniture Chippendale Carved Mahogany Secretary Desk with Bookcase Hutch
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Chippendale or Georgian style bureau with drop front secretary desk and bookcase
Category
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Desks
Materials
Brass
Vintage Henredon Secretary Desk
Located in Annville, PA
A Vintage Henredon Secretary Desk brought to you by Niagara Furniture. This desk is impressive in
Category
Late 20th Century Renaissance Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Country French Secretary ~ Bookcase
Located in Dallas, TX
Always a popular choice, the slant-front Country French Secretary is a great piece unto itself, but
Category
Antique Early 1900s French Country Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Italian, Piemontese, Carved Ebonized Walnut Secretary Commode, 17th/18th Cen
Located in Atlanta, GA
at the first drawer, the interior with nine carved drawers, the lower three drawers of normal order
Category
Antique Early 1700s Italian Louis XIV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Walnut
Swedish Drop-Front Secretary
Located in New York, NY
golden European oak and Nordic fir and inlaid with mahogany and birch, the Classic secretary offers
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century Swedish Renaissance Secretaires
Materials
Oak
$14,500
Early Painted Swedish Secretary
Located in Houston, TX
Early painted Swedish secretary desk (circa 1810-1830: drop-front reveals sixteen small
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Bone, Pine
Antique RJ Horner School Figural Carved Oak
Leaded Glass Secretary, c1920
By R.J. Horner
Co.
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique double secretary in the manner of RJ Horner offers quarter sawn oak construction with
Category
Early 20th Century American Desks
Materials
Oak, Glass
Antique Carved Mahogany Drop-Front Secretary with Brass Gallery, circa 1910
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique secretary offers mahogany construction with upper brass gallery over upper case with
Category
Early 20th Century Desks
Materials
Mahogany
Antique European Secretary Hutch
Located in Los Angeles, CA
, carved wooden moulding, and lined interior. This is a three-piece hutch with working drawers and a drop
Category
Antique Early 1900s French Rustic Secretaires
Materials
Pine
Alfonso Marina Chippendale Carved Pine Secretary Desk With Bookcase Hutch Top
By Alfonso Marina
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful Georgian or Chippendale style bureau with drop front secretary desk and bookcase hutch
Category
1990s American Chippendale Desks
Materials
Brass
Antique Victorian Carved Oak Curved Glass Double Bookcase with Secretary Desk
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Victorian double bookcase wall unit with drop down secretary desk and mirror
Category
Late 20th Century American Victorian Bookcases
Materials
Brass
20th Century Dennis
Leen FrenchLouis XV Style Carved Fruitwood Secretary Desk
By Dennis
Leen
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a show stopper! It is a large scale French style carved fruitwood Secretary by Dennis
Category
Late 20th Century American Louis XV Secretaires
Materials
Fruitwood
Antique Renaissance Revival Carved Mahogany Secretary Desk or Bar Cabinet, 1920s
Located in South Bend, IN
An excellent antique Renaissance Revival carved mahogany secretary desk or bar cabinet. The cabinet
Category
Early 20th Century Renaissance Revival Desks
Materials
Mahogany
Henkel Harris Georgian Carved Mahogany Secretary Desk with Bookcase Hutch Top
By Henkel Harris
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Georgian or Chippendale style bureau with drop front secretary desk and bookcase hutch
Category
Vintage 1970s American Georgian Desks
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century English Pine Chinese Chippendale Style Carved Pine Secretary Desk
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a mid-century Chinese Chippendale style carved pine secretary. It is purported to be
Category
Mid-20th Century English Chinese Chippendale Secretaires
Materials
Pine
Baker Furniture French Provincial Louis XV Carved Walnut Secretary Desk, 1960s
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Provincial Louis XV style bureau with drop front secretary desk and lighted
Category
Vintage 1960s American French Provincial Desks
Materials
Brass
Early Georgian Style Chinoiserie Cabinet / Secretary Desk W/ Carved Pagoda Base
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is an early 20th century Georgian style chinoiserie secretary cabinet on a heavily carved
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Georgian Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Renaissance Revival Carved Burl Walnut Secretary Writing Desk Slant Drop Front
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Victorian/Renaissance Revival burl walnut drop front secretary desk. (Be sure to check item
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century American Victorian Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
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Carved Secretary For Sale on 1stDibs
Find many varieties of an authentic carved secretary available at 1stDibs. A carved secretary — often made from wood, metal and oak — can elevate any home. There are 216 variations of the antique or vintage carved secretary you’re looking for, while we also have 1 modern editions of this piece to choose from as well. There are many kinds of the carved secretary you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 21st Century. When you’re browsing for the right carved secretary, those designed in Louis XV, Georgian and Baroque styles are of considerable interest. A well-made carved secretary has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Axel Heizmann, Baker Furniture Company and Chamberts Möbelfabrik are consistently popular.
How Much is a Carved Secretary?
Prices for a carved secretary can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $1,104 and can go as high as $125,000, while the average can fetch as much as $6,400.
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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