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Louis XV Style French Carved Walnut Drop Front Secretary Desk
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Louis XV style carved oak drop front secretary bureau or writing desk, when opened revealing a
Category
Vintage 1950s French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
Antique Victorian Carved Burl Walnut Cylinder Bookcase Secretary, circa 1880
Located in Big Flats, NY
A large antique Victorian cylinder secretary offers carved foliate crown on enclosed bookcase with
Category
Antique 19th Century American Victorian Desks
Materials
Glass, Walnut, Burl
Antique French Carved Dark 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
Oak
18th Century Swedish Secretary
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
This charming two-part secretary features a decorative, carved pediment with an unusual swag design
Category
Antique 18th Century Swedish Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Antique Ebony Asian Drop Front Desk Secretary with Carved Front
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome ebony wood Asian drop front desk or secretary with a carved design on the drop front. It
Category
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Desks
Materials
Brass
Landstrom French Regency Louis XVI Carved Mahogany Drop Front Secretary Desk
By Landstrom Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Regency Louis XVI style drop front secretary desk
By Landstrom Furniture
USA
Category
Vintage 1920s American Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
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
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
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
Neoclassical English Mahogany Secretary
Located in Houston, TX
Neoclassical English mahogany secretary, circa 1820-1840, with roll-top and ebonized inlay
Category
Antique Early 19th Century English Neoclassical Secretaires
Materials
Brass
French Empire Secretary
Located in Astoria, NY
French Empire secretary in carved wood with gilt metal embellishments and drop front over drawers
Category
Early 20th Century French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
$2,350
Directoire Period Hand Carved Painted Bureau De Pente or Secretary Desk
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This exceptional rare Directoire period bureau de pente or writing desk features intricately executed Louis XVI motif carvings of bows, drapes, and ivy circling Directoire arrows. Th...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century French Directoire Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Swedish Clock Secretary
Located in Charleston, SC
Swedish clock secretary from circa 1950 in two parts. The interior has drawers on each side an open
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks
Materials
Blown Glass, Pine
English 19th Century Mahogany Secretary
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A handsome secretary from the 1800’s is made of mahogany with inlay details. The top cabinet has
Category
Antique 19th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Mahogany Wood Slant Front Secretary / Cabinet
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Chippendale style mahogany wood secretary desk / bookcase cabinet with slant front detail in one
Category
Vintage 1920s North American Chippendale Cabinets
Materials
Brass
18th Century English Renaissance Secretary Bookcase
Located in Dallas, TX
This exceptional 18th century English Renaissance secretary bookcase displays wonderful rural
Category
Antique 1790s English Renaissance Revival Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Antique Country French Regence Style Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique Country French Regence style secretary is a marvel of the cabinetmaker's art! Sculpted from
Category
Early 20th Century French Régence Secretaires
Materials
Oak
French 19th Century Mahogany Commode Secretary
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A formal and stunning mahogany commode secretary is in wonderful antique condition. The shaped
Category
Antique 19th Century French Other Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
English Mahogany Georgian Style Secretary / Bookcase
By Bevan Funnell Ltd.
Located in Tarry Town, NY
English mahogany wood Georgian style secretary /bookcase cabinet by Bevan Funnell with classical
Category
Vintage 1980s English Georgian Bookcases
Materials
Brass
Antique Country French Drop-Front Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique Country French drop-font secretary is a marvel of stylish efficiency! Taking up no more
Category
Early 20th Century French French Provincial Secretaires
Materials
Brass
French 19th Century Petite Empire Secretary
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A petite French Empire mahogany secretary or lady’s correspondence desk. This secretary has an
Category
Antique 19th Century French Empire Secretaires
Materials
Marble, Brass
18th Century Swedish Secretary with Painted Finish
Located in Houston, TX
18th c. Swedish Secretary with Painted Finish having two upper doors above the fall front secretary
Category
Antique 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
19th Century Country French Rustic Stripped Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century country French rustic stripped secretary is great for the home office, a student desk
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Revival Secretaires
Materials
Oak
French 19th Century Faux Bamboo Secretary Desk
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A 19th century secrétaire à abattant from France, circa 1880, this drop-front secretary desk is
Category
Antique 19th Century French Aesthetic Movement Secretaires
Materials
Marble, Brass
18th c. Swedish Painted Secretary with Library
Located in Wichita, KS
This is an exceptional Swedish secretary with library, circa 1780. This secretary has retained its
Category
Antique 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Paint
Mid-Century Modern Danish Teak Secretary Desk
By Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
secretary desk. The drop down door opens up to reveal an ample desktop with built in cubbyholes and drawers
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Hardwood, Teak
Dutch Baroque Drop Front Secretary
Located in Barntrup, DE
Dutch Baroque style bombe form drop front secretary desk has carved ball and claw feet.
Behind the
Category
Vintage 1950s Dutch Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretary with Library
Located in Wichita, KS
A Swedish Gustavian period painted secretary with library. Brass hardware and original locks, circa
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Brass
19th Century Country French Provincial Stripped Oak Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century Country French provincial stripped oak secretary is a delightfully hand carved
Category
Antique 1890s French Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Karl Johan Walnut Fall-Front Secretary, circa 1845
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
flanking the interior desk cubby and carved appliques along the chamfered corners of the secretary. Offers
Category
Antique 1840s Swedish Karl Johan Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Walnut
English Georgian Two Part Mahogany Secretary circa 1780
Located in Milford, NH
A two part English Georgian secretary, its upper case featuring a cornice with dentil and fluted
Category
Antique 1780s English Georgian Secretaires
Materials
Brass
19th c. Swedish Gustavian Period Secretary with Library
Located in Wichita, KS
A special Swedish Gustavian period painted secretary with library, circa 1810. The upper section
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Paint
18th c. Swedish Early Gustavian Secretary with Library
Located in Wichita, KS
A Swedish early Gustavian period secretary with library from the 18th century with shaped cornice
Category
Antique 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Paint
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
Fine Regency 19th C Flame Mahogany Drop Front Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine English Regency flame mahogany drop front secretary.
Category
Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
20th Century Italian Louis XIV Style Walnut Secretary Chest
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Elegant secretary chest in walnut, 1950s. The openable floor allows a support to write. Inside four
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Walnut
Antique American Empire Flame Mahogany Bookcase Secretary, circa 1845
By Anthony Quervelle
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique American Empire secretary offers deeply striated flame mahogany construction with upper
Category
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
19th Century Venetian Italian Style Polychrome Secretary Bookcase
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Embrace the timeless charm of this Classic Venetian Style Italian Polychrome Lacquered Hand-Painted two parts Bookcase, a piece of furniture that exudes both artistry and history. Th...
Category
Antique 1820s Italian Louis XVI Cabinets
Materials
Brass
19th Century Venetian Italian Style Polychrome Secretary Bookcase
Located in Tarry Town, NY
This is a Classic Venetian style Italian polychrome lacquered bookcase with hand painted floral decoration all over. This case piece is exquisitely hand painted with floral decoratio...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Swedish 18th Century Slant, Front Secretary with Multiple Inner Shelves
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish 18th century secretary. This Swedish slant-front secretary from circa 1720 features
Category
Antique 18th Century Swedish Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Ball
Claw Chippendale Style Mahogany Secretary Desk Bookcase Drawers Dresser
By Kittinger Furniture Company
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Vintage Ball & Claw Chippendale Style Mahogany Secretary Desk Bookcase Drawers Dresser
Category
20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century German Louis Philippe Pine Secretary with Fall Front
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A lovely secretary in pine with four exterior drawers and fall-front opening to a series of smaller
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century German Louis Philippe Secretaires
Materials
Pine
1930s French Art Deco Burl Walnut Secretary Desk Cabinet
Located in Astoria, NY
Exceptional 1930s French Art Deco Secretary Desk. Sourced from Provence, France, this remarkable
Category
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Walnut, Burl
Federal Style Diminutive Two Part Inlaid Mahogany Bookcase Secretary
Located in Milford, NH
four inlaid square tapered legs. This bookcase / secretary desk dates to the late 19th century and is
Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Federal Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
18th c. Swedish Gustavian Period Painted Secretary with Library
Located in Wichita, KS
This is an exceptional Swedish Gustavian period secretary with library, circa 1780. This secretary
Category
Antique 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks
Materials
Brass
Edwardian Hepplewhite Revival Mahogany Secretary Desk/China Cabinet, circa 1890
By George Hepplewhite
Located in Portland, OR
Antique Edwardian Hepplewhite Revival mahogany secretary desk/China cabinet/hutch, circa 1890. The
Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Edwardian Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Renaissance Revival Walnut Secretary Cabinet with Arched Doors, 19th Century
Located in Sarasota, FL
Description: A tall and narrow Renaissance Revival secretary cabinet in walnut, late 19th century
Category
Antique 19th Century European Renaissance Revival Secretaires
Materials
Iron
19th Century Swedish Late Gustavian Period Secretary
Located in Wichita, KS
A richly carved Swedish secretary from the late Gustavian period with reeded detail. The desk
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks
Swedish Gustavian Style Gray Painted Drop-Front Secretary with Fluted Accents
Located in Atlanta, GA
, carved fluted motifs and gray painted finish. This Swedish Gustavian-style secretary, crafted during the
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Vintage Hepplewhite Style Maddox Mahogany Tambour Secretary Desk, Circa 1930
By Maddox Furniture
Located in Big Flats, NY
A vintage Hepplewhite style secretary by Maddox offers mahogany construction with upper bookcase
Category
Mid-20th Century American Hepplewhite Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Mahogany
Swedish 1790s Gustavian Two-Part Painted Secretary with Slanted Front Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian period two-part secretary from the late 18th century, with carved cornice and
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Antique French Desk Writing Table Secretary Drawers Oak Petite Renaissance Table
Located in Tyler, TX
Beautiful 19th century petite Antique French Oak Renaissance revival small desk secretary and
Category
Antique 1880s French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
English Mahogany Tambour Graduated Hinged Secretary with Bookcase, Circa 1800
Located in Charleston, SC
English mahogany secretary with a carved molded dental cornice, two hinged upper case doors
Category
Antique Early 1800s English George III Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Early 19th Century Blue Painted Swedish Gustavian Period Slant-Front Secretary
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish late Gustavian period painted wood slant-front secretary from the early 19th century with
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Swedish Slant Front Desk Secretary over Three Drawers with Inner Shelves
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish 19th century secretary. This Swedish secretary features a slant-front desk over three
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Materials
Wood
English Chinoiserie Black and Gold Tall Secretary / Slant Front Desk
Located in Tarry Town, NY
English hand decorated and painted Japanned secretary from the 1930s with black , red and gold
Category
Vintage 1930s English Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Gold, Brass
18th Century Scandinavian Tall Secretary with State of Denmark Provenance Plaque
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Danish 18th century tall secretary with provenance plaque indicating 'The State of Denmark'. This
Category
Antique 18th Century Danish Baroque Secretaires
Materials
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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