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19th Century Gustavian Style Swedish Painted Black Secretary Chest
Located in Round Top, TX
Adorable black painted chest that has a drop front top drawer to become a secretary with gold brass
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
19th Century Painted Swedish Dropfront Secretary with Burlwood Interior
Located in Long Island City, NY
This seemingly humble cabinet, in a painted oyster white typical for Swedish furniture of the
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Midcentury Swedish Modern Two-Toned Inlaid Rolltop Secretary Desk
Located in Detroit, MI
This vintage mid century Swedish modern two-toned cylinder secretary desk cabinet circa 1960 has a
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Brass
A Swedish Gustavian blue painted pine secretary, C. 1800.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This beautiful slant front secretary desk is in two pieces with a stunning blue surface. The top
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Pine, Paint
Swedish Art Moderne Mahogany Roll-Top Secretary Writing Desk
By SMF Svenska Möbelfabriken Bodafors
Located in Atlanta, GA
Gorgeous roll-top writing desk in rich ribbon mahogany with inset parquetry and crotch mahogany panels. Top rolls up to reveal cubbyholes and drawers of golden flame birch and a ret...
Category
Vintage 1940s Swedish Desks
Materials
Mahogany
Tall Blue Painted Secretary from Sweden, circa 1800-20
Located in Round Top, TX
This striking oak secretary is an elegant statement piece crowned with an elaborate latticework
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Wrought Iron
Original Painted Swedish Clock Cabinet With Secretary, Circa 1840
Located in Round Top, TX
Remarkable original painted Swedish cabinet with clock and secretary with drop front desk.
The
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Folk Art Secretaires
Materials
Metal
Exceptional Swedish Rococo Period Burled Elm Secretaire or Secretary
Located in Kinderhook, NY
Exquisite and remarkably refined mid-18th century Swedish Rococo period solid bookmatched burled
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century Swedish Rococo Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
Danish Modern Teak Pull Out Desk Secretary or Bachelor Chest Bookcase Bow Front
By Dux of Sweden
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice Danish modern cabinet pull-out desk secretary.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
Materials
Glass, Teak
Antique Tall Pine Secretary Chest of Drawers, Sweden, circa 1880
Located in Round Top, TX
Tall pine secretary or "bureau" from Sweden from the latter 1800's.
Standing over 4' tall, this
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Materials
Pine
Gray Painted Rococo Writing Secretary and Cabinet, Sweden, circa 1760s
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish Rococo Secretary and Cabinet in hand painted Gustavian Style Gray and Light Blue Interior
Category
Antique 1760s Swedish Rococo Cabinets
Materials
Brass
Pair of Mid-18th Century Swedish Period Baroque Tall Secretaries
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Swedish mid-18th century period Baroque tall slant-front secretaries with exquisite
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Swedish Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Antique Swedish Grey Secretary with Hidden Storage, circa 1800-40
Located in Round Top, TX
the age and Swedish country styling of this delightful secretary.
Scandinavian Antiques imports
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Materials
Pine, Paint
Swedish Art Moderne Golden Elm Drop-Leaf Secretary Writing Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
Uniquely sized drop-leaf secretary in sleek golden elm. Leaf folds down to reveal cubbyholes and
Category
Vintage 1940s Swedish Desks
Swedish Art Moderne Golden Elm Drop-Leaf Secretary Writing Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
Description: Uniquely sized drop-leaf secretary in sleek golden elm. Leaf folds down to reveal
Category
Vintage 1940s Swedish Desks
Swedish Neoclassical Drop-Leaf Secretary Writing Desk of Flame Birch
Located in Atlanta, GA
Swedish Grace style drop-leaf secretary in two beautiful shades of flame birch. Leaf folds down to
Category
Vintage 1940s Swedish Neoclassical Secretaires
Materials
Birch
Swedish Art Moderne Elm Roll-Top Secretary Writing Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
Gorgeous roll-top writing desk in golden elm with inset parquetry and crotch mahogany panels. Top rolls up to reveal cubbyholes and drawers of golden flame birch and a retractable de...
Category
Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Materials
Elm
Mid Century Modern Swedish Rolltop Secretary Desk by Egon Ostergaard
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Embrace Scandinavian elegance with the Mid Century Modern Swedish Rolltop Secretary Desk by Egon
Category
20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Genuine Antique Swedish Pine Clock Cabinet with a Secretary Desk
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish antique clock cabinet with a secretary desk. The cabinet is made in two parts, with a lower
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Country Cabinets
Materials
Pine
Antique Genuine Northern Swedish Gustavian Style Country Escritoire or Secretary
Located in Kramfors, SE
Genuine antique Swedish escritoire. This escritoire, or secretary desk, is an authentic Swedish
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Pine
Antique Genuine Swedish Escritoire, Original Faux Paint Country Secretary Desk
Located in Kramfors, SE
Genuine antique Swedish escritoire from the early 1800s. This escritoire, or secretary desk, is a
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Country Secretaires
Materials
Pine
Birch Karl Johan Secretary Bureau from Sweden, circa 1840-60
By Karl Johan
Located in Round Top, TX
Stunning Karl Johan Swedish birch secretary or "bureau" with twelve inner drawers surrounding a 3
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Birch
Green Painted Oak Secretary Bureau from Sweden, circa 1760-1800
Located in Round Top, TX
This oak secretary or "bureau" reflects the grace and class of Swedish styling, resting on
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Swedish Two Part 18th Century Secretary with Original Blue Painted Interior
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Swedish two part wooden secretary from Varmland. This piece features a decorative shaped pediment
Category
Antique 18th Century Swedish Cabinets
Materials
Wood
18th Century Light-White Swedish Gustavian Pine Bureau - Scandinavian Secretary
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A very fine late 18th Century Scandinavian drop front secretary desk bureau with four drawers and
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Metal, Brass, Chrome
Swedish Gustavian Fall-Front Secretary Chest with Reeded Detail, 19th Century
Located in Wichita, KS
A 19th century Swedish painted fall-front secretary chest from the Gustavian period with brass
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Black Painted Oak Secretary or Bureau from Sweden, circa 1800
Located in Round Top, TX
This striking oak secretary is an elegant statement piece with a lovely curved bonnet and pane
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Country Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Antique Swedish Gustavian Fall-Front Secretary with Reeded Detail, 19th Century
Located in Wichita, KS
A beautiful Swedish fall-front secretary from the late Gustavian period with brass hardware and
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks
18th Century Swedish Rococo Black and Blue Painted Secretary Desk
Located in Kastrup, DK
Swedish Rococo bureau, black and blue painted with charming and decorative patina.
Elegant
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Swedish Fall-Front Secretary in West Indies Mahogany, circa 1850
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A very beautiful and finely-crafted secretary in West Indies mahogany with book-matched crotch
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Louis Philippe Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Mid-Century Modern Egon Ostergadd Roll Top Swedish Desk Secretary
By Egon Ostergaard
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wonderful piece of furniture by Swedish designer Egon Ostergaard. This desk is both stunning and
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Desks
Materials
Other
A Swedish 19th Century Gustavian Style Slant Front Painted Wood Secretary
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish 19th C. Gustavian Style Slant Front Secretary. Short Tapered Legs and Simplicity of the
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Swedish Gustavian 19th Century Painted Drop-Front Secretary with Blue Interior
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian painted wood drop-front secretary from the early 19th century with twisted
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
20th Century Swedish Gustavian Two Part Pinewood Bureau - Scandinavian Secretary
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A light-grey, white antique Swedish Gustavian two part bureau with a writing flap made of hand
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Danish Modern Teak Secretary Foyer Cabinet, Made in Sweden, Circa 1970s
Located in Peabody, MA
Teak secretary desk / cabinet, made in Sweden circa 1970s. Unusual finger joints at top edges. Drop
Category
Vintage 1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
Swedish Baroque Period 1760s Black Painted Slant-Front Secretary with Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Baroque period slanted front black-painted secretary from the mid-18th century, with
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century Swedish Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Swedish Style Painted Drop Leaf Secretary or Desk
Located in New York, NY
Antique painted, drop leaf petite secretary or desk with just the perfect patina. Cabriole legs
Category
Early 20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Antique Swedish Golden Ash Biedermeier Secretary Chest Dresser Desk inlaid 1820
Located in Portland, OR
A very fine antique Swedish Biedermeier golden ash secretary chest, circa 1820.
The chest is made
Category
Antique 1820s Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Ash, Ebony
18th Century Grey-Painted Swedish Gustavian Fall-Front Secretary with Bookcase
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A very beautiful Gustavian secretary with fall-front opening to a desk offering six interior
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Pine
Mid century Swedish teak secretary roll top desk dresser with key
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Mid-Century teak dresser secretary desk made in Sweden circa 1970. 3 interior drawers behind pull
Category
Vintage 1970s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Teak
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
Swedish Gustavian Style 1820s Grey Blue Painted Slant Front Desk Secretary
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian style painted wood secretary circa 1820 with slant front desk, carved fluted
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Mid century Swedish teak secretary roll top desk dresser with key
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century teak dresser secretary desk made in Sweden circa 1970. 3 interior drawers behind pull
Category
Vintage 1970s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Teak
1780s Gustavian Period Swedish Grey Painted Drop-Front Secretary with Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian period grey painted drop-front secretary from circa 1780 with multiple inner
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
19th c. Swedish Rococo Secretary with Library in Original Blue Paint
Located in Wichita, KS
A rare, early 19th century Swedish Rococo style slant-front secretary from Fryksdalen in Värmland
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Paint
19th c. Swedish Rococo Secretary with Library in Original Blue Paint
Located in Wichita, KS
A rare, early 19th century Swedish Rococo style slant-front secretary from Fryksdalen in Värmland
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Paint
Small and Light Wood Art Deco Secretary, Birchwood, Sweden, 1920s-1930s
Located in Greven, DE
1920s-1930s small Art Deco secretary
Sweden
birch
Dimensions: H x W x D: 120 x 87 x 42 cm
Category
Vintage 1920s Swedish Art Deco Secretaires
Materials
Ash, Birch
Antique Swedish Golden Birch Ebony Biedermeier Fall Front Desk Secretary Chest
Located in Portland, OR
the finest antique Biedermeier secretary desks money can buy!
Bloomsbury Fine Art & Antiques ship
Category
Antique 1820s Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Birch, Ebony
Tall Green Painted Oak Secretary Bureau from Sweden, Circa 1800-20
Located in Round Top, TX
This striking oak secretary is an elegant statement piece crowned with an elaborate carved pediment
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Brass
18th C. Swedish Baroque Secretary with Library in Original Gray Paint
Located in Wichita, KS
A Swedish slant-front secretary from the 18th century in two parts with arched cornice and bracket
Category
Antique 18th Century Swedish Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Paint
Swedish 18th Century Painted Secretary with Glass Doors and Slanted Front Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish painted wood tall secretary from the 18th century, with glass doors and slanted front
Category
Antique 18th Century Swedish Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Swedish Karl Johan Secretary Desk in West Indies Mahogany, circa 1845
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
secretary, over three large storage drawers. Interior desk offers a multitude of small drawers surrounding a
Category
Antique 1840s Swedish Karl Johan Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Swedish Gustavian 1800s Painted Tall Secretary with Slant Front Desk and Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian period painted wood tall secretary from the early 19th century, with diamond
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian 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
A Swedish early 19th century Karl Johan secretary cabinet. This Swedish slant-front desk features
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Karl Johan Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Swedish Gustavian Period Two-Part Painted Secretary with Glass Doors, circa 1790
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian period two-part painted secretary from the late 18th century, with glass doors
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Wood
Swedish Rococo Period 1790s Painted Two-Part Secretary with Slanted Front Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Rococo period painted wood two-piece tall secretary from the late 18th century, with
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Secretaires
Materials
Wood
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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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