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18th Century Swedish Chinoserie Secretary
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Late 18th Century Swedish Chinoserie secretary of elegant scale and proportions.
With decorative
Category
Antique 18th Century Swedish Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Asian Chinese Chinoiserie Carved Writing Desk Secretary
Located in West Hartford, CT
Unusual dark Chinese secretary desk, circa early 20th century, features intricately carved detail
Category
Antique Early 1900s Chinese Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Hardwood, Paint
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretary Cabinet
Located in Berlin, DE
This small and early 19th century Swedish Gustavian secretary was scratched back to its original
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Pine
Gustavian Two-Part Secretary, Sweden, circa 1800
Located in Culver City, CA
Gustavian two-part secretary, Sweden, circa 1800.
Unique piece in beautiful original paint
Category
Antique Early 1800s Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Fine 18th Century English Chinoiserie Decorated Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine late 18th century English George 11 black lacquered and Chinoiserie decorated secretary. Red
Category
Antique Late 18th Century English George III Secretaires
Materials
Wood
19th Century Petite English Red Chinoiserie Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorative 19th century petite red Chinoiserie secretary from England. Very nice hand painted Asian
Category
Antique 19th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Late 18th Century Swedish Folk Art Secretary
Located in Kramfors, SE
fully functional condition. The secretary has been dry scraped to original paint. Manufactured during
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Folk Art Secretaires
Materials
Pine
Italian Handpainted Secretary / Desk in Chinoiserie Design
Located in Dallas, TX
Italian handpainted secretary / desk in chinoiserie design, top features molded shape cornice with
Category
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Wool
Rare Monterey Furniture Secretary Desk, circa 1930s
By Monterey Furniture
Located in Fulton, CA
A scarce Monterey Furniture drop-front secretary desk in green with hand painted floral design
Category
20th Century American Rancho Monterey Secretaires
Materials
Wood
19th Century English Chinoiserie Decorated Yellow Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
Exqusite 19th century English Chinoiserie decorated yellow secretary. Beautiful handpainted Asian
Category
Antique 19th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Small scale Italian red chinosserie decorated secretary
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Small scale Italian red chinosserie decorated secretary, mid 20th
Category
20th Century Italian Secretaires
Materials
Brass
18th Century French Walnut Secretary, Red Patinated
Located in Vulpellac, Girona
18th century French walnut secretary. Red patinated.
Three drawers, two small and a large one
Category
Antique 18th Century French French Provincial Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
A 19th c. Gustavian Secretary - SOLD
Located in Atlanta, GA
A painted Gustavian secretary.
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
French Diminutive Secretary, 19th Century Antique
Located in Wichita, KS
A French small secretary from the 19th century in charming ochre paint. This petite secretary has
Category
Antique 19th Century French Secretaires
Black Lacquered Italian Chinoiserie Petite Secretary
By Baker Furniture Company, Fornasetti
Located in Houston, TX
A beautiful black lacquered Italian chinoiserie secretary. Intricately painted detail of Chinese
Category
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Secretaires
Baroque Secretary with Black Exterior and Blue Interior, Circa 1760
Located in Atlanta, GA
An impressive period Baroque secretary dating to circa 1760. This substantial piece has been
Category
Antique 18th Century Swedish Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Wood
18th Century Swedish Rococo Period Secretary
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
A period 18th Century Swedish Rococo secretary.
With decorative carved pediment with clock, below
Category
Antique 18th Century Swedish Rococo Secretaires
Materials
Wood
English Queen Anne Style Secretary Desk
Located in New York, NY
An English Queen Anne style painted fall front two-part secretary desk. The upper section having
Category
Antique 19th Century British Secretaires
Materials
Mirror
Vintage English Red and Black Chinoiserie Decorated Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
Very fine vintage English red and black Chinoiserie decorated secretary. Beautiful hand painted
Category
20th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Wood
19th Century English Chinoiserie Decorated Yellow Secretary Cabinet
Located in Dallas, TX
Very fine English secretary cabinet with hand painted Chinoiserie design. Such pretty decorative
Category
Antique 19th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Wood
George III Parcel-Gilt Secretary Bookcase
Located in Westwood, NJ
Elegant Georgian style antiqued grey painted and gilt highlighted secretary bookcase with classical
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English George III Secretaires
Materials
Wood
$10,270 / item
18th Century, Two Part Secretary from Norway
Located in Kramfors, SE
Top cabinet with ridged doors and unusual decorative interior. Bottom part with drawers and drop front desk.
Original lock, key and side handles.
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Norwegian Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Pine
White Swedish Oak Secretary Bureau, circa 1800-20
Located in Round Top, TX
This oak secretary or "bureau" reflects the grace and class of Swedish styling from the early 1800
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Late 20th Century Vintage Coastal Rattan Secretary Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fantastic vintage Coastal secretary desk. A chic rattan frame with inset black lacquered panels
Category
Late 20th Century Philippine Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rattan, Paint
Antique Oak Secretary Bureau, Denmark circa 1800-40
Located in Round Top, TX
This oak secretary reflects the refined grace and style of early 1800's Denmark. The fluted carving
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Danish Country Secretaires
Materials
Brass
19th Century Swedish Two-part Secretary Circa 1820
Located in Atlanta, GA
This beautiful 19th-century Swedish Gustavian secretary combines functionality with classic
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Oak, Pine, Paint
Fine George 111 Period Japanned Black Lacquered Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine period George 111 Japanned and lacquered drop front secretary. Highly decorated red
Category
Antique Late 18th Century English George III Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Period 18th Century Swedish Rococo Secretary
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
workspace with drawers.
Below further storage drawers and original hardware throughout. Re-painted in black.
Category
Antique 18th Century Swedish Rococo Secretaires
Materials
Wood
English Chinoiserie / Georgian Style Red and Black Secretary Desk
Located in Queens, NY
English Georgian-style contemporary black and red faux lacquer Chinoiserie two-piece secretary desk
Category
20th Century Georgian Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Tall Writing Desk Secretary Swedish Black 19th Century Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Tall writing desk secretary Swedish Black 19th Century Sweden. A writing desk made during the 19th
Category
Antique 19th Century European Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Early 19th Century Swedish Secretary from Skåne
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
An early 19th Century Gustavian secretary from Skåne, Sweden.
With decorative carved pediment and
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Italian Rococo Style Chinoiserie Secretary Bookcase Cabinet, 19th Century
Located in Cypress, CA
Elegant 19th century Italian chinoiserie Rococo style gilt and red decorated with gesso secretary
Category
Antique 19th Century Italian Rococo Secretaires
Materials
Giltwood
19th Century Swedish Provincial Gustavian Secretary Cabinet
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
19th Century Swedish provincial Gustavian secretary cabinet with carved pediment.
Featuring two
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Cabinets
Materials
Wood
18th Century Swedish Secretary with Clock Face
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Lovely 18th century Swedish secretary with a clock face design.
The top pediment contains a clock
Category
Antique 18th Century Swedish Secretaires
Materials
Wood
18th Century Swedish Two-part Secretary Circa 1790
Located in Atlanta, GA
interior retains its original or secondary painted finish, beautifully scraped back to reveal a charming
Category
Antique 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Pine, Paint
18th Century English Secretary Bookcase with Later Chinoiserie Decoration
Located in Charlottesville, VA
An 18th century English secretary bookcase with later Chinoiserie decoration in gilt and polychrome
Category
Antique 18th Century British Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Paint
1970s Vintage Chinoiserie Secretary From Jasper Cabinet Co
By Jasper Furniture Company
Located in Hartville, OH
-painted scenes from the orient.
Condition Disclosure:
Please understand nearly all of our inventory is
Category
Vintage 1970s North American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Lacquer
Antique 19th Century Dutch Oak Drop Front Bombe Secretary
Located in Charleston, SC
Antique 19th century Dutch oak drop front bombe secretary with a 3-drawer bombe front and carved
Category
Antique 19th Century Dutch Secretaires
Materials
Oak, Paint
19th Century Italian Lacquered Secretary with Raised Chinoiserie Design
Located in Dallas, TX
Extraordinary rare 19th century Italian lacquered red secretary with raised chinoiserie design
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Union National Lacquered Chinoiserie Breakfront China Display Secretary Cabinet
By Union National
Located in Dayton, OH
is painted in red to contrast with the exterior and show off whatever is showcased within. The whole
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Cupboards
Materials
Glass, Hardwood, Lacquer, Paint
19th Century Louis Philippe Style Fall Front Secretary Chest
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Beautiful craftsmanship Louis XV style secretary chest cabinet desk in a satin / burl wood with
Category
Antique Early 19th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Materials
Marble, Brass
Karges Ebonized, Gilt
Chinoiserie Decorated Secretary Desk 20th Century
By Karges Furniture
Located in Big Flats, NY
A tall secretary by Karges offers ebonized wood construction with upper having carved shell form
Category
20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Wood
18th Century Northern Italian Japanned Secretary Bookcase, 18th Century
Located in Bridgeport, CT
In red paint with overall gilt decoration in relief on three sides. With a tall broken crest with
Category
Antique 18th Century Italian Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Late 18th Century Swedish Baroque Pine Secretary Desk
Located in Kramfors, SE
shines trough the paint. The secretary is a statement piece and sure focal point in any room it’s placed
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Pine
Antique Swedish Grey Secretary with Hidden Storage, circa 1800-40
Located in Round Top, TX
This small secretary is charming in every way. The petite, shallow interior drawers have a delicate
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Materials
Pine, Paint
Maitland Smith Black Lacquer
Hermes Orange Interior Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
By Maitland Smith
Located in West Hartford, CT
Maitland Smith 20th Century black lacquer two-piece secretary with coveted Hermes orange interior
Category
Vintage 1980s Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Chinoiserie Black Lacquered Drop Front Secretary Desk With Bookcase Hutch
By Jasper Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Georgian Chinoiserie style bureau with drop front secretary desk and lighted bookcase
Category
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Desks
Materials
Brass
Fabulous Don Rousseau Attributed Country French Breakfront/Secretary
By Don Ruseau
Located in Manhasset, NY
A fabulous French Country breakfront/secretary with cream paint colored interior. This Don Rousseau
Category
Vintage 1920s American Country Secretaires
Vintage Lambert Hitchcock Black Harvest Stenciled Secretary Writing Desk Console
By Lambert Hitchcock
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid 20th Century Lambert Hitchcock Black Forest stenciled ladies' secretary writing desk or console
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Maple, Paint
Gustavian 18th Century Scandinavian Tall Slanted Desk Secretary with Glass Doors
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Scandinavian Gustavian painted wood tall secretary from the 18th century, with reeded accents
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Wood
20th Century Swedish Gustavian Two Part Pinewood Bureau - Scandinavian Secretary
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
crafted painted Pinewood, in good condition. The Scandinavian secretaire is composed with two upper doors
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Swedish Mid 19th Century Rococo Style Tall Secretary with Broken Pediment
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish mid 19th century Rococo style painted wood secretary with broken pediment and upper
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Rococo Secretaires
Materials
Wood
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
Fine and Rare 18th C Georgian Black Lacquered and Chinoiserie Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine and rare 18th century Georgian black lacquered and Chinoiserie decorated elaborate secretary.
Category
Antique Late 18th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Baroque Style 1840s Swedish Tall Secretary with Slant-Front Desk and Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish painted wood Baroque style secretary with bonnet top, upper cabinet, slant-front desk
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Swedish Early 19th Century Karl Johan Secretary Cabinet with Lovely Carved Skirt
Located in Atlanta, GA
small cutout design at it's centre. This Swedish painted wood secretary has a scraped finish with
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Karl Johan Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Carved Oak Corner Cabinet Secretary Liquor Cabinet, Denmark circa 1800-20
Located in Round Top, TX
spoons, while the bottom shelf is straight across.
Interior is painted in a faux wood motif which was a
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Danish Baroque Cabinets
Materials
Oak, 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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