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George IIII Bureau Desk or Secretary Chest of Mahogany from the 18th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A fine George III slant top desk or bureau secretary chest of patinated mahogany, c.1770, in the
Category

18th Century English George III Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Metal, Brass

18th Century Grey Swedish Gustavian Two Part Pine Secretary - Scandinavian Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
crafted painted Pinewood, in good condition. The Scandinavian writing table, desk is composed with two
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Metal, Brass

19th Century Empire Drop-Front Oak Secretary Desk or Abattant, Chest France
Located in Miami, FL
Secretaire a abattant, France circa 1820, Biedermeier period. The outside with fall front and two
Category

Early 19th Century French Biedermeier Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Bronze

Circa 1880 Solid Oak Brass Military Campaign Chest of Drawers Secrataire Desk
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
brass fittings Military Campaign chest of drawers with mahogany lined & brown leather secretaire desk
Category

1880s English Campaign Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Brass

19th Century Victorian Burl Walnut Slant Front Secretary Desk Attr To Jelliff
By John Jelliff
Located in Long Branch, NJ
19th Century Victorian Burl Walnut Slant Front Secretary Desk Attr To Jelliff Dimensions : 103
Category

Late 19th Century American Victorian Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Burl

George III Mahogany Desk or Secretary Attributed to Gillows, English 1790
By Gillows of Lancaster London
Located in Rome, IT
George III amazing cabinet desk or secretary in mahogany wood, brass and leather with a drawers
Category

1780s British George III Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Metal, Brass

European 1800s Two-Part Painted Wood Secretary with Slanted Front Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
, dentil molding, slanted front desk and graduated drawers. Created in Europe during the early years of the
Category

Early 19th Century European Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Brass

Antique American Federal Flame Mahogany Secretary Writing Desk Gothic Bookcase
Located in Dayton, OH
A fine and impressive antique early 19th century Federal Period flame Mahogany secretary and bookcase. The bookcase features an eighteen pane Gothic arched cabinet front that opens ...
Category

Early 19th Century Federal Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

Antique French Mahogany Drop Front Brass Gallery Secretary Writing Desk 40"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique French Victorian secretary / library writing desk. Made of mahogany featuring drop front
Category

Late 19th Century Victorian Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Mahogany

20th-Century Mahogany Pine Wood Vennered With Mahogany Ladies Secretary Desk
Located in Opole, PL
20th-Century Mahogany & Pine Wood Vennered With Mahogany Ladies' Secretary Desk Step into timeless
Category

Early 20th Century European Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Mirror, Mahogany, Pine

19th C. Drop Front Desk, Secretary Abattant, with Multiple Wood Marquetry Inlay
Located in Madrid, ES
This handsome Carlos IV style "secretaire-abattant" or drop front desk combines functionality with
Category

Early 19th Century Spanish Louis XVI Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Hardwood

Indonesian 19th Century Handmade Slant-Front Desk with Raised Panels and Drawers
Located in Yonkers, NY
drawers. Created in Indonesia during the 19th century, this secretaire features a slant-front desk with
Category

19th Century Indonesian Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Wood

Swedish Gustavian 1790s Painted Slant-Front Desk with Carved Diamond Motifs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian period slant front desk from the late 18th century, with carved diamond motifs
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Wood

Small Antique Italian Drop-Front Scriban Desk In Original Paint And Gilt Accents
Located in London, Park Royal
. The desk retains its original brass fittings — delicately decorative droplet handles whose softened
Category

Late 19th Century Louis XV Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Wood

18th Century Dutch Burl Walnut Secretary Cabinet Scriban Desk Library Antique LA
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rare 18th century Dutch burl walnut secretaire cabinet Scriban desk Enclosing fitted interior
Category

18th Century Dutch Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Edwards and Roberts Antique Inlaid Secretary Desk, 1860-1875, London
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Stately Mahogany inlaid leather top secretary desk, London England 1860-1875 by Cabinetmakers
Category

Mid-19th Century English Victorian Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Leather, Glass, Mahogany

19th Century Empire Drop-Front Oak Secretary Desk or Abattant, Chest France
Located in Miami, FL
Secretaire a abattant, France circa 1820, Biedermeier period. The outside with fall front and two
Category

Early 19th Century French Biedermeier Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Louis XV Style Ormolu Mounted Boulle Secretary Desk
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Tarzana, CA
19th Century French Louis XV Style Ormolu Mounted Boulle Secretary Desk Having a writing section
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XV Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Brass, Ormolu

Biedermeier Roll-Top Desk, Cherry Veneer, Brass, Ink, South Germany circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
High-quality early Biedermeier Roll-top or Cylinder Secretaire or Writing Cabinet from South
Category

1820s German Biedermeier Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Brass

Large antique 18th-century English oak chest of drawers / desk / chest with secr
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This antique English oak secretary features a beautiful stepped interior and dates from the 18th century. It can be easily placed in almost any interior, in the room of your choice. ...
Category

18th Century Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Oak

19th Century French Empire Abattant Secretary Desk in Flame Mahogany Drop Down
Located in Atlanta, GA
This French Empire Abattant Secretary Desk from the late 19th century is a striking piece of
Category

1890s Empire Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

English 19th Century Campaign Mahogany Box with Unfolding Desk and Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English mahogany campaign period box on legs from the 19th century revealing a desk with drawers
Category

19th Century English Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Brass

Unique Austrian Empire Secretary/Writing Desk, Material Mahogany, Wien 1820-1829
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Empire secretary or writing desk, (Cylinder) Material: Mahogany. Completely restored, Shellac
Category

1820s Austrian Empire Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Danish 1810s Beige Gray Painted Two-Part Tall Secretary with Slant-Front Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
, slanted desk, four doors and carved reeded panels. A testament to timeless Danish craftsmanship, this two
Category

Early 19th Century Danish Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Wood

Bonheur du Jour, litterally "Happiness of the Day" Desk in Boulle Marquetry
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This beautiful Bonheur du Jour, litterally "Happiness of the day" desk is made of a Boulle
Category

1880s French Napoleon III Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Brass

Sheraton Revival Cylinder Bureau, writing Desk with marquetry, circa 1890
Located in Miami, FL
A very good quality late 19th century satinwood Sheraton revival cylinder bureau with ebony string inlay, five walnut frieze drawers, the cylinder opening to reveal pigeon hole compa...
Category

Early 20th Century European Sheraton Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Empire Drop-Front Oak Secretary Desk or Abattant, Chest France
Located in Miami, FL
Secretaire a abattant, France circa 1820, Biedermeier period. The outside with fall front and two
Category

Early 19th Century French Biedermeier Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Bronze

Antique 18th Century VOC Dutch Colonial Padouk Ebony Secretary Desk Bureau 1730
Located in Portland, OR
A very rare antique Dutch Colonial V.O.C. (Dutch East India Company) fall front bureau/desk on
Category

1730s Indonesian Dutch Colonial Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Brass

Rare Antique Federal American Mahogany Secretary Writing Desk Gothic Bookcase
Located in Dayton, OH
A fine and impressive Federal Period Mahogany secretary and bookcase, circa 1830s. The bookcase features an eighteen pane gothic arched cabinet front that opens to two shelves, cubbi...
Category

Early 19th Century American Federal Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

Unique Venetian Italian Paint Decorated Secretary Desk with Bookcase Circa 1890s
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This Venetian Italian paint decorated secretary desk with bookcase, circa 1890s, is a remarkable
Category

1890s Italian Neoclassical Revival Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Walnut

Unique Czech Art Deco Secretary/Writing Desk, Rosewood 1920-1929
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Art Deco sideboard and secretary made out of rosewood Material: Rosewood Completely restored, Shellac polish. Period: 1920-1929 Source: Czechia.  
Category

1920s Czech Art Deco Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Wood, Lacquer, Rosewood

19th Century Swedish Small Gustavian Fall Front Desk with Original Paint
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Swedish Gustavian fall front desk from Burtrask Vasterbotten, Northern Sweden
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Pine

Secretary Desk 700s Lombard by "Bottega Milanese Dei Valentini", walnut burl
By Bottega Milanese dei Valentni
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Important precious desk bureau production of on 19th century by "Bottega Milanese dei Valentini
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Baroque Revival Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Walnut

English Chinese Chippendale Style Bamboo Secretary with Slanted Lift-Top Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
overhanging desk opens up to reveal a partitioned interior, perfect to organize letters and documents, or
Category

19th Century English Chinese Chippendale Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Bamboo, Wood

Antique Kittinger Spanish Colonial Walnut Fall Front Secretary Desk Barley Twist
By Kittinger Furniture Company
Located in Dayton, OH
Extremely rare 1 of a kind early Kittinger Spanish Colonial fall front secretary or library desk. A
Category

Early 20th Century Spanish Colonial Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Walnut

Antique Ebonised Boulle Ormolu Desk Cabinet Bonheur du Jour Kunst Mobel Denmark
Located in Portland, OR
is incredible, no damage or condition issues, this very elegant fine quality marquetry desk/cabinet
Category

Early 1900s Danish Napoleon III Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Ormolu

Early 19th Century French Empire Flame Mahogany Drop Front Secretary Desk
Located in Miami, FL
Classic antique Early 19th Century French Empire drop front secretary desk made with magnificent
Category

Early 19th Century French Empire Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Bronze

1920s Lombard Secretary Desk Commode in Walnut Burl Veneer, Threaded Maple
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Early 20th Century Lombard Secretary Desk Commode in Walnut & burl Veneer, Threaded of Maple
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Baroque Revival Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Walnut, Burl

French 18th Century Large Louis XVI Marquetry Desk or Bureau à Cylindre
By Jean Kisling
Located in Berlin, DE
French 18th century large Louis XVI marquetry desk or bureau à Cylindre An exceptional marquetry
Category

Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Bronze

c1900 French Antique Louis XVI Style Burl Wood Secretary/ Desk - Petite Size
Located in Opa Locka, FL
c1900 French Antique Louis XVI style Petite Secretary/ Desk. Louis XVI style and made from Exotic
Category

Early 1900s Louis XVI Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Burl

Late 18th Century German Louis XVI Secretary, Walnut, Marquetry, Cylinder Desk
Located in Greven, DE
Louis XVI cylinder desk with marquetry Germany (Westphalia) Walnut etc. Classicism around 1795
Category

Late 18th Century German Louis XVI Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Maple, Oak, Walnut

20th Century Inlaid Wood French Napoleon III Style Roll-Top Bureau Desk, 1920s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
front drawer, retractable desk compartment with 4 drawers and pull-out top (see photo) of good size and
Category

1920s French Napoleon III Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Wood

Antique Petite Secrétaire
Located in Malibu, CA
This petite secrétaire is perfect for small spaces. Small drawers with original hardware and
Category

Early 19th Century French French Provincial Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Fruitwood

Antique Petite Secrétaire
Antique Petite Secrétaire
$1,536 Sale Price
30% Off
Swedish 1770s Baroque Period Light Gray Painted Secretary with Slant Front Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Baroque tall secretary from circa 1770, with slant front desk, light Gustavian gray
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Baroque Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Glass, Wood

Charles X Secretaire
Located in Sheffield, MA
Burled elm charles 'X' drop front secretary (secrétaire à abattant) with black marble top with
Category

19th Century English Biedermeier Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Marble

19th Century English Writing Desk with Drawers and Hinged Door and Original Hand
Located in Marbella, ES
19th Century English Writing Desk with Drawers and Hinged Door and Original Handles
Category

19th Century English Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Bronze

19th Century English 3-Drawer Oak Bureau Office Desk with Bronze Hardware
Located in Marbella, ES
19th century English 3-drawer oak bureau office desk with bronze hardware.
Category

Mid-19th Century English Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Wood

Antique Arnold Bros Hardwood Chippendale Drop Front Bureau Desk Lovely Timber
By Thomas Chippendale
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely circa 1900 mahogany drop front bureau in the Thomas Chippendale style made and stamped by Arnold Bros A good looking and well-made p...
Category

Early 1900s English Late Victorian Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Hardwood

19th C. Royal Antique Burl Wood Secretary Desk Black Leather Drop Leaf Top Hrh
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Early 19th century secretary " Secrétaire a' Abattant " desk " Retour D'Egypt " Provenance, Succession
Category

19th Century French Empire Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Bronze

Donald Deskey Style Art Deco Skyscraper Design Secretary Wall Cabinet or Desk
By Donald Deskey
Located in Westport, CT
In the style of Donald Deskey, Art Deco skyscraper design, cabinet/secretary desk, with draw
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Nickel

Louis XV Style Dore Bronze Mounted Boulle Marquetry Secretary Desk or Cabinet
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in New York, NY
A gorgeous Louis XV style French dore bronze mounted Boulle Marquetry secretary desk or cabinet
Category

1830s French Louis XV Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Bronze

Late 18th Century Louis XVI Cylinder Desk with central lock and beautiful patina
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Late 18th Century Cylinder Desk with beautiful Patina, 1800, France Cylinder desk with straight
Category

1790s French Louis XVI Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Walnut

Swedish 1856 Two-part Painted Secretary with Four Doors and Slant Front Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
Swedish 19th century two-part painted wood secretary circa 1856 with slant front desk, four doors
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Wood

EXQUISITE EARLY GEORGIAN CIRCA 1760 WRITING BUREAU DESK WiTH GREEN LEATHER TOP
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning original English circa 1760 Oak writing bureau with green leather writing surface Please not...
Category

1760s English Georgian Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Leather, Oak

18th Century Spanish Walnut Writing Desk with Door and Drawers in the Interior
Located in Marbella, ES
18th Century Spanish walnut writing desk with door and drawers in the Interior.
Category

18th Century Spanish Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Walnut

Antique Italian or Dutch Small Rococo Bombe Secretary Desk w/ Marquetry, c 1870
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
to writing desk with six small drawers & open shelving. Chest rests on cabriole legs ending in leaf
Category

Mid-18th Century Dutch Rococo Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Mahogany, Satinwood, Kingwood, Tulipwood

Stunning 1900s Burr Burl Walnut Drop Front Bureau Desk Lovely Timber Patina
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely circa 1900 Burr & Burl Walnut drop front bureau A good looking and well-made piece, you don't come across many in Burr walnut, it i...
Category

Early 1900s English Edwardian Secretaire Desk Antique

Materials

Walnut

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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
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    An 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, 2022
    A 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 3, 2023
    What 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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    To 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, 2022
    A 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, 2021
    An 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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