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Russian Empire Commode Secretary
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An exceptional Russian Empire fruitwood and ebonized 4 drawer chest/secretary. The top drawer
Category
Antique 1850s European Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Marble, Carrara Marble, Brass
Spanish Fall-Front Secretary Desk in Carved Walnut, Spain, circa 1950
Located in Miami, FL
Mid 20th century walnut Spanish fall-front secretary with molded carvings in drawers and doors
Category
Mid-20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Carved Cherry Grand Scale French Louis XV Auffray Style Secretary Desk
By Auffray Furniture
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Auffray of New York or perhaps Don Ruseau but isn't marked. It's a large two piece secretary and all
Category
Vintage 1950s American Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wire
Secretary Cabinet, France circa 1800
Located in Culver City, CA
Secretary Cabinet
France circa 1800
Glazed cabinet with graduated drawers to the base. Above is a
Category
Antique Early 19th Century French Secretaires
Materials
Wood
NVIN0579 Vintage Maitland Smith Secretary Desk
Located in Annville, PA
From Niagara Furniture a Vintage Maitland Smith Secretary Desk in excellent original, as found
Category
1990s American Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Glass
Gothic Revival Secretary Desk, Walnut, France
Located in Vulpellac, Girona
Gothic Revival walnut secretary desk, France.
This piece is designed after "Viollet le Duc" style
Category
Antique 19th Century French Gothic Revival Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Carved Oak Corner Cabinet Secretary Liquor Cabinet, Denmark circa 1800-20
Located in Round Top, TX
The impressive carved details add to the sophisticated appeal of this handsome corner cabinet
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Danish Baroque Cabinets
Materials
Oak, Paint
Important Napoleon III Cylinder Secretary
Located in BARSAC, FR
exterior drawers and the flap, superbly carved in solid walnut.
This secretary has also an ingenious
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Antique Figural Carved Flame Mahogany Side By Side Secretary with Mirror C1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
Carved Flame Mahogany Side By Side Secretary with Mirror C1890
Measures - 73.5"H x 43"W x 14"D
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Bookcases
Materials
Mahogany
Vintage Large Mahogany Secretary Desk
Located in Annville, PA
A Vintage large mahogany secretary desk. This desk is impressive in both it’s design and scale
Category
Vintage 1960s American Chippendale Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Antique Victorian Carved Tiger Oak Side-by-Side Bookcase With Secretary Desk
By R.J. Horner
Co.
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Victorian side-by-side drop front secretary desk and bookcase or display cabinet
In the
Category
Early 20th Century American Victorian Bookcases
Materials
Glass, Mirror, Oak
Solid Oak Victorian Secretary Bookcase
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
An American, solid carved, quarter-sawn oak, Victoriana secretary with bookcase and drawers, circa
Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Ornate Carved Elm Wood and Brass Inlay Chinoiserie Drop Front Secretary Desk
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous ornate carved elm wood Chinoiserie secretary desk. The desk features beautiful carved
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Antique Eastlake Walnut
Burl Barrel Roll Secretary Desk with Carved Ivy, c1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Eastlake secretary offers walnut and burl construction with upper bookcase having carved
Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Eastlake Desks
Materials
Walnut, Burl, Glass
Fine Carved Walnut French Louis XV Secretary Desk Abatant Basket of Flowers
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a superb carved walnut secretary abatant that's perfect for narrow hallways or shallow
Category
Antique Early 1900s French Louis XV Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Tulipwood, Walnut
20th Century French Carved Oak Desk Secretary Bureau Bookcase Louis XV Style
Located in Shreveport, LA
Direct from France, a lovely vintage French carved “drop front” secretary, absolutely loaded with
Category
Vintage 1940s French Louis XV Desks
Materials
Oak
Antique Country French Secretary, Bookcase
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique Country French Secretary, bookcase is the perfect all-in-one solution! Handcrafted from
Category
Early 20th Century French Régence Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Custom Built Vintage Secretary Desk
Located in Annville, PA
From Niagara Furniture a Custom Built Vintage Secretary Desk, in ready to use in your home
Category
Vintage 1980s North American Renaissance Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
NVIN0518 Vintage Mahogany Secretary Desk
Located in Annville, PA
A Vintage Mahogany Secretary Desk brought to you by Niagara Furniture. This desk is impressive in
Category
Late 20th Century Renaissance Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Swedish Secretary Cabinet
Located in Charleston, SC
Charming 19th century Swedish country secretary with library cabinet in two parts with molded
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Materials
Pine, Paint
Mid Century Romweber Viking Oak Carved Executive L Shaped Office Secretarys Desk
By Romweber Furniture Co.
Located in Dayton, OH
Romweber (R-10962) secretary's Desk (Right Hand), circa 1974. Features an L shaped carved oak frame
Category
Vintage 1970s Gothic Desks
Materials
Oak
French Carved Tiger Oak Secretary Desk Bureau Drop Front Table Louis XV Style
Located in Shreveport, LA
Direct from France, a lovely antique French carved “drop front” secretary/desk with quintessential
Category
Vintage 1910s French Louis XV Desks
Materials
Oak
18th c. Walnut Secretary
Located in New Orleans, LA
Fabulous Carved Walnut Secretary
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
$36,000
18th Century Scandinavian Secretary
Located in Wichita, KS
A beautifully carved Scandinavian secretary with original locks and hardware from the 18th century.
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Scandinavian Desks
19th Century English Renaissance Secretary, Bookcase
Located in Dallas, TX
This stunning 19th century English Renaissance Secretary, bookcase provides display, storage, and a
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century English Renaissance Revival Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Antique Country French Provincial Secretary, Bookcase
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique Country French Provincial secretary, bookcase features display above, storage below, and a
Category
Early 20th Century French French Provincial Bookcases
Materials
Oak
Victorian Cylinder Secretary Cabinet
Located in Astoria, NY
Victorian cylinder secretary cabinet in carved and parcel ebonized wood with mother of pearl
Category
Antique 19th Century Victorian Secretaires
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
19th Century Gustavian Secretary
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Period 19th century Gustavian secretary.
Featuring a carved pediment that sits above two doors
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
NVIN0544 Vintage Hickory Furniture Secretary Desk
Located in Annville, PA
A Vintage Hickory Furniture Secretary Desk brought to you by Niagara Furniture. This desk is
Category
1990s North American Renaissance Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
Italian Rococo Style Walnut Bombe Secretary Cabinet
Located in Cypress, CA
Fine Italian Rococo style walnut veneered bombe secretary cabinet.
The shaped surmount is over a
Category
20th Century Italian Rococo Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
English 19th Century Regency Mahogany Secretary
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A fine English mahogany secretary, done in the Regency style circa 1830. This outstanding desk has
Category
Antique 19th Century English Regency Secretaires
Materials
Brass
19th Century Country French Louis XIV Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century Country French Louis XIV secretary was designed for centuries of daily use ~ hand
Category
Antique 1880s French Louis XIV Secretaires
Materials
Oak
19th Century French Louis Philippe Commode Secretary
Located in Austin, TX
Indulge in the timeless elegance of our 19th Century French Louis Philippe Commode Secretary
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Commodes and Chests of Dr...
Materials
Marble
19th Century French Regence Secretary, Dry Bar
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century French Regence Secretary, dry bar was sculpted from select French oak, and features
Category
Antique 1870s French Louis XIV Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Country French Louis XVI Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century Country French Louis XVI secretary performs two functions at once ~ copious storage in
Category
Antique 1870s French Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Brass
19th Century French Regence Roll Top Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century French Regence roll top secretary is a relatively uncommon design when crafted by
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XIV Secretaires
Materials
Marble
19th c., English, Chinoiserie Secretary
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand-carved and embellished, English, Chinoiserie secretary with mirrored doors.
Category
Antique 19th Century English Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
19th Century Gustavian Painted Secretary
Located in New Orleans, LA
Beautifully carved and painted Gustavian Secretary. The carving is the Swedish take on French
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Pine
Early 19th Century Swedish Secretary
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Early 19th Century Swedish secretary.
Decorative carved pediment with two doors with reeded
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Period Secretary from Varmland Sweden
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Period 19th century Gustavian secretary.
With a carved deep pediment with two doors with diamond
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
18th Century Baroque Period Secretary
Located in Wichita, KS
A richly carved Baroque period bureau / secretary with carvings typical of the period. The interior
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Swedish Baroque Cabinets
18th Century Dutch Baroque Burl Walnut Secretary Cabinet
Located in Cypress, CA
Fine 18th century Dutch Baroque burl walnut veneered secretary cabinet. The intricately carved
Category
Antique 18th Century Dutch Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
18th Century French Neoclassical Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
Secretary features hand-carved floral and foliate swags and sprays mated with finely detailed molding. A
Category
Antique 1770s French Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Antique Rustic English Country Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
This Antique Rustic English Country Secretary was carved all over ~ even on the sides ~ from solid
Category
Antique 19th Century English Secretaires
19th Century French Louis XIV Stripped Oak Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century French Louis XIV stripped oak secretary is a marvel of craftsmanship ~ rendered in
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XIV Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Large Early 19th Century Mahogany English Breakfront Secretary
Located in Hudson, NY
This impressive mahogany secretary bookcase was made in England, circa 1820-1830. Designed as a
Category
Antique Early 19th Century English George IV Bookcases
Chinoiserie Decorated Chippendale Style Ebonized Drop Front Secretary
Located in Big Flats, NY
A vintage Chippendale style secretary offers chinoiserie decorated ebonized finish with landscape
Category
20th Century European Chinoiserie Desks
Materials
Metal
19th Century Country French Louis XVI Painted Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century country French Louis XVI painted secretary features the charm of the Provincial style
Category
Antique 1850s French Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Oak
19th Century Swedish Two-part Secretary Circa 1820
Located in Atlanta, GA
This beautiful 19th-century Swedish Gustavian secretary combines functionality with classic
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Oak, Pine, Paint
English Mahogany Secretary with Blind Door Bookcase. Circa 1770
Located in Charleston, SC
English Mahogany secretary with bookcase. Secretary has intricately carved upper case flanking
Category
Antique 1770s English George III Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
18th Century Dutch Tambour Stripped Oak Secretary, Bookcase
Located in Dallas, TX
18th century Dutch Tambour stripped oak secretary, bookcase was handcrafted from solid old-growth
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Dutch Louis XIV Wardrobes and Armoires
Materials
Bronze
Louis XVI Carrara Marble Top Secretary
Located in Austin, TX
& trim, and carved fluted details. This secretary has four dovetailed drawers and a drop down front
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Marble, Brass
18th Century Swedish Two-part Secretary Circa 1790
Located in Atlanta, GA
craftsmanship, blending elegance and practicality in a timeless design. It features unusually well-carved sides
Category
Antique 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Pine, Paint
Early 19th Century Regency Secretary Bookcase
Located in Essex, MA
Period Regency mahogany secretary bookcase. Carved neoclassical elements. Pediment with carving and
Category
Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Bookcases
Materials
Mahogany, Satinwood
Governor Winthrop Mahogany Slant Front Serpentine Ball
Claw Secretary
Located in Big Flats, NY
Governor Winthrop secretary features mahogany construction with broken arch pediment over two glass
Category
20th Century American Chippendale Desks
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
18th Century Swedish Rococo Period Secretary
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
A period 18th Century Swedish Rococo secretary.
With decorative carved pediment with clock, below
Category
Antique 18th Century Swedish Rococo Secretaires
Materials
Wood
19th Century Oak Renaissance Revival Figural Secretary Desk Cabinet
Located in Long Branch, NJ
19th Century Oak Renaissance Revival Figural Secretary Desk Cabinet
Dimensions : 98 Tall X 56
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Renaissance Revival 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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