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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
Early 19th Century English George III Fiddleback Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
Located in Atlanta, GA
Early 19th Century English George III Fiddleback Mahogany Secretary Bookcase with Carved Detail, ca
Category
Antique 19th Century English Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
18th Century English Green Chinoiserie Secretary with Red Interior
Located in Richmond, VA
Very impressive 18th century English chinoiserie secretary with red interior on ogee bracket feet
Category
Antique 18th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Mirror, 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
English Mahogany Fall Front Secretary With Bookcase. Circa 1780
Located in Charleston, SC
English mahogany fall front secretary with floral carved broken pediment, flanking upper glass
Category
Antique 1780s British George III Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany, Satinwood
Antique English George III Mahogany Slant-Front Secretary Desk
Located in Sheridan, CO
Antique English George III mahogany inlaid slant front secretary writing desk, 19th c. This desk
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century British George III Desks
Materials
Brass
19th Century English Cylinder Desk and Bookcase or Secretary
Located in Milford, NH
A 19th century two part walnut English cylinder secretary desk and bookcase with nicely
Category
Antique 19th Century English William IV Secretaires
Antique English Adams Decorated Satinwood Parcel Gilt Secretary C1820
Located in Big Flats, NY
English Adams Decorated Satinwood Parcel Gilt Secretary C1820
Measures - 60.5"H x 37.5"W x 19.5"D
Category
Antique 19th Century Secretaires
Materials
Satinwood
Late 18th Century, English George III Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
Located in Atlanta, GA
Large George III period mahogany secretary bookcase with ogee bracket feet, pilaster corners and
Category
Antique Late 18th Century English George III Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
English Mahogany Secretary Bookcase with Glass Doors, 19th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
English mahogany secretary bookcase with glass doors over a pull out desk and four drawers, 19th
Category
Antique 19th Century English Georgian Secretaires
English Georgian Style Oak Marquetry Drop Front Secretary Desk
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Distinctive English Georgian fall front or drop front secretaire desk crafted from oak. The
Category
20th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Materials
Oak, Satinwood
Fine English Canary Yellow Chinoiserie Secretary Desk, circa 1930
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a handmade secretary desk that is one of the most beautiful we have ever had, in terms of
Category
Vintage 1930s English Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
English Mahogany Secretary with Fitted Desk Drawer Late 18th Century
Located in Charleston, SC
English mahogany secretary with fitted fall front desk.
Category
Antique Late 18th Century English Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Antique English Golden Oak Slant Front Secretary Bookcase, Circa 1880
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English golden oak slant front secretary bookcase, circa 1880.
Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Secretaires
Materials
Oak
19th Century English Regency Mahogany Secretary Bookcase with Brass Knobs
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th Century English Regency Mahogany Secretary Bookcase with Brass Knobs
Category
Antique 19th Century English Regency Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
English 19th Century Mahogany Secretary with Arched Pediment with Inlay
Located in Atlanta, GA
English 19th Century Mahogany Secretary with Arched Pediment with Inlay and Crossbanding
Category
Antique 19th Century English Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
English Chippendale Mahogany Slant Top Secretary with Bookcase, Circa 1765
Located in Charleston, SC
English Chippendale mahogany secretary bookcase with broken pediment cornice, intricately carved
Category
Antique 1760s English Chippendale Secretaires
Materials
Brass
English 18th Century Queen Anne Oak Secretary Double Dome
Located in San Marino, CA
Need key. Solid oak fall front, two small drawer two large drawers, upper compartment filled with moveable shelves and dividers.
Category
Antique 18th Century English Queen Anne Secretaires
English Regency Mahogany Fall Front Secretary With Bookcase. Circa 1790
Located in Charleston, SC
English Regency mahogany fall front secretary bookcase with dental molding, adjustable interior
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier British George III Secretaires
Mid-19th Century English William IV Flame Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A mid-19th century English mahogany secretary bookcase, the top with two glazed doors flanked by
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century English William IV Bookcases
Materials
Mahogany
18th Century English Walnut and Secretary with Drop Front Desk
Located in San Francisco, CA
18th century English walnut and secretary with drop front desk
Gorgeous 19th century secretary
Category
Antique 18th Century English Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Highly Decorative English Lady
s Secretary Desk from the 19th Century
Located in Opole, PL
Highly Decorative English Lady's Secretary Desk from the 19th Century
We present you this piece of
Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Secretaires
Materials
Baize, Wood
Antique English George IV Satinwood Inlaid Mahogany Bureau Bookcase/Secretary
By Thomas Chippendale
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
Fabulous quality antique English George IV satinwood inlaid mahogany Chippendale style Bureau
Category
Antique 1820s English Chippendale Bookcases
Materials
Brass
Antique English Chippendale Mahogany Drop Front Bookcase Secretary, 18th Century
Located in Big Flats, NY
An English Chippendale secretary offers mahogany construction with mirrored upper bookcase cabinet
Category
Antique 18th Century English Chippendale Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
English George III Polychrome Decorated Secretary in the Chinoiserie Taste
Located in Dallas, TX
An English George III polychrome decorated secretary executed in the Chinoiserie taste, late 18th
Category
Antique Late 18th Century English George III Bookcases
Materials
Wood
English Aesthetic Movement Artfully Decorated Bamboo and Wood Secretary Desk
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
This unique English bamboo and figured walnut secretary desk combines traditional chinoiserie style
Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Aesthetic Movement Desks and Writing T...
Materials
Bone, Bamboo, Wood
English George III Carved Flame Mahogany Secretary Bookcase, 19th Century
Located in Big Flats, NY
English George III flame mahogany secretary bookcase features upper crest with carved drape and
Category
Antique 19th Century English George III Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Upholstery, Glass, Mahogany
English Mahogany Inlaid Blind Door Secretary With Bookcase. 18th Century
Located in Charleston, SC
English mahogany secretary with bookcase. Upper case has a intricately carved broken pediment with
Category
Antique 1770s English George III Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany, Satinwood
Antique English Georgian Inlaid and Burled Walnut Petite Secretary Bookcase
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique English Georgian petite secretary features burled walnut with upper bookcase with shaped
Category
20th Century English Georgian Desks
Materials
Walnut, Burl, Satinwood
19th Century English Mahogany Inlaid
Glazed Secretary ~ Bookcase, circa 1880s
Located in Dallas, TX
Only 16.5 inches deep when closed, this amazing 19th century English mahogany secretary, bookcase
Category
Antique 1880s English Georgian Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany, Satinwood
18th Century English Tall Secretary with Original chinoiserie
Inside Too!
Located in Atlanta, GA
A English George III tall secretary, with its original chinoiserie painted exterior and interior
Category
Antique 18th Century English George III Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Antique Warsaw Flame Mahogany English Georgian Butlers Secretary Desk Bookcase
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Warsaw Furniture Mfg Co Federal or Georgian stepback butlers secretary desk and bookcase
Category
Early 20th Century American Georgian Bookcases
Materials
Brass
English Crotch Grain Walnut Leather Chinese Chippendale Style Secretary Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
George III antique Burl walnut secretary 2 piece desk. Drop down door containing fitted interior
Category
Vintage 1920s English Chinese Chippendale Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Burl, Leather
Rare English Adams Paint Decorated Satinwood Secretary Desk circa 1900
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a superb Adams style antique secretary desk with fantastic wood quality of the satinwood
Category
Antique Early 1900s English Adam Style Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Satinwood
Late 18th Century English Mahogany Secretary Bookcase with Fall Front
Located in Dallas, TX
late 18th century English mahogany desk and bookcase with fall front, broken pediment top with
Category
Antique Late 18th Century English George III Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
English George III Chippendale slant front secretary desk, c. 1770
Located in Kenilworth, IL
George III secretary bookcase with glazed astral doors on a slant front desk. The case is defined
Category
Antique Late 18th Century British George III Secretaires
Materials
Brass
English George III Mahogany Secretary Desk and Bookcase, 18th Century
Located in Shippensburg, PA
GEORGE III MAHOGANY SECRETARY DESK AND BOOKCASE
England, circa last quarter of the 18th century
Category
Antique 18th Century English George III Secretaires
Materials
Brass
George III English Antique Mahogany Bookcase Secretary Desk circa 1780
Located in Shippensburg, PA
A very fine secretary desk of diminutive proportions, this fabulous form features an upper bookcase
Category
Antique 18th Century English George III Bookcases
Materials
Brass
19th Century English George III Mahogany Secretary Bookcase with Dome Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
A 19th Century English George III Mahogany Secretary Bookcase with Dome Top, secretary drawer
Category
Antique 19th Century English Bookcases
Antique English Edwardian Mahogany Inlaid Secretary Slant Front Desk
Chair
Located in Plainview, NY
An antique English Edwardian slant front writing desk, a true embodiment of the refined
Category
Early 20th Century Edwardian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century English Mahogany Secretary Bookcase with Splay Feet
String Inlay
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th Century English Mahogany Secretary Bookcase with Splay Feet & String Inlay
Category
Antique 19th Century English Bookcases
Materials
Mahogany
English Walnut Blind Door Secretary with Fitted Upper Case, circa 1780
Located in Charleston, SC
English walnut mirrored door secretary with fitted upper case. Nice with figured walnut, circa 1780.
Category
Antique 1780s English Secretaires
English George III Inlaid Mahogany Serpentine Secretary Chest of Drawers
Located in Shippensburg, PA
A very fine example of the George III period, this chest presents with a boldness of form that is unusually moving. The undulating top has an exaggerated projection around all three ...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century British George III Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
English Georgian Flame Mahogany Breakfront Bookcase Cabinet with Secretary Desk
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Georgian or Chippendale style breakfront bookcase or dining cabinet
In the manner of Baker Furniture
By Frederick Tibbenham
England, circa 1930s
Carved flame m...
Category
Vintage 1930s American Georgian Bookcases
Materials
Brass
English Bench-Made Inlaid Burr Elm Chippendale Style Bureau Bookcase/ Secretary
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
Exceptional quality English bench-made inlaid burr elm Chippendale style bureau bookcase/ secretary
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Chippendale Bookcases
Materials
Elm
English Mahogany and Satinwood Fall Front Secretary with Bookcase C. 1780
Located in Charleston, SC
English mahogany secretary bookcase with a carved molded edge cornice, flanking hinged glass doors
Category
Antique 1780s English George III Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Antique English Oak Gothic Revival Altar Cabinet Court Cupboard Secretary Desk
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique English Gothic revival court cupboard or secretary desk, circa late 1800s. Made of
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Gothic Revival Cabinets
Materials
Oak
20th Century English Oak Desk Secretary Bureau Leaded Stained Glass Bookcase
Located in Shreveport, LA
20th century English oak desk secretary bureau leaded stained glass bookcase Arts & Crafts
Category
Early 20th Century British Arts and Crafts Desks
Materials
Stained Glass, Oak
Mid-Century English Pine Chinese Chippendale Style Carved Pine Secretary Desk
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a mid-century Chinese Chippendale style carved pine secretary. It is purported to be
Category
Mid-20th Century English Chinese Chippendale Secretaires
Materials
Pine
English Regency Mahogany Fall Front Inlaid Secretary with Bookcase, Circa 1810
Located in Charleston, SC
English Regency mahogany secretary with an double arched pediment, centered sphere phoenix finial
Category
Antique 1810s English Regency Secretaires
Materials
Brass
19th Century Grand English Georgian Hand Carved Oak Secretary or Bookcase
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century English Georgian secretary or bookcase is a magnificent example of the genre, with
Category
Antique 1880s English Georgian Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Antique English George III Slant-Front Secretary w/ Bookcase in Cuban Mahogany
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A fine 18th century George III English bureau bookcase secretary in solid West Indies/ Cuban
Category
Antique Late 18th Century English George III Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
English Late 18th Century George III Mahogany Secretary Desk and Bookcase
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Of classical proportions and with the warm glow of the flamed mahogany this secretary bookcase
Category
Antique Late 18th Century English George III Bookcases
Materials
Wood
Diminutive English George III Mahogany Secretary Desk with Bookcase, circa 1780
Located in Shippensburg, PA
Of perfect size and proportions, this English George III Secretary Desk is commanding in presence
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Great Britain (UK) George III Secretaires
Materials
Elm, Glass, Mahogany, Oak, Pine
Fine early 1800s Era English Georgian Chinoiserie Paint Decorated Secretary Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a rare and unique form of Chinese Chippendale two piece secretary desk. The desk was made
Category
Antique 1820s English Chinese Chippendale Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
English Late 19th Century Bamboo Secretary with Hand Painted Panels, C.1890
Located in Charleston, SC
English late 19th century bamboo secretary with hand painted panels c.1890.
Category
Antique 1890s English Secretaires
Materials
Bamboo
Antique English Burl Wood Biedermeier Abattant, Drop Front Secretary Desk 19th C
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique English Biedermeier Abattant secretary features burl wood construction with frieze
Category
Antique 19th Century English Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Satinwood, Burl
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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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