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Chinese Chippendale Style English Bamboo Slanted Lift-Top Secretary Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning Hand Crafted English Chinese Chippendale Bamboo Secretary.
This handsome and special
Category
Antique 19th Century English Chinese Chippendale Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Maple, Wood, Bamboo
Golden Oak Secretary / Desk, Carvings, Mirror, Drawer, American, ca. 1900
Located in Petaluma, CA
This dazzling golden oak secretary/desk is feast for the eyes. The leaf drops down for use, and
Category
Antique Early 1900s American Late Victorian Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Swedish Gustavian Style 19th Century Painted Drop-Front Secretary with Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian style painted wood drop-front secretary from the 19th century, with carved
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Brass
George III Mahogany and Satinwood Secretary Bookcase, 18th Century
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This a handsome 18th century mahogany bureau bookcase with satinwood stringing overall. The top section with shaped cornice over two glazed doors with arched mullions over cylinder r...
Category
Antique 18th Century English George III Bookcases
Materials
Glass, Mahogany, Satinwood
Antique Eastlake Walnut
Bur Barrel Roll Secretary Desk, Circa 1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Eastlake secretary offers walnut and burl construction with upper having double glass
Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Eastlake Secretaires
Materials
Metal
English Regency Mahogany Satinwood Inlaid Secretary with Bookcase, Circa 1800
Located in Charleston, SC
English Regency mahogany secretary bookcase with an arched pediment, centered inlaid sun medallion
Category
Antique Early 1800s English Regency Bookcases
Materials
Brass
Swedish Late Gustavian Period 1820s Two-Part Secretary with Diamond Motifs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Late Gustavian period two-part painted wood secretary from the early 19th century, with
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Swedish Mid-20th Century Drop-Leaf Secretary Writing Desk with Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish drop-leaf secretary from the mid-20th century. This Swedish slant-top writing desk, with
Category
20th Century Swedish Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Early 20th Century Italian Venetian Painted and Gold Leaf Bombe Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
Make a statement in your home with this beautifully painted antique secretary from Italy, circa
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Secretaires
Materials
Stained Glass, Wood
Swedish 1800s Light Gray Painted Secretary from Värmland with Slant Front Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish tall secretary from Värmland circa 1800, with gray painted finish, carved bonnet top
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Materials
Wood
19th-Century Louis Philippe Walnut Lady
s Secretary Desk
Located in Opole, PL
19th-Century Louis Philippe Walnut Lady's secretary desk
We present you an elaborately carved 19th
Category
Antique 19th Century European Louis Philippe Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Erik Chambert Swedish Art Deco Walnut Veneered Drop Front Secretary Cabinet
Located in New York, NY
Erik Chambert Swedish art deco drop front secretary cabinet. The pyramid shaped cabinet is
Category
20th Century Swedish Art Deco Secretaires
Materials
Mirror, Wood, Walnut
Antique American Empire Flame Mahogany Bookcase Drop Front Secretary, circa 1840
Located in Big Flats, NY
An American Empire flame mahogany secretary features upper bookcase with double fretwork glass
Category
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Desks
Materials
Bronze
English Chinoiserie 1920s Black and Gold Tall Secretary with Slant Front Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English tall Japanned secretary from the early 20th century with black and gold chinoiserie
Category
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Wood
18th C. Swedish Rococo Period Two-Part Painted Secretary with Library
Located in Wichita, KS
A Swedish secretary with library from the Rococo period, circa 1760. The upper section has two
Category
Antique 18th Century Swedish Rococo Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Paint
19th Century French Louis Philippe Walnut Secretary with Grey Marble Top
Located in Dallas, TX
1840, the tall secretary has a gray marble top and classical, straight lines throughout the design. The
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Secretaires
Materials
Marble
19th Century Rare antique Northern Swedish pine Secretary clock desk country
Located in Boden, SE
19th Century Swedish Antique clock cabinet from Umeå Västerbotten ,Northern Sweden. . A good example of old ingenuity and compact living this piece combines three functions in one –...
Category
Antique Early 1800s Swedish Gustavian Cabinets
Materials
Pine
18th Century Swedish Baroque Period Secretary with Library in Original Paint
Located in Wichita, KS
A Swedish Baroque period slant-front secretary from the 18th century in two parts with arched
Category
Antique 18th Century Swedish Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Arts
Crafts Globe Wernicke Barrister Bookcase Slant Front Secretary circa 1910
By Globe Wernicke
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Arts & Crafts Barrister secretary by Globe Wernicke offer quarter sawn oak construction
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Bookcases
Materials
Metal
Scandinavian Birch Root Karl Johan Secretary with Flight of Drawers, circa 1850
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A handsome secretary abattant in birch, with birch root on drawer faces bordered in walnut. Offers
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Karl Johan Secretaires
Materials
Walnut, Birch
European 1790s Two-Part Tall Secretary with Glass Doors and Slant Front Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
A European painted wood tall two-part secretary circa 1790 with glass doors, carved dentil molding
Category
Antique Late 18th Century European Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Wood
Early 19th Century Scandinavian Empire Fall-Front Secretary in Mahogany, c. 1825
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
. The secretary rests on carved lion's paw feet. Denmark, circa 1825.
The refined and quiet elegance of
Category
Antique 1820s Danish Empire Secretaires
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl, Mahogany, Satinwood
Antique Chest with Fall-Front Secretary Desk in West Indies Mahogany, Denmark
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A very handsome Danish Christian VIII secretary in fine West Indies (also known as Cuban) mahogany
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Danish Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany, Satinwood
1970s French Style Burl Walnut Secretary Cabinet by Henredon
By Henredon
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a lovely French style heavily carved burl walnut secretary by Henredon. The top half has
Category
Late 20th Century American French Provincial Secretaires
Materials
Brass
19th Century French Louis Philippe Burl Walnut Secretary with Black Marble Top
Located in Dallas, TX
1840, the tall secretary with black marble top, has classical and straight lines, four large drawers
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Secretaires
Materials
Marble
19th Century French Louis XV Walnut Marquetry Secretary Chest with Marble Top
Located in Dallas, TX
circa 1870, the tall fruitwood secretary features intricate marquetry and parquetry decor, decorative
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
English Regency Burl Walnut Blind Door Secretary Bookcase with Bun Feet, C. 1815
Located in Charleston, SC
English Regency burl walnut arched dome pediment slant front secretary bookcase with three carved
Category
Antique 1810s English Regency Secretaires
Materials
Brass
18th Century English George III Chest on Chest in Oak with Pull Out Secretary
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
swan-neck bail handles. The bottom drawer of top opens to a stand up pull-out, fall-front secretary
Category
Antique Late 18th Century English George III Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
19th Century French Louis XVI Walnut Secretary Desk with Red Tooled Leather Top
Located in Dallas, TX
Make a statement in your study or office with this elegant fruitwood antique "secretaire a abattant". Crafted in Paris, France, circa 1870, the versatile desk has a central door that...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Antique Chippendale Style Shell Carved Mahogany Ball and Claw Drop Front Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Chippendale style smaller sized blockfront carved mahogany secretary desk. Item features
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century American Chippendale Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Gorgeous Walnut Baroque Style Secretary
Located in Larkspur, CA
20th Century Italian Grand Scale Burl Walnut Baroque Style Twin Door Drop Front Secretary, the
Category
20th Century Italian Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Spanish Carved Secretary
Located in Kirkland, WA
Spanish Carved Secretary
This is a unique desk made of solid quarter sawn oak from Spain
Category
Antique 19th Century Spanish Secretaires
$7,250
Anglo Indian Carved Secretary Cabinet
Located in North Hollywood, CA
A fantastic example of the marriage of British design, and Indian craftsmanship. The ebonized oak cabinet is in fine original condition, with incredibly intricate carvings throughout...
Category
Antique 19th Century Indian Secretaires
Materials
Ivory, Burl, Oak
Beautiful 1920
s Carved Secretary Cabinet
Located in Pasadena, CA
Striking cabinet with rich, dark finish and ornately carved face; doors open to reveal a pullout
Category
Early 20th Century American Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Antique Oak Secretary
Located in Chicago, IL
Intricately hand-carved secretary with bleached oak finish. Original hardware.
Category
Antique 19th Century Belgian Desks
$2,995
Richly Carved Oak Secretary
Located in Sheffield, MA
Renaissance style two-part secretary of carved oak, Denmark circa 1880. Four graduated drawers
Category
Antique 19th Century Danish Secretaires
Materials
Brass
ITALIAN CARVED DROP FRONT SECRETARY
Located in Natchez, MS
19th c. Renaissance style secretary with paw feet. Top is hinged as well as fall front.
Category
Antique 19th Century Italian Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Gustavian Secretary with Carved Detail
Located in Great Barrington, MA
Period Gustavian secretary, Sweden circa 1790, in two parts. The upper section retains its original
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
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s Carved Walnut Secretary
Located in Pasadena, CA
drawers. Carved details adorn the frontispiece and sides
Category
Early 20th Century American Secretaires
Rare Federal Carved Mahogany Secretary Cabinet
Located in Woodbury, CT
Very fine federal carved and figured mahogany secretary cabinet, with cove molded cornice above two
Category
Antique 19th Century American Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany, Birdseye Maple, Pine
Carved Rosewood 19th Century English Chinoiserie Secretary
Located in Morristown, NJ
Carved Rosewood 19th Century English Chinoiserie Secretary.
Category
Antique 19th Century English Secretaires
Materials
Rosewood
Sunburst Carved Rosewood Indian Colonial Secretary, circa 1840
Located in Providence, RI
This secretary is crafted from rich, dense rosewood exhibiting the fluted sunburst motif and
Category
Antique 1840s American Colonial Secretaires
Materials
Rosewood
B432 Large Victorian Ornately Carved Oak Secretary, Slope Front Desk, Bureau
Located in Vancouver, BC
Scotland, 1880.
All original finish,
dark oak stain,
solid oak
carved slope front,
fitted interior
Category
Antique 1880s Scottish Dressers
Materials
Oak
Classical Carved Mahogany Secretary of Grand Scale, New York
Located in Providence, RI
This monumental secretary is composed of highly figured radiant mahogany worthy of the secretaries
Category
Antique 19th Century American American Classical Secretaires
Period Rococo Secretary
Located in Sheffield, MA
Rococo period secretary, Sweden circa 1760, in two sections. The upper section has an arched
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Swedish Secretaires
Materials
Wood
$11,500
Period Rococo Secretary
Located in Sheffield, MA
Swedish secretary, circa 1750, with broken pediment cornice. The top, or library, section has
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Swedish Secretaires
Materials
Brass
$12,500
Period Rococo Secretary
Located in Sheffield, MA
Swedish rococo secretary, circa 1790, with original hardware. Upper library section has three
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Swedish Rococo Secretaires
Materials
Brass
$8,600
Period Gustavian Secretary
Located in Sheffield, MA
Early Swedish two-part secretary, circa 1820, with a squared cornice with keystone detail over a
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Period Rococo Secretary
Located in Sheffield, MA
Swedish secretary, circa 1750, with broken pediment cornice. The top, or library, section has
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Swedish Rococo Secretaires
Materials
Brass
$12,500
Period Norwegian Secretary
Located in Great Barrington, MA
Two part Norwegian secretary, circa 1820, in gray paint with the original locks and brass hardware
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Norwegian Neoclassical Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Period Gustavian Secretary
Located in Great Barrington, MA
Black Gustavian secretary in two parts, Sweden, circa 1810. The upper section has a guilloche
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Norwegian Rococo Secretary
Located in Great Barrington, MA
Rare compact secretary, Norway, circa 1760, in blue paint. The upper section has a graceful arched
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century Norwegian Rococo Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Period Gustavian Secretary
Located in Great Barrington, MA
Two part Gustavian secretary, Sweden, circa 1780, with old lock and keys. The upper section has a
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
$12,500
Swedish Baroque Secretary
Located in Great Barrington, MA
Early Swedish secretary, circa 1800, in two parts. The upper section has a bold cornice with
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Early Swedish Secretary
Located in Great Barrington, MA
Slant-front secretary in two parts, Sweden circa 1790. The upper section has an arched cornice and
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
$6,800
George III Mahogany Secretary
Located in Wilson, NC
George III mahogany secretary has a swan neck broken pediment with dental molding and carved floral
Category
Antique 1760s English George III Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Period Swedish Rococo Secretary
Located in Sheffield, MA
Swedish rococo secretary in original rare pale salmon paint and with its original hardware. In two
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Swedish Secretaires
Materials
Brass
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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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