Secretaire Desk Antique
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Spectacular Period Oak Clerk
s Desk or Secretaire
Located in Port Chester, NY
A rare example of 17th Century period furniture, this wonderful oak clerk's desk is in very fine
Category
Late 17th Century English Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Oak
19th Century Secretaire and Drawer Marqueterie Cabinet
Located in Roubaix, FR
Rare French folding desk door secretaire cabinet with 5 large drawers and 2 small ones inside
Category
1850s French Napoleon III Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Bronze
French Louis XVI Mahogany Secretaire Bureau, circa 1780
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
An exceptional French Louis XVI mahogany secretaire abattant (or two-cupboard desk bureau) with a
Category
1780s French Louis XIV Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Marble
Davenport Desk
Located in Litchfield, CT
: Excellent condition, some wear to leather writing surface.
These fully developed mechanical desks became
Category
1820s English Regency Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
$7,500
American Walnut Desk
Located in Carson City, NV
This is an American Renaissance Revival Cylinder Desk made in circa 1865. The desk was made in
Category
19th Century American Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Walnut, Burl
$4,600
Clock cabinet/desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
painted secretarie/desk/cabinet
Category
19th Century Swedish Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Pine
$9,900
A Small English 18th Century Oak Secretaire Kneehole Desk
Located in Skipton, GB
A small Georgian Oak Secretaire Kneehole Desk with a lovely light honey colour. The Desk is made
Category
Mid-18th Century English Georgian Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Brass
Bliss Family Blockfront Desk
Located in Litchfield, CT
A Fine Chippendale Blockfront Slant-Lid Desk
Boston, Massachusetts
Mahogany; pine secondary wood
Category
18th Century and Earlier American Chippendale Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Mahogany, Pine
$77,000
Louis XVI cylinder desk
Located in New Orleans, LA
Beautifully inlaid fruitwood 19th c Northern Italian cylinder desk with 3 drawers and slide.
Category
19th Century Italian Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Brass
$8,750
Walnut Fall-front Desk
Located in Essex, MA
Beautiful Dutch walnut fall-front desk with amphitheater interior, original brasses, carved apron
Category
18th Century and Earlier Dutch Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Walnut
$9,500
Sheraton Period Mahogany Desk
Located in Houston, TX
Large American Federal Period mahogany, curly birch and exotic veneer desk. Glass upper cabinets
Category
19th Century American Federal Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Mahogany, Maple
Period Gustavian Writing Desk
Located in Sheffield, MA
Fall front writing desk from the Gustavian period, Sweden, circa 1800. The drawers and fall front
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Wood
Gustavian Style Writing Desk
Located in Sheffield, MA
Writing desk in the Gustavian Style, Sweden, circa 1880. Raised, reeded panels on the three-drawer
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Wood
Antique Secretary Desk Bookcase
Located in Manhattan Beach, CA
Three piece mahogany veneered secretary bookcase. A pair of arched glazed cabinet doors, drop desk
Category
19th Century British Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Mahogany
Period Bombé Writing Desk
Located in Sheffield, MA
Rococo writing desk, Sweden circa 1760, with an exaggerated bombé form. Fitted interior with four
Category
18th Century and Earlier Swedish Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Brass
Magnificent Swedish Rococo Desk
By Johan Henrik Reimers
Located in Long Island City, NY
This exemplary Swedish Rococo Lady's writing desk attributed to J. H. Reimers - is magnificently
Category
18th Century and Earlier Swedish Rococo Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century Dutch Marquetry Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
floral. Quality bombe' form.
The desk is raised upon paw feet.
A visually dramatic piece.
Category
19th Century Dutch Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Brass
Faux Bamboo Secretary/desk
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
Faux Bamboo Secretary with open writing area. Beautifuly carved drawers and shelves inside the cabinet.Unique and very functional piece of furniture
Category
19th Century Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Pine
Beautiful Desk, Holland, Late 1700
Located in Cervia, IT
Spectacular writing desk in walnut and mahogany inlaid with various precious woods complete with
Category
Late 18th Century Dutch Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Mahogany, Walnut
Swedish Slant Front Writing Desk
Located in Sheffield, MA
Two-drawer writing desk, Sweden, circa 1880. The slant front features a raised, reeded panel and
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Brass
Antique English Walnut Desk Organizer
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Made in England in the 20th century, this antique walnut desk organizer has its original key and
Category
Early 1900s Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Walnut
Edwardian satinwood decorated cylinder desk
Located in Salisbury, GB
Edwardian painted satinwood cylinder bookcase
We are pleased to offer you this elegant Edwardian painted satinwood cylinder bookcase.
Made in the Edwardian period an era that was kno...
Category
1890s English Edwardian Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Satinwood
Fine Hepplewhite Mahogany Secretary Desk
Located in Woodbury, CT
Very fine Hepplewhite figured mahogany secretary desk, in two parts, the upper section with arcaded
Category
18th Century and Earlier American Federal Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Mahogany, Pine
18th Century, Baroque Secretaire
Located in Wels, AT
Charming small desk on high legs with hinging cover and tabernacle cabinet.
Typical Austrian Maria
Category
1730s Austrian Baroque Secretaire Desk Antique
Writing Desk about 1780, Austra
Located in Salzburg, Salzburg
Josefinischer essay secretary in 1780, the front with eight drawers, original fittings, spruce marquetry rich with walnut, plum, maple.
Origianl blown glass. very nice original pati...
Category
1780s Austrian Rococo Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Wood
Chippendale Block-Front Slant-Top Desk
Located in Litchfield, CT
One of the most notable features of the desk are the exceptionally rare ornate ormolu fire-gilt
Category
18th Century and Earlier American Chippendale Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Mahogany, Pine
Period Writing Desk with Original Hardware
Located in Sheffield, MA
Swedish slant-front writing desk, circa 1780, with fitted interior and retaining its original brass
Category
18th Century and Earlier Swedish Baroque Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Wood
Antique 19th Century Walnut Railroad Paymaster Desk
Located in Charlotte, NC
An antique 19th Century American railroad paymaster desk, unbranded. Walnut with brass hardware
Category
19th Century American American Craftsman Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Brass
Carved Mahogany Classical Desk or Bookcase
Located in Providence, RI
This monumental desk or bookcase is composed of solid mahogany with highly figured mahogany veneers
Category
19th Century American American Classical Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Mahogany
A wonderful vibrantly inlaid secretary desk
Located in Sharon, MA
A handsome Federal mahogany secretary desk, probably Southeastern Massachusetts, circa 1815
Category
19th Century American Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Mahogany, Birdseye Maple
19th c French Ladies Writing Desk
Located in Katonah, NY
Restored French ladies fruitwood writing desk with cabriole legs, brass mounts and gallery.Drop
Category
19th Century French Secretaire Desk Antique
19th Century George IV Davenport Desk
By Gillows of Lancaster
London
Located in Sydney, NSW
George IV Davenport Desk, English, circa 1830 after a design by Gillow's. Crafted in Brazilian
Category
1820s English George IV Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Rosewood
Antique French Cherry Cylinder Top Desk
Located in Port Chester, NY
cherry. The black accents are very chic. Desk writing height is 31" The cylinder opens smoothly, but work
Category
19th Century French Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Wood
Antique Standing Desk with Fall Front
Located in Culver City, CA
A very nice desk, being upright in design, probably Italian, circa the third quarter of the 19th
Category
19th Century Italian Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Pine, Walnut
Antique High Desk Addition, circa 1900
Located in Freiburg, DE
Small practical addition for commodes, tables, etc.
Non-toxic wood-worm treatment.
Category
Early 1900s German Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Wood
A Stunning Inlaid Walnut Desk
Bookcase
Located in New York, NY
The double-domed cornice above a pair of conforming doors fitted with later beveled mirror plates and opening to an arrangement of pigeon holes and folio slides. The lower section f...
Category
18th Century and Earlier English Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Brass
19th Century Biedermeier Secretaire Abattant
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th century Biedermeier Secretaire Abattant. Has original leather writing surface and appears to
Category
19th Century Austrian Secretaire Desk Antique
Early 19th Century Unique Palace Entrance Desk
By Karl Friedrich Schinkel
Located in Santander, ES
Important antique European barguenio type desk, thought to be constructed as an "Entrance Desk
Category
19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Walnut
Gustavian Secretaire
Located in New Orleans, LA
Painted Gustavian Secretaire
Category
19th Century Swedish Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Wood
$14,500
red desk secretary louis xv chinese hand painted
Located in Boulogne-sur-Mer, FR
elegant donkey desk in red lacquered wood, in the style of China according to Martin varnish, the
Category
1760s French Louis XV Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Oak
18th Century Chippendale Georgian Mahogany Bureau Desk
Located in Newcastle Upon Tyne, GB
A very good example of an 18th century Chippendale mahogany bureau.
The bureau has four graduated oak lined drawers with cock beaded edges and brass handles.
Either side of the...
Category
1780s English Chippendale Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Mahogany
Biedermeier Burled Birch Bureau Cylindre Desk, Sweden
Located in Hollywood, FL
The upper section with three doors, above a roll top writing surface and three drawers below.
Category
19th Century Swedish Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Ebony
Small Mahogany Port Desk, Louis XV period – 18th century
Located in HÉRIC, FR
Beautiful solid Cuban mahogany sloping desk with two drawers on each side, each secured by an
Category
Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Wood
A Sheraton Mahogany Secretary Desk and Bookcase, Maine
Located in Sharon, MA
An intriguing Sheraton Mahogany Secretary Desk and Bookcase, probably South central Maine, circa
Category
19th Century American Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Mahogany
French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Desk Secretary
Located in Liverpool, GB
H / W / D: 144/81/51 cm (with the desk extended, 74) cm.
Category
1870s French Louis XVI Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Wood
Antique 19th Century Walnut Austrian Biedermeier Abatante Secretary Desk
Located in Charlotte, NC
An antique Biedermeier style abatante secretary desk, unbranded. Walnut with walnut & other wood
Category
19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Mirror, Wood, Walnut
Charles X Bureau-Plat, France 1825, Writing Desk
Located in Bamberg, DE
France, around 1825
This unusually large, free-standing piece of writing furniture stands on eight columnar legs with two elegant pedestals, the frame has threedrawers on the work...
Category
Early 19th Century French Charles X Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Wood
Carved Cherry Chippendale Desk and Bookcase, CT, circa 1780
Located in Providence, RI
This is a first class desk and bookcase in superb condition and form with full secret interior. It
Category
1780s American Chippendale Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Cherry
Italian Late 18th to Early 19th Century Cherrywood Desk
Located in Carmel, CA
Italian, late 18th century-early 19th century, cherrywood desk with beautiful inlaid mahogany
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Louis XVI Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Ormolu
Early 19th Century English Mahogany Blonde Bureau Bookcase/Desk
Located in Richmond, VA
Early 19 Century English Mahogany Blonde Bureau Bookcase/Desk
Category
19th Century English Secretaire Desk Antique
Antique 19th Century Walnut Shenandoah Valley Moravian Plantation / Postal Desk
Located in Charlotte, NC
An antique 19th Century American plantation / postal desk, handcrafted by Moravian craftsmen in the
Category
19th Century American American Craftsman Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Walnut
An English late 18th century mahogany slant top desk
Located in Miami, FL
An English late 18th century mahogany slant top desk with secret drawers
Category
18th Century and Earlier English Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Mahogany
1790-French Empire Writing Desk Secretaire Gilt Ormolu-manner Thomire/Desmalter
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
interior drawer.
This most extraordinary period French Empire secrétaire slide top desk displays superb
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
18th C Spanish Colonial Leather Covered Vargueño /Traveling Desk
Located in Nogales, AZ
Rare leather covered Spanish Colonial traveling desk used to transport important documents and
Category
18th Century and Earlier Peruvian Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Iron
Spanish Colonial Traveling Desk in Walnut and Bone Inlay
Located in Phoenix, AZ
This vargueno or traveling desk is comprised of a chest with fold down front that sits atop a
Category
Early 18th Century Mexican Spanish Colonial Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Iron
A Rare Diminutive Chippendale Block Front Desk and Bookcase
Located in New York, NY
-FRONT DESK AND BOOKCASE
The blockfront desk-and-bookcase is one of the most highly
Category
18th Century and Earlier American Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Mahogany, Cedar
Antique 18th Century English Oak Chippendale Slant Drop Front Secretary Desk
Located in Charlotte, NC
An antique 18th Century drop front secretary desk in the Chippendale style, unbranded. Solid oak
Category
18th Century American Chippendale Secretaire Desk Antique
Materials
Brass
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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