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Chinoiserie Black Secretary

Fine Black Lacquer Chinoiserie Secretary
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A black lacquer chinoiserie secretary in two parts. The upper cabinet with two doors that open to
Category

20th Century Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Fine Black Lacquer Chinoiserie Secretary
Fine Black Lacquer Chinoiserie Secretary
$4,600
H 88 in W 39 in D 18 in
Black Lacquer Hand Painted Chinoiserie Black Lacquer Secretary Writing Desk
By James Mont, Edward Wormley
Located in Chattanooga, TN
This incomparable slant-front chinoiserie black lacquer secretary desk depicts a serene
Category

Vintage 1970s American Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Black Painted Chinoiserie Drop Front Secretary Writing Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique chinoiserie painted writing desk with red interior. early-19th century
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinoiserie Furniture

Materials

Wood

Midcentury French Style Black Lacquer Chinoiserie Secretary Desk / Cabinet
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a midcentury French style hand painted chinoiserie secretary with a unique bombe form base
Category

Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Glass, Lacquer

Queen Anne Style Burton-Ching Black Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Queen Anne Style Burton-Ching Black Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Queen Anne Style Burton-Ching Black Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase
Queen Anne Style Burton-Ching Black Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase
$11,960 Sale Price
20% Off
H 98.5 in W 36.5 in D 21.5 in
Georgian Chinoiserie Black Lacquered Hand-Painted Drop Front Secretary Desk
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Georgian Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie style bureau with drop front secretary desk
Category

Vintage 1980s American Chinoiserie Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Chinoiserie Black Lacquered Drop Front Secretary Desk With Bookcase Hutch
By Jasper Furniture Company
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous Georgian Chinoiserie style bureau with drop front secretary desk and bookcase hutch top
Category

Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Brass

George II Style Black Gold Lacquer Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
George II Style Black & Gold Lacquer Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase.
Category

2010s American Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Giltwood, Lacquer

George II Style Black 
Gold Lacquer Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase
George II Style Black 
Gold Lacquer Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase
$13,200 Sale Price
20% Off
H 102 in W 45 in D 23 in
English 19th Century Black and Gold Secretary Bookcase with Chinoiserie Décor
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English black lacquer secretary bookcase from the 19th century, with glass doors, drop-front
Category

Antique 19th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Wood

A fine late 18th c to early 19th c William and Mary black Chinoiserie secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
A very fine late 18th century William and Mary black lacquered secretary. Fine Chinoiserie hand
Category

Antique Early 19th Century English William and Mary Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Recent Sales

Black Lacquered Italian Chinoiserie Petite Secretary
By Fornasetti, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Houston, TX
A beautiful black lacquered Italian chinoiserie secretary. Intricately painted detail of Chinese
Category

20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Secretaires

French Lacquered Chinoiserie Secretary
Located in Locust Valley, NY
French lacquered chinoiserie secretary with bronze mountings.
Category

20th Century Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Lacquer

French Lacquered Chinoiserie Secretary
French Lacquered Chinoiserie Secretary
H 53 in W 31 in D 14.25 in
Vintage English Red and Black Chinoiserie Decorated Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
Very fine vintage English red and black Chinoiserie decorated secretary. Beautiful hand painted
Category

20th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Black Laquered Asian Chinoiserie Secretary Secretaire Desk and Chair
Located in West Hartford, CT
Black and gold chinoiserie vintage Asian secretary desk that comes with matching chair. Spectacular
Category

Vintage 1970s Chinese Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

19th Century English Chinoiserie Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
Fantastic 19th century English black lacquered chinoiserie five-drawer secretary. Having wonderful
Category

Antique 19th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires

Chinoiserie Black Lacquered Breakfront Sideboard China Cabinet Secretary
By Union National
Located in West Hartford, CT
Elegant and sought after two piece chinoiserie black lacquered breakfront by Union National, NY
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sideboards

Materials

Glass, Wood, Lacquer

Chinoiserie Black Lacquered Drop Front Secretary Desk With Bookcase Hutch
By Jasper Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Georgian Chinoiserie style bureau with drop front secretary desk and lighted bookcase
Category

Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Desks

Materials

Brass

Maitland Smith Black Lacquer Hermes Orange Interior Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
By Maitland Smith
Located in West Hartford, CT
Maitland Smith 20th Century black lacquer two-piece secretary with coveted Hermes orange interior
Category

Vintage 1980s Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

English Chinoiserie / Georgian Style Red and Black Secretary Desk
Located in Queens, NY
English Georgian-style contemporary black and red faux lacquer Chinoiserie two-piece secretary desk
Category

20th Century Georgian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Rose Tarlow Queen Anne Chinoiserie Secretary
By Rose Tarlow
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rose Tarlow Melrose House Queen Anne Chinoiserie Secretary. A stunning, hand made, hand painted
Category

20th Century Queen Anne Secretaires

Materials

Lacquer

Baker Furniture Style Georgian Chinoiserie Black Lacquered Secretary Desk
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Georgian Chinoiserie style bureau with drop front secretary desk In the manner of
Category

Vintage 1960s American Georgian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Fine and Rare 18th C Georgian Black Lacquered and Chinoiserie Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine and rare 18th century Georgian black lacquered and Chinoiserie decorated elaborate secretary.
Category

Antique Late 18th Century English Georgian Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Rose Tarlow Melrose House Queen Anne Black Red Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
By Rose Tarlow
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Rose Tarlow Melrose House Queen Anne Black & Red Chinoiserie Secretary Desk. It features the most
Category

1990s American Queen Anne Secretaires

Materials

Giltwood, Lacquer

Fine 18th Century English Chinoiserie Decorated Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine late 18th century English George 11 black lacquered and Chinoiserie decorated secretary. Red
Category

Antique Late 18th Century English George III Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Early 19th Century One Of A KInd Chinoiserie Secretary with Heavy Bronze Mounts
Located in Manhasset, NY
A spectacular one of a kind Continental walnut secretary bookcase in the chinoiserie taste, late
Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires

Chinese Hand Painted/Black Lacquered and Brass Secretary Desk
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Lacquered and Brass Secretary Desk. Featuring intricate hand-painted scenes on a rich black lacquer finish
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Chinoiserie Motif Hand Painted Drexel Black Lacquer Console Table with Drawer
By Drexel, James Mont, Henredon
Located in Chattanooga, TN
pairing this piece with our Maddox black lacquer Chinoiserie secretary desk (sold separately). Drexel logo
Category

Vintage 1970s American Chinoiserie Console Tables

Materials

Mahogany, Lacquer, Paint

Baker Chinoiserie Ebony Secretary Chippendale Style, 1950s
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Hamburg, PA
A Baker two-piece chinoiserie black secretary in the Chippendale Style.
Category

Vintage 1950s American Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Lacquer, Wood

Black Lacquer Chinoiserie Secretary Bookcase
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Distinctive secretary bookcase made in the Chinese taste featuring a decorative gilt faux bamboo
Category

20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Brass

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

Lovely Chinoiserie Style Secretary
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Black and gold hand-painted chinoiserie style secretary having aged paned mirror front on single
Category

Vintage 1950s American Chinoiserie Secretaires

Lovely Chinoiserie Style Secretary
Lovely Chinoiserie Style Secretary
H 74 in W 24 in D 17.5 in
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

Black Lacquer Hand Painted Chinoiserie Black Lacquer Secretary Writing Desk
By James Mont, Edward Wormley
Located in Chattanooga, TN
This incomparable slant-front chinoiserie black lacquer secretary desk depicts a serene
Category

Vintage 1970s American Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Chinoiserie Black and Gold Hand Painted Secretary Desk
Located in West Hartford, CT
Magnificent Chinoiserie decorated black secretary desk with exquisite hand painted landscape
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Wood

20th Century Chinoiserie Secretary Bookcase
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a good quality chinoiserie 20th century Bureau bookcase in good condition with detailed
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Bookcases

English Georgian Black Lacquer with Chinoiserie Secretary
Located in San Francisco, CA
English Georgian black lacquer and chinoiserie decorated slant front secretary cabinet on bracket
Category

Antique Mid-18th Century English George III Secretaires

Materials

Oak

Black and Gold Chinoiserie Directoire Secretary Desk and Chair
Located in West Hartford, CT
Elegant chinoiserie secretary desk with chair. Great scale to the desk, not too big and will fit
Category

Vintage 1970s American Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Narrow Raised Lacquer Black Chinoiserie Slatfront Secretary Desk circa 1950
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
raised Chinoiserie scenery of various wise elders and townspeople doing their daily business. The desk is
Category

Vintage 1950s Unknown Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Chinoiserie Breakfront China Hutch Drop Front Secretary Bookcase Black Lacquer
Located in Topeka, KS
Gorgeous vintage Chinoiserie breakfront China hutch cabinet or drop front secretary bookcase
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Brass, Steel

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

Chinoiserie Hand-Painted English Secretary
Located in Tarrytown, NY
1930's hand-painted chinoiserie English Secretary out of a Park Avenue Estate in New York City
Category

Vintage 1930s English Secretaires

19th Century Black Lacquered Secretary with Raised Chinoiserie Design
Located in Dallas, TX
Lovely 19th century Italian black lacquered secretary. Beautifully done raised chinoiserie design
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Italian Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Asian Chinoiserie Black Lacquer and Gold Secretary Desk Hand Painted Secretaire
Located in West Hartford, CT
Stunning, one of a kind, vintage Asian black and gold lacquer chinoiserie secretary desk. What
Category

Vintage 1920s Chinese Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Late 20th Century Vintage Asian Black Lacquered Gilt Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A spectacular vintage Asian secretary desk. A chic black lacquered cabinet with hand painted gilt
Category

Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Desks

Materials

Metal

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

Chinoiserie Decorated Ebonized, Gilt, Red Lacquered Secretary Desk
Located in Big Flats, NY
A Chinoiserie decorated secretary offers black lacquered wood construction with upper having a
Category

20th Century Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Rococo Chinoiserie Secretary, Swedish, 18th Century, Origin Sweden, circa 1750
Located in New York, NY
Rococo 18th century secretary in two parts, 19th century chinoiserie painting with the original
Category

Antique 18th Century Swedish Rococo Secretaires

Materials

Paint

George III Black Chinoiserie Secretary
Located in Stamford, CT
Offered here is a true George III black lacquer chinoiserie three drawer secretary with bun feet
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier Secretaires

Baker 21st Century Contemporary Black Lacquer Chinoiserie Secretary
Located in Chicago, IL
Contemporary black lacquer chinoiserie Queen Anne style secretary by Baker has double doors, slant
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Black Lacquered Chinoiserie Secretary Form Cabinet
Located in Woodbury, CT
interior also decorated in the chinoiserie manner. The lower section, does not have a secretary drawer
Category

Early 20th Century British Regency Revival Cabinets

Italian Chinoiserie Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
Large black and gold chinoiserie secretary created for East and Orient Company
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Secretaires

Italian Chinoiserie Secretary
Italian Chinoiserie Secretary
H 94.5 in W 49 in D 23 in
Louis XV Style Chinoiserie Secretary, 1940
Located in Southampton, NY
Louis XV French style chinoiserie cabinet- could be utilized as a secretary, bar or bookcase
Category

Vintage 1940s French Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Petite Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
Early 20th century Chinoiserie petite secretary of ebonized wood with gold detail featuring birds
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Secretaires

Drexel Heritage Et Cetera Asian Chinoiserie Black Lacquer Secretary Desk
By Drexel
Located in Charlotte, NC
An Asian Chinoiserie style secretary desk by Drexel Heritage, from their Et Cetera Collection
Category

Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Brass

English Style Chinoiserie Secretary
Located in Fairhope, AL
Red, gold and black hand-painted chinoiserie lacquered secretary or bookcase with a fitted interior
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Secretaires

English Style Chinoiserie Secretary
English Style Chinoiserie Secretary
H 82 in W 39 in D 21.5 in
Mid-Century Modern "Chinoiserie" Style Secretary, circa 1950s
Located in Hialeah, FL
A Mid-Century Modern Chinese style secretary, circa 1950s. Highly ornate, hand-painted details.
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires

Mid 20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Black Lacquer Secretary Desk
Located in Charlotte, NC
An Asian Chinoiserie style secretary desk, unbranded, similar in quality to Drexel. Solid wood with
Category

Mid-20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires

Materials

Brass

20th Century English Bamboo and Chinoiserie Secretary
Located in Atlanta, GA
20th century English bamboo and chinoiserie secretary.
Category

20th Century English Secretaires

Materials

Bamboo

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This is a 1930s French Art Deco hand-carved oak box, showcasing a unique blend of craftsmanship and geometric flair characteristic of the Art Deco period. Solid oak wood, noted for i...
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A 1930s Art Deco Hand-Carved Oak French Box
A 1930s Art Deco Hand-Carved Oak French Box
$771
H 3.15 in W 12.21 in D 7.49 in
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Very special Murano glass wall light, stylish and elegant, their design truly unique in their kind. Beautiful coloring. The wall light is composed of a brass stem where a system for...
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2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

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Gilt Chinoiserie Console Table or Bar
By James Mont
Located in Atlanta, GA
Gilt Chinoiserie Console Table or Bar, probably Chinese, circa 1960s. This piece is constructed of gilt wood with an inset black granite top. The low maintenance granite makes it a g...
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Gilt Chinoiserie Console Table or Bar
$3,250
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By Ralph Lauren
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Ralph Lauren Leather and Chrome Armchair
Ralph Lauren Leather and Chrome Armchair
$1,500
H 36 in W 25 in D 25 in
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$2,950 / set
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$1,480 / set
H 12 in W 33.25 in D 23.25 in
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Pair of Large Midcentury Venetian Sconces
Pair of Large Midcentury Venetian Sconces
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Long Chandelier in Murano Glass by Studio Glustin
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Chinoiserie Black Secretary For Sale on 1stDibs

Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the chinoiserie black secretary you’re looking for at 1stDibs. A chinoiserie black secretary — often made from wood, lacquer and bamboo — can elevate any home. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer chinoiserie black secretary, there are earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. Each chinoiserie black secretary bearing Georgian or Rococo hallmarks is very popular.

How Much is a Chinoiserie Black Secretary?

A chinoiserie black secretary can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $4,600, while the lowest priced sells for $1,200 and the highest can go for as much as $46,800.

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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