Painted Secretary
to
55
705
83
774
13
4
67
65
21
18
17
8
7
7
5
4
3
2
2
1
219
337
217
17
52
85
26
9
1
6
14
13
12
14
7
4
678
212
165
132
89
658
366
321
133
66
791
781
788
7
4
3
2
2
Sort By
Period Swedish Secretary
Located in Atlanta, GA
Period Gustavian Painted Secretary with Lower Drawers, Upper Cabinet with Shelves and Drop Down
Category
20th Century Swedish Secretaires
Materials
Wood
$8,125
Black Painted Baroque Swedish Secretary
Located in New York, NY
A gorgeous black painted secretary made during the baroque period 1650-1750 in Sweden. Cabinet top
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Swedish Baroque Secretaires
Early 19th Century French Secretary in Original Paint
Located in Wainscott, NY
Early 19th century French painted secretary. Original paint in beautiful shades of celadon and
Category
Antique Early 19th Century French Secretaires
Materials
Wood
18th Century Swedish Period Gustavian Secretary with Library
Located in Wichita, KS
A Swedish Gustavian period painted secretary richly carved with reeded details. The desk surface
Category
Antique 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Bookcases
Lo Studiolo di Ponziani Florentine Chinoiserie HandPainted Secretary Desk Italy
By Ponziani
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Chinoiserie hand-painted secretary, Lo Studiolo di Ponziani, Florence, Italy. Chinoiserie painted
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Rose Tarlow Queen Anne Chinoiserie Secretary
By Rose Tarlow
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rose Tarlow Melrose House Queen Anne Chinoiserie Secretary. A stunning, hand made, hand painted
Category
20th Century Queen Anne Secretaires
Materials
Lacquer
Best Venetian Paint Decorated Antique Rococo Secretary Desk Circa 1890s
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a very sophisticated and beautifully painted secretary desk. The painted scenery shows
Category
Antique 1890s Italian Rococo Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Beech
Small hand-painted Secretaire, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Small painted secretary with two drawers and curved sloping flap. The interior consists of letter
Category
Antique 19th Century German Baroque Revival Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Scandinavian Two-Part Painted Tall Secretary with Slant Front Desk and Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Scandinavian two-part painted secretary from the 18th century, with carved crest, slant-front
Category
Antique 18th Century Scandinavian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Baroque Secretaire
Located in New York, NY
A gorgeous black painted secretary made during the 18th Century but has been remodeled. Wood Oak
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier German Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Wood
$6,900
Rose Tarlow Queen Anne Style Chinoiserie Secretary
By Rose Tarlow
Located in Los Angeles, CA
painted secretary. The finish is a stunning crackle finish made by renowned Artisans at Rose Tarlow
Category
20th Century American Queen Anne Secretaires
Materials
Lacquer
Venetian Chinoiserie Decorated Ladies Secretaire
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Country pale yellow painted secretary cabinet desk with light pink Chinese toile style decorations
Category
20th Century Chinoiserie Cabinets
19th Century Painted Baroque Style Secretary Commode from Southern Germany
Located in Dallas, TX
shaped false bottom. Two pull-out guides support the writing surface, allowing our painted secretary
Category
Antique 19th Century German Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Paint
Swedish Gustavian 1800s Painted Tall Secretary with Slant Front Desk and Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian period painted wood tall secretary from the early 19th century, with diamond
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Swedish Baroque Period 1760s Black Painted Slant-Front Secretary with Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Baroque period slanted front black-painted secretary from the mid-18th century, with
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century Swedish Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Wood
18th Century Swedish Period Gustavian Secretary with Library
Located in Wichita, KS
This is an exquisite Swedish Gustavian period painted secretary with library and original brass
Category
Antique 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Bookcases
Swedish 19h Century Painted Secrétaire à Abattant
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A charming painted secretary style desk from 19th century, Sweden. The Swedes will often paint
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Pine
18th Century Swedish Period Gustavian Secretary with Library
Located in Wichita, KS
This is an exquisite Swedish Gustavian period painted secretary with library and original brass
Category
Antique 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Swedish 1790s Tall Slant-Front Secretary with Glass Doors and Carved Motifs
Located in Atlanta, GA
painted secretary features a cornice with dentil molding, overhanging two glass doors with geometric
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Mid 19th Century Antique Hand Painted Bureau Secretary with Harvest Scenes from
Located in Round Top, TX
This highly painted secretary captures ones imagination as you gaze at the portrayal of village
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Materials
Wood
French Neoclassical Style 19th Century Secrétaire with Arabesques and Flowers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Neoclassical style painted secretary from the 19th century, with flowers, arabesques
Category
Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Original Painted Pine Swedish Secretary, circa 1800-40
Located in Round Top, TX
Pine secretary crafted in the early 1800's in Sweden. Note the original gray painted finish (with
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Country Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Blue Painted Oak Secretary, Sweden circa 1770-1800
Located in Round Top, TX
three drawers.
The entire secretary has been given a professional custom layered blue painted finish
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Gray Painted Swedish 18th Century Oak Secretary Bureau
Located in Round Top, TX
secretary has been given a professional custom layered gray painted finish which has been gently distressed
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Tall Blue Painted Swedish Secretary Bureau, circa 1800-20
Located in Round Top, TX
.
The entire secretary has been given a professional custom layered blue painted finish which has been
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks
Materials
Brass
Blue Painted Swedish Oak Secretary, circa 1800-20
Located in Round Top, TX
dentil molding.
The entire secretary has been given a professional custom layered blue painted finish
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Brass, Iron
Tall Green Painted Oak Secretary Bureau from Sweden, Circa 1800-20
Located in Round Top, TX
.
The secretary has been given a professional custom teal green layered/striated painted finish which
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Brass
1800
s Antique Cont
al Gothic Revival, Black P
d, Armorial, Fall-Front Secretary
Located in Austin, TX
Stunning 1800's Antique Continental Gothic Revival, Black Painted, Armorial, Fall-Front Secretary
Category
Antique 19th Century European Gothic Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Black Painted Oak Secretary or Bureau from Sweden, circa 1800
Located in Round Top, TX
drawers open using the attached brass pulls.
This painted secretary is restored, solid/stable and ready to
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Country Secretaires
Materials
Brass
19th Century Blue Oak Secretary Bureau from Denmark
Located in Round Top, TX
.
This blue painted secretary is restored, solid/stable and ready to be used. It is built in two sections
Category
Antique 19th Century Danish Rococo Secretaires
Materials
Oak, Paint
Tall Swedish Oak Secretary Bureau, circa 1780-1800
Located in Round Top, TX
have functioning lock.
This painted secretary is restored, solid/stable and ready to be used. It is
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Oak, Paint
Swedish Gustavian Style 19th Century Painted Slant Front Desk with Three Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian style painted wood secretary from the 19th century, with slant front desk
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Early Painted Swedish Secretary
Located in Houston, TX
Early painted Swedish secretary desk (circa 1810-1830: drop-front reveals sixteen small
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Bone, Pine
19th Century Painted Swedish Secretary
Located in Richmond, VA
19th century painted Swedish secretary with the date 1841 painted on the top. Blind paneled door
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Materials
Iron
Painted Swedish Gustavian Style Secretary
Located in Houston, US
Really beautiful Swedish secretary with drop front, interior drawers, cubbies and a secret
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Brass
18th Century Gustavian Secretary Desk - Painted
Located in Kvidinge, SE
18th-century secretary desk in gustavian style with a drop-front desk and 3 drawers.
Painted in a
Category
Antique 1780s Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Grayish Green Painted Swedish Clock Secretary
Located in Washington, DC
A grayish green painted Swedish clock secretary.
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Paint
Original Painted Swedish Secretary Hutch
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is an original painted Swedish secretary hutch. Nothing has been done to it to alter its
Category
Antique 1820s Swedish Country Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Painted Venetian Secretary or Desk
Located in Winter Park, FL
Venetian secretary with original hand painted finish and lovely floral design. Opening to 26" deep.
Category
Antique 19th Century Italian Secretaires
Italian Paint Decorated Secretary Desk
Located in Manhasset, NY
A fine paint decorated secretary desk, Italian. The double bookcase top over a drop front with an
Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Hollywood Regency Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Swedish paint decorated secretary / desk.
Located in Manhasset, NY
Bonnet top secretary desk with two doors over a four drawer base. Both top and bottom having hidden
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Venetian Painted and Gilt Decorated Secretary
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Venetian Louis XV style painted and partial gilt two part secretary desk, made in Italy, circa
Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Louis XV Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
Antique White Painted Swedish Gustavian Secretary
Located in Round Top, TX
Stately and elegant, this tall white gustavian pine secretary shows off with the distinctive shape
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Paint
Antique Painted Slant Top Secretary/Chest
Located in Houston, TX
Found in France this antique painted slant top secretary/chest has a beautiful worn pale yellow
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French French Provincial Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Paint
18th Century Painted Swedish Secretary, Bookcase
Located in Dallas, TX
18th century painted Swedish secretary, bookcase features a charming distressed painted finish with
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Pine
Maison Jansen Painted French Secretary
Located in Manhasset, NY
Beautiful French Louis XV style secretary, circa 1940s, creme peinte with green highlights, the
Category
Vintage 1940s Argentine Bookcases
Materials
Wood
Painted Dorothy Draper Bookshelf Secretary
By Henredon, Dorothy Draper
Located in Chicago, IL
pigeonholes for sorting.
Atop the secretary is an open section with three bookshelves, accessed via
Category
Vintage 1960s American Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Painted Dorothy Draper Bookshelf Secretary
Located in Chicago, IL
pigeonholes for sorting.
Atop the secretary is an open section with three bookshelves, accessed via
Category
Vintage 1960s American Secretaires
Materials
Wood
18th Century Original Painted Baroque Secretary
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
German provincial Baroque secretary à deux corps from the 2nd half of the 18th century. Solid oak
Category
Antique Late 18th Century German Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Gray painted Baroque Secretary, 18th century
Located in Greding, DE
. The sloping flap rests on laterally extendable supports. The light gray paint is new and was then
Category
Antique 18th Century German Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Softwood
Antique White Painted Swedish Secretary, circa 1860
Located in Round Top, TX
This lovely Swedish secretary is in excellent condition. All the drawers work and run smoothly. It
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Paint
Antique German Painted Pine Secretary Desk/Dresser
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning, 19th Century German pine secretary desk/chest of drawers with original hand painted
Category
Antique 1890s Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Pine, Paint
Gray Painted Antique Swedish Tall Secretary
Located in Round Top, TX
The simple stately lines of this tall Swedish secretary are accented well by the (recent) soft dove
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Black Painted Oak Secretary, Denmark circa 1920
Located in Round Top, TX
This oak rococo secretary reflects the grace and class of Danish styling in the early 1900's.
The
Category
Early 20th Century Danish Rococo Secretaires
Materials
Oak, Paint
Hand-Painted Baroque Secretary Desk, 18th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Magnificent 18th-century Baroque secretary desk with an impressive architectural structure. The
Category
Antique 18th Century European Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Wood
George III Style Green Painted Bookcase Secretary
Located in Astoria, NY
George III Style Green painted bookcase secretary by Baker and with label, the upper section with
Category
Mid-20th Century Georgian Bookcases
Materials
Wood
Italian Louis XV Style Painted Bombe Secretary
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Italian Louis XV style painted bombe secretary, circa 1960's. The top section with double
Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Louis XV Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Brass
- 1
- ...
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Painted Secretary", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.
Painted Secretary For Sale on 1stDibs
With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the painted secretary you’re looking for. Frequently made of wood, paint and metal, every painted secretary was constructed with great care. If you’re shopping for a painted secretary, we have 254 options in-stock, while there are 1 modern editions to choose from as well. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect painted secretary — we have versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 21st Century are available. A painted secretary is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassical styles are sought with frequency. You’ll likely find more than one painted secretary that is appealing in its simplicity, but Dorothy Draper, Henredon and Maitland Smith produced versions that are worth a look.
How Much is a Painted Secretary?
The average selling price for a painted secretary at 1stDibs is $7,294, while they’re typically $750 on the low end and $78,500 for the highest priced.
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.
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
Vintage Jasper Cabinet
1940s Bureau
Gabriel Viardot Cabinet
Gustavian Tall Cabinet
Spanish Bureau
William A Berkey
1800s Secretary
1920 Secretary
Antique Glass Front Secretary
Blue Cabinet Tall
Clock Secretary
Drop Leaf Secretary
Petite Secretary
Red Chinoiserie Secretary
Antique Butler Secretary Desk
Antique Ivory Chest
Antique Secretary With Glass Doors