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19th Century French Writing Desk Secretary
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very fine late 19th century French writing desk secretary with dore bronze mountings and Marble
Category

Antique 19th Century French Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Louis XVI Secretary Desk, France, 1780-1800
Located in Belmont, MA
Exquisite Louis XVI Secretary Desk – France, c. 1780-1800 This stunning Louis XVI secretary desk
Category

Antique 1780s French Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Kingwood, Rosewood

Louis XV Secretary Desk, France 18th century
Located in Belmont, MA
Exquisite 18th-Century Louis XV Secretary Desk This stunning Louis XV Secretary Desk, dating back
Category

Antique 1760s French Louis XV Secretaires

Materials

Kingwood, Rosewood

Large French Directoire Period Traveling Secretary Desk
Located in Pembroke, MA
This French Directoire traveling secretary is made of walnut. Its large size is unusual and would
Category

Antique Late 18th Century French Directoire Secretaires

Materials

Brass, Iron

Louis XV Secretary Desk, France 18th Century
Located in Belmont, MA
unique slant-top desk or "secretaire en pente" combines different walnut veneer grains with maple and
Category

Antique 1750s French Louis XV Secretaires

Materials

Birdseye Maple, Maple, Walnut

Original French Louis XV Secretary Desk, Paris 1760
Located in Belmont, MA
This French Louis XV secretary desk dates back to around 1760 and comes from Paris. This exquisite
Category

Antique 1760s French Louis XV Secretaires

Materials

Kingwood, Mahogany

French Painted Secretary Desk with Fallfront, Mid 19th century
Located in South Salem, NY
This stunning Mid-19th-century French Painted Secretary Desk has a captivating fall-front design
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French French Provincial Secretaires

Materials

Wood

French Painted Secretary Desk with Fallfront, Mid 19th century
Located in South Salem, NY
This late 19th-century French secretary exudes timeless elegance with its creamy painted finish
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Secretaires

Materials

Wood

French Buffet Deux Corps with Desk, European Two Part Secretary with Slant Desk
Located in Miami, FL
French Buffet Deux Corps with Desk, European Two Part Secretary with Slant Desk This exquisite
Category

20th Century French French Provincial Buffets

Materials

Walnut

Roger Landault — “Junior” Secretary Desk for Meubles ABC, France, 1951
By Roger Landault, Marcel Gascoin, Rene Gabriel, Pierre Guariche
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
An exceptionally rare “Junior” secretary desk in light oak, designed by Roger Landault and produced
Category

Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Secretaires

Materials

Oak

Neoclassical Roll-Top Secretary Desk, France, Late 18th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Refined neoclassical roll-top secrétaire standing on fluted square tapering legs with matching pilaster strips. The lower section features three drawers, topped by a mirrored two-doo...
Category

Antique Late 18th Century French Neoclassical Secretaires

Materials

Brass

A rare wall-mounted secretary desk - 1950s French Reconstruction Style
By Roger Landault, Rene Gabriel, Pierre Guariche, Marcel Gascoin
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A rare 1950s wall-mounted secretary desk in the French Reconstruction style. Crafted from solid oak
Category

Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Secretaires

Materials

Oak

Maison Jansen French Louis XVI Style Ebonized Secretary Desk
By Maison Jansen
Located in Queens, NY
French Louis XVI-style (1940s) ebonized & bronze trim abbatant form desk with a drop front interior
Category

Vintage 1940s French Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Makassar Art Deco Secretary Desk with Maple Interior, France 1930s
Located in Ulm, DE
This striking Art Deco secretary desk from the 1930s showcases masterful craftsmanship paired with
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Painted French Provincial Ivory and Green circa 1920s Secretary/ Desk
Located in Essex, MA
the century, a French provincial secretary/desk came out of a New York City Park Avenue apartment
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown French Provincial Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Paint

Exuberantly Carved Oak French Louis XV Secretary Desk Circa 1900
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This exuberantly carved oak French Louis XV secretary desk, circa 1900, is a fine example of
Category

Antique Early 1900s French Louis XV Secretaires

Materials

Oak

French Directoire Style Large Secretary Desk in Wood, Orange Gray
Located in Landivy, FR
This Secretary desk is a handmade modernized interpretation of the French Directoire style at the
Category

2010s French Neoclassical Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Wood, Cherry, Lacquer

Roll Top Secretary Desk, French Walnut with Marquetry Inlay
Located in Toronto, CA
Elegant Edwardian Cylinder Roll Top Secretary Desk, French Walnut with Marquetry & Parquetry Inlay
Category

20th Century English Edwardian Secretaires

Materials

Hardwood

Neoclassic Period French Commode W/Hidden Butler s Secretary Writing Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Neoclassical commode, with hidden secretary and original hardware, from the turn of the
Category

Antique Late 18th Century French Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Dra...

Materials

Wood

Fine Quality French Mahogany Bronze Mounted Secretary Desk Bookcase Top
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This fine French mahogany bronze mounted secretary desk with bookcase top exemplifies the elegance
Category

Vintage 1940s French Directoire Secretaires

Materials

Carrara Marble, Bronze

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

Outstanding Country French Period 1780s era Walnut Secretary Desk with Bookcase
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This outstanding Country French walnut secretary desk with bookcase, dating to the 1780s, is an
Category

Antique 1780s French French Provincial Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Spectacular masterspiece ladies writing secretary desk Napoleon III, 1860 France
Located in Wien, AT
A masterpiece of French craftsmanship - a Napoleon III era ladies writing secretary desk, circa
Category

Antique 1860s French Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Brass, Bronze

French Provincial Louis XV Lacquered Secretary Desk With Bookcase, 1950s
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Provincial Louis XV style bureau with drop front secretary desk and bookcase
Category

Vintage 1950s American Louis XV Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Baker Furniture French Library Cabinet Lighted Secretary Desk Stacking Unit
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in West Chester, PA
Baker Furniture from the 18th century French Stacking Units Collection as shown in the Baker
Category

Vintage 1960s American French Provincial Secretaires

Materials

Brass

French Ebonized Burled Walnut Secretary Desk Bookcase with Sevres Style Figures
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This exquisite French ebonized and burled walnut secretary desk bookcase embodies the grandeur of
Category

Antique 1880s French Napoleon III Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

Vintage French Provincial Blue Painted Bookcase Tall Secretary Desk by Danby
By Danby
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Provincial Blue Distress Painted Bookcase Tall Secretary Desk by Danby. Item
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown French Provincial Secretaires

Materials

Wood

French Provincial Style Secretary Desk with Marquetry Inlays and Key
Located in Soquel, CA
French Provincial Style Walnut Secretary Desk with Marquetry Inlays and Key. Original Finish.
Category

Antique 1860s Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

19th Century French Louis XV Style Ormolu Mounted Boulle Secretary Desk
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Tarzana, CA
19th Century French Louis XV Style Ormolu Mounted Boulle Secretary Desk Having a writing section
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Secretaires

Materials

Brass, Ormolu

19th Century Louis Philippe Secretary Desk
Located in Opole, PL
, the cut corners of the secretary desk are decorated with semi-plastic, turned elements. A storage
Category

Antique 1850s French Louis Philippe Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

French Provincial Vanity Secretary or Ladies Desk w/Distressed Antiqued Finish
Located in Topeka, KS
Marvelous Mid-20th Century French Provincial & Country style vanity, secretary, or Ladies Desk with
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown French Provincial Vanities

Materials

Brass

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

Baker Furniture Style French Provincial Red Lacquered Secretary Desk with Hutch
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Provincial Louis XV style bureau with drop front secretary desk and bookcase
Category

Vintage 1970s American French Provincial Bookcases

Materials

Brass

French Directoire Style Medium-Large Secretary Desk in Wood, Orange Gray
Located in Landivy, FR
This Secretary desk is a handmade modernized interpretation of the French Directoire style at the
Category

2010s French Neoclassical Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Wood, Cherry, Lacquer

Early 19th Century French Empire Flame Mahogany Drop Front Secretary Desk
Located in Miami, FL
Classic antique Early 19th Century French Empire drop front secretary desk made with magnificent
Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

French Directoire Style Narrow Secretary Desk in Wood, Orange Gray Lacquered
Located in Landivy, FR
This Secretary is a handmade modernized interpretation of the French Directoire style at the end of
Category

2010s French Neoclassical Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Wood, Cherry, Lacquer

Louis XV Secretary Desk, Paris 1750-60
Located in Leimen, DE
This stunning French Louis XV secretary desk, crafted in Paris around 1750, is a remarkable example
Category

Antique 1750s French Louis XV Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Inlaid Napoleon III Secretary Desk
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Napoleon Desk/Secretary with gilt bronze molding and inlaid details.. It has a beautiful pink
Category

Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Secretaires

Materials

Marble

A drop-front secretary desk in mahogany veneer - René-Jean Caillette - France
By Pierre Guariche, Marcel Gascoin, Rene Gabriel, René-Jean Caillette
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A beautiful drop-front secretary desk in mahogany veneer, designed by René-Jean Caillette for
Category

Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Vintage French Louis XVI Style Cherry Abbatant Secretary Desk for Bloomingdales
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Louis XVI Style Cherry Wood Abbatant Secretary Desk for Bloomingdale's. Item
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Louis XV Secretaires

Materials

Cherry

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

Mid-19th Century French Louis XIII Heavily Carved Oak Secretary Bookcase Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a study or gentleman’s office with this exquisite antique two-piece desk cabinet, crafted
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XIII Bookcases

Materials

Oak

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

Red Secretary Desk, designed in Paris by Eric Gizard, made in France
By Éric Gizard
Located in Landivy, FR
This secretary Desk belongs to our ÉGÉE COLLECTION designed by the Parisian designer Eric Gizard
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Ash, Lacquer

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

Mid-Century Modern Wall Secretary Desk in Walnut
By Galerie Møbler 1
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Wall secretary desk, model Odense. Oiled solid walnut. Natural leather interior full grain
Category

2010s French Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Walnut

19th Century French Empire Abattant Secretary Desk in Flame Mahogany Drop Down
Located in Atlanta, GA
This French Empire Abattant Secretary Desk from the late 19th century is a striking piece of
Category

Antique 1890s Empire Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

Mid-Century Modern Wall Secretary Desk in Oak
By Galerie Møbler 1
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Wall secretary desk, model Odense. Oiled solid oak. Natural leather interior full grain untreated
Category

2010s French Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Walnut

c1900 French Antique Louis XVI Style Burl Wood Secretary/ Desk - Petite Size
Located in Opa Locka, FL
c1900 French Antique Louis XVI style Petite Secretary/ Desk. Louis XVI style and made from Exotic
Category

Antique Early 1900s Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Burl

White-Painted Secretary Desk with Glazed Cabinet, 18th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Elegant secretary desk with glazed upper cabinet and a gracefully broken arched pediment. The
Category

Antique 18th Century German French Provincial Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Louis XVI Style Gilt Bronze and Mahogany Secretary Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This exquisite French Louis XVI secretary desk exemplifies the refined elegance and craftsmanship
Category

Antique Early 1900s French Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

Antique Walnut French Provincial Secretary Cabinet
Located in Portland, OR
Exceptional in every way! Imported from Belgium this French display cabinet with secretary desk is
Category

Early 20th Century French French Provincial Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Walnut

Country French Walnut Baker Secretary with Drop Desk Mini Bar and Lattice Doors
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Asheville, NC
drop desk with Baker key, brass hinges and handles. Mirrored mini bar. Dovetail drawers. Excellent
Category

Mid-20th Century English French Provincial Secretaires

Materials

Fruitwood

Gray design Secretary desk designed in Paris by Eric Gizard, made in France
By Éric Gizard
Located in Landivy, FR
This secretary Desk belongs to our ÉGÉE COLLECTION designed by the Parisian designer Eric Gizard
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Ash, Lacquer

Antique Traditional Secretary Wood Desk with Shelf, FR-1062
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Antique Traditional Secretary Wood Desk with Shelf The secretary desk with shelf originates from
Category

Early 20th Century French Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Fine Quality Inlaid Marquetry Petite Louis XVI Mahogany Secretary Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This exquisite French Louis XVI secretary desk embodies the refined elegance and timeless
Category

Vintage 1920s French Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

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French Secretary Desk For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal French secretary desk for your home. Frequently made of wood, metal and brass, every French secretary desk was constructed with great care. Find 154 options for an antique or vintage French secretary desk now, or shop our selection of 6 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished piece. There are many kinds of the French secretary desk you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 21st Century. A French secretary desk, designed in the Louis XV, Louis XVI or Art Deco style, is generally a popular piece of furniture. You’ll likely find more than one French secretary desk that is appealing in its simplicity, but Baker Furniture Company, André-Charles Boulle and Galerie Møbler produced versions that are worth a look.

How Much is a French Secretary Desk?

Prices for a French secretary desk start at $1,078 and top out at $90,000 with the average selling for $4,595.

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 French Secretary Desk
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    A secretary desk works with the help of hinges that secure the writing surface to the rest of the piece. To use one, you simply pull down on the wooden door to open the hinge and lower the writing surface. Return the desk to its closed position by lifting the writing surface up. You'll find a selection of secretary desks on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Secretary desks originated in the early 18th century. They were typically used by secretaries and clerks and featured plenty of compacted drawers for stationary storage. On 1stDibs, find a collection of secretary desks from some of the world’s top sellers.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023
    A secretary desk is called by its name because of its original function. When the desks first emerged in 19th-century France, the secretaries of estates used them to conduct business. Once they finished paying bills and reconciling accounts, they could raise the hinged writing surface and close the desk. Secretary desks are the workstations of choice in many busy households, especially those with spaces pulling double duty as offices by day and living rooms, dining rooms or bedrooms at night. On 1stDibs, shop an array of secretary desks.
  • 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021
    An antique secretary desk will range in value depending on its authenticity and condition. The price can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. On 1stDibs find the antique secretary desk you’re looking for today.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023
    In French, the term for a writing desk that often featured a drop-down writing surface is secretaire. This type of desk is called a secretary desk in English. 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, which are called pigeonholes, cubbies, recesses or drawers, are revealed. On 1stDibs, shop antique secretary desks from some of the world's top sellers.

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