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Antique 19th Century Dutch Oak Drop Front Bombe Secretary
Located in Charleston, SC
Antique 19th century Dutch oak drop front bombe secretary with a 3-drawer bombe front and carved
Category

Antique 19th Century Dutch Secretaires

Materials

Oak, Paint

Swedish Gustavian Period Secretary with Library
Located in Wichita, KS
This is an exquisite, richly carved Swedish Gustavian secretary with library and original hardware
Category

Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Secretaires

English Mahogany Fall Front Secretary With Bookcase. Circa 1780
Located in Charleston, SC
English mahogany fall front secretary with floral carved broken pediment, flanking upper glass
Category

Antique 1780s British George III Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany, Satinwood

1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Secretary From Jasper Cabinet Co
By Jasper Furniture Company
Located in Hartville, OH
Beautiful piece. Pristine original condition. Very rare leather writing surface inset. Artist hand-painted scenes from the orient. Condition Disclosure: Please understand nearly ...
Category

Vintage 1970s North American Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Lacquer

1800s Scandinavian Light Painted Slant-Front Secretary with Multiple Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Scandinavian slant-front secretary from circa 1800 with carved panel, four drawers, light gray
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Scandinavian Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Hand-Painted Decorated Front Neoclassical Style Breakfront Secretary Bookcase
Located in Tarry Town, NY
/Secretary Bookcase, a stunning blend of artistry and functionality that adds a touch of timeless elegance to
Category

Antique 1840s French Neoclassical Secretaires

Materials

Upholstery, Wood, Paint

Antique Monumental Eastlake Stepback Walnut Burl Secretary Bookcase, C1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique and monumental Eastlake step-back secretary bookcase offers carved walnut and burl
Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Eastlake Bookcases

Materials

Metal

19th Century Louis Philippe Style Fall Front Secretary Chest
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Beautiful craftsmanship Louis XV style secretary chest cabinet desk in a satin / burl wood with
Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Louis XV Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Brass

Antique Sheraton Flame Mahogany Tambour Secretary Desk, circa 1830
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Sheraton Tambour secretary offers deeply striated mahogany construction with upper
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century American Federal Desks

Materials

Metal

Antique American Federal Classical Period Mahogany Butler s Secretary Dresser NY
Located in Portland, OR
A good antique American Federal Classical period mahogany and maple butler's secretary, dresser
Category

Antique 1830s American Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany, Maple

19th C. Swedish Gustavian Period Painted Secretary with Library
Located in Wichita, KS
This is a beautiful Swedish secretary from the Gustavian period with a richly carved gallery, old
Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Paint

Antique Eastlake Walnut Burl Barrel Roll Secretary Desk, Circa 1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Eastlake secretary offers walnut construction with carved sunburst crest over double
Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Eastlake Secretaires

Materials

Walnut, Burl

19th Century Painted Baroque Style Secretary Commode from Southern Germany
Located in Dallas, TX
surmounted by a slant-top desk. Hand-carved in Southern Germany during the 1800s, the secretary has been
Category

Antique 19th Century German Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Paint

18th Century Connecticut River Valley Two-Part Cherry Chippendale Secretary
Located in Milford, NH
A splendid two-part cherry Chippendale secretary, its upper case with broken arched pediment
Category

Antique 18th Century American Chippendale Secretaires

Materials

Cherry

Vermont Two Part Cherry Birdseye Maple Secretary, circa 1820’s
Located in Milford, NH
, all supported by four carved bracket feet. The secretary was made in Vermont, circa 1820’s and has
Category

Antique 1820s American Secretaires

Materials

Birdseye Maple, Cherry

Queen Anne Walnut Dome Top Secretary with Mirrored Doors
Located in Milford, NH
A fine two piece Queen Anne walnut dome top secretary with two arched mirrored doors opening to an
Category

Antique 18th Century English Queen Anne Secretaires

Materials

Brass

English Mahogany Inlaid Blind Door Secretary With Bookcase. 18th Century
Located in Charleston, SC
English mahogany secretary with bookcase. Upper case has a intricately carved broken pediment with
Category

Antique 1770s English George III Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany, Satinwood

English Chippendale Mahogany Slant Top Secretary with Bookcase, Circa 1765
Located in Charleston, SC
English Chippendale mahogany secretary bookcase with broken pediment cornice, intricately carved
Category

Antique 1760s English Chippendale Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Federal Style Mahogany Cherry Tambour Secretary Desk and Bookcase
By Hickory Chair Furniture Company
Located in Milford, NH
A beautiful Sheraton, Federal style, two part Mount Vernon Hickory Chair Company cherry secretary
Category

1990s American Federal Secretaires

Materials

Cherry, Mahogany, Satinwood

19th Century French Oak Renaissance Hunt Secretary, Circa 1860 s.
Located in Dallas, TX
This handsome 19th century French Renaissance secretary was sculpted from solid old-growth quarter
Category

Antique 1860s French Renaissance Revival Secretaires

Materials

Oak

English Aesthetic Movement Artfully Decorated Bamboo and Wood Secretary Desk
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
This unique English bamboo and figured walnut secretary desk combines traditional chinoiserie style
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Aesthetic Movement Desks and Writing T...

Materials

Bone, Bamboo, Wood

Antique Victorian Eastlake Walnut Barrel Roll Secretary Desk, circa 1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Victorian Eastlake barrel roll secretary offers walnut construction with upper double
Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Eastlake Secretaires

Materials

Metal

1860 Gustavia Style Swedish Painted Drop Front Secretary With Drawers
Located in Charleston, SC
Swedish Gustavian style painted, carved details drop-front secretary from circa 1860 with multiple
Category

Antique 19th Century Secretaires

Materials

Belgian Black Marble, Bronze

Ornate Late Victorian Block Front Drop Front Secretary Desk
By R.J. Horner Co.
Located in Petaluma, CA
the best brass handles we have ever seen show off the commitment to quality. The ornately carved drop
Category

Antique 1890s American Late Victorian Secretaires

Materials

Brass

19th Century Swedish Provincial Gustavian Secretary Cabinet
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
19th Century Swedish provincial Gustavian secretary cabinet with carved pediment. Featuring two
Category

Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Antique Victorian Oak RJ Horner School Secretary Desk, Circa 1920
By R.J. Horner Co.
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique secretary in the manner of RJ Horner offers quarter sawn oak construction with upper
Category

Early 20th Century American Victorian Desks

Materials

Metal

Antique English Chippendale Mahogany Drop Front Bookcase Secretary, 18th Century
Located in Big Flats, NY
An English Chippendale secretary offers mahogany construction with mirrored upper bookcase cabinet
Category

Antique 18th Century English Chippendale Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

Swedish Gustavian Style 1820s Grey Blue Painted Slant Front Desk Secretary
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian style painted wood secretary circa 1820 with slant front desk, carved fluted
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires

Materials

Wood

19th Century Large German Baroque Style Secretary a Deux Corps
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
Large German Provincial Baroque secretary a Deux corps from the Eifel region. Probably a one-off
Category

Antique Early 19th Century German Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Hardwood, Maple, Pine, Oak

18th Century Italian Hand Painted Secretary Bookcase with Chinoiserie Decor
Located in Dallas, TX
secretary is built in two sections. This exceptional desk features a curved top with center carved finial
Category

Antique Late 18th Century Italian Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Paint

Antique South German Marquetry Fruitwood Walnut Secretary Dresser Desk, 1850
Located in Portland, OR
marquetry panels. The desk is raised on carved cabriole legs and is joined by a carved skirt. Condition is
Category

Antique 1850s German Baroque Revival Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Fruitwood, Walnut

18th Century French Louis XV Walnut Desk Secretary from Provence
Located in Dallas, TX
Carved in southern France, circa 1760, the fold out secretary is both stylish and functional; the
Category

Antique Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

18th Century French Louis XVI Walnut Marquetry Secretary Lady s Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
secretary is both stylish and functional; the elegant writing desk crafted from solid walnut and cherry wood
Category

Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Antique American Empire Flame Mahogany Dropfront Secretary Desk, circa 1840
By Anthony Quervelle
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique American Empire secretary offers deeply striated flame mahogany construction with upper
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century American Empire Secretaires

Materials

Metal

Vintage Governor Winthrop Mahogany Secretary by Maddock Colonial, circa 1930
Located in Big Flats, NY
A vintage Governor Winthrop secretary by Maddock Colonial offers mahogany construction with upper
Category

Mid-20th Century American American Colonial Desks

Materials

Metal

Swedish Mid 19th Century Rococo Style Tall Secretary with Broken Pediment
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish mid 19th century Rococo style painted wood secretary with broken pediment and upper
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Rococo Secretaires

Materials

Wood

French Louis XV Style Kingwood, Rosewood, Ormolu Marble Abattant Secretary
Located in Big Flats, NY
A French Louis XV style abattant secretary offers shaped marble top over bookmatched kingwood and
Category

20th Century French Louis XV Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Metal, Ormolu

18th Century Light-White Swedish Gustavian Pine Bureau - Scandinavian Secretary
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A very fine late 18th Century Scandinavian drop front secretary desk bureau with four drawers and
Category

Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Metal, Brass, Chrome

Late 19th Century Chinoiserie Italian Painted Secretary in Celadon Blue-Green
Located in Dallas, TX
A late 19th century Italian painted secretary in a powder celadon blue green. This small scale two
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Italian Rococo Secretaires

Materials

Wood

19th Century Italian Walnut Bombe Secretary Bookcase with Marquetry Inlay
Located in Dallas, TX
Elegant antique fruitwood secretaire a abattant from Italy, circa 1870; the bookcase secretary
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Italian Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Walnut

Antique Sheraton Flame Mahogany Step Back Secretary Desk, Circa 1830
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Sheraton secretary offers flame mahogany construction and upper step-back bookcase with
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century American Sheraton Secretaires

Materials

Metal

Antique English George III Slant-Front Secretary w/ Bookcase in Cuban Mahogany
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A fine 18th century George III English bureau bookcase secretary in solid West Indies/ Cuban
Category

Antique Late 18th Century English George III Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

French Louis Philippe Blonde Burl Walnut Commode Secretary, Circa 1850
Located in Dallas, TX
beautiful, light blonde burled walnut wood veneer façade below. The commode also doubles as a secretary
Category

Antique 1850s French Louis Philippe Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Metal

19th Century French Provincial Walnut Secretary Desk or Secretaire a Abattant
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
This rare French Provincial secretaire a abattant or secretary desk features a long top drawer
Category

Antique Early 19th Century French French Provincial Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

Antique French Abattant Desk Fall Front Secretary Chest Drawers Renaissance Oak
Located in Tyler, TX
with Fall Front Secretary Top~~Leather Writing Surface~~Upper and Lower Drawers ~~c. 1880s With so
Category

Antique 1880s French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Scandinavian Two-Part Painted Tall Secretary with Slant Front Desk and Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Scandinavian two-part painted secretary from the 18th century, with carved crest, slant-front
Category

Antique 18th Century Scandinavian Secretaires

Materials

Wood

1780s Gustavian Period Swedish Grey Painted Drop-Front Secretary with Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian period grey painted drop-front secretary from circa 1780 with multiple inner
Category

Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Antique Bleached Oak Drop Front Secretary Commode from Holland, Circa 1850
Located in Dallas, TX
More information coming soon… Hand-carved circa 1850, the form of this bleached drop front
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Dutch Secretaires

Materials

Metal, Bronze

20th Century Swedish Gustavian Two Part Pinewood Bureau - Scandinavian Secretary
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
the original window panes in glass. The secretary writing table, desk represents the Neoclassical
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Swedish Karl Johan Secretary Desk in West Indies Mahogany, circa 1845
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
secretary, over three large storage drawers. Interior desk offers a multitude of small drawers surrounding a
Category

Antique 1840s Swedish Karl Johan Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Antique French Desk Secretary Chest Server Drawers Barley Twist Renaissance Oak
Located in Tyler, TX
Handsome 19th century Antique French oak Renaissance revival library office desk with secretary top
Category

Antique 1880s French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Oak

Rare and Early 19th Century Italian, Florence, Inlaid Writing Table / Secretary
Located in Atlanta, GA
tabletop slides back to reveal a secretary of three small drawers and space for materials.
Category

Antique Early 1800s Italian Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany, Olive, Rosewood, Walnut

Baker Furniture Country French Provincial Louis XV Walnut Bonnet Secretary Desk
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Remarkable quality two-piece walnut secretary desk by Baker Furniture Co. in the Country French
Category

Mid-20th Century American French Provincial Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

18th Century Swedish Period Gustavian Secretary with Library
Located in Wichita, KS
A Swedish Gustavian period painted secretary richly carved with reeded details. The desk surface
Category

Antique 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Bookcases

English Mahogany and Satinwood Fall Front Secretary with Bookcase C. 1780
Located in Charleston, SC
English mahogany secretary bookcase with a carved molded edge cornice, flanking hinged glass doors
Category

Antique 1780s English George III Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Antique Fretwork Folk Art Eterger/Secretary or Étagère with Dressing Table
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A rare and unique piece of Fretwork Folk Art from the Adirondack region with elaborate cut-out form, dressing mirrors and table, drawers, cubbies and open shelving or ètagère. New ...
Category

Antique 1870s American Adirondack Primitives

Materials

Wood

Italian 1850s Rococo Style Tall Secretary with Slanted Desk and Original Paint
Located in Atlanta, GA
secretary? Topped with a voluted cornice accented with a carved motif in the center, sitting above two
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Italian Rococo Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Wood

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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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