French Secretary Desk
to
47
300
110
393
20
2
74
46
19
17
12
8
7
4
4
3
1
1
49
175
167
22
54
78
13
11
5
10
13
14
23
7
5
2
1
366
165
101
85
76
356
339
26
25
8
415
398
412
13
8
3
3
2
Sort By
Small Secretary Desk, France, circa 1900
Located in Chorzów, PL
A small secretary, France, circa 1900.
Very good condition.
Wood: walnut
Dimensions
Category
Antique Early 1900s French Louis Philippe Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
French Boulle Napoleon III Secretary Desk
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Chorzów, PL
Unique Louis XV style secretary desk cabinet in Boulle style.
Brass marquetry on a background of
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Secretaires
Materials
Tortoise Shell
French inlaid vitrine/ secretary/ bar /desk
Located in New York City, NY
French asymmetrical cabinet with vitrine, bar, two drawers and open shelving decorated with mother
Category
20th Century French Art Deco Buffets
French 19th Century Walnut Commode Secretary Desk
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Elegant and practical 19th Century French neoclassical commode secretary, meticulously crafted from
Category
Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
French Antique Louis XVI Style Secretary Desk
Located in Austin, TX
, and gilded trims throughout. This Louis XVI Style French antique secretary desk has three dovetailed
Category
Vintage 1930s French Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Carrara Marble, Brass
Antique French Painted Secretary Desk Display Cabinet
Located in West Hartford, CT
Exquisite antique French hand-painted 2 part drop front secretary desk display cabinet. Features
Category
Early 20th Century French Provincial Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Wood
Art Nouveau Marquetry Secretary Desk Signed Bize, France
By Bize
Located in Paris, FR
French Art Nouveau style secretary desk made in a lovely light ton wood and decorated with floral
Category
20th Century French Art Nouveau Secretaires
Materials
Wood
19th Century French Directory Cherry Wood Secretary Desk
Located in Madrid, ES
A French Directory era secretary desk, from the early 19th century, made of beautiful cherry wood
Category
Antique 19th Century French Directoire Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
French Bookcase and Secretary or desk, circa 1950s
Located in San Angelo, TX
secretary or desk. This is in good vintage condition with some imperfections due to the age and wear of the
Category
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Shelves
Materials
Oak
Antique French Louis XVI Style Inlaid Mahogany Secretaire à Abattant
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful petite antique French Louis XVI style drop front secretary desk
France, Circa Late
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Desks
Materials
Brass
19th Century Louis XVI Style French Inlaid Secretary Desk
Located in Miami, FL
18th century Louis XVI style French inlaid secretary desk with two shelves, three drawers and a
Category
Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Secretary Desk Cabinet, circa 1930s
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Wonderful secretary desk in cerused oak, France, 1930.
Rectangular cabinet with 3 drawers with
Category
Vintage 1930s French Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Rare Napoleon III Marquetry Secretary Desk Cabinet, France, 1860
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Just beautiful Napoleon III Boulle Marquetry style secretary cabinet desk in brass ball style and
Category
Antique 1850s French Napoleon III Secretaires
Materials
Brass, Bronze
18th Century Louis XVI Style French Inlaid Secretary Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
inlaid secretary desk with four shelves, five drawers and a drop down desk.
Category
Antique 18th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Wood
1880s French Bleached Oak Folding Secretary Desk with Vitrine
Located in High Point, NC
A bleached oak desk produced in France circa 1880. An impressive antique vitrine standing tall like
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis Philippe Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Louis XV Boulle Marquetry Secretary Desk France, 19th Century
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Louis XV style secretary in faux weekly (fake 7 drawers style) made in Boulle Marquetry with a
Category
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Materials
Carrara Marble, Brass, Bronze
French Hand-Painted Secretary Desk, 20th Century Chinoiserie Cabinet
Located in West Hartford, CT
20th century hand-painted lighter green with golds, blue and white floral accents painted on front, sides and legs. Not an antique, looks to be later 20th century.
Category
Late 20th Century French Secretaires
Materials
Wood
French Abattant Secretary Carved Desk Cabinet Renaissance Louis XIII
Located in Shreveport, LA
~Direct from France~
~Lovely 19th century French “secrétaire à abattant”, so elegant and classic
Category
Antique 19th Century French Black Forest Secretaires
Materials
Marble
Superb Shallow Depth French Country Painted Mesh Door Secretary Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a gorgeous distressed-painted SHALLOW DEPTH secretary desk with slide out leather writing
Category
Vintage 1940s French French Provincial Secretaires
Materials
Brass, Wire
French Chinoiserie Style Faux Bamboo Secretary Desk Writing Table Secretaire
Located in West Hartford, CT
Statement making French chinoiserie style secretary desk features a drop down black leather writing
Category
Mid-20th Century French Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Faux Bamboo, Wood
19th Century French Louis Philippe Mahogany Roll Top Desk, Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century French Louis Philippe mahogany roll top desk ~ Secretary features a tambour cover that
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Ebonized Secretary Desk on fluted legs
Located in New York, NY
Ebonized Secretary Desk on fluted legs
Category
20th Century French Secretaires
18th Century French Louis XVI Walnut Marquetry Secretary Lady
s Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
This antique slant desk or "Dos d'Ane" was created in Northern France, circa 1780. The fold out
Category
Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Vintage French Provincial Hand Carved White Secretary Desk and Display Cabinet
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage French Provincial Hand Carved White Secretary Desk and Display Cabinet
This hand carved
Category
Vintage 1940s French French Provincial Cabinets
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paint
18th Century French Louis XV Walnut Desk Secretary from Provence
Located in Dallas, TX
Carved in southern France, circa 1760, the fold out secretary is both stylish and functional; the
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
Antique French Renaissance Secretary Abattant Desk Carved Oak Embossed Brass
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique French Renaissance Secretary Abattant Desk Carved Oak Embossed Brass
~Direct from France
Category
Antique 19th Century French Renaissance Secretaires
Materials
Brass
19th Century French Provincial Walnut Secretary Desk or Secretaire a Abattant
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
This rare French Provincial secretaire a abattant or secretary desk features a long top drawer
Category
Antique Early 19th Century French French Provincial Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
French Empire Mahogany Secretary Desk Cabinet with Drawers ca. 1830
Located in Shippensburg, PA
unmarked
Item # 408LTW21P
A very good Louis Philippe period secretaire à abattant (secretary desk) of
Category
Antique 19th Century French Empire Secretaires
Materials
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Antique French Empire Walnut Drop Down Secretary Secretaire Desk Abattant
Located in West Hartford, CT
Beautiful tall 19th Century French Empire walnut secretaire abattant features elegant patterns
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
French Provincial Plantation Style Walnut Secretary Desk and Bookcase, 19th C.
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
This early (circa 1830) French Provincial plantation style walnut secretary desk and bookcase
Category
Antique Early 19th Century French French Provincial Bookcases
Materials
Brass
Antique French Empire Mahogany Secretary Drop Down Desk Abattant
Located in West Hartford, CT
Exquisite tall 19th century French Empire mahogany secretaire abattant which features elegant
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Secretaires
Materials
Granite
Napoleon III Secretary Desk in Bronze and Boule Marquetry, France, 1870
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Paris, FR
Precious Napoleon III style secretary desk in boule marquetry and gilt bronze ornamentations
Category
Antique 1870s French Napoleon III Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
Rosewood Circassian Walnut Inlaid Beveled Glass French Louis XV Secretary Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Louis XV Secretary Desk, a masterpiece of antique craftsmanship and elegance. This exquisite secretary
Category
Antique Early 1900s French Louis XV Secretaires
Materials
Griotte Marble, Bronze
Baker Furniture Country French Provincial Louis XV Walnut Bonnet Secretary Desk
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Remarkable quality two-piece walnut secretary desk by Baker Furniture Co. in the Country French
Category
Mid-20th Century American French Provincial Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Baker Furniture French Provincial Louis XV Walnut Secretary Desk with Bookcase
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
Late 20th Century American French Provincial Bookcases
Materials
Brass
19th Century French Mahogany Napoleon III Secretaire Secretary Drop-Front Desk
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Exceptional quality French Napoleon III secretary with lovely figured mahogany timber and brass
Category
Antique 1860s French Napoleon III Secretaires
Materials
Brass
18th Century French Louis XV Carved Walnut Secretary Desk Display Bookcase
Located in Dallas, TX
" (secretary bookcase) is an essential piece of furniture for a study or library. The traditional secretary was
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Walnut
Napoleon III Writing Travel Table Desk Secretary Boulle Style, France, 1870
By André-Charles Boulle, Susse Freres
Located in Paris, FR
Gorgeous Napoleon III secretary writing travel case in Boulle marquetry folder with a violin shape
Category
Antique 1870s French Napoleon III Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Art Deco Secretary Desk in Rosewood, 1940s
Located in SAINT-CLÉMENT-DE-LA-PLACE, FR
Small Art Deco Secretary Desk in Rosewood, 1940s
Elegant 1940s rosewood secretary desk
Category
Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Secretaires
Materials
Palisander
Early 19th Century Empire Mahogany Secretary Desk
Located in Paris, FR
Large mahogany and mahogany veneer secretary desk with gilt bronze decoration. Two columns set in
Category
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
18th Century Cylinder Secretary, Roll Desk with Marquetry, France, circa 1780
Located in Greven, DE
Cylinder desk with elaborate marquetry
Alsace / Upper Rhine
walnut, maple, etc.
around 1780
Category
Antique 1780s French Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Fruitwood, Maple, Walnut
French Faux Bamboo Cabinet Bureau Secretary or Bookcase Desk of Curly Maple
Located in Austin, TX
A handsome French faux bamboo bureau secretary writing desk or bonheur du jour, c.1900, featuring a
Category
Antique Early 1900s French Secretaires
Materials
Metal
Antique French Carved Oak Desk Secretary Bureau Bookcase Louis XV Drop Front
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique French carved oak desk secretary Bureau bookcase Louis XV drop front
~Direct from France
Category
Vintage 1920s French Louis XV Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Fine Carved Walnut French Louis XV Secretary Desk Abatant Basket of Flowers
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a superb carved walnut secretary abatant that's perfect for narrow hallways or shallow
Category
Antique Early 1900s French Louis XV Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Tulipwood, Walnut
Antique French Carved Oak Secretary Desk Bureau Drop Front Louis XV Style
Located in Shreveport, LA
~Direct from France~
~A lovely antique French carved “drop front” secretary/desk with
Category
Vintage 1910s French Louis XV Secretaires
Materials
Brass
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 three
Category
Antique Early 19th Century French Biedermeier Secretaires
18th Century French Louis XV Bombe Cherry Desk Secretary Scriban from Bordeaux
Located in Dallas, TX
"commode scriban". Carved in Bordeaux, France, circa 1760, the fold out secretary is both stylish and
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Louis Philippe Burl Walnut Secretary Desk with Marble Top
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant, antique fruitwood "secretaire à abattant" found in Avignon, France, features a
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Secretaires
Materials
Marble
Late 19th Century French Henri II Hand Carved Walnut Secretary Bookcase Desk
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This late 19th century French Henri II hand carved walnut secretary features fluted columns at the
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Secretaires
Materials
Fabric, Glass, Walnut
Marble Top Louis XV Style Lacquered Secretary Desk
Located in New York, NY
Marble Top Louis XV Style Lacquered Secretary Desk
Category
20th Century French Secretaires
Italian-Made Walnut French Louis XV Style Secretary Desk For Macys
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Louis XV style two piece secretary desk. The desk is in good condition with minor signs of age and use
Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Louis XV Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Secretary Desk, Northern Europe, circa 1920, After Renovation
Located in Chorzów, PL
Secretary desk, Northern Europe, circa 1920
Very good condition, after professional renovation
Category
Vintage 1920s Scandinavian French Provincial Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Fine Quality Boulle Inlaid French Louis XV Style Secretary Desk circa 1950
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
2 piece. Gilt accents. Figural. Bottom has one dovetailed drawer. Bottom piece measures 31 1/8" h x 33 1/4" w x 22 3/4" d. Top piece has two doors containing shelves and two dovetail...
Category
Vintage 1950s French Louis XV Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Antique French Carved Tiger Oak Secretary Desk Bureau Drop Front Louis XV Style
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique French carved dark oak secretary desk bureau drop front Louis XV style
~ Direct from
Category
Vintage 1910s French Louis XV Secretaires
Materials
Brass
1880s Belgian Bleached Oak Secretary Desk with Vitrine
Located in High Point, NC
This bleached oak secretary desk and vitrine was made in Belgium, circa 1880. The calming sky blue
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Belgian French Provincial Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Oak
Early 19th Century Mahogany Secretary Desk Empire Period
Located in Paris, FR
Mahogany secretary desk with sculpted and gilt bronze accents and Saint Anne marble top. The facade
Category
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Style Walnut Secretary Writing Table or Desk
Located in Fayetteville, AR
writing desk with gold detailing is from the city of Lyon, France. Its lower writing table surface
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Walnut, Glass
- 1
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "French Secretary Desk", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.
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, 2022Secretary 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, 2023A 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.
- How does a secretary desk work?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A 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 ExpertSeptember 28, 2021An 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, 2023In 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.
Read More
37 Cheerful Home Bars, Where Everybody (Literally) Knows Your Name
Simple or sophisticated, equipped with console, cart or custom cabinetry, these stylish bar areas deserve a toast.
The Ultimate Guide to Types of Tables for the Home
Whether you’re just moving in or ready to give your home a makeover, our guide will give you pointers on tables that are fitting for every room, nook and hallway.
What Exactly Is a Secretary Desk, and What Is It Used For?
The furniture equivalent of a Swiss Army knife, it's the multifunctional piece you didn't know you needed.
This Shelving System with Oxidized Brass Tubes Is Retro and Futuristic at Once
Italian studio DimoreMilano mustered great ingenuity when crafting these sculptural shelves, which are built without any screws.
Ask an Interior Designer: Work-from-Home Edition
Leaping into a design project, whether it's refreshing the bedroom or redoing the whole house, can be overwhelming. Luckily, we know more than a few interior designers. You asked questions on Instagram, and now they're answering.
Collected and Eclectic, ‘Wunderkammern’ Are Back in a Big Way
Introduced nearly 500 years ago, curiosity cabinets are finding new fans among today's collectors and designers.
Meet the Incredible Woman Transforming Fallen Trees into Sleek Furniture
In the hands of New York Heartwoods cofounder Megan Offner, unwanted local trees become works of design art.
These New York Architects Love a Complicated Project
From Brooklyn townhouses to Maine campgrounds, Trattie Davies and Jonathan Toews relish a challenge, like transforming a former warehouse space into the new 1stdibs Gallery.
More Ways To Browse
Hair Clip
Antique Cubby Cabinet
Bronze Donkey
Drexel Heritage Desk
Henredon Secretary
Maddox Brown
Vintage Bloomingdale
Vintage Dental Cabinet
French Cabinet On Legs
Makassar France
Travel Secretary
1800 Antique Secretary Desk
1800s Secretary
1920 Secretary
Biedermeier Secretaire Abattant
Blue Cabinet Tall
Burled Walnut Secretary
Clock Secretary