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George III English Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English figured mahogany secretary bookcase with moulded cornice, glazed doors with arched sash
Category
Antique 19th Century English Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century English Mahogany Marquetry Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century English mahogany marquetry secretary is a superlative example of the genre, with
Category
Antique 1890s English Queen Anne Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
18th Century English Walnut Cottage Secretary
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a spectacular early 18th century English walnut secretary or bureau cottage bookcase. The
Category
Antique Early 18th Century English George I Secretaires
Materials
Brass
19th Century English Renaissance Secretary, Bookcase
Located in Dallas, TX
This stunning 19th century English Renaissance Secretary, bookcase provides display, storage, and a
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century English Renaissance Revival Secretaires
Materials
Oak
English Chinoiserie Secretary with Mirrored Doors
Located in Dallas, TX
This early 20th century five-drawer secretary is made of wood stained in a deep black color with
Category
Early 20th Century English Queen Anne Secretaires
Materials
Mirror, Wood
English 19th Century Regency Mahogany Secretary
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A fine English mahogany secretary, done in the Regency style circa 1830. This outstanding desk has
Category
Antique 19th Century English Regency Secretaires
Materials
Brass
19th Century English Burl Walnut Secretary
Located in Hixson, TN
A very nice 19th century burl walnut secretary. This is a married piece. The top has arched glass
Category
Antique 1890s English Georgian Secretaires
English Campaign Secretary Chest on Stand
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Antique English campaign chest on stand with seven drawers in assorted sizes, brass hardware and
Category
Antique Late 19th Century English British Colonial Desks
Materials
Mahogany
Mahogany Bookcase Secretary, English, Early 19th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
Mahogany bookcase secretary, English, early 19th century.
Category
Antique Early 19th Century English Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Antique English Edwardian Era Mahogany Secretary Desk
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English Edwardian Era mahogany secretary desk, circa 1890-1980.
Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Secretaires
19th c English Chinoisserie black lacquered secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
19th c English finely decorated black lacquered slant front secretary
Category
Antique Late 19th Century European Chinese Chippendale Secretaires
19th c. English George III Mahogany Secretary
Located in San Marino, CA
English Mahogany Secretary from George III, Circa 1810. Top drawer's front panel unlocked by key to
Category
Antique 19th Century English George III Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
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
19th Century English Chinoiserie Decorated Yellow Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
Exqusite 19th century English Chinoiserie decorated yellow secretary. Beautiful handpainted Asian
Category
Antique 19th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Wood
English Georgian Chinoiserie-Decorated Secretary Desk / Cabinet
Located in Tarry Town, NY
English Georgian-style black / gilt secretary desk / cabinet painted in traditional gold
Category
20th Century English Georgian Cabinets
Materials
Gold, Brass
English Military Officer
s Chest - Secretary of Mahogany
Located in Austin, TX
An English military officerâ??s Campaign Ware secretary, c.1860, fashioned as a chest of drawers
Category
Antique 19th Century English Secretaires
Materials
Brass
English Solid Mahogany Art Nouveau Secretary Bookcase
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
English late Victorian Art Nouveau-influenced drop-front secretary-bookcase in mahogany. Upper
Category
Antique Early 1900s English Art Nouveau Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
English Bamboo Secretary with Japan-Lacquered Accents
Located in Austin, TX
An English Bamboo secretary featuring japan-lacquered panels on the front, sides, and shelves with
Category
Antique 19th Century English Secretaires
Exceptional English Victorian Burl Walnut Fitted Secretary
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Exceptional English Victorian burl walnut secretary, the fitted desk folding down to reveal leather
Category
Antique 1860s English Victorian Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Exceptional English Victorian Burl Walnut Fitted Secretary
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
English Victorian burl walnut secretary, the fitted desk folding down to reveal leather writing
Category
Antique 19th Century English Secretaires
Materials
Walnut, Burl
English George III Mahogany Secretary Bureau Bookcase
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a very handsome mahogany English George III secretary/bureau bookcase with a gently arched
Category
Antique Late 18th Century English George III Cabinets
Materials
Mahogany
18th Century English Chinoiserie Lacquered Secretary Cabinet
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Grand 18th century English lacquered secretary cabinet made in the George III style and decorated
Category
Antique 18th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Brass
19th Century English Mahogany Bureau Bookcase Secretary
Located in Charlottesville, VA
A handsome secretary with great storage. Very nice .
Category
Antique 19th Century British Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Early 19th Century English Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Early 19th century Mahogany secretary with arched cornice, string inlay, sash work on glass
Category
Antique 19th Century English Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century English Mahogany Secretary and Bookcase
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century English mahogany secretary and bookcases are perfect choices for today's floor plans
Category
Antique 1880s English Chippendale Secretaires
Materials
Hardwood, Mahogany
English Early 19th Century Regency Mahogany Secretary
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A handsome mahogany secretary with glass-front cabinet and roll top from England, circa 1830. This
Category
Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Beech, Mahogany
19th Century Petite English Red Chinoiserie Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorative 19th century petite red Chinoiserie secretary from England. Very nice hand painted Asian
Category
Antique 19th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Wood
English, Mahogany Glazed Door Slant Front Secretary
Located in Woodbury, CT
This Secretary is outfitted nicely with blind document drawers over pigeon holes nestled above
Category
Antique 19th Century English Secretaires
Mid-19th Century English Reeded Secretary Cabinet
Located in Troy, MI
English cabinet features a reeded walnut base with fold down desk, internal shelves at the bottom
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century English Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Walnut
19th C. English Regency Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th Century English Regency mahogany secretaire bookcase. The top of the bookcase has glazed doors
Category
Antique Early 19th Century English Bookcases
Materials
Mahogany
English 18th Century George III Mahogany Secretary
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An early George III English mahogany period bureau bookcase. 24-paned bookcase doors with 3
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English George III Desks and Writing Ta...
English Hepplewhite Fall-Front Secretary in Mahogany
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
English Hepplewhite fall-front secretaire in mahogany, circa 1800.
A lovely stand-up desk with
Category
Antique 19th Century American Hepplewhite Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Secretary, Bookcase, 19th Century English in Mahogany
Located in Dallas, TX
Located in our flagship 25,000 square foot Baton Rouge showroom, NOT our 25,000 square foot Dallas Design District showroom.
Category
Antique 1860s English Neoclassical Revival Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
19th Century English Black Lacquered Slant Front Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
19th c English black lacquered slant front secretary.
Category
Antique 19th Century English Chinese Chippendale Secretaires
Materials
Wood
English Mahogany with Satinwood Inlay Secretary, circa 1790
Located in Charleston, SC
English mahogany with satinwood inlay secretary, circa 1790.
Category
Antique 1790s English Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
English Mahogany Secretary Bookcase with Dentil Molding, Crossbanding
Located in Atlanta, GA
English Mahogany Secretary Bookcase with Dentil Molding, Crossbanding, & String Inlay, Mid-19th
Category
Antique 19th Century English Bookcases
Materials
Mahogany
Rosewood English Regency Style Butler
s Secretary Desk Dresser
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Rosewood English Regency style secretary desk with a tooled leather writing surface and 9 drawers.
Category
Early 20th Century English Regency Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Rosewood
Antique English Queen Anne Walnut Secretary, circa 1900
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English Queen Anne walnut secretary, circa 1900. The desk portion of the sectary opens to
Category
Early 20th Century English Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Early 19th Century English Georgian Painted Secretary Bookcase
Located in Bradenton, FL
Early 19th Century English Georgian Painted Secretary Bookcase. This Bookcase Secretary is a
Category
Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
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
Monumental 19th Century Grand English Mahogany Bookcase, Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
Monumental 19th century grand English mahogany bookcase. Secretary is almost eleven feet wide, and
Category
Antique 1880s English Bookcases
Materials
Mahogany
English Mahogany Slant Top Inlaid Secretary. Circa 1780
Located in Charleston, SC
English mahogany graduated five drawer slant front secretary with original glass doors, Satinwood
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier British Secretaires
Mid-Victorian English Burl Walnut Secretary Desk Cabinet
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Exceptional English Victorian burl walnut secretary, the fitted desk folding down to reveal leather
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century English Victorian Secretaires
Materials
Walnut, Burl
English Regency Mahogany Secretary Bookcase, Early 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Regency mahogany secretary bookcase with arched cornice, string inlay, arched sash work on glass
Category
Antique 19th Century English Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Delicate and Diminutive English Edwardian Satinwood Secretary Desk
Located in Milford, NH
A fine example of a delicate English Edwardian satinwood secretary desk, its domed top including a
Category
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Desks
Materials
Brass
Secretary, Bookcase, 19th Century Antique English in Mahogany
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century antique English mahogany Secretary, bookcase is the essence of tailored architecture
Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Edwardian Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Glass, Birdseye Maple, Mahogany, Rosewood
English Mahogany Portfolio / Low Secretary Cabinet, Circa 1840
Located in Los Angeles, CA
portfolio stand. The upper drawer opens into a tooled leather top secretary desk. The lower two-door
Category
Antique 19th Century English Cabinets
Large Early 19th Century Mahogany English Breakfront Secretary
Located in Hudson, NY
This impressive mahogany secretary bookcase was made in England, circa 1820-1830. Designed as a
Category
Antique Early 19th Century English George IV Bookcases
English George III Mahogany Bureau Bookcase or Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
A stately George III mahogany bureau bookcase or secretary. The upper section has a shaped cornice
Category
Antique Late 18th Century English George III Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Mahogany
Scandinavian Modern English Teak Secretary Hutch by Nathan
By Nathan Furniture
Located in Chattanooga, TN
display area, a locking secretary (with key) and three drawers at base. A series of LED lights illuminate
Category
Vintage 1960s British Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Materials
Teak
Miniature English Antique Mahogany Secretary Bookcase ca. 1800
Located in Shippensburg, PA
manner identical to the full sized secretary desks and bookcases.
The bottom chest of drawers features
Category
Antique 19th Century English George III Bookcases
Materials
Brass
19th Century English George III Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a good quality George III mahogany secretaire bookcase. Having a glazed top, opening to reveal adjustable shelves. Below this, the secretaire drawer opens to a fully fitt...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century English George III Bookcases
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
19th Century English Regency Mahogany Secretary Bookcase with Inlay
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th Century English Regency Mahogany Secretary Bookcase with Inlay
Category
Antique 19th Century English Regency Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Large 19th Century English Mahogany Breakfront with Secretary Drawer
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Large English George III 19th Century Mahogany Breakfront Bookcase with Secretary Drawer.
Category
Antique 19th Century English Apothecary Cabinets
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century English George III Mahogany Secretary and Bookcase
Located in Savannah, GA
19th century English George III mahogany secretary and bookcase. Depth when open is 40.5".
Category
Antique 19th Century English George III Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century English Sheraton Style Mahogany Inlaid Secretary Bookcase
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th Century English Sheraton Style Mahogany Inlaid Secretary Bookcase with Arched Cornice, Shaped
Category
Antique 19th Century English Bookcases
Materials
Mahogany
English Mahogany Secretary with Blind Door Bookcase. Circa 1770
Located in Charleston, SC
English Mahogany secretary with bookcase. Secretary has intricately carved upper case flanking
Category
Antique 1770s English George III Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
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English Secretary For Sale on 1stDibs
Find many varieties of an authentic English secretary available at 1stDibs. Each English secretary for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, mahogany and metal. If you’re shopping for an English secretary, we have 224 options in-stock, while there are 1 modern editions to choose from as well. Your living room may not be complete without an English secretary — find older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century. An English secretary is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in Georgian, Regency and Victorian styles are sought with frequency. A well-made English secretary has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Bevan Funnell Ltd. and Nathan Furniture are consistently popular.
How Much is an English Secretary?
Prices for an English secretary start at $970 and top out at $88,500 with the average selling for $8,050.
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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