Secretaire Desk Antique
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Original French Louis XV Secretary Desk, Paris 1760
Located in Belmont, MA
This French Louis XV secretary desk dates back to around 1760 and comes from Paris. This exquisite
Category
1760s French Louis XV Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Kingwood, Mahogany
$13,200 Sale Price
40% Off
18th Century Swedish Neoclassical Painted Secretary Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
18th century Swedish neoclassical painted secretary desk will make the perfect addition to your
Category
1790s Swedish Gustavian Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Steel
Antique Tallboy Correspondence Desk, French, Kingwood, Escritoire, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique tallboy correspondence desk. A French, drawing room escritoire in bookmatched
Category
Early 20th Century French Late Victorian Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Kingwood, Satinwood
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Writing Desk Secretary
Located in San Angelo, TX
This beautiful and unique 19th century Swedish Gustavian writing desk is perfect for any room or
Category
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Wood, Pine, Paint
$2,396 Sale Price
20% Off
Italian Rococo Oyster Burl Secretary Cabinet / Desk
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Rococo secretary desk / cabinet with an upper door that folds down to reveal a writing
Category
18th Century Italian Rococo Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Metal, Brass
English Chippendale Style Painted Goddard Chest Secretary Writing Desk
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique circa 1930s Goddard chest / writing desk featuring a drop front door that opens to multiple
Category
Early 20th Century American Chippendale Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Hardwood, Paint
$770 Sale Price
30% Off
19th Century Biedermeier Secretary Desk in Maple Burl
By Biedermeier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A refined 19th-century Biedermeier secretary desk, exquisitely crafted in maple burl and veneers
Category
19th Century German Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Maple
American Block Front Dropdown Mahogany Secretary Desk
Located in Queens, NY
American (18/19th Century) block front mahogany secretary desk with a slant top drop front over 3
Category
19th Century American Country Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Mahogany
20th Century Inlaid Wood Italian Bureau Desk, 1920s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
external drawers of good capacity plus fall-front. Interior of the furniture that offers a good-sized desk
Category
1920s Italian Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Wood
Antique High Gloss Secretary Desk, Scandinavia, circa 1850s.
Located in Chorzów, PL
focused on functionality, it has a cylindrical hatch which, when opened, serves as a desk top, plus a lot
Category
1850s Scandinavian Biedermeier Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Walnut
Neoclassical Roll-Top Desk, Austria, circa 1800
Located in Greding, DE
Large roll-top desk out of solid cherry wood. The base with seven drawers stands on tapered legs
Category
Early 1800s Austrian Neoclassical Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Cherry
18th Century Danish Baroque Secretary Desk in Faux-Marble
Located in Kastrup, DK
Impressive Danish Baroque secretary desk in grey-blue faux-marble decoration. The piece is
Category
Mid-18th Century Danish Baroque Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Bronze
Slant-Front Desk in Softwood, Germany, Late 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Slant-front desk in softwood with an angled writing flap revealing a spacious storage compartment
Category
Late 19th Century German Louis Philippe Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Softwood
19th Century Cuban Mahogany Wood Bargueno Desk
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This Bargueno desk is hallmarked Garcia & HN Monte #122 Habana. It is embellished with a carving
Category
Late 19th Century American Renaissance Revival Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Wood
$8,800 Sale Price
58% Off
Louis XVI Secretary Desk, South German 1770-80, walnut
Located in Leimen, DE
Exquisite Louis XVI Secretary Desk South Germany, 1770-80
Discover a stunning Louis XVI secretary
Category
1770s German Louis XVI Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Walnut
English Mahogany Estate Managers Desk, circa 1830
Located in Charleston, SC
Mahogany estate managers desk with fitted top. The center lock will release upper doors to reveal a
Category
Mid-19th Century English Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Mahogany
$7,200 Sale Price
42% Off
Antique Danish Biedermeier Pine Secretary Desk With Blue Leather
Located in Centennial, CO
A stately antique circa 1900 Danish Biedermeier style secretary desk crafted out of gorgeous
Category
Late 19th Century Danish Biedermeier Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Brass
Louis XVI Style Gilt Bronze and Mahogany Secretary Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This exquisite French Louis XVI secretary desk exemplifies the refined elegance and craftsmanship
Category
Early 1900s French Louis XVI Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Bronze
Wooden Writing Desk with Drawers and Folding Door
Located in Marbella, ES
Wooden Writing Desk with Drawers and Folding Door
Category
19th Century European Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Wood
Antique Oak Drop Front Secretary Desk Bookcase Bookshelf Console 65"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Early American style secretary desk / bookcase / writing bureau / larkin / chalet . Made
Category
Early 20th Century American Colonial Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Oak
$822 Sale Price
30% Off
Elegant Mahogany Empire Secretary Desk with Satinwood Intarsia
Located in Kastrup, DK
This small charming Empire secretary desk, crafted in Copenhagen around 1810, consists of three
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Empire Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Bone, Leather, Mahogany, Maple, Satinwood
$1,635 Sale Price
35% Off
19th c. Swedish Bureau Desk / Secretary in Original Paint
Located in Wichita, KS
-down desk there are three graduated drawers on either side of a center pigeon hole with a long drawer
Category
19th Century Swedish Rococo Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Wood, Paint
Antique Georgian Flame Mahogany Slant Front Secretary Writing Desk Bureau
Located in Dayton, OH
Exquisite antique early 19th century secretary writing storage desk. Made of flame mahogany
Category
19th Century American American Colonial Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Birdseye Maple, Mahogany
$2,625 Sale Price
30% Off
Tall Walnut Cabinet with a Bureau Desk Compartment
Located in Dubai, AE
Tall walnut desk cabinet in Baroque style with gilded brass ornamentation. The upper glazed part
Category
19th Century German Baroque Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Brass
Arbalete Front Chinoiserie Writing Desk, Italy, 18th Century
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Slant/drop front secrétaire commode, with arbalete front. Louis XIV style, decorated with hand
Category
18th Century and Earlier Italian Secretaire Desk Antique
Elegant Louis XV Period French Secretary Desk with Hidden Compartment
Located in Atlanta, GA
writing desk features a slant-leaf front with elegant plaque shaped carved panel, when dropped down into a
Category
Early 18th Century French Louis XV Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Wood
Original Antique Baroque Secretary Desk, Germany 18th century, Walnut
Located in Leimen, DE
Original Antique Baroque Secretary Desk, Germany, 1750
This exquisite antique Baroque secretary
Category
1750s German Baroque Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Walnut
$9,017 Sale Price
20% Off
Louis Philippe Secretary Desk, Second Half of the 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Louis Philippe secretary desk veneered in mahogany, featuring a flat writing flap, two-door lower
Category
Late 19th Century German Louis Philippe Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century Plantation Desk Secretary + Bookcase Hutch Cabinet
Located in Dayton, OH
An exceptional mid to early 19th century primitive American Plantation writing desk / hutch
Category
Early 19th Century American Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Poplar, Pine
$2,450 Sale Price
30% Off
Gustavian Secretary Desk in Black-Painted Pine – Sweden, c. 1790
Located in Kastrup, DK
Gustavian secretary desk crafted in black-painted pine with brass fittings.
The upper section
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Brass
Italian Baroque Style Burl Walnut Secretary Desk Cabinet
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fine Italian baroque burl walnut secretary desk with a cartouche form mirrored panel beneath a
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Brass
18th Century 2 Piece Secretary Desk Writer’s Bureau
Located in Pasadena, TX
48" Victorian secretary desk writer’s Bureau
Crafted from solid cherry, this multi-function piece
Category
Late 18th Century North American Victorian Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Cherry
$3,120 Sale Price
20% Off
18th Century French Drop Front Child Size Desk
Located in Winter Park, FL
A late 18th century Country French child's Size drop front desk from Alsace. Made of solid oak with
Category
Late 18th Century French Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Brass
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Secretary / Writing Desk - Painted
Located in Kvidinge, SE
Swedish Gustavian Secretary / Writing Desk from early 19th century
A rectangular top sitting above
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Brass
$2,616 Sale Price
30% Off
Antique Georgian Mahogany Breakfront China Cabinet Sideboard Secretary Desk
Located in West Hartford, CT
geometric mullions, fall front writing surface with leather top. The desk interior features drawers and
Category
Late 19th Century English George III Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
19th-Century Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary Desk in Beautiful Graining
Located in Opole, PL
the secretaire a highly decorative piece.
Presented secretary desk has undergone thorough renovation
Category
Mid-19th Century European Biedermeier Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Baize, Mahogany
$7,119 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century Italian Cherrywood Drop-Front Desk Secretaire with Inlay
Located in San Francisco, CA
A cherrywood drop front desk with four small drawers fitted in the upper interior and three drawers
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Cherry
$3,900 Sale Price
50% Off
French Secretary Desk, Jean-Georges SCHLICHTIG, Master from 1765
By Jean-Georges Schlichtig
Located in Wien, AT
Louis XVI period, c. 1780, oakwood body, veneered with rosewood and amaranth, and with various, with marquetry panels, ornamental motifs and lattice pattern with partly dyed precious...
Category
1780s French Louis XVI Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Marble
Large French Directoire Period Traveling Secretary Desk
Located in Pembroke, MA
This French Directoire traveling secretary is made of walnut. Its large size is unusual and would make an impressive statement in a study. The top section of the secretary is period,...
Category
Late 18th Century French Directoire Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Brass, Iron
Antique 19th Century Danish Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary Desk
Located in Round Top, TX
to enlarge the photos to view the extraordinary details of the drawers and doors inside the desk
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Wood, Mahogany
American Mahogany Writing Desk with Bookcase Norfolk VA
Located in Charleston, SC
American mahogany writing desk with bookcase Norfolk VA, circa 1840.
Category
1830s American Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Austrian Flame Mahogany Biedermeier Secretary Desk Cabinet Chest 1860
Located in Portland, OR
A fine antique Austrian Biedermeier flame mahogany secretary chest, circa 1860.
The cabinet having a stepped cornice with circular turned finial brackets at each corner, the top of t...
Category
1860s Austrian Biedermeier Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Mahogany
Aesthetic Movement Bonheur du Jour Secretary Desk Cabinet
Located in Pasadena, TX
Bonheur du Jour secretary desk cabinet,
circa late 1880s.
Dark walnut with finial accents and
Category
Late 19th Century North American Aesthetic Movement Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Walnut
$3,120 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Austrian Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary Desk Tabernacle Cabinet 1820
Located in Portland, OR
A fine, elegant, antique Austrian mahogany Biedermeier secretary desk cabinet, circa 1820.
The
Category
1820s Austrian Biedermeier Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Ormolu
Pair of Antique 19th C Empire Drop Front Desk Secretaries
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Pair of Antique 19th C Empire Drop Front Desk Secretaries.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Empire Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Bronze
$5,200 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Louis XVI Cylinder Desk, South German, 1780-1800
Located in Belmont, MA
Exquisite Louis XVI Cylinder Desk, South German, 1780-1800, with beautiful walnut veneer on the
Category
1780s German Louis XVI Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Walnut
$6,950 Sale Price
42% Off
Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary Desk, circa 1860, after Renovation
Located in Opole, PL
exquisite Biedermeier secretary desk circa 1860.
The secretary desk was manufactured in Northern Europe
Category
1860s Scandinavian Biedermeier Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Mahogany
$2,942 Sale Price
20% Off
Fantastic American Centennial Solid Walnut Philadelphia Carved Secretary Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
secretary desk, a true testament to 19th-century craftsmanship. This exquisite piece features a beautifully
Category
1870s American Federal Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Walnut
$2,796 Sale Price
20% Off
Fine Quality Inlaid Marquetry Petite Louis XVI Mahogany Secretary Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This exquisite French Louis XVI secretary desk embodies the refined elegance and timeless
Category
1920s French Louis XVI Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Bronze
Fantastic Paint Decorated Faux Marble Interior Venetian Secretary Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This fantastic paint decorated Venetian secretary desk with faux marble interior is a remarkable
Category
Early 1900s Italian Louis XV Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Walnut
$3,000 Sale Price
38% Off
Antique Quartersawn Oak Side by Side Secretary Desk Bookcase Curio Cabinet
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique American Victorian side by side / secretary desk / bookcase / display case. Made of
Category
Late 19th Century American Victorian Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Oak
$1,120 Sale Price
30% Off
1930s Rockford Furniture Jacobean Style Handcrafted Secretary Desk
By Rockford National Furniture Company 1
Located in Germantown, MD
A Jacobean-style slant front Hancrafted and handcarved by the renowned Rockford Chair and Furniture Company. Founded in 1876 by Swedish settlers, the company has a rich heritage of f...
Category
Early 20th Century Jacobean Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Brass
Antique Traditional Secretary Wood Desk with Shelf, FR-1062
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Antique Traditional Secretary Wood Desk with Shelf
The secretary desk with shelf originates from
Category
Early 20th Century French Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Wood
Incredible Carved Italian Luigi Frullini Narrow Figural Walnut Secretary Desk
By Luigi Frullini
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This incredible Italian secretary desk, attributed to the renowned 19th-century master carver Luigi
Category
1870s Italian Renaissance Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Charles X Writing Desk with secret compartment
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century Charles X Writing Desk with secret compartment. Gorgeous piece. Age appropriate wear
Category
Early 19th Century French Charles X Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Wood
Georgian Mahogany Slant Front Secretary Desk Adam Style Slant-Front Bureau
By Kittinger
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a Georgian mahogany slant front secretary desk Adam style slant-front
Category
Late 19th Century British Georgian Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Mahogany
French Painted Secretary Desk with Fallfront, Mid 19th century
Located in South Salem, NY
This stunning Mid-19th-century French Painted Secretary Desk has a captivating fall-front design
Category
Late 19th Century French French Provincial Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Wood
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Secretaire Desk Antique For Sale on 1stDibs
At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal secretaire desk antique for your home. A secretaire desk antique — often made from wood, mahogany and metal — can elevate any home. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect secretaire desk antique — we have versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century are available. A secretaire desk antique made by Louis XVI designers — as well as those associated with Georgian — is very popular. A well-made secretaire desk antique has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by André-Charles Boulle, George Hepplewhite and 't Woonhuys are consistently popular.
How Much is a Secretaire Desk Antique?
A secretaire desk antique can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $5,465, while the lowest priced sells for $176 and the highest can go for as much as $1,740,240.
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.
Questions About Secretaire Desk Antique
- What are antique desks called?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023What antique desks are called depends on their design. A desk with chair cutouts on both sides is a partner desk, while one with a pull-down writing surface is a secretary. On a Davenport desk, the desktop lifts to reveal a storage area. Find a variety of antique, vintage and contemporary desks on 1stDibs.
- What is an antique Davenport desk?2 Answers1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022An antique Davenport desk is a small writing desk, usually with four drawers on one side. The desk would have elaborately decorated supports and a recessed space for adequate legroom. Shop a collection of Davenport desks from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A Davenport desk is a type of small desk with a distinct inclined desktop. The desktop covers a large storage compartment meant for keeping paper and other writing materials. Popular in the 19th century, Davenport desks are still sought after today. On 1stDibs, you’ll find a collection of antique Davenport desks from some of the world’s top sellers.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022To tell if a roll-top desk is an antique, look closely at the materials. Real antiques feature hardwoods like cherry, mahogany and black walnut. If you detect the use of engineered woods, the desk is a reproduction. Also, early pieces show off irregular dovetail joints. Joints that appear perfectly uniform indicate that a roll-top desk is a more recent mass-produced piece. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of expertly vetted antique roll-top desks.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A variety of factors can determine the exact age of an antique roll top desk. Some things to look for is the type of wood and craftsmanship used to create the desk. Typically, older desks will be made from heavier wood. You can also check for a maker’s marks to determine the age. When in doubt, work with a certified appraiser to determine the authenticity of your roll top desk. You’ll find a variety of expertly vetted roll top 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.
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Antique Cylinder Roll Top Secretary Desk
Antique Secretary Desk 1800S
Wellington Desk
Antique Desk Brighton
Biedermeier Roll Top Desk
Florentine Secretary Desk
Lyra Secretary
Antique Cabinets With Secret Compartments
Antique Cylinder Roll Top Secretary Desk
Antique Secretary Desk 1800S
Antique Spanish Secretary Desk
Berkey And Gay Secretary
Bombe Secretary Desk
Bonnet Top Secretary
Borge Mogensen Secretary Desk
Double Bonnet Secretary
Drop Leaf Secretary Desk Antique