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Empire Secretaire, Walnut, Maple, Paw Feet, Austria circa 1815
Located in Regensburg, DE
Fine Early Biedermeier or late Empire Secretaire / Drop-Front /Secretary Desk from Austria around
Category

Antique 1820s Austrian Biedermeier Secretaires

Materials

Brass, Gold Leaf

9 Pc Set Antique Italian Renaissance Revival Carved Walnut Chairs Settee Desks
Located in Dayton, OH
turned legs connected by serpentine stretcher with cherub busts. The secretary desk features a drop front
Category

Antique 1870s Renaissance Revival Living Room Sets

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Antique American Victorian Secretary Desk w/ Drop Front
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Brass Pulls Style: American Victorian This antique American Victorian secretary desk showcases
Category

Vintage 1920s American Victorian Desks

Materials

Brass

Antique Chippendale Style Walnut Drop Front Secretary Ladies Writing Desk
Located in Miami, FL
An antique early 20th century ladies' secretary desk. Made from walnut with a maple writing surface
Category

Early 20th Century European Chippendale Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Antique Chippendale Style Walnut Drop Front Secretary Ladies Writing Desk
Located in Miami, FL
An antique early 20th century ladies' secretary desk. Made from walnut with a maple writing surface
Category

Early 20th Century European Chippendale Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Dutch Rococo Bombe Marquetry Inlaid Drop Front Desk / Secretary
Located in Queens, NY
Dutch Rococo (Late 18th Century) drop front desk / secretary with elaborate foliate marquetry inlay
Category

Antique Late 18th Century Dutch Biedermeier Desks

Materials

Wood

Danish Teak Mid Century Modern Drop Front Secretary Box Desk Cabinet MINT
By Dux of Sweden
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Danish Teak Mid Century Modern Drop Front Secretary Box Desk Cabinet MINT
Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Teak

1960s Drexel Genuine Walnut Mid-Century Secretary Chest With Drop-Front Desk.
Located in Seattle, WA
and material quality. The upper drop-front panel opens smoothly to reveal a functional writing or
Category

Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Vintage Scandinavian Modern Teak Drop Front Desk Secretary in a Box, 1960-2000
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome MCM (a.k.a. Mid-Century Modern) vintage Scandinavian Modern drop front desk or secretary
Category

Late 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks

Materials

Teak

Italian Olive Burl Wood Cabriole Leg Bombay Drop Front Secretary with Bookcase
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very fine craftsmanship Italian made burl wood drop front secretary.
Category

20th Century Italian Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Olive, Burl

Antique Renaissance Revival Walnut Burl Four-Drawer Drop Front Secretary c1880
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Renaissance Revival Walnut & Burl Four-Drawer Drop Front Secretary c1880 Measures - 67 3/4
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Renaissance Revival Desks

Materials

Walnut, Burl

19th C. Louis XVI Style Ormolu-Mounted Mahogany Jasperware Console Vitrine Table
By Adam Weisweiler
Located in Los Angeles, CA
-front secretary desks and a commode, from the Wrightsman collection now at the Metropolitan Museum, had
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Console Tables

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Antique French Carved Secretary Petite Desk Barley Twist Walnut Bookcase
Located in Shreveport, LA
France, a beautifully appointed petite drop front walnut secretary/writing desk! With its outstanding
Category

Antique 1890s French Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Exceptional Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze-Mounted Commode by Henry Dasson
By Henry Dasson
Located in Long Island City, NY
made some larger pieces— secrétaires à abattant (drop-front secretary desks), tables, and commodes— he
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Commodes and Chests of Dra...

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Ormolu

Mid Century Maple Drop Front Secretary Writing Desk
Located in Freehold, NJ
This antique secretary desk features hardwood construction, original maple finish, three dovetailed
Category

Mid-20th Century American American Craftsman 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

French 19th Century Louis XIV Style Mahogany Brass Inlay Secretary Boulle Desk
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine and rare French 19th century Louis XIV style mahogany and brass inlaid drop-front
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XIV Desks

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Pair of Antique 19th C Empire Drop Front Desk Secretaries
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Pair of Antique 19th C Empire Drop Front Desk Secretaries.
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

French Empire Flame Mahogany Drop Front Secretaire Abattant Secretary Desk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Empire Flame Mahogany Drop Front Secretaire Abattant Secretary Desk. Item features 2
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Unknown Empire Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Model 63 Drop Front Teak Secretary Desk by Kai Kristiansen
By Tørring Møbelfabrik, HNJ Møbler, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Denmark Designer: Kai Kristiansen Manufacturer: HNJ Møbel / Tørring Møbelfabrik Era: 1960s Materials: Teak Measurements: 35" wide x 17" deep x 42.5" tall Condition: I...
Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires

Materials

Teak

Antique French Mahogany Drop Front Brass Gallery Secretary Writing Desk 40"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique French Victorian secretary / library writing desk. Made of mahogany featuring drop front
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Mahogany Block Front Drop Desk Secretary Bracket Foot 4 Drawers Dresser MINT!
By Councill
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mahogany Block Front Drop Desk Secretary Bracket Foot 4 Drawers Dresser MINT!
Category

20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

19th C. Drop Front Desk, Secretary Abattant, with Multiple Wood Marquetry Inlay
Located in Madrid, ES
This handsome Carlos IV style "secretaire-abattant" or drop front desk combines functionality with
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Spanish Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Hardwood

19th Century Empire Drop-Front Oak Secretary Desk or Abattant, Chest France
Located in Miami, FL
Secretaire a abattant, France circa 1820, Biedermeier period. The outside with fall front and two
Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Biedermeier Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Empire Drop-Front Oak Secretary Desk or Abattant, Chest France
Located in Miami, FL
Secretaire a abattant, France circa 1820, Biedermeier period. The outside with fall front and two
Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Biedermeier Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

Art Deco Secretary Desk with Drop-Front Writing Surface and Chevron Veneer, 1930
Located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA
This striking Art Deco secretary desk and storage cabinet showcases the bold geometry and refined
Category

Mid-20th Century Art Deco Secretaires

Materials

Wood

19th Century Empire Drop-Front Oak Secretary Desk or Abattant, Chest France
Located in Miami, FL
Secretaire a abattant, France circa 1820, Biedermeier period. The outside with fall front and two
Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Biedermeier Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

Tall Double Glass Doors Ball Claw Carved Finial Drop Block Front Secretary MINT!
By Kittinger Furniture Company, Drexel, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Tall Double Glass Doors Ball Claw Carved Finial Drop Block Front Secretary Desk Bookcase MINT!
Category

20th Century American Chippendale Dressers

Materials

Mahogany

Danish Modern Rosewood Secretary Desk
Located in Fulton, CA
A Danish Modern drop-front or secretary desk with 3 drawers and writing surface. Beautiful rosewood
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires

Materials

Rosewood

Oiled Medium Walnut Mid Century Modern Art Deco Drop Down Desk Secretary Cabinet
By Harvey Probber, James Mont
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Square shape lines Mid Century Danish modern drop down front secretary desk console table with
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires

Materials

Aluminum

Osvaldo Borsani Mid-Century Modern Italian Bar Cabinet
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Forney, TX
case with drop-front secretary desk style slant-front bar work surface, over double-door cabinet
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars

Materials

Wood, Rosewood

19th Century Empire Walnut Secretary
Located in Houston, TX
French first Empire period Secretaire à Abattant, also known as a drop-front secretary, fall front
Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Ormolu

French Secretaire à Abattant, First Empire Period
Located in Montreal, Quebec
French first Empire period Secretaire à Abattant, also known as a drop-front secretary, fall front
Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Bronze

20th Century French Drop-Front Oak Secretary Desk or Abattant
Located in Miami, FL
Secretaire a abattant, Spain circa 1900. The outside with fall front and one high drawer and one
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Biedermeier Secretaires

Materials

Oak

Rio Rosewood Drop Front Secretary Desk by Arne Wahl Iversen for Vinde Mobelfabri
By Vinde Møbelfabrik, Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in Appeltern, Gelderland
Model 68 drop front secretary desk by Arne Wahl Iversen for Vinde Mobelfabrik, 1960s. With
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires

Materials

Rosewood

Mid-Century Modern Mengel Drop Front Secretary Desk by Raymond Loewy
By Mengel Furniture Co., Raymond Loewy
Located in Phoenix, AZ
This fully restored drop front secretary desk is an iconic piece designed by Raymond Loewy for
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Iron

Antique 18th Century English Oak Chippendale Slant Drop Front Secretary Desk
Located in Charlotte, NC
An antique 18th Century drop front secretary desk in the Chippendale style, unbranded. Solid oak
Category

Antique 18th Century American Chippendale Secretaires

Materials

Brass

18th Century, Dutch Marquetry Drop Front Secretary / Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
This splendid drop front desk / secretary / secretaire, is completely covered with a beautiful
Category

Antique 18th Century Dutch Desks

Materials

Walnut

Midcentury Danish Modern Borge Mogensen Teak Wood Drop Front Secretary Desk
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Detroit, MI
This midcentury Danish modern teak secretary desk designed by Børge Mogensen for Søborg Møbelfabrik
Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Teak Drop Front Secretary Desk Danish Design, 1960s
Located in Udenhout, Noord Brabant
Mid-Century drop front teak secretary desk designed in the 1960s. The desk offers lots of storage
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Teak

Swedish Art Moderne Secretary Desk and Dry Bar in Honduran Mahogany, circa 1940
Located in Richmond, VA
Swedish Art Moderne drop front secretary desk with side cabinets for bottle storage. Rendered in
Category

Vintage 1940s Swedish Art Deco Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Danish Teak Secretary Cabinet with Drop Front Desk by Hans Wegner for Ry Mobler
By Ry Møbler
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful Danish teak desk with drop-down desk and storage cabinet above. There are two open
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Desks

Materials

Teak

Early 19th Century Louis Phillipe Mahogany Secretary a Abattant with Marble Top
Located in Ljubljana, SI
Antique Louis Phillipe Secretary with drop front desk opening to writing desk. Interior is eye
Category

Antique 1830s French Louis Philippe Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Georgian Red Painted Drop Front Secretary Desk With Hutch
Located in Rochester, NY
A gorgeous Georgian or Chippendale style bureau with drop front secretary desk and bookcase hutch
Category

20th Century Unknown Georgian Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Highly Carved Continental Drop Front Secretary Desk with Side Griffins
Located in Tarzana, CA
A magnificent 19th century highly carved continental drop front secretary desk with side griffins
Category

Antique 19th Century British Desks and Writing Tables

Lifetime Furniture Mission Oak Arts Crafts Drop Front Secretary Desk
By Lifetime
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mission Arts & Crafts drop front secretary desk By Lifetime Furniture USA
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks

Materials

Copper

Georgian Burled Walnut Drop Front Secretary Desk With Bookcase Hutch
By National Mt. Airy
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful Georgian or Queen Anne style bureau with drop front secretary desk and bookcase hutch
Category

Vintage 1980s American Georgian Desks

Materials

Brass

Dark Golden Olive Drop Front Secretary Desk High Chest Drawers Dresser Brass Key
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mint Dark Golden Olive Drop Front Secretary Desk High Chest Drawers Dresser Leather Top Brass Keys.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Brass

Henredon Georgian Banded Oak Drop Front Secretary Desk With Bookcase Hutch
By Henredon
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful Georgian or Queen Anne style bureau with drop front secretary desk and bookcase hutch
Category

Vintage 1980s American Georgian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Lifetime Furniture Antique Mission Oak Arts Crafts Drop Front Secretary Desk
By Lifetime
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts period drop front secretary desk By Lifetime
Category

Antique Early 1900s American Mission Desks

Materials

Copper

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

Henkel Harris Georgian Mahogany Drop Front Secretary Desk with Bookcase Hutch
By Henkel Harris
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Georgian or Chippendale style bureau with drop front secretary desk and bookcase hutch
Category

Vintage 1970s American Georgian Desks

Materials

Brass

Mid Century Danish Teak Drop Front Secretary Desk Bar Bookcase
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Mid Century Danish teak drop front secretary desk bar bookcase Bookcase measures: 39.5 wide x
Category

Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Teak

Jasper Cabinet Georgian Red Lacquered Drop Front Secretary Desk With Hutch
By Jasper Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Georgian or Chippendale style bureau with drop front secretary desk and bookcase hutch
Category

Vintage 1970s American Georgian Desks

Materials

Brass

1950 Drop Front Secretary Desk in Teak by Børge Mogensen
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
1950 drop front Secretary desk in teak by Børge Mogensen. When the front door drops, four
Category

Vintage 1950s Scandinavian Apothecary Cabinets

Materials

Iron

Raymond Loewy for Mengel Drop Front Secretary Desk on Iron Legs, Refinished
By Raymond Loewy, Mengel Furniture Co.
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern drop front secretary desk By Raymond Loewy for Mengel
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Iron

Baker Furniture Historic Charleston Georgian Mahogany Drop Front Secretary Desk
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful Georgian or Chippendale style bureau with drop front secretary desk and bookcase hutch
Category

Vintage 1980s American Georgian Secretaires

Materials

Brass

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Drop Front Secretary Desk For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the drop front secretary desk you’re looking for. Frequently made of wood, metal and hardwood, every drop front secretary desk was constructed with great care. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer drop front secretary desk, there are earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. A drop front secretary desk made by Louis XV designers — as well as those associated with Mid-Century Modern — is very popular. Many designers have produced at least one well-made drop front secretary desk over the years, but those crafted by Arne Wahl Iversen, Baker Furniture Company and Ethan Allen are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much is a Drop Front Secretary Desk?

A drop front secretary desk can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $2,545, while the lowest priced sells for $750 and the highest can go for as much as $20,000.

Finding the Right Case Pieces And Storage Cabinets for You

Of all the vintage storage cabinets and antique case pieces that have become popular in modern interiors over the years, dressers, credenzas and cabinets have long been home staples, perfect for routine storage or protection of personal items. 

In the mid-19th century, cabinetmakers would mimic styles originating in the Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI eras for their dressers, bookshelves and other structures, and, later, simpler, streamlined wood designs allowed these “case pieces” or “case goods” — any furnishing that is unupholstered and has some semblance of a storage component — to blend into the background of any interior. 

Mid-century modern furniture enthusiasts will cite the tall modular wall units crafted in teak and other sought-after woods of the era by the likes of George Nelson, Poul Cadovius and Finn Juhl. For these highly customizable furnishings, designers of the day delivered an alternative to big, heavy bookcases by considering the use of space — and, in particular, walls — in new and innovative ways. Mid-century modern credenzas, which, long and low, evolved from tables that were built as early as the 14th century in Italy, typically have no legs or very short legs and have grown in popularity as an alluring storage option over time. 

Although the name immediately invokes images of clothing, dressers were initially created in Europe for a much different purpose. This furnishing was initially a flat-surfaced, low-profile side table equipped with a few drawers — a common fixture used to dress and prepare meats in English kitchens throughout the Tudor period. The drawers served as perfect utensil storage. It wasn’t until the design made its way to North America that it became enlarged and equipped with enough space to hold clothing and cosmetics. The very history of case pieces is a testament to their versatility and well-earned place in any room. 

In the spirit of positioning your case goods center stage, decluttering can now be design-minded.

A contemporary case piece with open shelving and painted wood details can prove functional as a storage unit as easily as it can a room divider. Alternatively, apothecary cabinets are charming case goods similar in size to early dressers or commodes but with uniquely sized shelving and (often numerous) drawers.

Whether you’re seeking a playful sideboard that features colored glass and metal details, an antique Italian hand-carved storage cabinet or a glass-door vitrine to store and show off your collectibles, there are options for you on 1stDibs.

Questions About Drop Front Secretary Desk
  • 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023
    A drop-front desk is usually called a secretary. Other names for this type of desk include writing cabinet, fall-front desk and secrétaire à abattant. The name secretary can be traced back to the 18th century when estate secretaries used the drop-front desks as workstations for paying bills and reconciling accounts. On 1stDibs, find a range of secretary desks.

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