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Secretaires For Sale
Antique Austrian Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary Desk Tabernacle Cabinet 1820
Located in Portland, OR
A fine, elegant, antique Austrian mahogany Biedermeier secretary desk cabinet, circa 1820.
The cabinet in two sections, the top with a curved architectural pediment, below is a curved door tabernacle cupboard, flanked by a pair of columns with gilt bronze bases and capitals. The base with a series of four graduated drawers with shield shaped lock-plate escutcheons inlaid with bone, to the center is a fall front writing surface enclosing a fitted interior with a series of drawers, pigeon holes and a central locking door, the doors and drawers are inlaid with satinwood stringing. All the locks are fully operational and keys are present.
The cabinet is raised upon a plinth base, the secretary cabinet is made from the finest figured Cuban mahogany, condition is very good, no condition issues or restoration. This very elegant Biedermeier secretary cabinet...
Category
1820s Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Ormolu
Danish teak cabinet and writing desk / bar, by Arne Vodder, 1960s
By Arne Vodder, Sibast
Located in The Hague, NL
Beautiful teak secretary desk from the 1960s.
This charming piece features organically shaped solid teak handles and distinctive aluminium legs with teak feet. The pull-down front re...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Metal
19th Century Swedish Pine Secretary Bureau
Located in Round Top, TX
19th-century Swedish pine secretary featuring traditional carved fluted diamonds on the upper doors.
This secretary has been given a newer professionally layered painted finish—black...
Category
19th Century Swedish Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Materials
Pine
George III English Antique Mahogany Bookcase Secretary Desk circa 1780
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Immerse yourself in the timeless elegance of this distinguished George III Secretary Bookcase, a testament to unparalleled craftsmanship and refined proportions. Crafted with meticul...
Category
1790s English George III Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Late 19th Century Charles X Style Letter Storage Desk Cabinet
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A antique desk cabinet for storing letters and cards. Made of wood veneer with foliage wood inlay. Made in France, circa 1870-1880
Note: one of th...
Category
1880s French Charles X Antique Secretaires
Materials
Fruitwood
Louis Phillipe North German Fall-Front Secretary in Flame Mahogany, circa 1855
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A captivating one of a kind Louis Phillip secretary in book-matched, flame mahogany with shaped, curvi-linear drawer fronts and faux drawer fronts on the fall-front and the sides. Of...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
English 19th Century Regency Secretary Figured Mahogany
Located in Atlanta, GA
English 19th Century Regency Secretary Figured Mahogany with Flat Moulded Top, Cabinet Doors and Turned Feet
Category
19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Georgian Flame Mahogany Slant Front Secretary Writing Desk Bureau
Located in Dayton, OH
Exquisite antique early 19th century secretary writing storage desk. Made of flame mahogany featuring Georgian styling with three large dovetailed drawers and a drop front that open...
Category
19th Century American American Colonial Antique Secretaires
Materials
Birdseye Maple, Mahogany
$2,625 Sale Price
30% Off
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Pinewood Secretary - Antique Scandinavian Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 19th Century, antique Swedish Gustavian one part bureau, secretary made of hand crafted painted Pinewood, in good condition. The Scandinavian writing table, desk is composed with a...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Metal
George III Mahogany Secretary
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
George III mahogany secretary, late 18th century. Pediment with dental molding, two glass doors with through mullions, two adjustable shelves and four drawers on the bottom, a central single board slant top, interior with central prospect door flanked by 4 letter slots and 7 drawers, below are 4 graduated drawers with cock beaded moldings, all drawers with locks stamped "Sam Hall...
Category
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Late 18th Century Black Oak Secretary Bureau from Denmark
Located in Round Top, TX
This oak rococo secretary reflects the timeless Scandinavian styling from the late 1700's.
The slight serpentine curves of the drawers rest on simple yet becoming carved sides and fe...
Category
Late 18th Century Danish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Custom Made Secretaire Cabinet, Chrome Plated Metal, Lacquered And Veneered Wood
By GMD Berlin
Located in Berlin, DE
Tubular steel secretaire-cabinet made of lacquered and veneered wood.
Customizable, production time c. 12 weeks.
Category
2010s German Bauhaus Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Biedermeier Lyra Secretary Desk, circa 1830
Located in Greding, DE
Elaborately crafted Biedermeier Lyra secretary featuring an oval upper section with a narrow drawer and a small profiled pedestal. The piece rests on a ...
Category
1830s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
George III Bureau Desk or Secretary Chest of Mahogany from the 18th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A fine George III slant top desk or bureau secretary chest of patinated mahogany, c.1770 - an inlaid slant front drops to reveal a series of small drawers and document compartments, ...
Category
18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Brass
19th Century Russian Antique Veneered Mahogany Secretary by Heinrich Gambs
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique Russian secretary with a writing flap made of hand crafted shellac polished, partly veneered Mahogany, designed and produced by Heinrich G...
Category
Early 19th Century Russian Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Brass
Antique Walnut Slant Front Queen Anne Style Secretary Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Late 19th century English Queen Anne style slant front desk with three drawers & inner compartments.
Category
19th Century English Queen Anne Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Antique English Fall Front Secretary Desk in Oak
Located in Meer, VAN
Antique Fall Front Secretary Desk in solid oak, England, late 18th to early 19th Century.
This is a wonderful English antique fall front secretary desk in solid oak with brass fitti...
Category
Early 19th Century British George III Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Elegant Mahogany Empire Secretary Desk with Satinwood Intarsia
Located in Kastrup, DK
This small charming Empire secretary desk, crafted in Copenhagen around 1810, consists of three sections.
The upper section has three doors: a l...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bone, Leather, Mahogany, Maple, Satinwood
$1,521 Sale Price
40% Off
19th Century Empire Walnut Secretary
Located in Houston, TX
French first Empire period Secretaire à Abattant, also known as a drop-front secretary, fall front or cantilevered desk. Under the dark grey marble top is a secret, entablature drawe...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
English 19th Century Sheraton Secretary
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A slender mahogany bureau bookcase with secretary desk, made in England, circa 1820. The secretary’s upper body is crowned with a broken pediment–a classic Sheraton feature–above gla...
Category
19th Century English Sheraton Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
French 19th Century Louis Philippe Style Commode with Secretary
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A gorgeous 19th century French mahogany secretary style desk, designed as a classic Louis Philippe commode incorporating the work surface and storage compartments into the top “drawe...
Category
19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Materials
Marble, Iron
19th Century Biedermeier Nutwood Secretary Desk/ Secretaire, Austria ca. 1820/25
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Splendid early 19th century Biedermeier secretaire/ secretary desk from the renowed period in Vienna/ Austria around 1820/25. A spectacular, early example of a Biedermeier secretary which has been venereed with finest mirror-matched nutwood, showing an extraordinary grain - just see how elegantly the grain pattern runs down from the top to the base without any visible interuption. This perfect sized Biedermeier secretaire impresses with its cambered worked doors, a drawer on the top and a fold-down writing surface. Influenced by the previous empire epoch, this superb, antique secretary is adorned by two beautifully worked full columns. When you fold down the lockable writing surface, the amazing designed interior opens up to the viewer´s eye: 9 small drawers and another large one on top, architecturally structured with ebonized column decoration and the still original mirror (unfortunately cracked - see picture#18) in the back. Artfully worked brass applications with lion heads finalize the spectacular look. Traditionally hand polished with ruby shellac, which gives the surface this lovely slight red brown tone, this breathtaking early Biedermeier secretary...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
18th C Style George I Red Chinoiserie Decorated Secretary Desk by Burton-Ching
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
18th C Style George I Red Chinoiserie Decorated Secretary Desk by Burton-Ching.
Category
2010s American Georgian Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Antique Oak Drop Front Secretary Desk Bookcase Bookshelf Console 65"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Early American style secretary desk / bookcase / writing bureau / larkin / chalet . Made of oak featuring a serpentine design with drop front that opens to multiple cubbies ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Colonial Secretaires
Materials
Oak
$822 Sale Price
30% Off
Biedermeier Secretaire With Hidden Compartements And Rare Mechanism, circa 1815
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Biedermeier secretary with rare mechanism
Middle German
Cherry
Biedermeier circa 1815
Dimensions: H x W x D: 180 x 128 x 63 cm
Description:
Antique cylinder secretary in m...
Category
1810s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Cherry
English secretary bookcase Arts&Crats 1910
Located in Meulebeke, BE
This English secretary bookcase in arts & crafts style is a beautiful piece of furniture that expresses both elegance and functionality. The secretary bookcase was made around 1910 i...
Category
1910s English Arts and Crafts Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Copper
19th Century German Writing Chest, Biedermeier Secretaire, circa 1825
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Biedermeier Chest of Drawers / Secretary
Southern Germany (Franconia)
Walnut
Biedermeier around 1825
Dimensions: H x W x D: 98 x 116 x 57 cm
Description:
Three-drawer piec...
Category
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Cherry, Walnut
National Cash Register Co.
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
National Cash Register Co. Brass Cash Register, Early 1900s, on wooden plinth.
Category
Early 1900s American Industrial Antique Secretaires
Materials
Iron
Queen Anne Secretary Desk, C. 1750
Located in Doylestown, PA
A Queen Anne period double dome secretary desk in walnut, circa 1750, with glass mullion doors, candle slides and fitted interior, above a bank of drawers with brass pulls and escutc...
Category
Mid-18th Century English Queen Anne Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
$3,600 Sale Price
44% Off
Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Two Piece
Located in Bradenton, FL
Spanish Chinoiserie Secretary Desk, two parts. Desk features a lower chest with four storage drawers (two small drawers over two larger drawers), p...
Category
Mid-20th Century Spanish Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Queen Anne Secretary Desk 19th Century
Located in Fulton, CA
A 19th century Queen Anne secretary desk crafted in solid mahogany with flame mahogany detail. Fitted interior with pigeon hole and drawer storage...
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Queen Anne Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Chinoiserie Lacquer Secretaire Bookcase
Located in Bradenton, FL
This Chinoiserie secretary is an elegant and intricately designed piece of furniture that combines the functional aspects of a writing desk with the aesthetic elements of Chinoiserie...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Lacquer
$3,900 Sale Price
25% Off
20th Century Inlaid Wood French Napoleon III Style Roll-Top Bureau Desk, 1920s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
French roll-top bureau from the early 20th century. Napoleon III style furniture richly inlaid with floral decorations in mahogany, walnut, maple, bone and precious woods. Bureau equ...
Category
1920s French Napoleon III Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Wood
French 19th Century Secretaire
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This Louis-Philippe Secretaire Desk is made of blond flamed mahogany with a Sainte-Anne marble top with a lot of drawers.
Category
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Materials
Marble
Italian Florentine Giltwood Bureau Secretary Butlers Desk Chest
Located in Forney, TX
A Florentine carved cream painted parcel gilt slant-top desk bureau with nicely aged dark warm distressed patina over the whole!
Crafted in Florence, Italy, circa pre-1940, executed...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Antique French Louis XVI Secretary Chest Commode, Carrara Marble
Located in Senonches, Centre-Val de Loire
Antique French Louis XVI secretary chest of drawers topped with a white Carrara marble, fluted legs finished with golden bronze clogs and thorough dressed in bronze and brass details...
Category
1940s French Louis XVI Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Carrara Marble
Antique Georgian Mahogany Bookcase Secretary Collectors Doctors Cabinet 1790
Located in Portland, OR
A very rare antique George III English Mahogany secretary bookcase, with a fitted collector's or doctor's cabinet to the base, circa 1790.
The bookcase in two sections; the top section with a flared cornice with a frieze of dentil molding below, the bookcase with twin glazed doors with intersecting curvilenear astragals, the doors enclosing a pair of adjustable shelves.
The base having a deep drawer with a locking fall front desk, fitted with a tooled & gilded leather writing surface, and a fitted interior with pigeonholes with removable doors and drawers each fitted with an oval gilded name label. Below are a pair of locking doors enclosing an elaborately fitted interior; comprising one long shallow tray shaped drawer above a host of 13 drawers of various sizes, all with the original brass hardware and corresponding oval gilded name tag, to the left side is a file space.
The secretary bookcase is raised on bracket feet with a shaped skirt, it is made from the finest figured Cuban mahogany, all original finish and hardware. Georgian bookcase secretaries...
Category
1790s English Georgian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Modernist Secretary Cabinet, Lacquered Wood, Chrome-Plated Metal, Customizable
By GMD Berlin
Located in Berlin, DE
German modernism free-standing secretary cabinet designed and manufactured by GMD Berlin. Wood lacquering in various colors and finish. Available on request in different amounts.
Category
2010s German Modern Secretaires
Materials
Steel
Iconic vintage dutch design CU07 Cabinet by Cees Braakman for Pastoe
By Pastoe, Cees Braakman
Located in Meulebeke, BE
The Netherlands / CU07 cabinet / Pastoe / Cees Braakman / metal, teak / Vintage / Mid-century
Highboard CU07 designed by the Dutch designer Cees Braakman in 1958 for Pastoe. This mo...
Category
1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Metal
Biedermeier Walnut and Root Walnut Secretary, South Germany circa 1840
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Charming small Biedermeier Secretary from Southern Germany, crafted around 1840. The piece impresses with its fine walnut and walnut-root veneer on a solid pine body, polished to a w...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Birch, Pine, Walnut
$4,616 Sale Price
28% Off
French 19th Century Walnut Secretary Desk
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A wonderful walnut secretary desk from 19th century France. The desk can be separated into two bodies: a lower writing surface, and the upper glass-front cabinet. The top cabinet ha...
Category
19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut, Leather, Glass
1930s Rockford Furniture Jacobean Style Handcrafted Secretary Desk
Located in Germantown, MD
A Jacobean-style slant front Hancrafted and handcarved by the renowned Rockford Chair and Furniture Company. Founded in 1876 by Swedish settlers, the company has a rich heritage of f...
Category
Early 20th Century Jacobean Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Tessellated Black Marble Brass Inlay Secretary Desk by Maitland Smith
Located in Houston, TX
Maitland Smith 20th Century tessellated black marble Secretary. This phenomenal and monumental cabinet is enrobed in polished black marble with ...
Category
20th Century Hollywood Regency Secretaires
Materials
Malachite, Brass
Louis XV Style Folding Desk with One Drawer, 1950
Located in Miami, FL
Louis XV style folding desk with one drawer. An exceptional Louis XV style desk, made of early Italian antique oak wood.
This piece screams high quality. Beautiful grain and patina....
Category
Mid-20th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
19C Large Irish Georgian Style Secretary Bookcase
Located in Dallas, TX
PRESENTING a STUNNING 19C Large Irish Georgian Style Secretary Bookcase.
From circa 1850-60 and most definitely, “IRISH”.
Made of gorgeous flamed Cuban mahogany which would have been imported from the British Colonies at the end of the 18th Century and early 19th Century.
This piece of is of IMPRESSIVE PROPORTIONS.
It is a real STATEMENT piece and of EXTREMELY HIGH QUALITY.
It has a very ‘Regency Style’ pelmet or crown with egg and dart moldings under a very straight line crown.
The top section consists of a 4 door bookcase, each with 3 shelving areas. It appears to retain it’s original glass, but it could likewise have been replaced at some time during it’s long life, as it is very rare to find pieces that have not suffered breakages over 150+ years.
Each bookcase door still retains the original moldings to the front with a star shape above and below a central circular viewing panel.
Each section is separated by a carved and fluted roman column/pillar.
The bookcase section rests on top of the base, which consists of a beautiful central secretaire desk accessed by drop down front with working lock and key and rests on 2 pull out rests on either side. The secretary portion has a central tabernacle, with an inlaid oval satinwood medallion above another scallop shell drawer. It has 6 smaller drawers and 8 cubbies. The 2 pillars on either side of the central tabernacle are secret drawers and pull out. The curved crowns above the cubbies on either side are likewise secret drawers and pull out.
Either side of the secretary there are 2 drawers (4 total) with a press or cupboard underneath.
Under the secretary there are 4 large central drawers.
The brasses and hardware are all original to the piece (save 2 extra hinges that have been attached to the drop down secretary to give it more support and stability.
Again, each section is separated by a turned and fluted column/pillar which replicates the 2 side pillars to the central tabernacle of the secretary.
The piece sits on 8 curved feet.
This was an extremely high quality piece when made. This is also supported by the fact that the secondary woods are also mahogany and not pine or oak for slightly lesser quality pieces of the era.
This piece is specifically identifiable as an Irish Georgian Style piece by virtue of the scallop shell moldings on the base side presses (see photos).
Irish Georgian furniture...
Category
Mid-19th Century Irish George III Antique Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Mahogany, Satinwood
Modernist Secretary Showcase, Lacquered Wood, Chrome-Plated Metal, Customizable
By GMD Berlin
Located in Berlin, DE
German modernism 'Dahlem' secretary showcase designed and manufactured by GMD Berlin. Wood lacquering in various colors and finish. Available on reque...
Category
2010s German Modern Secretaires
Materials
Steel
Fine Etched Mirror Door Olivewood Italian Rococo Secretary Desk with Figures
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Grand Scale Italian Olivewood Secretary Desk with Etched Courtship Scene, Circa 19th Century
This magnificent grand-scale olivewood secretary desk is a true masterpiece of European ...
Category
1940s Italian Rococo Revival Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Art Deco Secrétaire
Located in New York, NY
A practical desk which leaves no aesthetic compromise with its lovely bookmatched mahogany veneer adorning both the inside and outside of the case. Internal drawers are adorned with ...
Category
1930s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
$4,750
Charak Ball
Claw Mahogany 4 Drawers Drop Front Secretary Dresser MINT
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Charak Ball & Claw Mahogany 4 Drawers Drop Front Secretary Dresser MINT
Category
20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Outstanding Red and Yellow Ornate Large Venetian Painted Secretary Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This outstanding Venetian painted secretary desk is a true statement piece, showcasing the artistry and craftsmanship of Italy’s finest furniture traditions. Standing tall and elegan...
Category
1920s Italian Neoclassical Revival Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Birch Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in New York, NY
Constructed of solid birch and fir and veneered with hand-cut Nordic birch veneers, the secretary features an upper locking drawer which rests upon a fitted desk area hiding behind a...
Category
19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Birch, Fir
Antique Danish Biedermeier Pine Secretary Desk With Blue Leather
Located in Centennial, CO
A stately antique circa 1900 Danish Biedermeier style secretary desk crafted out of gorgeous straight grain pine with original brass hardware. From top to bottom the desk has a stora...
Category
Late 19th Century Danish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Mahogany Secretary Desk
Located in Annville, PA
This Mahogany Secretary Desk from Niagara Furniture has all the outstanding qualities of an antique original. Made of select mahogany solids and maho...
Category
2010s Renaissance Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
$2,920 / item
Mahogany Secretary Desk
Located in Annville, PA
The Mahogany Secretary Desk from Niagara Furniture. This reproduction slant front writing desk has all the outstanding qualities of an antique origina...
Category
2010s Renaissance Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
$3,905 / item
Fine Early 18th Century Queen Anne Burl Walnut Secretary Bookcase
Located in Miami, FL
Fine Early 18th Century Queen Anne Burl Walnut Secretary Bookcase
English Queen Anne Period Burl Walnut Secretary Desk and Bookcase, circa 1710
A fine 18th century English Queen Ann...
Category
18th Century English Queen Anne Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Hepplewhite Style Apprentice Miniature Secretary Chest
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a stunning Hepplewhite style apprentice miniature secretary chest.
Made in England circa 1900-10 this piece is a miniature of much la...
Category
Early 20th Century English Hepplewhite Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Danish Modern Mummenthaler
Meier Style Teak Secretary Desk Cabinet
Located in Germantown, MD
A Mid Century Danish Modern Mummenthaler & Meier Style Teak Secretary Desk Cabinet .
Measures 39.5" in width, 20.5" in depth and 40.25" in height. Knee clearance is 28.5 and pull out...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Teak
Antique Italian Renaissance Revival Walnut Figural Carved Writing Desk 52"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Neo-Renaissance Revival writing desk. Made of walnut featuring Neoclassical styling with high relief figural carvings of cher...
Category
Late 19th Century Renaissance Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
$3,290 Sale Price
30% Off
Burled Secretary Desk
Located in Annville, PA
This Burled Secretary Desk from Niagara Furniture has all the features of an antique original. Made of high quality mahogany solids and burled veneers...
Category
2010s Chippendale Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Wood
$3,905 / item
Peter Hvidt
Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen Cabinet Bookshelf Teak 1960
s Denmark
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A classic, minimalist, open book case-cabinet by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for Søborg DK. Beautiful teak with dovetail joints and nice details. The teak has turned to a dar...
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Teak
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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