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English Regency Mahogany Fall Front Inlaid Secretary with Bookcase, Circa 1810
Located in Charleston, SC
English Regency mahogany secretary with an double arched pediment, centered sphere phoenix finial
Category
Antique 1810s English Regency Secretaires
Materials
Brass
18th C. Swedish Baroque Secretary with Library in Original Gray Paint
Located in Wichita, KS
A Swedish slant-front secretary from the 18th century in two parts with arched cornice and bracket
Category
Antique 18th Century Swedish Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Paint
Swedish 1790s Gustavian Period Two-Part Painted Secretary with Slant Front Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian period two-part tall secretary from circa 1790 with elegant carved décor
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Brass
White Painted Swedish Pine Secretary, circa 1820-40
Located in Round Top, TX
Antique pine secretary with fluted carved door panels and graceful Swedish country charm.
Newer
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Country Secretaires
Materials
Pine, Paint
Gray Painted Swedish 18th Century Oak Secretary Bureau
Located in Round Top, TX
This striking oak secretary is an elegant statement piece crowned with a lovely carved bonnet.
The
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Early 19th Century English George III Fiddleback Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
Located in Atlanta, GA
Early 19th Century English George III Fiddleback Mahogany Secretary Bookcase with Carved Detail, ca
Category
Antique 19th Century English Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Swedish Rococo Period 1790s Painted Two-Part Secretary with Slanted Front Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Rococo period painted wood two-piece tall secretary from the late 18th century, with
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Italian Early 20th Century Bovolone Secretary Desk Commode, finely inlaid walnut
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Early 20th century Bovolone - Verona - secretaire commode. In hand-carved walnut, veneer walnut
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Louis Philippe Secretaires
Materials
Maple, Walnut
Swedish 1820s Late Gustavian Slant Front Secretary with Drawers and Bracket Feet
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish late Gustavian slant front secretary from the early 19th century, with reeded motifs and
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
18th Century French Louis XV Bombe Cherry Desk Secretary Scriban from Bordeaux
Located in Dallas, TX
"commode scriban". Carved in Bordeaux, France, circa 1760, the fold out secretary is both stylish and
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
Antique Victorian Oak Horner School Side by Side Secretary Bookcase, Circa 1900
By R.J. Horner
Co.
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Victorian side by side secretary in the manner of RJ Horner offers oak construction with
Category
Early 20th Century American Victorian Bookcases
Materials
Metal
Simon Horn of Chelsea Cherry Wood Bookcase Drinks Cabinet Shelving Secretary
By Simon Horn
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very nice and functional Simon Horn of Chelsea Cherry Wood bookcase with lockable cupboard
A very good looking well-made piece in lightly r...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Bookcases
Materials
Cherry
Swedish Rococo 18th Century Tall Secretary with Bonnet Top and Slant-Front Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Rococo period painted wood two-part secretary from the 18th century, with bonnet top
Category
Antique 18th Century Swedish Rococo Secretaires
Materials
Wood
European 18th Century Tall Secretary with Slant Front Desk and Old Glass Doors
Located in Atlanta, GA
A European two-part tall secretary from the 18th century with gray / cream painted finish, old
Category
Antique 18th Century European Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Wood
American Mahogany Oxbow Swan Neck Secretary with Bookcase, Salem, Ma. Circa 1790
Located in Charleston, SC
American mahogany oxbow secretary with an upper case swan's neck pierced pediment, hinged bookcase
Category
Antique 1790s American American Colonial Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Early 19th Century Danish Empire Fall-Front Secretary in Cuban Mahogany, c. 1825
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
side. The secretary rests on carved lion's paw feet, Denmark, circa 1825.
The refined and quiet
Category
Antique 1820s Danish Empire Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany, Satinwood, Walnut
Fine Baker Furniture Inlaid Secretary in Burled Walnut with Mirror Paneled Doors
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Milford, NH
An exceptional Georgian style two piece inlaid secretary in burled walnut by Baker Furniture, its
Category
20th Century American Georgian Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Vintage Cherry Wood Secretary Desks-16 Drawers-Office Cabinet-Empire Style-70s
Located in Bussiere Dunoise, Nouvel Aquitaine
Countries.
Exquisite French secretary desks crafted from solid cherry wood feature extensive carvings on
Category
Vintage 1970s French Empire Secretaires
Materials
Brass
19th Century French Louis Philippe Burl Walnut Secretary Desk with Marble Top
Located in Dallas, TX
beautiful burl walnut decor on the front. Crafted circa 1860, the tall secretary has a black marble top
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Secretaires
Materials
Marble
Tall Blue Painted Swedish Secretary Bureau, circa 1800-20
Located in Round Top, TX
This striking oak secretary is an elegant statement piece crowned with an elaborate carved pediment
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks
Materials
Brass
18th Century English Queen Anne Walnut and Burl Secretary with 7 Mirrored Doors
Located in Dallas, TX
Created in England circa 1720, and made of walnut and burl, this elegant antique secretary is built
Category
Antique Early 18th Century English Queen Anne Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Mercury Glass, Walnut, Burl
English Mahogany Two-Part Mirrored Secretary with Elaborate Upper Case c 1750-60
Located in Milford, NH
A spectacular English mahogany two part secretary, its upper case with shaped cornice surmounting
Category
Antique 1750s English Queen Anne Desks
Materials
Brass
Vintage Italian Baroque Style Marquetry Inlay Flip-Up Secretary Display Cabinet
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Italian Baroque Style Marquetry Inlay Carved Flip-Down Secretary Display Cabinet
A
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Wood
Tall Green Painted Oak Secretary Bureau from Sweden, Circa 1800-20
Located in Round Top, TX
This striking oak secretary is an elegant statement piece crowned with an elaborate carved pediment
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Antique Skandia Furniture Co. Oak Side by Side Secretary Desk Bookcase Cabinet
By Skandia Furniture 1
Located in Dayton, OH
secretary with carved details below mirror. The secretary opens to a clean writing surface with a drawer
Category
Early 20th Century American Late Victorian Bookcases
Materials
Brass
Antique American R J Horner Quarter Sawn Oak Carved Griffin Desk China Hutch
By R.J. Horner
Co.
Located in Portland, OR
A good antique American carved quarter sawn oak 'Griffin' china hutch/secretary desk, in the manner
Category
Antique 1890s American Victorian Cabinets
Materials
Oak
Antique Oak Jacobean Relief Carved Hunt Scene Architectural Wall Panel Plaque
Located in Philadelphia, PA
believed to be salvaged door front from an antique oak secretary desk, relief carved figural hunt scene
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Jacobean Architectural Elements
Materials
Oak
Drexel Heritage French Provincial Louis XV Carved Walnut Secrétaire À Abattant
By Drexel
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Provincial Louis XV style carved walnut drop-front secretary desk with shell
Category
Vintage 1970s American French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Louis XVI Carrara Marble Top Secretaire
Located in Austin, TX
Carrara marble top, brass hardware & trim, and carved fluted details. This secretary has four locking
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Carrara Marble, Brass
Louis XVI Carrara Marble Top Secretaire
Located in Austin, TX
Carrara marble top, brass hardware & trim, hand embossed and gilded leather, carved fluted details. This
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Louis XVI Carrara Marble-Top Secretaire
Located in Austin, TX
Carrara marble top, brass hardware and trim, hand embossed and gilded leather, carved fluted details. This
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Grand Louis XVI Carrara Marble Top Secretaire
Located in Austin, TX
carved fluting. This secretary has four dovetailed drawers and a drop down front, which opens to reveal a
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Carrara Marble, Brass, Gold Leaf
Fabulous Antique British Colonial Butler
s Desk
With Secret Compartments
Located in Atlanta, GA
A tall British Colonial carved-wood secretary with display top from the turn of the 19th and 20th
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Indian British Colonial Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Wood
Asian Hand Carved Secretary Desk With Display Cabinet
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Enhance your home with the exquisite Asian Hand Carved Desk Cabinet, featuring intricate detailing
Category
Vintage 1970s Unknown Cabinets
Materials
Wood
American Country Tramp Art Style Notch Carved Secretary Desk
Located in Queens, NY
American Country Tramp Art-style secretary desk with two drawers, a low back and side gallery, and
Category
20th Century American Country Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
19th Century Scottish Stained Glass Carved Secretary Desk Cabinet
By Robert Adam
Located in Bensalem, PA
Stunning Scotch secretary in oak and stained glass very unique and will make a statement in any
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Scottish Gothic Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Regency Neoclassical Style Inlaid Foyer Top Round Centre Table Francesco Molon
By Francesco Molon
Located in Manhasset, NY
beautifully inlaid writing desks or meticulously carved secretaries, travel the world over to rest in the
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Center Tables
Materials
Wood
Chinoiserie Carved Black Lacquer Secretary Desk
Located in Manhasset, NY
Chinoiserie carved black lacquer secretary desk having a black lacquer and gilt slant top and
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Large Hand Carved Antique Edwardian Secretary Desk
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Large hand carved antique Edwardian secretary desk featuring a folding down front with the front
Category
Antique Early 1900s American Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Antique White Oak Secretary with Carved Details
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique antique secretary with a whitewash aged finish to the white oak.
Two large glass doors at
Category
Antique Early 19th Century English Neoclassical Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Country French Style Carved Fruitwood Secretary Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Carved fruitwood frame with bookcase top with chickenwire front doors. Drop down fitted desk
Category
20th Century Secretaires
Antique Victorian Carved Walnut Drop Front Secretary with Upper Bookcase
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Victorian walnut secretary features carved and pierced foliate crest, glass front bookcase
Category
Antique 19th Century American Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Glass, Walnut
Antique Victorian Art Nouveau Carved Oak Secretary Bookcase Bibliotheque 1890
Located in Portland, OR
A fine & large antique Art Nouveau carved oak combination bookcase secretary/desk, 1890.
The two
Category
Antique 1890s English Art Nouveau Bookcases
Materials
Oak
Antique Philadelphia Empire Quervelle Carved Flame Mahogany Secretary
By Anthony Gabriel Quervelle
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Philadelphia American Empire flame mahogany secretary features upper glass front bookcase
Category
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
Antique Federal Inlaid, Carved
Filigree Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Federal mahogany secretary features the top section a double glass door cabinet bookcase
Category
Antique Early 19th Century American Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Mahogany, Satinwood
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
Category
Antique Early 1900s French Louis XV Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Georgian Fall-Front Secretary Desk in Carved Oak, England, circa 1800
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
Early 19th century oak English fall-front secretary with carvings of acanthus leaves and urns.
Note
Category
Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Antique Aesthetic Movement Carved Ash Leaded Glass Secretary Desk Bookcase, 1890
Located in Portland, OR
A good English Aesthetic Movement carved ash and leaded/stained glass secretary bookacse, circa
Category
Antique 1890s English Aesthetic Movement Bookcases
Materials
Stained Glass, Ash
Antique Mahogany Chinese Chippendale Carved Fretwork Bookcase Secretary Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique mahogany Chinese Chippendale carved fretwork bookcase secretary desk. Item features pierce
Category
Early 20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
Chinoiserie Style Carved Black Lacquer Secretary Desk, Bookcase, Cabinet
Located in Plainview, NY
A beautiful Chinoiserie style carved black lacquer secretary desk having a black lacquer and gilt
Category
20th Century Chinoiserie Cabinets
Materials
Metal
Antique Victorian Eastlake Spoon Carved Burl Walnut Cylinder Secretary
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Eastlake cylinder secretary features burl walnut construction including cylinder desk
Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Eastlake Desks
Materials
Bronze
Antique American Empire Flame Mahogany Carved Slant Front Secretary 19th Century
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique American Empire slant drop front desk features flame mahogany with cared floral and foliate decoration, upper bookcase, drop front opens to reveal writing surface and interio...
Category
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
Antique French Carved Oak Writing Desk Secretary AND Chair Breton Brittany SET
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique French Carved Oak Writing Desk Secretary AND Chair Breton Brittany SET.
Direct from France
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Oak
French Hand-Carved Walnut and Elm Renaissance Style Secretary-Bookcase, Dry Bar
Located in Fayetteville, AR
A rare piece from the region of Alsace, France, this hand-carved walnut and elm Renaissance style
Category
Antique 19th Century French Renaissance Bookcases
Materials
Velvet, Elm, Walnut, Burl
Antique Victorian Art Nouveau Carved Oak Wood Secretary Desk Bookcase
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Victorian Art Nouveau carved oak wood secretary desk book case. Item features fall front
Category
Antique 19th Century European Victorian Bookcases
Materials
Glass, Oak
Fine Quality American Victorian Carved Walnut Secretary Desk Circa 1870
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a superb carved Victorian secretary desk made in the 1870s most likely in Ohio by
Category
Antique 1870s American High Victorian Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Chinese Chippendale Style Carved Mahogany Vitrine, Cabinet or Secretary Desk
Located in Plainview, NY
The two-piece Chinese Chippendale style Vitrine, cabinet or secretary desk shows fine and quality
Category
Antique 19th Century Chinese Chippendale Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
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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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