Swedish Secretary
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Antique Swedish Pine Secretary Desk with Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
All original; very impressive pine secretary/ desk with its original clock and movement that
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Materials
Pine
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
Antique White Painted Secretary Bureau from Sweden
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 Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Oak, Paint
Late 18th Century Swedish Folk Art Secretary
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish Folk Art secretary with original hardware. The original lock and key are present and in
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Folk Art Secretaires
Materials
Pine
Antique Oak Secretary Desk, Sweden, circa 1920
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique secretary from the beginning of the 20th century.
Made of oak wood.
Very good condition
Category
Vintage 1920s Swedish Chippendale Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Swedish Gray Painted Secretary Bureau, circa 1800
Located in Round Top, TX
This oak secretary reflects the grace and class of Swedish styling in the early 1800's with three
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Rococo Secretaires
Materials
Oak, Paint
Antique Swedish Birch Biedermeier Secretary Bureau Desk
Located in Round Top, TX
Evocative birch Biedermeier secretary with 19 inner drawers surrounding a central cubby. Please
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Birch
Swedish Empire Commode - Secretary, Flame Birch ca. 1820
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Small Swedish commode/secretary in birch veneer with great flame pattern. Ebonized legs and
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Materials
Birch
Swedish Karl Johan-Style Secretary Desk, 1900 c
Located in San Marino, CA
Swedish Karl Johan-style secretary desk, upper section with a shaped top and ebonized columns
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Secretaires
Antique Pine Secretary Bureau, Sweden, circa 1820-40
Located in Round Top, TX
Lovely pine secretary or "bureau" from Sweden from the early 1800s.
The age of this secretary is
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Materials
Pine
Antique Swedish Birch Biedermeier Secretary Desk Bureau, Sweden circa 1840-60
Located in Round Top, TX
Birch Swedish country biedermeier chest of drawers that also serves as a secretary or bureau
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Birch
Antique Pine Secretary Desk, Sweden circa 1820-1840
Located in Round Top, TX
Lovely pine secretary or "bureau" from Sweden from the early 1800s.
The age of this secretary is
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Materials
Pine
Swedish Art Deco rosewood secretary by Erik Chambert
Located in New York, NY
Erik Chambert's 1920's Swedish art deco secretary with upper folding cabinet and lower 2 drawer
Category
20th Century Swedish Secretaires
Materials
Rosewood, Wood
18th Century Swedish Period Gustavian Secretary with Library
Located in Wichita, KS
A Swedish Gustavian period painted secretary richly carved with reeded details. The desk surface
Category
Antique 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Bookcases
Antique Black Painted Oak Secretary Bureau from Sweden
Located in Round Top, TX
This oak secretary reflects the refined grace and style of early 1800s, Sweden. The paneling along
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Swedish Art Moderne Drop-Leaf Secretary Writing Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
Uniquely sized drop-leaf secretary in sleek golden elm. Leaf folds down to reveal shelves
Category
Vintage 1940s Swedish Secretaires
Swedish Art Moderne Drop-Leaf Secretary Writing Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
Uniquely sized drop-leaf secretary in sleek golden elm. Leaf folds down to reveal shelves
Category
Vintage 1940s Swedish Secretaires
18th Century Swedish Period Gustavian Secretary with Library
Located in Wichita, KS
This is an exquisite Swedish Gustavian period painted secretary with library and original brass
Category
Antique 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Bookcases
Early 19th Century Swedish Country Home Secretary Desk
Located in Kramfors, SE
Early 19th century Swedish country secretary desk made around 1810 to 1820. The secretary is a
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Country Secretaires
Materials
Pine
Pine Secretary Bureau Desk from Sweden, circa 1880
Located in Round Top, TX
This drop front secretary is charming in every way, with a soft, satin wax finish that compliments
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Country Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Late 18th Century Swedish Baroque Pine Secretary Desk
Located in Kramfors, SE
Baroque secretary desk from northern Sweden made during the late 1700s. The secretary is pine and
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Pine
Very small Biedermeier Secretary, Birch, Sweden, circa 1820
Located in Greven, DE
Very small antique secretary as escape or travel furniture
South Sweden
birch
early 19th century
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Birch
18th Century Swedish Period Gustavian Secretary with Library
Located in Wichita, KS
This is an exquisite Swedish Gustavian period painted secretary with library and original brass
Category
Antique 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Unique Mahogany Antique Secretary Desk, Sweden, circa 1880
Located in Chorzów, PL
An antique secretary from the end of the 19th century. Furniture in very good condition, after
Category
Antique 1880s Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Late 1700s Northern Swedish Pine Country Secretary Desk
Located in Kramfors, SE
Northern Swedish country secretary desk from the late 1700s. A secretary desk is a wonderful
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Country Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
Antique Tall Blue Painted Secretary Bureau from Sweden
Located in Round Top, TX
This stately tall secretary is an elegant and classic statement piece. The entire secretary has
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Secretaires
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
Swedish Painted Pine Secretary Cabinet or Desk, 19th century
Located in Charlottesville, VA
Swedish Painted Pine Secretary, 19th century, bonnet top over two shaped cabinet doors, that open
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Cabinets
Materials
Wood
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 18th Century Swedish Black Painted Pine Secretary
Located in Round Top, TX
This pine secretary reflects the understated grace of Swedish styling in the late 1700's.
The
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Secretaires
Materials
Pine, Paint
Antique Black Painted Oak Secretary Bureau from Sweden
Located in Round Top, TX
This oak secretary reflects the refined grace and style of early 1800's Sweden. The applied
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Oak, Paint
White Painted Swedish Pine Secretary, circa 1820-40
Located in Round Top, TX
Antique pine secretary with fluted carved door panels and graceful Swedish country charm.
Newer
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Country Secretaires
Materials
Pine, Paint
19th Century Swedish White Gustavian Pine Secretary
Located in Round Top, TX
Antique pine secretary with clean lines and crown, panel doors, and graceful Swedish country charm
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Danish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Pine
Vintage Mid Century Swedish Rosewood Rolltop Secretary Desk
By Egon Ostergaard
Located in Detroit, MI
This iconic mid-century Swedish modern Egon Ostergaard rosewood cylinder rolltop secretary desk
Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Swedish Art Moderne Drop-Leaf Secretary Writing Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
Uniquely sized drop-leaf secretary in sleek golden elm. Leaf folds down to reveal shelves
Category
Vintage 1940s Swedish Secretaires
Materials
Elm
Midcentury Swedish Rolltop Secretary Desk by Egon Ostergaard
By Egon Ostergaard
Located in Detroit, MI
This iconic vintage midcentury Swedish modern Egon Ostergaard teak cylinder rolltop secretary desk
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Brass
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
Original Painted 18th Century Writing Desk Secretary, Sweden
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Secretary. This unique antique storage piece from Sweden, has carefully been "scraped" to its original
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century Swedish Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Midcentury Swedish Rolltop Secretary Desk by Egon Ostergaard
By Egon Ostergaard
Located in Detroit, MI
This iconic midcentury Swedish modern Egon Ostergaard teak cylinder rolltop secretary desk cabinet
Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Tall Swedish Oak Secretary Bureau, circa 1780-1800
Located in Round Top, TX
This striking oak secretary is an elegant statement piece crowned with an elaborate carved pediment
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Oak, Paint
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
Vintage Mid Century Swedish Rosewood Rolltop Secretary Desk
By Egon Ostergaard
Located in Detroit, MI
This mid-century Swedish modern Egon Ostergaard rosewood cylinder rolltop secretary desk cabinet
Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Blue Painted Oak Secretary, Sweden circa 1770-1800
Located in Round Top, TX
This oak secretary is a striking statement piece with panel doors and serpentine front to the lower
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Gray Painted Swedish 18th Century Oak Secretary Bureau
Located in Round Top, TX
This striking oak secretary is an elegant statement piece crowned with a lovely carved bonnet.
The
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian 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
Fine Swedish Art Deco rosewood and marquetry secretary cabinet.
Located in New York, NY
Very fine Swedish Art Deco secretary cabinet in rosewood and marquetry veneers. One large external
Category
20th Century Swedish Secretaires
Materials
Rosewood
Swedish Fall-Front Secretary in Figured Walnut, circa 1850
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
41" wide x 20" deep (Open: 34") x 56.5" high
Swedish Fall-front Secretary in Figured Walnut, c
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Karl Johan Secretaires
Blue Painted Swedish Oak Secretary, circa 1800-20
Located in Round Top, TX
This striking oak secretary is a timeless statement piece with upper glass pane cabinet doors and
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Brass, Iron
Antique Black Painted Secretary from Sweden with Hidden Storage
Located in Round Top, TX
This inviting secretary or "bureau" likely graced a Swedish country manor house in the 1800's. The
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
18th Century Swedish Two-part Secretary Circa 1790
Located in Atlanta, GA
This Gustavian writing cupboard is an exceptional example of late 18th-century Swedish
Category
Antique 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Pine, Paint
Black Painted Pine Secretary Desk, Sweden circa 1800-40
Located in Round Top, TX
This simple pine secretary reflects the style and functionality of the early 1800's in Sweden.
The
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Pine, Paint
Swedish Gustavian Fall-Front Secretary in Birch, circa 1800
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
Swedish Gustavian fall front secretary in birch, circa 1800. A beautifully proportioned chest in
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Birch
Antique Swedish Biedermeier Secretary Bureau Birch Chest of Drawers
Located in Round Top, TX
Antique Biedermeier birch secretary desk with three lowers drawers and a top drawer that folds down
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood, Birch
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Painted Fall-Front Secretary Bookcase
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A rustic Swedish Gustavian 18th Century secretary in a grey white milk paint applied over multiple
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Pine
Antique Oak Rococo Blue Painted Secretary Bureau from Sweden
Located in Round Top, TX
This oak rococo secretary reflects the grace and class of Swedish styling in the early 1800's. The
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Oak, Paint
19th Century Swedish Paint Decorated Two-Part Secretary Cabinet
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic form paint decorated two-part secretary cabinet having distressed finish with dentil
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Rustic Secretaires
Mid century Swedish blonde secretary desk dresser with key
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century ashwood and pine dresser secretary desk made in Sweden circa 1950. 3 interior drawers
Category
Vintage 1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Ash, Pine
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Swedish Secretary For Sale on 1stDibs
At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal Swedish secretary for your home. Frequently made of wood, metal and softwood, every Swedish secretary was constructed with great care. There are many kinds of the Swedish secretary you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 20th Century. Each Swedish secretary bearing Rococo, Baroque or mid-century modern hallmarks is very popular. You’ll likely find more than one Swedish secretary that is appealing in its simplicity, but Egon Ostergaard, Bröderna Gustafssons and Svegards Markaryd produced versions that are worth a look.
How Much is a Swedish Secretary?
The average selling price for a Swedish secretary at 1stDibs is $6,600, while they’re typically $552 on the low end and $120,000 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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