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Secretaires For Sale
Mid-Century Swedish Teak Rolltop Secretary Desk by Egon Ostergaard
Located in Detroit, MI
This vintage mid-century Swedish modern Egon Ostergaard teak rolltop secretary desk cabinet was made in Sweden circa 1960. The classic Scandinavian modern design has clean, minimalis...
Category
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Teak
Secretary by Marcel Gascoin edited by Arhec
Located in PARIS, FR
This oak desk from 1949 is an emblematic piece of Marcel Gascoin's work and of the Reconstruction period in French housing.
Marcel Gascoin, born August 24, 1907 in Le Havre and died...
Category
1950s French Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Oak
English Georgian Style Secretary Cabinet
Located in Queens, NY
English Georgian style (19th century) red lacquered Chinoiserie decorated slant front secretary cabinet.
Category
19th Century British Georgian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Continental Gustavian Painted Secretary
Located in Queens, NY
Continental Gustavian-style (Possibly Swedish/ Danish 18th Century) off-white painted secretary with carved column sides and carved simple swag and t...
Category
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
19th C. English Georgian Secretaire
Located in Atlanta, GA
An elegant 19th-century English Georgian mahogany secretaire, combining refined form with practical function. The upper cabinet features original glazed mullioned doors with geometri...
Category
19th Century English Georgian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Antique Pine Roll Top Desk Bureau from Sweden circa 1840
Located in Round Top, TX
Lovely pine roll top desk or bureau from Sweden from the 1800's.
The age of this secretary is revealed in the warmth of the deep patina in the pine which only happens through genera...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Country Antique Secretaires
Materials
Pine
Important Early 19th Century Danish Neoclassical Secretaire NIcolai Abildgaard
By Nicolai Abildgaard
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
The slender secretaire on an unusual high stand with four curved legs dived into quarters, the frame with a central inlaid palmette motif. The fall down writing flap, enclosing a fitted interior with numerous drawers, above and below are two doors enclosing one shelf. The top of the secretaire in form of a classical triangular pediment, the center of which is decorated with an inlaid stylized anthemion. The entire front is very plain and geometrical, divided into six panels inlaid with rectangular fields in light wood.
The design of this mahogany secretaire is based on classical Roman and Greek models, in this case the bookcases that were portrayed on frescoes, reliefs and Roman gold glass. As secretaires were not known in Antiquity, Abildgaard designed his secretaire as a cupboard though in such a way, that the two centre doors are actually a fall front writing top. The carved turned underframe is inspired by Etruscan footstools, which were known especially from reliefs and had been reproduced in contemporary prints. Abildgaard designed this piece of furniture far more in accordance with ancient tradition than did the other furniture designer of the day. The most important (and avantgarde) piece of the furniture Abildgaard designed in the first decade of the 19th century, is this secretaire, which marks a real renewal in relation to the secretaires that constituted the master's test for the members of the guild of cabinetmakers at this time. Compared with these, this secretaire is a very light piece of furniture that does not follow the contemporary fashion towards classical architectural decorations such as columns, pillars, architraves, etc. which often endow such pieces.
Nicolai Abraham Abildgaard (11 September 1743 – 4 June 1809) was a leading Danish Neoclassical painter who also designed (mostly for his own use) elegant Grecian furniture...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bone, Maple
19th Century Country French Louis XVI Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century Country French Louis XVI secretary is a truly astonishing work of the cabinetmaker's art! Hand-crafted from solid old-growth in...
Category
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Italian Mid-Century Sideboard with Secretaire attributed to Paolo Buffa, 1950s
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Traversetolo, IT
This so amazing cabinet with Secretaire of the 1950s is attributable to the design of Paolo Buffa.
The external structure is refinished with glass dividers and parchment feet.
Its ae...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Birch, Glass, Wood
18th Century Original Painted Writing Desk Secretary, Sweden
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A late 18th Century Folk Art Baroque Scandinavian original painted writing desk secretary. This unique antique storage piece from Sweden features mounted original iron handles as wel...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Baroque Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Danish Mahogany Secretary Bureau
Located in Round Top, TX
19th-century Danish secretary or "bureau" crafted in mahogany veneer with bowfront cabinet doors and refined proportions. The pull-out desk opens to reveal an elaborate interior fitt...
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany, Velvet, Felt, Mirror
18th Century German Baroque Inlaid Marquetry Secretary Bureau
Located in Round Top, TX
18th-century German secretary or "bureau" crafted from walnut, featuring extensive marquetry. The inlaid decoration continues across the façade, with contrasting lighter woods used o...
Category
Late 18th Century German Baroque Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
RARE AND IMPORTANT ENGLISH STATIONERY GEORGE III 18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
RARE AND IMPORTANT ENGLISH STATIONERY GEORGE III 18th Century
in lacquered wood in shades of red.
Decoration with gold chinoiseries representing birds, fantastic animals and pagodas...
Category
18th Century English Chinese Export Antique Secretaires
Materials
Lacquer
George II Walnut Bureau Bookcase
Located in Essex, MA
With broken arch pediment and inset mirror over a pair of arched mirror doors opening to shelves and drawers, the base with a slant lid hinged w...
Category
1720s English George I Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mirror, Walnut, Burl
17th Bargueño Bargas with a Polychrome Wooden Locker
Located in Marbella, ES
Impressive set consisting of a wooden bargueño (barga) on a matching chest. The chest features ornamental wrought iron fittings decorated in red, contrasting with the warmth of the w...
Category
17th Century Spanish Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
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 sec...
Category
Late 18th Century French Directoire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass, Iron
Swedish Rocco Style Secratery Hutch
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Swedish Rocco Style Secratery Hutch . its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Category
1970s Swedish Rococo Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Pine
Antique Dutch Floral Marquetry Inlaid Bombé Bureau, 19th Century
Located in Glasgow, GB
A 19th century Dutch marquetry inlaid bombé bureau profusely decorated all-over with marquetry depictions of flowers, urns and birds. With a rectangular flap opening to reveal a stri...
Category
19th Century Dutch Dutch Colonial Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
19th Century Louis XV Style Secretaire
Located in Belmont, MA
Exquisite French Louis XV style secrétaire with straight front adorned with beautiful flower marquetry made of kingwood, rosewood and boxwood veneer, drop front writing desk with fou...
Category
1890s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Materials
Satinwood
European Whitewashed Secretary Bookcase
Located in Westwood, NJ
A wonderful designed modernized 18th century style secretary bookcase with a whitewashed exterior, with a carved cartouche mounted the center of the arched and molded crown with carv...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Country Secretaires
Materials
Wood
$18,086 / item
Walnut and walnut burl Baroque Secretary à deux corps Saxony around 1760
Located in Münster, DE
Secretary à deux corps
Baroque, Saxony c. 1740, walnut and walnut burl veneer, sloping lid, 2-door top with sprung gable and beautiful interior division, 3-tier, double-arched chest...
Category
1760s German Baroque Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Nutwood
Louis XVI Secretary Bookcase, South German 1780, Cherry
Located in Belmont, MA
Louis XVI secretary bookcase, South German 1780.
Elegant and unique secretary bookcase with beautiful cherry veneer and Louis XVI style geometric ...
Category
1780s German Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Cherry
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 Antique Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Oak
Mid Century Walnut Burl Carved Secretary Writing Desk Bookcase Bureau Cabinet
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid Century Secretaire with bookcase, Circa 1940s. Features a rectangular frame made from walnut with burlwood front that opens via a drop front for use as a desk. Secretary desk i...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Walnut, Burl
$1,600 Sale Price
20% Off
Mid-19th Century Danish Biedermeier Secretary Bureau
Located in Round Top, TX
Mid-19th-century Danish Biedermeier secretary or "bureau" crafted in birch with a beautifully figured veneer. The upper cabinet features concave and convex doors, while the roll-top ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Birch
Cylinder Secretary Desk in Lucite Late 1980s Style Louis XVI
By Comatec
Located in Brussels, BE
Amazing very rare limited edition cylinder secretary desk in Lucite late 1980s
This is the best secretary kept in town: A fine art, exquisite...
Category
1980s Louis XVI Vintage Secretaires
19th Century Swedish Oak Ladies’ Writing Desk Secretary
Located in Round Top, TX
Swedish oak ladies’ writing desk or secretary featuring a Bombay-curved lower chest with three drawers. The side panels are carved with an X motif, and the case rests on a scalloped ...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Baroque Antique Secretaires
Materials
Iron
Scandinavian teak secretaire with carved handles
Located in Brescia, IT
1960s teak secretaire with pull-out top, three drawers at base, interior compartments and turned legs.
Scandinavian 1960s teak secretaire, featuring carved handles and tapered turne...
Category
1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Teak
Baroque Secretaire, Saxony Mid-18th Century
Located in Greding, DE
An elegant Baroque secretary cabinet from Saxony, crafted in the mid-18th century. The lower section consists of a three-drawer commode with a curved apron and S-shaped legs. Above, ...
Category
Mid-18th Century German Baroque Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
18th Century Painted Bureau
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Bold 18th century masculine painted oak bureau with a good fitted interior and hidden compartments. 1780.
Height to the underside of the fall front is 78cm.
Code: 8515
Dimensions:...
Category
18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires
Materials
Oak
vintage secretary cabinet 1960s Swedish
Located in Lemmer, NL
Vintage secretary cabinet 1960s Sweden
period 1960s
design unknown Sweden
condition good minor signs of wear missing flap lock;
size 96 x 90 x 46 cm (H x W x D)
details ...
Category
1960s Swedish Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Teak
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 piece stands out for its beautiful kingwood ...
Category
1760s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Materials
Kingwood, Mahogany
$13,200 Sale Price
40% Off
Early 19th Century Danish Mahogany Empire Inlaid Secretary Bureau
Located in Round Top, TX
Early 19th-century Danish Empire secretary bureau crafted in mahogany veneer with both bowfront and concave cabinet doors. The piece features elaborate inlay and marquetry throughout...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany, Leather
Mid Century Craftique Mahogany Secretery Chest of Drawers with Locks and Keys
Located in Germantown, MD
Mid Century Craftique Mahogany Secretery Chest of Drawers with Locks and Keys.
All drawers flawlessly opening and closing.
All four drawers with operating locks. Two keys present. Pu...
Category
20th Century American George III Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Early 19th Century Stunning Swedish Gustavian Secretary
Located in San Angelo, TX
Here is a stunning early 19th century Swedish Gustavian secretary. This secretary features a newer, professionally applied white and gray e...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Dutch Marquetry Burl Walnut Bombay Figural and Foliage Inlaid Desk, Circa 1850
Located in Charleston, SC
Dutch Marquetry burl walnut Bombay figural and foliage desk with exotic exterior inlays, fitted interior, three lower case drawers, original urn brasses, carved scalloped skirt, and ...
Category
1850s Dutch Dutch Colonial Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Small Secretary or Cabinet in Burl Walnut with Dome, 18 ° Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
rare small secretary in walnut from the 18th century of very good quality with its dome
English piece of furniture which stands out by its period, fro...
Category
18th Century British Georgian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
An antique English Secretaire
Located in Schellebelle, BE
Antique English Secretary Bureau in Burr Walnut Wood,
late 18 th Century,
the desk has a desirable aged and warm patine, the desk is in a per...
Category
1790s British Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Danish vintage teak secretary, vanity /Make up table By Arne Wahl Iversen, 1960
Located in Gaggenau, DE
Midcentury Danish vintage teak secretary, vanity /Make up table By Arne Wahl Iversen, 1960s
Usable as: desk / office / secretary / closet / dresser / Make up Table
Dimensions:
45 ...
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Teak
Fine and Rare Late 18th Century Russian Mahogany Roll Top Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine and rare original late 18thcentury Russian roll top secretary bookcase.
Category
Late 18th Century Baltic Baltic Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
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 constructed in two parts and is both architecturally and decoratively designed, featuring a...
Category
Mid-18th Century Danish Baroque Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
George III Mahogany Bureau Bookcase
Located in Essex, MA
With architectural broken pediment cornice over a pair of mirror doors opening to a fitted interior, the base with hinged slant lid with red leather surface opening to a fitted inter...
Category
1770s English George III Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
18th Century Baroque Walnut Tabernacle Secretaire with Marquetry, circa 1750
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Exceptional Baroque tabernacle secretaire from the 18th century, circa 1750. The piece is divided into three sections: the upper part with a central door concealing six small drawers...
Category
18th Century Austrian Baroque Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
$25,633 Sale Price
20% Off
Fine Two Piece Bookcase Secretary
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A finely constructed fruit wood bookcase on secretary stand. The bookcase with a recessed overhanging top and double doors with carved angled mullions opening to two shelves and with...
Category
20th Century Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Glass, Fruitwood
Hand Painted Secretary
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand painted and silver gilt secretary with inset original glass mirrored doors and fitted interior.
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mirror, Wood, Paint
$28,000
Continental Dutch Satinwood Secretary
Located in Queens, NY
Continental Dutch-style (18/19th Century) satinwood and inlaid trimmed drop front desk with chinoiserie decorated lacquered panels and brass gallery
Category
Late 18th Century European Chinoiserie Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
French Antique Transformation Chest of Drawers, circa 1800
Located in Belmont, MA
The French antique transformation furniture chest of drawers, originates from Paris and dates back to around 1800. The special feature of this...
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Kingwood, Rosewood, Satinwood
$9,600 Sale Price
20% Off
$32,536 Sale Price
40% Off
Baroque Secretaire à Trois Corps, 18th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Large Baroque secretaire on bun feet with a three-drawer commode base with a serpentine front, a writing surface at a height of 80 cm and a broken pediment top part. The doors and dr...
Category
18th Century European Baroque Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
19th Century Danish Biedermeier Bleached Mahogany Secretary
Located in Viterbo, VT
Biedermeier Secretary chest of drawers hand-made in Denmark in the early 1800s using mahogany. The piece is decorated with a masterly-laid book-matched mahogany burl veneer, and the ...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Early 18th Century Queen Anne Japanned Secretary Bookcase
Located in Essex, MA
Early 18th Century Queen Anne Japanned Secretary Bookcase, possibly Continental. Cartouche double arched top. Bevelled mirror doors. Bun Feet. ...
Category
Early 18th Century English Queen Anne Antique Secretaires
Materials
Hardwood
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 on wood and red leather top, see detailed pics.
Category
Early 19th Century French Charles X Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini Secrétaire and Wall Shelves
Located in Kent, Dover
An Italian secrétaire with three wall shelves by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini. In rosewood veneer, with brass handles and key and brushed gold legs.
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Beech
18th Century English Country Secretary in Hand-Carved Oak
Located in Dallas, TX
18th Century English Country Secretary in Hand-Carved Oak is a superlative example of the design, conceived as a piece that takes up no more space than a chest of drawers, but can se...
Category
1790s English Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Vintage Louis XV Style Minton Spidell Drop-Front Hand Painted Secretary Cabinet
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Louis XV Style Minton Spidell Drop-Front Hand Painted Secretary Cabinet
This Vintage Minton-Spidell Louis XV Style Drop-Front Secretary Cabinet...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Louis XV Secretaires
Materials
Gold Leaf
18th Century Italian Scriban
Located in London, Park Royal
18th century Italian scriban from Tuscany. Wax polished, walnut wood finish on the interior and a black lacquer patina with gilded highlights on t...
Category
18th Century Italian Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Antique 19th Century Biedermeier Secretary Desk
Located in Halle, DE
Secretary from the late Biedermeier period, approx. 1845-1860. With 4 lockable drawers and a writing flap. Behind the flap are 15 smaller drawers and a small door veneered with burl ...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
English Arts
Crafts Handmade Dark Stained Solid Oak Desk with Side Shelves
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Solid oak English Arts & Crafts desk with built in side shelves and removable top for ease of movement make this a practical gem. Original hardware perfectly intact and united by str...
Category
Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Secretaires
Materials
Oak
$4,760 Sale Price
20% Off
English Regency Rosewood Secretaire
Located in Queens, NY
English Regency rosewood secretaire cabinet with two upper shelves supported by a lyre form over a secretaire drawer fitted with a leather wri...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Regency Antique Secretaires
Materials
Rosewood
Antique Federal Period Tambour Secretary in Mahogany and Birdseye Maple c. 1800
Located in Westfield, MA
An exceptional Federal period tambour secretary, crafted around 1800, showcasing a sophisticated combination of figured mahogany and vibrant birdseye maple. This piece beautifully ex...
Category
Early 1800s American Federal Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bone, Birdseye Maple, Mahogany
Antique, New and Vintage Secretaires
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.
More Ways To Browse
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Ladies Secretary
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Red Secretary Desk
Renaissance Secretary
Secretary Desk Rococo
Antique Pine Secretary Desk
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Chinese Secretary Desk
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