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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
Antique Adam Style Painted Decorated Mahogany Drop-Front Secretary, 20th Century
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Adam style mahogany drop-front secretary features bookmatched panels with hand-painted
Category
20th Century English Adam Style Desks
Materials
Mahogany
1780s Gustavian Period Swedish Grey Painted Drop-Front Secretary with Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian period grey painted drop-front secretary from circa 1780 with multiple inner
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
19th Century Painted Swedish Dropfront Secretary with Burlwood Interior
Located in Long Island City, NY
This seemingly humble cabinet, in a painted oyster white typical for Swedish furniture of the
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Early Venetian Neo-Classical Style Painted Slant Front Secretary Desk
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a wonderful piece. It is an early Venetian neo-classical style secretary desk with original
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Desks
Materials
Poplar
Swedish Secretary - SOLD
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian Secretary.
Unusually Large.
Custom Paint
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Secretaires
Materials
Fir, Paint
$6,875
Georgian Style Chinoiserie Painted Narrow Bookcase Secretary Desk circa 1920
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
piece painted bookcase or secretary desk. The piece dates to teh 1920s era and is in good condition with
Category
Vintage 1920s English Georgian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Antique Swedish Secretary Cabinet with Original Painted Details, Dated 1831
Located in Round Top, TX
This lovely secretary is in exceptional original condition and dated 1831. It still maintains its
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Antique Victorian Painted Grain Dragon Griffon Secretary Library Writing Desk
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Early 20th Century Victorian style secretary writing desk featuring painted grain finish
Category
Early 20th Century Victorian Secretaires
Materials
Hardwood
Norwegian Secretary Hutch
By Magnor of Norway
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Norwegian Secretary Hutch. it has been restored and repainted with "Milk Paint"
Measure
Category
Antique 1810s Norwegian Primitive Secretaires
Materials
Pine
Antique Genuine Swedish Escritoire, Original Faux Paint Country Secretary Desk
Located in Kramfors, SE
Genuine antique Swedish escritoire from the early 1800s. This escritoire, or secretary desk, is a
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Country Secretaires
Materials
Pine
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
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
Italian Secretary.
Located in Miami, FL
Lemon wood veneered and reversed painted front secretary.3 bottom drawers, brass hardware
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Desks
$6,800
Swedish Rococo Period 1790s Painted Two-Part Secretary with Slanted Front Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Rococo period painted wood two-piece tall secretary from the late 18th century, with
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Italian 1850s Rococo Style Tall Secretary with Slanted Desk and Original Paint
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian Rococo style two-part secretary from the mid-19th century, with slanted desk, mirrored
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Italian Rococo Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Wood
Red chinoiserie secretary
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
George II style red chinoiserie decorated secretary, made in Italy, mid 20th century.
Category
Vintage 1950s Italian George II Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Two Piece Quality Floral Paint Decorated Venetian Italian Secretary Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a beautiful paint decorated desk with elaborate and well done painted flowers and floral
Category
Vintage 1920s Italian Neoclassical Revival Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Outstanding Italian Venetian Rococo Paint Decorated Secretary Desk Circa 1920
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Italian secretary desk. The desk is in good original condition and has incredible curves. The desk
Category
Vintage 1920s Italian Rococo Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Georgian Chinoiserie Secretary
Located in Montreal, QC
An 18th century English Chinoiserie Bureau Bookcase, profusely lacquered with exotic birds in a flowering landscape, pavilions and “oriental” figures on a black ground. The upper sec...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Oak, Pine
Antique Original Red Painted Bureau Secretary with Flower Garlands from Sweden
Located in Round Top, TX
The red hue painted finish is all original in this Swedish secretary, also known as a bureau. The
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Italian 20th Cent Painted and Gilt Chinoiserie Decorated Two-Part Secretary Desk
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
The upper part with an arched cornice features two doors opening up to a Venetian red painted
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
Antique 19th Century Swedish Secretary Bureau Desk with Original Red Paint
Located in Round Top, TX
Antique secretary desk from Sweden dated 1897, with original paint and floral decorations made in
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Swedish Two Part 18th Century Secretary with Original Blue Painted Interior
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Swedish two part wooden secretary from Varmland. This piece features a decorative shaped pediment
Category
Antique 18th Century Swedish Cabinets
Materials
Wood
Antique Swedish Secretary Desk Sideboard, Genuine Pine Light Paint with Patina
Located in Kramfors, SE
secretary desk with a painted interior. The green paint contrast nicely with the lighter exterior and
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Country Sideboards
Materials
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
Authentic 19th Century Paint Decorated French Louis XV Provincial Secretary Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is the epitome of charm. This gorgeous antique 1850s era French-made and original paint
Category
Antique 1850s French Louis XV Desks
Materials
Walnut
19thc. Florentine Secretary
Located in New Orleans, LA
Painted and Gilded Italian Secretary
Category
Antique 19th Century Italian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
$10,800
Secretary Baroque Period Sweden
Located in New York, NY
A stunning low secretary with original brass hardware. Interior with several compartments and
Category
Antique 18th Century Swedish Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Oak
19thc Venetian Secretary
Located in New Orleans, LA
Beautifully Painted and Decorated Italian Secretary
Category
Antique 19th Century Italian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
$14,800
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
1960s French Louis XV Style Hand Painted Italian Secretary by John Mascheroni
By John Mascheroni
Located in Kennesaw, GA
Great colors! This is a 1960s French Louis XV style hand painted Italian secretary designed by John
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Louis XV Secretaires
Materials
Brass
1970s Vintage Karges Chinoiserie Secretary
By Karges Furniture
Located in Hartville, OH
Spectacular hand painted Karges Chinoiserie Secretary finished in the most sophisticated salmon
Category
Vintage 1970s American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Paint
1860s French Secretary Cabinet
Located in High Point, NC
, and colorful painted inset drawers and desktop, this piece reflects the casual, eclectic, and refined
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century French French Provincial Secretaires
Materials
Oak, Paint
Early 19th Century Swedish Secretary
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
18th Century Swedish secretary.
Fabulous period shape with a fall front desk opening to a useful
Category
Antique 18th Century Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Paint
Spanish Grain Painted Tall Secretary Bookcase, Second Half of the 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
Tall and shallow, this unique cabinet is faux grain painted and is one piece construction, the
Category
Antique 1870s Spanish Neoclassical Revival Secretaires
18th Century Gustavian Secretary/Bookcase
Located in New Orleans, LA
A beautiful painted and gilded secretary/bookcase from Sweden, circa 1770.
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Bookcases
Materials
Wood
Swedish Mora Clock/Secretary Desk
Located in Houston, TX
Swedish Mora clock/secretary desk, circa 1800.
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Secretary Cabinet, France circa 1800
Located in Culver City, CA
Secretary Cabinet
France circa 1800
Glazed cabinet with graduated drawers to the base. Above is a
Category
Antique Early 19th Century French Secretaires
Materials
Wood
French Patinated Tall Secretary Cabinet
Located in High Point, NC
A hardwood secretary cabinet from France, circa 1900. This two-door cabinet features a unique tall
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French French Provincial Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Vintage Country French Secretary Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant tall French country secretary desk with molding and wire mesh doors with a lovely faux
Category
Mid-20th Century American French Provincial Secretaires
Materials
Paint
Chinese Black Lacquer Secretary
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful black lacquered secretary with gilt paint decorative paintings. Made in 2 parts. Has a
Category
Antique 19th Century Chinese Secretaires
Materials
Wood
19th Century Swedish Secretary Cabinet
Located in Charleston, SC
Charming 19th century Swedish country secretary with library cabinet in two parts with molded
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Materials
Pine, Paint
1880s White Patinated Secretary Vitrine
Located in High Point, NC
From late 19th Century France, this country cabinet features a unique painted finish. Charming
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French French Provincial Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Hardwood
Late 18th Century Rococo Secretary Cupboard
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Beautiful late 18th Century Swedish Rococo secretary cupboard from the Fryxdalen region.
In great
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Cupboards
Materials
Wood, Paint
Fabulous 19th Century Swedish Secretary Desk
Located in Wainscott, NY
Exceptional Swedish secretary desk found in the Kebnekaise mountain region. This secretary was
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Materials
Metal
Antique Swedish White Secretary, circa 1860
Located in Round Top, TX
This lovely Swedish pine secretary had been given "new life" with a fresh white painted finish
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Materials
Pine, Paint
Antique Baroque 18th Century Oak Secretary
Located in Round Top, TX
Classic styling is the mark of this handsome secretary from the 1700's. The original painted mural
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier German Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Oak, Paint
Early Swedish 19th Century Rococo Secretary
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Early 19th Century Rococo secretary.
With a decorative carved pediment with two doors opening to
Category
Antique 19th Century Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Paint
18th Century George III Chinoiserie Secretary
Located in Charlottesville, VA
A beautiful secretary decorated in the chinoiserie style. Lots of storage.
Category
Antique 18th Century British Desks
Materials
Wood, Paint
English Chinoiserie Secretary with Mirrored Doors
Located in Dallas, TX
chinoiserie. Adorning the facade of the secretary are intricate painted scenes of Chinese pastoral life. The
Category
Early 20th Century English Queen Anne Secretaires
Materials
Mirror, Wood
19th c. Red Chinoiserie Secretary Cabinet
Located in Dallas, TX
an English secretary desk with Chinoiserie decoration, a cabinet with glass doors / small bookcase
Category
Antique 19th Century English Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Period 18th Century Swedish Rococo Secretary
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
18th Century Swedish bureau.
Dry scraped to secondary paint with reeded fall front desk opening to
Category
Antique 18th Century Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Paint
18th Century Fall-Front Secretary
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
35.75" wide x 18.75" deep x 76" high
Charming Danish Provincial Secretary with Later Painted
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Danish Country Secretaires
English Georgian Chinoiserie-Decorated Secretary Desk / Cabinet
Located in Tarry Town, NY
English Georgian-style black / gilt secretary desk / cabinet painted in traditional gold
Category
20th Century English Georgian Cabinets
Materials
Gold, Brass
Venetian Rococo Green Japanned Secretary Desk
Located in Essex, MA
With shaped arched cornice over a pair of doors enclosing a red painted interior with shelves over
Category
Antique 1760s Italian Rococo Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Continental Baroque Secretary, Mahogany
Parcel-Gilt
Located in Dallas, TX
A very good quality early 20th century Continental mahogany and parcel-gilt rococo style secretary
Category
Early 20th Century German Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Giltwood
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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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