Painted Secretary
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Venetian painted cabinet/secretary 19 th century
Located in Houston, TX
The exceptional painting on this piece makes it a real
Showpiece. The pale mint green and silver gilt accents
Are of the best quality. The doors open wide for a diplay
The front drop...
Category
Antique Early 1800s Italian Secretaires
Materials
Fruitwood, Paint
George III English Secretary Painted in Chinese Style
Located in Round Top, TX
George III English Secretary Painted in Chinese Style. The English were fascinated with Chinese
Category
Antique 19th Century English Secretaires
Late 18th Century Swedish Black Painted Pine Secretary
Located in Round Top, TX
to appreciate the black painted finish, much distressed fiting the age of this attractive secretary
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Secretaires
Materials
Pine, Paint
Yellow Painted Oak Secretary, Denmark circa 1760-80
Located in Round Top, TX
offers the perfect space to organize.
This secretary was later professionally painted with an exceptional
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Danish Rococo Secretaires
Materials
Oak, Paint
18th Century Danish White Painted Oak Secretary Bureau
Located in Round Top, TX
This oak secretary or "bureau" reflects the grace and class of Scandinavian styling from the late
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century Danish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Swedish Painted Drop-Front Secretary, Circa 1840
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful painted drop-front secretary chest decorated with a faux marble top and side pilasters
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Secretaires
White Painted Swedish Pine Secretary, circa 1820-40
Located in Round Top, TX
Antique pine secretary with fluted carved door panels and graceful Swedish country charm.
Newer
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Country Secretaires
Materials
Pine, Paint
Antique Black Painted Oak Secretary Bureau from Sweden
Located in Round Top, TX
This oak secretary reflects the refined grace and style of early 1800's Sweden. The applied
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Oak, Paint
Vintage Mirrored Secretary with Metallic Painted Accents
Located in Astoria, NY
A secretary in "antiqued" mirror with pale silvery-gold metallic painted wood accents. The piece
Category
20th Century American Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Mirror
Antique White Painted Gustavian Secretary Bureau, Sweden
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
Louis XV Painted Drop Leaf Secretary Desk
Located in New York, NY
Absolutely breathtaking, this Louis XV drop leaf secretary has gorgeous carvings and original
Category
Antique 19th Century French Desks
Original Painted 18th Century Writing Desk Secretary, Sweden
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A second part of the 18th Century Baroque Period Scandinavian original Painted Writing Desk
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century Swedish Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Antique Italian Baroque Hand-Painted Bombe Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
A masterpiece of hand-painted artistry that also just happens to be an incredibly functional desk
Category
Vintage 1930s Italian Baroque Secretaires
Creme Paint Decorated Rococo Italian Venetian Paint Decorated Secretary Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a superbly painted and aged Italian Rococo style secretary desk. The desk features a great
Category
Vintage 1930s Italian Rococo Revival Desks
Materials
Walnut
Hand-Painted
Decorated Front Neoclassical Style Breakfront Secretary Bookcase
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Introducing our exquisite 19th-century Neoclassical Style Hand-Painted & Decorated Front Breakfront
Category
Antique 1840s French Neoclassical Secretaires
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Italian Cream Paint and Parcel Gilt Secretary
Located in San Marino, CA
small drawers; the front and side panels painted overall with chinoiserie-and Italian style figures in a
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Rococo Revival Secretaires
French Painted Bombe Secretary Chest of Drawers
Located in Manhasset, NY
French Louis XV style bombe chest of drawers, the green onyx marble atop a red distress painted
Category
Vintage 1940s Argentine Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Sicilian Baroque Style Painted Wood Secretary Bookcase
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having original green paint trimmed in gold, the shallow upper section with a molded edge top and
Category
Antique 1870s Italian Baroque Secretaires
Antique Louis Philippe Kitchen Secretary, circa 1840, Hand-Painted
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
Antique Louis Philippe kitchen secretary, repainted from outside by hand. Color outside: bright
Category
Antique 1840s French Louis Philippe Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Swedish Pine Secretary With Distressed White Paint, Circa 1850
Located in Round Top, TX
This lovely Swedish secretary is made of pine and is in excellent condition, ready for daily use
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Materials
Pine, Paint
Antique White Painted Oak Carved Secretary Bureau from France
Located in Round Top, TX
secretary. Please enlarge photos to appreciate the incredible painted finish distressed perfectly to fit the
Category
Antique Early 19th Century French Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Oak, Paint
19th Century Gustavian Style Swedish Painted Black Secretary Chest
Located in Round Top, TX
Adorable black painted chest that has a drop front top drawer to become a secretary with gold brass
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Black Painted Pine Secretary Desk, Sweden circa 1800-40
Located in Round Top, TX
This simple pine secretary reflects the style and functionality of the early 1800's in Sweden.
The
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Pine, Paint
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Painted Fall-Front Secretary Bookcase
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A rustic Swedish Gustavian 18th Century secretary in a grey white milk paint applied over multiple
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Pine
1930s Georgian Style Painted Chinoiserie Secretary Desk with Bookcase
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a 1930s Georgian style painted chinoiserie secretary desk with open bookcase top. It is
Category
Vintage 1930s Italian Georgian Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Paint
Black Painted Rococo Secretary from Denmark circa 1760-1800
Located in Round Top, TX
This pine rococo secretary reflects the grace and class of Swedish styling in the early 1800's.
The
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Danish Rococo Secretaires
Materials
Wrought Iron
18th Century Black Painted Pine Secretary Bureau from Denmark
Located in Round Top, TX
This pine rococo secretary reflects the grace and class of Scandinavian styling from the late 1700
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century Danish Rococo Secretaires
Materials
Brass
A Swedish Gustavian blue painted pine secretary, C. 1800.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This beautiful slant front secretary desk is in two pieces with a stunning blue surface. The top
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Pine, Paint
Original Painted Swedish Clock Cabinet With Secretary, Circa 1840
Located in Round Top, TX
Remarkable original painted Swedish cabinet with clock and secretary with drop front desk.
The
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Folk Art Secretaires
Materials
Metal
Early 19th Century Oak Secretary Bureau Painted Green
Located in Round Top, TX
This drop front secretary is charming in every way. The soft green paint (newer, professionally
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Danish Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Antique Black Painted Oak Secretary Bureau from Sweden
Located in Round Top, TX
This oak secretary reflects the refined grace and style of early 1800s, Sweden. The paneling along
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Swedish Style Painted Drop Leaf Secretary or Desk
Located in New York, NY
Antique painted, drop leaf petite secretary or desk with just the perfect patina. Cabriole legs
Category
Early 20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
A Fine Painted Venetian Secretary with Bronze Mounts
Located in Sheffield, MA
A Fine Painted Venetian Secretary
With Bronze Mounts
18th Century
The piece is decorated
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Italian Secretaires
Chinoiserie and Cream-Painted Italian Queen Anne Style Secretary
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This Queen Anne style cream-painted bureau cabinet is decorated overall with pastel chinoiserie
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Queen Anne Secretaires
Materials
Wood
1860 Gustavia Style Swedish Painted Drop Front Secretary With Drawers
Located in Charleston, SC
Swedish Gustavian style painted, carved details drop-front secretary from circa 1860 with multiple
Category
Antique 19th Century Secretaires
Materials
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
Petite Painted Antique French Louis XVI Ladies Secretary
Located in BENSENVILLE, IL
master suite, the romantic scenes set this secretary apart from all the rest.
Category
Antique 19th Century French Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Maple, Porcelain
Georgian Red Painted Drop Front Secretary Desk With Hutch
Located in Rochester, NY
A gorgeous Georgian or Chippendale style bureau with drop front secretary desk and bookcase hutch
Category
20th Century Unknown Georgian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Early 19th Century Original Folk Art Painted Tall Cabinet Secretary
Located in Round Top, TX
This highly unusual secretary is a special find. The remarkable folk art painted finish is all
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Cabinets
Materials
Wood, Paint
Gray Painted Rococo Writing Secretary and Cabinet, Sweden, circa 1760s
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish Rococo Secretary and Cabinet in hand painted Gustavian Style Gray and Light Blue Interior
Category
Antique 1760s Swedish Rococo Cabinets
Materials
Brass
1800s Scandinavian Light Painted Slant-Front Secretary with Multiple Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Scandinavian slant-front secretary from circa 1800 with carved panel, four drawers, light gray
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Scandinavian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Mid-Century Italian Pink / Green Painted French Style Secretary Desk
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a lovely mid-century hand painted Italian Secretary with French styling. The top is 8”W
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian French Provincial Desks
Materials
Metal
Heckman Furniture Painted Slant Front Secretary Desk - Late 20th Century
Located in West Palm Beach, US
Heckman Furniture Painted Slant Front Secretary Desk - Late 20th Century
This charming Heckman
Category
Late 20th Century American Adam Style Desks
Materials
Wood, Paint
Emerald Green Lacquer Hand Painted Chinoiserie Secretary Desk China Cabinet
Located in West Hartford, CT
Magnificent emerald green lacquer Chinoiserie secretary two part desk features a pagoda top and
Category
Vintage 1940s Chinese Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Wood, Paint
Green Painted Oak Secretary Bureau from Sweden, circa 1760-1800
Located in Round Top, TX
This oak secretary or "bureau" reflects the grace and class of Swedish styling, resting on
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Italian Venetian Style Blue-Painted Trompe l
Oeil Secretary Desk
Located in Shippensburg, PA
VENETIAN STYLE BLUE-PAINTED TROMPE L'OEIL SECRETARY DESK
Circa early 20th century with later
Category
20th Century Italian Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Paint
Swedish Painted Pine Secretary Cabinet or Desk, 19th century
Located in Charlottesville, VA
Swedish Painted Pine Secretary, 19th century, bonnet top over two shaped cabinet doors, that open
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Cabinets
Materials
Wood
19th Century Venetian Secretary Bookcase with Painted Scenes and Floral Sprays
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A very lovely painted green and yellow Italian fall-front secretary bookcase in the Venetian
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Paint
19th Century Swedish Paint Decorated Two-Part Secretary Cabinet
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic form paint decorated two-part secretary cabinet having distressed finish with dentil
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Rustic Secretaires
Chinese Hand Painted/Black Lacquered and Brass Secretary Desk
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Lacquered and Brass Secretary Desk. Featuring intricate hand-painted scenes on a rich black lacquer finish
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Italian Venetian Chinoiserie and Creme Paint Decorated Secretary Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This Italian Venetian secretary desk is a striking example of decorative artistry, blending
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Louis XV Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
18th C. Swedish Baroque Secretary with Library in Original Gray Paint
Located in Wichita, KS
A Swedish slant-front secretary from the 18th century in two parts with arched cornice and bracket
Category
Antique 18th Century Swedish Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Paint
Swedish Gustavian 19th Century Painted Drop-Front Secretary with Blue Interior
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian painted wood drop-front secretary from the early 19th century with twisted
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Vintage Custom Painted Italian French Regency Style Tall Secretary Desk
Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Beautiful hand-painted vintage, two-piece secretary desk with matching chair. The pieces are
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Louis XVI Desks
Materials
Cane, Wood
18th Century Grey-Painted Swedish Gustavian Fall-Front Secretary with Bookcase
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A very beautiful Gustavian secretary with fall-front opening to a desk offering six interior
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Pine
Swedish Gustavian Style 1820s Grey Blue Painted Slant Front Desk Secretary
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian style painted wood secretary circa 1820 with slant front desk, carved fluted
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
A Swedish 19th Century Gustavian Style Slant Front Painted Wood Secretary
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish 19th C. Gustavian Style Slant Front Secretary. Short Tapered Legs and Simplicity of the
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
19th c. Swedish Rococo Secretary with Library in Original Blue Paint
Located in Wichita, KS
A rare, early 19th century Swedish Rococo style slant-front secretary from Fryksdalen in Värmland
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Paint
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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.
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