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Secretaires For Sale
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
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
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
Late 19th Century Military Campaign Chest of Drawers, Secretary, Victorian, 1890
Located in Greven, DE
Antique ship's or captain's secretary, so-called Military Campaign Chest of Drawers
England
Mahogany, brass
Victorian around 1890
Dimensions: H x W x D: 135 x 92 x 52 cm
D...
Category
Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
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
Vintage Davis Cabinet Co. Colonial Style American Pine Secretary Writing Desk
Located in Dayton, OH
Davis Cabinet Company Secretary Desk, no 376 circa 1950s. Made from American pine with a lockable slant top that opens to a writing surface, with four rabbet jointed drawers and pig...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Country Secretaires
Materials
Brass
$875 Sale Price
30% Off
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
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
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 Eastlake Incised Walnut and Burl Slant Front Secretary, circa 1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Eastlake secretary offers paneled walnut construction with upper having shaped crest surmounting shelf and slant front opening to writing...
Category
19th Century American Eastlake Antique Secretaires
Materials
Burl, Walnut
$1,800 Sale Price
20% Off
Dorothy Draper Lacquered Viennese Secretary Desk for Henredon, circa 1963
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Everyone can have a taste of iconic Dorothy Draper Hollywood Regency style with this perfectly sized and oh so elegant Viennese Collection Secretaries Desk Breakfront. Regal. Whimsical and gregarious flair. The scroll cornice of the cabinet recalls some of the mill work Dorothy designated in her iconic hotel design work. A more petite version of Dorothy Draper's Viennese China...
Category
1960s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Brass
18th Century Black Swedish Oak Bureau - Antique Drop Front Secretary
Located in Kvidinge, SE
Fold-down flap with hidden drawers, secret compartment and writing interior
Four larger drawers on the lower part of the front.
Beautiful brass fittings, working lock and keys inc...
Category
Late 18th Century Rococo Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
$2,287 Sale Price
40% Off
Fine Antique Georgian Style Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
Located in Bridgeport, CT
The lower chest with three graduated drawers with openwork brass batwing drawer pulls and brass escutcheons with the key. Flanking the uppermost drawer are two slide supports with sm...
Category
19th Century English Georgian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Fantastic American Centennial Solid Walnut Philadelphia Carved Secretary Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Discover timeless elegance with this fantastic American Centennial solid walnut Philadelphia carved secretary desk, a true testament to 19th-cent...
Category
1870s American Federal Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
$2,796 Sale Price
20% Off
Red Japanned Bureau Bookcase
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a highly decorative and stylish Chinese red painted bureau bookcase decorated overall with gilt chinoiseries. The top section contains a broken arched pediment over two confo...
Category
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Small Antique Italian Drop-Front Scriban Desk Hand-Painted Venetian Chinoiserie
Located in London, Park Royal
Circa 1900s, this beautifully proportioned Italian Scriban brings together the charm of functional craftsmanship with the poetic detailing of Venetian artistry.
The exterior is expre...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Exceptionally Fine Queen Anne Burr Walnut Dome Top Bureau Bookcase Secretary
Located in Bradenton, FL
The best English Queen Anne / George I burl walnut secretary bureau bookcase in two sections. The upper arched top portion with a molded and domed cornice inset with mirrored glass a...
Category
Early 18th Century English George I Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
$18,000 Sale Price
53% Off
Biedermeier Secretary w. Transfer Decoration, J. G. Hiltl (1771–1845), Mun. 1825
By Johann Georg Hiltl
Located in Greding, DE
Biedermeier secretary veneered in mahogany with thuja burl and green-patinated surfaces, adorned with gilt-bronze mounts. The writing flap features a transfer-printed architectural i...
Category
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
Erling Torvits Walnut Secretary Desk with Wave Front, Denmark, 1960s
Located in BERKEL EN RODENRIJS, NL
This elegant secretary desk was designed by Erling Torvits in Denmark in the 1960s. Crafted in beautiful natural walnut veneer, it features Torvits’ signature sculpted “wave” drawer ...
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Grande Biedermeier Secrétaire
Located in New York, NY
A perfect example of the wealthy, elegant Biedermeier period, this impressive, secretary is veneered in flame mahogany and birch intarsia, with bone escutcheons, secret compartments,...
Category
1810s Scandinavian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Late 19th Century Italian Walnut Burl Inlaid Louis XIV Secretary Drop Leaf Desk
Located in Encinitas, CA
Late 19th Century Italian Walnut Burl Inlaid Louis XIV Secretary Drop Leaf Desk.
Trim three-drawer bureau chest featuring secretary drop lid with lock and key revealing small drawers and compartments. Beautiful walnut veneers and solids with rosewood inlaid detail. Handsome hardware, hinges and pulls. Lock and key.
Due to the curved shape of the desk and components, some measures are a close approximation.
Exterior measures of the desk: 39" W x 20.5" D x 40.75" H
99.1 cm W x 52 cm D x 103.5 cm H
Opened drop lid desk...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Louis XIV Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
$2,200 Sale Price
54% Off
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
Grosfeld House Secretary Bookcase by Lorin Jackson
Located in Hanover, MA
Lorin Jackson for Grosfeld House 1940s cabinet bookcase in mahogany featuring a pull-out secretary with writing surface.
Distinctive Grosfeld "Glassic" Lucite ring pulls with sunbu...
Category
1940s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Louis XVI Desk/Secretaire a Abattant c. 1790-1800
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a very good example of a late 18th century Louis XVI Secretaire a Abattant. The secretaire is crafted of solid walnut and is a generous 39.5" wide. The fall front when down r...
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Biedermeier Secretary, Austria, 19th Century
Located in Wrocław, Poland
This Biedermeier secretary comes from Austria and was made in 19th century. It is made of coniferous wood, veneered with maple wood. It has undergone a professional renovation proces...
Category
19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Maple
$4,574 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique American Federal Flame Mahogany Secretary Writing Desk Gothic Bookcase
Located in Dayton, OH
A fine and impressive antique early 19th century Federal Period flame Mahogany secretary and bookcase. The bookcase features an eighteen pane Gothic arched cabinet...
Category
Early 19th Century Federal Antique Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
$5,600 Sale Price
30% Off
Antique Eastlake Chip Caved Walnut Barrel Roll Cylinder Secretary Desk c1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
***Reduced In-House Delivery Rates - Click on “Ask Seller” to Request a Quote***
Antique Eastlake Chip Caved Walnut Barrel Roll Cylinder Secretary Desk C1890.
Measures - 87 1/2" x...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
$2,600 Sale Price
20% Off
Console Table With Mirror in Brass mid-century design 1950s modernism
Located in Taranto, IT
1950S VINTAGE CONSOLE TABLE AND MIRROR MODERN DESIGN.
Stunning mid-century console table, frame made entirely of wood and brass, with marble top. Mirror with brass frame.
The item ...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Marble, Brass
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
English 19th Century Black and Gold Secretary Bookcase with Chinoiserie Décor
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English black lacquer secretary bookcase from the 19th century, with glass doors, drop-front desk and gold Chinoiserie décor. Created in England during the 19th century, this secr...
Category
19th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Wood
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
Midcentury Secretaire or Cabinet by František Mezulánik for UP Závody, 1960s
Located in Praha, CZ
Rare mid-century secretaire/cabinet, made by František Mezulánik for UP Závody, in the 1960's.
Made of wood.
Cleaned, applied reviving oil, shows signs of age, overall in great shape.
Category
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Antique Ebonised Boulle Ormolu Desk Cabinet Bonheur du Jour Kunst Mobel Denmark
Located in Portland, OR
A very fine antique Napoleon III French style ebonzied Boulle & ormolu Bonheur du Jour by Nordisk Kunst & Mobel-Etablissement, Copenhagen Denmark, 1903. In remarkable condition.
Thi...
Category
Early 1900s Danish Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass, Bronze, Ormolu
Early 19th Century Swedish Pine Secretary Bureau
Located in Round Top, TX
Early 19th Century Swedish Pine Secretary Bureau
Early 19th-century Swedish pine secretary featuring exceptional hand-carved details and the warm, deep patina of 200 years of use. Th...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Country Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Pine
Painted Italian Secretary Bookcase
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a lovely, decorative Italian secretary, painted overall with floral sprays against a pale yellow ground with light blue demarcations. The dom...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Other Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Swedish Gustavian 1790s Painted Slant-Front Desk with Carved Diamond Motifs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian period slant front desk from the late 18th century, with carved diamond motifs, multiple drawers, original lock and key. Created in Sweden during the last decade ...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Early 19th Century Biedermeier Secretaire, Cherry, Southern Germany, dated 1822
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Biedermeier Secretaire with Standing Desk Function
Bavaria
Cherry
dated: 1822
Dimensions: H x W x D: 154 x 99 x 51 cm
Description:
Writing desk standing on square legs wit...
Category
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Cherry
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
Red Queen Anne Style Burton-Ching Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Red Queen Anne Style Burton-Ching Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase.
Category
2010s American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
$11,960 Sale Price
20% Off
A rare wall-mounted secretary desk - 1950s French Reconstruction Style
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A rare 1950s wall-mounted secretary desk in the French Reconstruction style. Crafted from solid oak and oak veneer, this piece combines elegance and functionality. Its drop-down fron...
Category
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Oak
19th Century Swedish Blue Oak Secretary Bureau
Located in Round Top, TX
This oak secretary is a striking statement piece with panel doors, dramatic bonnet, and traditional lower three large drawers.
The entire secretary has been given a professional cust...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Antique Side by Side Secretary / Display
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Antique American side by side display and secretary cabinet. Made of beautiful quartersawn oak wood with elaborate sculpted wood embellishments. The display cabinet has three removab...
Category
Early 20th Century Late Victorian Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Oak
Black Lacquer Hand Painted Chinoiserie Black Lacquer Secretary Writing Desk
Located in Chattanooga, TN
This incomparable slant-front chinoiserie black lacquer secretary desk depicts a serene, traditional Asian motif from head to toe. The gold and greens appear as mystical and radiant...
Category
1970s American Chinoiserie Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Teak Secretary Desk with Drawers Gunnar Falsig by Falsig Mobler
Located in BERKEL EN RODENRIJS, NL
This elegant vintage secretary desk is made of warm teak wood and features a timeless mid-century modern design. It offers a practical and stylish combination of storage and workspac...
Category
1960s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Teak
18th Century Italian Walnut Parquetry Important Bureau Cabinet Trumeaux
Located in Rome, IT
An Italian walnut, parquetry bureau cabinet fruitwood inlaid with scrolling foliage,
The upper section with a shaped carved cresting, a shaped doors opening to reveal three shelves, ...
Category
Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
$45,868 Sale Price
30% Off
Victorian Secretary Desk Circa. 1800
s
Located in Fulton, CA
American Victorian secretary desk made of solid walnut. Circa. 1875. Drop-front desk with birdseye maple detail. Carved walnut pulls with "rac...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Victorian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Birdseye Maple, Walnut
George II Walnut Slant Front Bureau Bookcase / Secretary
Located in Woodbury, CT
George II walnut and walnut burl slant front bureau bookcase / secretary with original hand beveled mirrored doors on bracket feet. Upper cabinet with candle slides conceals book she...
Category
18th Century British George II Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut, Burl
George II Staircase Fall Front Desk
Located in Westwood, NJ
A George II style flame mahogany bureau, the sloping fall enclosing a fitted interior of faux book and hidden drawers and cabinets, the staircase gallery interior, above a short frie...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese George II Secretaires
Materials
Wood
$15,480 / item
19th-Century Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary Desk in Beautiful Graining
Located in Opole, PL
19th-Century Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary Desk in Beautiful Graining
We present you this piece of furniture with three drawers at the bottom, a drop front, and a narrow drawer und...
Category
Mid-19th Century European Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Baize, Mahogany
$7,148 Sale Price
20% Off
18th Century Louis XV Baroque Walnut Fall Front Desk / Secretaire
Located in Darmstadt, DE
This elegant fall-front desk dates to around 1730 and is veneered with a beautiful marquetry of walnut and walnut root on a pinewood corpus. The piece displays a fine interplay of wa...
Category
Early 18th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Materials
Pine, Walnut
$15,249 Sale Price
26% Off
18th Century Black Swedish Gustavian Oak Bureau - Antique Drop Front Secretaire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique Swedish Gustavian bureau made of hand crafted painted Oakwood, in good condition. The Scandinavian writing table, desk features man...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Brass
Majestic Blue painted Rococo Bureau / Secretary
Located in Kastrup, DK
A Rococo secretary desk with a cabinet or bookcase top, beautifully painted in blue with a black-painted interior.
This piece consists of two sections: Upper section consists of a c...
Category
Mid-18th Century Danish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Brass
Early 19th Century South German Biedermeier Secretaire in Walnut
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Elegant Biedermeier secretaire crafted in South Germany around 1820. The piece combines solid walnut and walnut veneer with a striking mirrored grain on the façade. The interior is m...
Category
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
$10,484 Sale Price
22% Off
Danish Mid-Century Teak Desk / Writing Bureau, 1960s
Located in Nørre Aaby, DK
Functional Danish teak secretary / writing desk from the 1960s featuring three spacious drawers and a pull-out writing surface. Simple, elegant design with ample storage, perfect as ...
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Teak
Biedermeier Secretary Desk, Mid-19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Secretary desk with exquisite ash veneer and a three-drawer commode base. Behind the leather-covered writing surface lies a spacious arched compartment, complemented by six small dra...
Category
Mid-19th Century Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
Exquisite ebonised secretary desk from the 19th century
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
We are honoured to present an exquisite ebonised secretary desk from the 19th century, hailing from Sweden and exemplifying the elegance of the Biedermeier style. This piece has been...
Category
1820s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Softwood
18th Century Black Swedish Gustavian One Part Pine Bureau - Antique Secretary
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A black, antique Swedish Gustavian one part bureau, secretaire made of hand crafted painted Pinewood, in good condition. The Scandinavian writing table, desk is composed with a writi...
Category
Mid-18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Opulent Secretary in Napoleon III - Makart Style, Vienna, circa 1880
Located in Greven, DE
Opulent Secretary Desk in the Makart Style with Brass and Mother-of-Pearl Inlays
Vienna
Ebonized wood, brass, mother-of-pearl
c. 1880
Dimensions: H × W × D: 138 × 77 × 51 cm
Descr...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Teak writing desk, Danish design, 1960s.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Teak writing desk, Danish design,
Very good condition, after professional renovation.
Wood: Teak
Dimensions: Height 95 cm, width 89 cm, depth 42 cm.
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Teak
Louis XV period marquetry secretary from the mid-18th century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
A very elegant and rare Louis XV period drop-leaf secretary desk, characteristic of Rococo furniture with its sinuous silhouette and refined proportions. The curved front rests on ar...
Category
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Materials
Marble, Bronze
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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