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Secretaires For Sale
Late 19th Century English Secretaire Bookcase by Edwards
Roberts
Located in Dublin, IE
An exceptional late 19th century secretaire bookcase by Edwards & Roberts, the upper section with a pierced fretwork swan neck pediment with Greek key moulding. The twin astragal glazed doors open to reveal an adjustable shelved interior, having reeded canted corners. Constructed using the finest figured mahogany with satinwood and boxwood line inlaid detail. The lower section having figured mahogany top, banded in satinwood above a secretaire drawer depicting a central classical urn within a floral swags, enclosing six Satinwood drawers, six pigeon holes and a gilt tooled leather inset writing surface. The twin panelled doors again constructed from figured mahogany with boxwood, satinwood inlaid panels depicting classical urns within a floral border. Also having reeded canted corners and enclosing an adjustable shelve interior, resting on solid mahogany bracket feet.
Circa 1900
English
Artists Biography:
Edwards & Roberts was founded in 1845, and had premises at 21 Wardour Street London. By 1892 they occupied more than a dozen buildings in Wardour Street, where they continued to trade until the end of the century. They became one of the leading London cabinet makers and retailers working in a variety of styles, both modern and revivalist. Their business also involved retailing, adapting and restoring the finest antique furniture and there are many examples of their earlier furniture with later embellishments bearing their stamp. Edwards & Roberts specialized in marquetry, inlay and ormolu. Edwards & Roberts was one of the principal London companies working in the taste of the late 18th century. They started business in 1845 and by 1854 were trading as "Edwards & Roberts, 21 Wardour Street, Antique and Modern Cabinet Makers and Importers of Ancient Furniture". Wardour Street became an important furniture retailing area in the second half of the 19th century. The firm carried a fine and complete library...
Category
Late 19th Century English Edwardian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Antique French Provencial Style Quarter Sawn Oak Drop Front Secretary
Located in Pasadena, TX
This Country French aka French Provincial secretary was made at the turn of the century. Its constructs are quarter sawn oak and plain oak. The legs are in the cabriole manner and it...
Category
1910s American French Provincial Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Italian Baroque Ebonized and Eglomise Bureau Cabinet
Located in Essex, MA
Slightly arched top that may have held a bust at some point, over a middle section with drawers with reverse painted panels with scenes of ancient towns and ruins with a central mirr...
Category
1690s Italian Baroque Antique Secretaires
Materials
Pine
Art Deco Walnut Secretaire or Bureau with 4 drawers, Germany 1930s
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a very striking Art Deco Walnut secretaire or bureau. As you can see the bureau has a fine piano finish showing the best of the Walnut grain. There is a...
Category
1930s German Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
$2,560 Sale Price
20% Off
Mid-Century Modern Desk/Secretary by Maurice Pre and Janette Laverrière, 1958
Located in Brussels, BE
Dimensions D: 40 cm (15.75") H: 317 ( MAXIMAL HEIGHT) cm W: 80 cm (31.50")
Category
1950s French Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Antique George III Secretary with Bookcase c. Late 18th Century
Located in Westfield, MA
This late 18th century George III secretary with bookcase is a handsome and versatile piece of English furniture. Crafted from richly figured mahogany, it features a fall front desk ...
Category
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
French Upright Secrétaire Design Dry Bar, Siding Tambour Doors, Marble Top
Located in Madrid, ES
A 19th century, French secrétaire with beautiful feathered woodwork, eucalyptus fillet inlay with Louis XVI style detailing. The wood grain veneer is artfully arranged in geometric p...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Marble
18th Century Louis XV Secretary, France, 1770
Located in Belmont, MA
This exceptional French Louis XV secretary, crafted around 1770, is a stunning example of 18th-century craftsmanship. Featuring breathtaking ...
Category
1770s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Materials
Kingwood, Satinwood
18th Century Irish Mahogany Georgian Secretary with Sunflowers and Irish Hound
Located in Richmond, VA
18th century Irish mahogany Georgian secretary with mirrored doors, broken arch pediment and fitted interior. The pediment has Irish eye su...
Category
Mid-18th Century Irish George II Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mirror, Mahogany
Rare Highboy Secretary by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Elevate your home office or study with this monumental secretary cabinet conceived by iconic British-American architect T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings (b. 1903-1976) for his legendary mid-ce...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Brass
Mid 19th Century Walnut and Mahogany Secretaire
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A magnificent mid 19th century circa 1841 continental chest secretaire slant top with figured bookmatched walnut mahogany fletches. Includes two large lower drawers and a secret bow ...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany, Walnut, 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 ample storage space. Top, front and sides feature detailed marquetry inlay in geome...
Category
Early 19th Century Spanish Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Hardwood
Empire Secretary Desk, France 19th century
Located in Belmont, MA
French Empire Secretary Desk, 19th Century – Mahogany Veneer, Marble Top, Bronze Details
This stunning 19th-century French Empire secretary desk...
Category
1810s French Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Marble
Mid-Century Modern Secretary Cabinet, Walnut, Flap Door, Secret Drawer - France
Located in Girona, Girona
Walnut secretaire cabinet with a flap door and a secret drawer, French polish.
France, circa 1940.
Category
1940s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
STUNNiNG ANTIQUE CIRCA 1840 SHERATON REVIVAL LIBRARY BUREAU BOOKCASE ON DRAWERS
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely hand made in England, Sheraton Revival, Library Bureau bookcase circa 1840
Please note the deli...
Category
1840s English Victorian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Hardwood
Scandinavian 60
s Style Solid Wood Sideboard Danish Bar Commode
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Scandinavian desk or chest of drawers from the 60's, structure in veneered and solid rosewood. This small desk is composed of a folding top with a leather under hand and various clev...
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Brass
VINTAGE MILiTARY CAMPAIGN SECRETAIRE CHEST OF DRAWERS WITH AGED RED LEATHER
Located in Pulborough, GB
Antiques of London
A fine quality vintage military campaign secretaire chest of drawers, beautifully crafted in striking figured hardwood with brass-mounted corners and recessed ...
Category
20th Century British Secretaires
Materials
Hardwood
Saturne Wall Desk
By Elise Fouin, Drugeot
Located in Courbevoie, FR
When Saturne becomes half-moon: with a beautiful decorative panel in oak, Saturne highlights the beauty of solid wood. The LED ribbon behind makes it an original wall lamp. Lifted in...
Category
2010s French Secretaires
Materials
Oak
$1,542 / item
SECOND HALF OF THE 19th CENTURY SMALL STANDING DESK
Located in Firenze, FI
Elegant small piece of furniture in carved solid walnut, with a folding top for standing writing. This piece of furniture was created to be used as a vertical desk, the top opens wit...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
18th century Rococo Secretary Desk, Germany 1750
Located in Leimen, DE
Exquisite Antique Rococo Secretary Desk, Germany, c. 1750
A true collector’s gem, this Rococo secretary desk from Germany, circa 1750, embodies 18th-century elegance and craftsmanshi...
Category
1750s German Rococo Antique Secretaires
Materials
Kingwood
Fine George III Flame-Figured Mahogany Secretaire Cabinet
Located in New York, NY
The arched pediment centered by paneled roundel, over two glazed doors with pointed astragals opening to a chartreuse silk-lined interior with shelves; the lower part with a pullout ...
Category
Early 1800s English George III Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Important Louis XVI Cherrywood Secretary 18th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Surprising and rare Louis XVI secretary in cherrywood from the 18th century
Uncommon secretary given its large size of 1m74 and its very beautiful interior
Very beautiful patina an...
Category
18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Cherry
Empire Secrétaire Bottega Maggiolini Walnut Italy 19th Century
Located in Milano, IT
Secrétaire consisting of drawer under the plan, tilting door, with cabinet and two drawers at the bottom. Veneered in pedulle walnut and inlaid in various woods. The secrétaire is bi...
Category
19th Century Italian Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Secretary in Rio Rosewood by Dyrlund
By Dyrlund
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian writing desk of rosewood, front with two drawers and folding top, behind which shelves and drawers. Manufact...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Rosewood
Wood and parchment secretaire by Englander
Bonta, Argentina, circa 1940.
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Wood and parchment secretaire by Englander & Bonta, Argentina, circa 1940.
Englander & Bonta where two European designer that migrated to Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1930 and manufact...
Category
1940s Argentine Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Parchment Paper
English Regency Mahogany Fall Front Secretary w/ Bookcase on Splay Feet, C. 1800
Located in Charleston, SC
English Regency Mahogany fall front secretary bookcase with carved molded edge cornice, flanking hinged diamond mullion glass doors revealing six interior adjustable shelves, interio...
Category
Early 1800s English Regency Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
18th century, Italian Solid Walnut Wood Trumeau
Located in IT
18th century, Italian solid walnut wood Trumeau
Measures: height cm 239, width cm 122, depth cm 52, depth raised cm 30
Elegant Trumeau, made in piedmont, north of Italy, in th...
Category
Mid-18th Century Italian Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
Tall Mid-Century Highboy Drop Front Secretary
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Unique highboy dresser with burl wood drop font writing surface with fitted insert. Additional storage drawers above and below. Please confirm item location (NY or NJ) with dealer.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Walnut, Burl
PORTUGUESE SECRETARY 19th Century in Rosewood
Located in Madrid, ES
SECRETARY
Portuguese 19th Century
in rosewood and other woods.
Twisted and shaky, front with eight drawers and one drawer, sides and padded back.
Brass hardware.
Dim.: 80 x 140 x 75...
Category
19th Century Portuguese Renaissance Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
"Swedish Grace" Period Secretary
Located in New York, NY
Grace was the inspiration for this lovely birch secretary which makes working from home a joy! Three locking drawers sit beneath a generous drop-front with 6 interior drawers, a pair...
Category
1920s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Birch
Louis XV Style Kingwood Bureau de Dame by Alphonse Giroux et Cie
Located in Montreal, QC
This parquetry desk has the attributes one would expect when bearing the name to one of Paris leading retailers of objet deluxe. It is bombe...gently swelling and raised on cabriole legs. It is applied with oval porcelain panels which we have not dismounted but are to Sevres standard. It extensively mounted with bronze chutes sabots and moldings of various sorts. Including a bronze pierced plaque with the monogram of the owner. It is in a small way, highly evocative of 19th century Paris at its best.
This company flourished between the consulate and 1867 when it closed. It enjoyed Royal patronage and was certainly a leading supplier of luxury goods of the highest quality.
Maison Giroux, the famous curiosity and luxury goods shop, was situated at No. 7 rue du Coq-Saint-Honoré and in business from the time of the Consulate until the end of the Second Empire. The business was founded in 1799 by Francis Simon Alphonse Giroux, cabinetmaker and official restorer of Notre Dame. “Maison Alphonse Giroux” also known as “Giroux & Cie” specialized in producing ornate objects d’art and technically sophisticated furniture. Patronized by various members of the French Royal Family, including Louis XVIII, Charles X, Henri...
Category
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
Early 19th Century Dutch Floral Marquetry Bureau Display Cabinet
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
The moulded cornice above two shaped glass panelled doors opening to shelves, the lower part with a hinged sloping fall front opening to reveal a fitted interior with a central door ...
Category
19th Century Dutch Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Materials
Ormolu
$7,713 Sale Price
51% Off
20th Century French Louis XV Walnut Marquetry Secretary Chest with Marble Top
Located in Dallas, TX
Place this elegant, antique "Secretaire a Battant" in an office or a bedroom. Crafted in Paris circa 1920, the tall fruitwood secretary stands on cabriole legs ending with bronze sabots feet over a scalloped apron. The cabinet features intricate marquetry and parquetry decor, decorative bronze mounts, and is topped with a black marble top. The cabinet has classical and straight lines, and many useful compartments, including four large drawers across the front (one at the top, three at the bottom). The cabinet has a center door decorated with floral motifs, which pulls down to reveal a fully outfitted inside theater. The inside has five drawers, (including a large one at the top and bottom), and a wide open niche for books and letters...
Category
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
W029 Cabinet, Citronnier Wood
Marble with Gilt Bronze
Gold, Zanaboni
By Zanaboni
Located in MEDA, IT
W029 is a masterpiece cabinet in citronnier, with 46 marble “Bianco B” elements, crystal bowls, 70 Kg of brass details finishing gold 24 Kts, bas-relief in marble, inlaid in mother o...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Deco Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Lovely Mixed Wood Inlay French Secretary
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Exceptional classic French secretary having stunning floral inlay on all sides with a variety of different color woods. The interior features 6 drawers, an open shelf, and addition...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Kingwood, Satinwood
$2,080 Sale Price
20% Off
French Walnut Secrétaire á Abbatant
Located in Faversham, GB
A beautiful walnut Secrétaire à Abattant in the Empire style of the 19th century,
The top bears a rounded rectangular fossil marble top above a substantial fall door, inlaid with a ...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Revival Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Antique 18th Century Dutch Burled Walnut Secretary Bookcase with Antique Mirror
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique 18th century Dutch Burled walnut secretary bookcase with fitted interior and antique mirror.
Category
18th Century Dutch Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut, Mirror
English Chippendale Mahogany
Satinwood Fall Front Secretary w/ Bookcase C 1780
Located in Charleston, SC
English Chippendale mahogany and satinwood fall front secretary / bookcase with a molded edge pendent cornice, flanking upper case hinged original glass doors revealing removable int...
Category
1780s English Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Dark blue secretary desk in wood, scandinavian design by Eric Gizard, Paris
By Éric Gizard
Located in Landivy, FR
ÉGÉE collection
This secretary desk is part of the ÉGÉE collection designed by Eric Gizard in Paris. Eric combines the sleek and refined codes of Scandinavian design with natural materials and muted and "trendy" colorful lacquers. This collection is made of French solid and veneer ash wood.
This ÉGÉE desk is ideal for an efficient home or remote work with your laptop and smartphone. The storage space behind the flap is for your screen and you can easily store your paperwork in the removable shelves.
The 2 horizontal shelves and the 2 vertical storage...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Materials
Ash, Wood, Lacquer
Empire or Biedermeier Secretary Mahogany, 1815
Located in Berlin, DE
Very well preserved conical secretary with stepped head
Front with multiply mirrored pyramid mahogany
entire surface with original shellac hand polish
high-quality cabinet part with thread intarsia and leg buttons
very elaborate workmanship and rare furniture...
Category
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Extraordinary Signed Zwiener Ormolu Mounted Lady
s Secretary
Located in Cypress, CA
Extraordinary Ormolu mounted marquetry kingwood lady's desk, signed Swiener, also dated 1902 and bearing an initial of the persons that it was made for (see attached photo).
Meticulous attention has been given to every details.
Jean-Henri Jansen (1854-1928) founded the famous interior decoration firm of Maison Jansen in 1880. Manufacturing revival and
Nouveau furniture he became Fournisseur de la...
Category
Early 1900s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Materials
Ormolu
George III Mahogany Desk or Secretary Attributed to Gillows, English 1790
Located in Rome, IT
George III amazing cabinet desk or secretary in mahogany wood, brass and leather with a drawers attributed to Gillows of Lancaster, circa 1780.
The secretary in the photo was exhib...
Category
1780s British George III Antique Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Brass
French 18th C. Louis XV/XVI Transitional Ormolu Mounted Secretaire by RVLC
Located in PARIS, FR
A Louis XV/XVI transitional ormolu mounted tulipwood secretaire by RVLC
Rare and elegant secretary of elliptical shape, veneered on all sides of rosewood with herringbone decoration...
Category
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
$30,261 Sale Price
25% Off
20th Century Unique French Secretary in Louis XVI Style
Located in Berlin, DE
Various veneer on solid wood. Built by the Ebenisten Jean Henri Riesener. High rectangular body. In the front two doors. Behind the writing board is an architecturally richly structu...
Category
20th Century French Secretaires
Materials
Wood
19th Century Southern German Secretaire, Cherry, Biedermeier circa 1830
Located in Greven, DE
Plain Biedermeier Secretaire
South-West Germany
Cherry
Biedermeier circa 1830
Dimensions: H x W x D: 149 x 101 x 52 cm
Description:
Secretary standing on blackened block feet with...
Category
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Cherry
Antique French Chinoiserie Secretaire à abbantant
Located in Baambrugge, NL
Antique French Chinoiserie secretaire à abbantant.
This cabinet is finished with bamboo trims arond rattan finish chinoisery laquered bla...
Category
Early 20th Century French Secretaires
Materials
Bamboo, Rattan, Oak
Superb Parchment Covered Desk by Primavera, Art Deco, France, 1930
s
By Primavera
Located in Paris, FR
Superb Art Deco desk/secretaire by Primavera. It is made of a beech wood structure, all faces entirely covered with leather (parchment). All angles are reinforced with chromed metal....
Category
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Chrome
19th Century Antique English Display Secretaire, Mahogany
Located in Berlin, DE
19th Century Antique English Display Secretaire, Mahogany
Solid wood, manufactured to a high quality. The display cabinet has a pull-out function and can be used as a secretary than...
Category
19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Glass, Mahogany
Scandinavian vintage birch secrétaire with inlays
Located in Brescia, IT
Scandinavian 1950s birchwood secrétaire with inlaid roll lock, brass handles, and original key included.
Understated lines and classic taste meet in this Scandinavian 1950s "Secréta...
Category
1950s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Brass
English Regency Sheraton-Style Secretary and Bookcase
Located in Dallas, TX
English Regency period mahogany and satinwood two-piece secretary cabinet. Pine secondary wood. Top section having a shaped cornice with an ebonized lion medallion flanked by sphinxe...
Category
Late 18th Century English Regency Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Desk, Secretaire, Moorish Inlays
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Desk - Secretaire - Moorish inlays
Origin and marquetry of Morocco
Circa 1930. very good condition
Leather interior with wear and tear
Measurements w...
Category
1930s Moroccan Moorish Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Wood
$1,440 Sale Price
20% Off
Wooden Writing Desk with Drawers and Folding Door
Located in Marbella, ES
Wooden Writing Desk with Drawers and Folding Door
Category
19th Century European Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Arne Vodder Rosewood Vanity Dresser
Located in Oakland, CA
circa 1955 Brazilian rosewood vanity with flip-top mirror and lights. Crafted of stunning Brazilian Rosewood with dark grains and dynamic book-matched patterns across the front of dr...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Rosewood
Scandinavian Style Secretary Desk in Walnut
Located in Paris, FR
Beautifull handmade Nordic style compact desk made of solid walnut wood offering a real storage solution with three drawers, one secret compartment and tw...
Category
2010s Portuguese Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
$7,761 / item
Bonheur Du Jour Drawer by MOB
Located in Geneve, CH
Bonheur Du Jour drawer by MOB
Limited editions of 15 + 1 prototype
Designer: Fala Atelier (Portugal)
Dimensions: H 200 x D 30 x W 65 cm
Material: Ash w...
Category
2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Secretaires
Materials
Marble
$15,664 / item
Unique Austrian Empire Secretary/Writing Desk, Mahogany, 1820s Austria
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Empire secretary or writing desk, (Cylinder)
Material: Mahogany.
Completely restored, Shellac polish.
Period: 1820-1829
Source: Austria, Wien.
Category
1820s Austrian Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Mahogany, Lacquer
$6,764 Sale Price
40% Off
American Federal Period Mahogany Secretary Chest with Eagle Inlay, New England
Located in Norwood, NJ
A handsome American Federal period mahogany secretary chest, stylistically attributable to New England, (possibly Boston or Salem, Massachusetts), circa 1800–1820. The piece reflects...
Category
Early 19th Century American Federal Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
18th-Century English Georgian Secretary
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare 18th-century English Georgian-style secretary or butler chest, never restored with original patina, three drawers with secretary in top drop drawer, original hardware, dove tail...
Category
18th Century English Georgian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
$1,050 Sale Price
30% Off
Mid-Century Modern Secretary Desk Bookcase Cabinet By Heywood-Wakefield
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This American-Made Mid-Century Modern bookcase with secretary desk is by furniture maker Heywood-Wakefield. The model is M328 and was part of their Modern line that appeared during t...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Maple
19th Century Flemish Louis XIV Secretary or Bookcase with Embossed Brass
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century Flemish Louis XIV secretary or bookcase with embossed brass combines the talents of a master furniture crafter with the artistry of a metal sculptor! Fashioned with a cl...
Category
Mid-19th Century Belgian Louis XIV Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
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.
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