British Secretaires

Queen Anne period furnishings such as this walnut secretary are incredibly rare and important examples of English cabinetmaking. This secretary is of the most outstanding caliber, boasting desirable double bonnet, mirrored cabinet doors...

A fine English mid-18th century mahogany secretaire / secretary / bookcase / china cabinet. Of lovely, deep, rich color, patina and quality. George III-period, circa 1760. The bold, detachable, swan-neck pediment carved with 'Gothic' open fretwork, spiral rosettes and a dentil cornice. The pediment is centred by a small platform below which is a fluted panel. The bookcase / china cabinet section with two, thirteen-pane glazed doors, with three original adjustable shelves with applied beadings for the display of china etc. The base with a pull-out writing section fitted with small drawers, two of which have secret releases. These secret drawers are faced with blind-fret 'Gothic' tracery, and centred by a carved, shaped arch. The base with three cock-beaded drawers, and raised on its original bracket feet which are faced with blind fret. This fine, sophisticated and well-proportioned example of a secretaire / secretary / cabinet / desk / bookcase is remarkable for having survived in its original state including all swan-neck handles and locks. Of superb quality, color, patination, and well figured throughout. With mahogany drawer linings: further confirmation of its superlative quality. Measures: 42" wide (107 cm) 23" deep 58.5 cm) 95" high (241 cm) - without cartouche. A related antique bureau cabinet...

For your consideration is this lovely and totally original walnut desk dating from the 1930s. Compact in size this little desk is perfect if the space available is limited and of con...

William Mary period, circa 1680, walnut inlaid escritoire, English. Extremely rare as not many of these exceptional pieces were made and few survive outside of museums; u...

This is a secretary / bureau/ desk made in England, circa 1780. The top and the fall have a rosewood banding with a string inlay of satinwood and Satin Mahogany in the interior of th...

Stately Mahogany inlaid leather top secretary desk, London England 1860-1875 by Cabinetmakers Edwards and Roberts. Moulded cornice over arched glazed panel doors with green fabric lined interior above a rolled front inlaid fan, shell and scroll decoration. Pull out embossed green leather writing surface above graduated drawers on narrow feet: stamped "Edwards and Roberts" on top drawers edge. Famous cabinetry makers. The firm Edwards and Roberts were among the best English antique furniture cabinet makers of the second half of the nineteenth century. The company was founded in 1845 and by 1854 was trading as ‘Edwards and Roberts’, 21 Wardour Street, ‘Antique and Modern Cabinet...

This English Adams paint decorated satinwood slant lid secretary desk is a stunning example of neoclassical artistry and craftsmanship. Dating to the late 18th or early 19th century ...

A W N Pugin attributed, A Gothic Revival Oak Davenport with finely executed carved gallery to the top and a sloping writing area opening to reveal storage...

A fine early 19th century Regency mahogany and satinwood inlayed drop front secretary . Signed in two places

A fine quality late 18th Century Sheraton period satinwood Secretaire Bookcase, kingwood crossbanded throughout, having leaf & ribbon inlaid moulded cornice above painted swag & urn ...

Step into the grace and sophistication of the 18th century with our exquisite English oak secretaire, an embodiment of Georgian Chippendale-style craftsmanship. Elegantly merging for...

This highly important secrétaire-cabinet was crafted for and specially ordered by King George I for the British Ambassador to Russia. From its craftsmanship and materials to its exceptional artistry, it is a work of royal and historic significance that exudes power in each and every detail. The broken pediment at its apex features the simplified royal coat of arms bearing the king’s crown, while the interior is adorned by portraits of the British Royal Family. Placed within the ambassador’s St. Petersburg home, this entirely unique piece of furniture would have been a potent reminder of England's grandeur and political importance. Relations between England and Russia during this period were at an all-time high. Peter the Great had traveled to England in 1698 as part of his widely known “Grand Embassy” tour, wherein he attempted to gain foreign support against the Ottoman Empire. He spent a period of nearly four months there, meeting with King William III and his court on numerous occasions. Noted academic Arthur MacGregor wrote concerning the impact of the trip, “For two decades following Peter's visit, British influence in Russia reached a peak. It manifested itself in social custom, in craft practice and in ships and naval organization... it reached a significant sector of the population before relations cooled once again and the two nations pulled back from this era of unprecedented cordiality.” First and foremost, however, it is a reminder of British might and influence. By the reign of King George I, England had come into its own as a world power. Unique in its design, this cabinet is a reflection of the country’s might. It is crafted from the highest-quality solid walnut and burr walnut adorned by gilded lock plates and engraved hinges. The presence of ormolu at its apex and lining the doors was a rarity for this period, and its addition makes manifest the importance of the design. The outer doors open to reveal multiple interiors, including fifteen separate drawers around a central cupboard; the cupboard doors each bear mezzotint portraits of George I and his father, Ernest Augustus, Elector of Hanover. An etching after the portrait of George I dating to circa 1716 is in London’s Royal Academy. A second, inner pair of doors are adorned by mezzotints of the Prince and Princess of Wales (later Queen Caroline and George II), which are both after portraits by Sir Godfrey Kneller dated 1716 in the Royal Collection. A final portrait is revealed on the very interior of the cabinet, where a mezzotint of Frederick, Anne, Amelia and Caroline, children of the Prince of Wales, resides. An etching (circa 1715-1720) after this portrait can be found in the National Portrait Gallery (London). Apart from its abundance of royal portraiture, the cabinet features stunning painted decoration, including floral designs as well as clouds, birds and trees in a bucolic motif reminiscent of Eden. Its lower portion is a study in both form and function, featuring a fitted secrétaire-drawer above three additional drawers for storage. The cabinet appears in The Shorter Dictionary of English Furniture by R. Edwards from 1964, a text that is regarded as the bible of British furniture design. Edwards describes it as a “writing cabinet...given by George I to the British Ambassador at the Russian court.” The cabinet was likely made for the 18th-century German diplomat and writer Friedrich Christian Weber, who represented English interests at the Russian court from 1714 until 1719. Although Weber’s tenure as ambassador was relatively short, while in St. Petersburg, he authored his account entitled Das veraenderte Russland (The Present State of Russia), which was published in three volumes in 1721, 1739 and 1740. It may, however, also have been made for George Douglas, 2nd Earl of Dumbarton, who served as ambassador alongside Weber in 1716. Diplomatic relations ceased between the two countries in 1721. In 1928, the cabinet appeared for sale at the International Exhibition of Antiques & Works of Art in Olympia. It had previously been in the collection of the Woltner family of Bordeaux, the celebrated vintners who owned the estate Château Laville Haut-Brion and produced wine of the same name. According to the family, Monsieur Woltner was given the cabinet as a gift from an aunt who lived in Russia for many years. After leaving the Woltner collection, the cabinet was acquired by William Berry...

Antique English mahogany glass front Bureau bookcase with Fitted Interior, circa 1830.

A ca. 1810 English two part mahogany secretary, the top section with a carved swan's neck pediment, a large mirrored single center door with carvings from the solid of acanthus leave...

Attributed to Gillows of Lancaster. A rare Gothic Revival architect's folding desk. The top has opposing slides opening to reveal a compartment for storing drawing utensils etc. The ...

This cabinet/secretary comes from England. The cabinet is made from English oak. It is highly carved and boast barley twist columns. The cabinet doors have beautiful fretwork wedged ...

English Chippendale mahogany broken pediment breakfront with carved floral medallions, candle light molding, four upper case glass doors with adjus...

18th century painted oak bureau with a good fitted interior. 1780. Height to desk: 29-inches (73cm) Code: 9087 Dimensions: W: 43" (109.2 cm) H: 41" (104.1 cm) D: 23" (58.4 cm)

18th century English painted oak bureau with a good fitted interior. 1780. Height to desk: 30-inches (76 cm) Code: 9081 Dimensions: W: 41" (104.1 cm) H: 42" (106.7 cm) D: 20.5" ...

Fantastic piece in impeccable condition. Regency exotic hardwood bureau or secretaire desk or cabinet of lovely proportions. From circa 1790. The top portion consists of an open columned pelmet and shelf with a series of drawers underneath. All made of rosewood. The bottom section is a double door cabinet with double shelving inside. The façade of the doors consist of glorious gilded latticework frames with rose shaped connectors and with brown silk blinds...

Mahogany glazed secretary from the end of the 18th century of very good quality Very beautiful secretary composed of 4 drawers as well as a theater in the lower part and an upper gl...

18th century English painted oak fall front bureau. 1760. Height to desk: 28 1/4-inches Internal reference: H Code: 8872 Dimensions: W: 43.5" (110.5 cm) H: 39.5" (100.3 cm) D: ...

Very fine Regency period mahogany bookcase cabinet with secretary drawer, the molded cornice with ebonized ball drops over two astragal glazed doors over satinwood fitted pull out se...

Late 18th century English painted oak bureau with a good fitted interior. 1780. Height to the underside of the fall front is 73cm. Code: 8514 Dimensions: W: 35" (88.9 cm) H: 40.5"...

This is a bookcase / secretary or Bureau bookcase, made in England, circa 1825. There is a Pagoda Shaped layered crown molding to the top of the piece (very unusual). There is a pair...

Very handsome Georgian lowland oak secretary with walnut trim.

English Georgian mahogany secretary cabinet with a bottom section with drawers and an upper section with 2 lattice glass doors Two drilled h...

George IV Mahogany Secretary Bookcase with Brass Inlay and Ormolu Mounts, England, circa 1830.

Early 18th Century English Queen Anne Walnut Bureau Bookcase with Mirrored Doors

19th Century Wellington Mahogany Chest Of Drawers Secretary Desk Dovetails Clean

An early 19th C. English red lacquer and gilt-decorated Chinoiserie secretary bookcase. The upper cabinet features arched mirrored doors opening to shelved storage, over a slant-fron...

A very fine Bureau Bookcase of the Queen Anne period. The frame constructed in walnut, with inlaid elm designs. The slanted fall-front opens to reveal a herringbone-inlaid arrangem...

Pair of impressive marble, porcelain, and ormolu mounted Victorian secretaires English, 19th Century Height 126cm, width 77cm, depth 37cm This stunning pair are a showcase of Engl...

English secretary with glass door and three glass shelves, leather inlay on desk surface, original glass panels, 19th Century. There is one ...

With double arched top over a pair of arched mirror doors opening to a red interior fitted with drawers and shelves, the base with slant lid des...

Elegant Edwardian Cylinder Roll Top Secretary Desk, French Walnut with Marquetry & Parquetry Inlay– English Craftsmanship Step back in time with this exquisite Edwardian cylinder ro...

Early 19th century English heavily carved mahogany secretary with bronze drawer and door hardware. The key is original. Signed in the top drawer: Edwards and Roberts.

Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning original Robert Mouseman Thompson custom made to order, fully restored Writing Bureau over a b...

An eccentric and highly unusual Classic Sheraton style mahogany and satinwood inlay slant front secretary with Chinese Chippendale style fine tracery (open-work) decoration. An impre...

Early 19th century Georgian style walnut and burr secretary desk, vanity or chest with four drawers and two interior drawers in the desk.

Antique English walnut glass-front secretary bookcase, circa 1880-1890.

Circa 1900 English decorative chinoiserie bureau writing desk - Bonheur Du Jour. Great colour and patina with chinoiserie decoration. ...

An early George III period bureau bookcase with fretwork swan neck pediment, 30-paned bookcase, slant front enclosed leather writing surface, fitted...

Burled elm charles 'X' drop front secretary (secrétaire à abattant) with black marble top with white vains, drop door revealing a leather covered writing table...

19th century English painted oak bureau. 1880. Height to underside of desk: 28.5-inches (72cm) Internal reference: H Code: 9118 Dimensions: W: 40.5" (102.9 cm) H: 40.5" (102.9 ...

This antique English oak secretaire from the late 18th/early 19th century is a real eye-catcher. It has oak fronts, a stepped interior, beautiful original details and working locks. ...

Antique 19th Century Inlaid Burr Walnut Bonheur de Jour Bureau Desk / Writing Table Full of authentic charm and character, this fine quality 19th Century Bonheur de Jour bureau desk...

18th century English painted oak bureau with a fitted interior, featuring a hidden well and hidden drawers. 1760. Height to the underside of the fall front is 73cm. Code: 8523 Dim...

Magnificent antique English Secretaire cabinet with satinwood, hare wood, tulipwood, and kingwood marquetry, of monumental form, in two parts. The upper section with molded cresting ...

circa 1790. With a rectangular top over a concealed long drawer with sloping front, mahogany crossbanding and parquetry and box stringing which continues across the top of the sides...

A striking 19th century "Secretaire Abattant" style standing desk with a drop front writing surface. A handsome and functional piece of furniture with copious storage space. It features dramatic wood grain patterns, and fine geometric marquetry fillets of alternating light and darker woods. The interior has ample slots and shelving for display of personal items, and the original leather writing pad...

With rectangular cornice over a pair of gothic mullioned doors enclosing a fitted interior, the base with drawer enclosing a fitted desk interior all over three drawers ending on spl...

An early 19th century astral glazed bureau bookcase of large proportions. Displaying a pair of astral glazed doors. The base houses four long drawers, on...

Diminutive Antique English mahogany campaign secretary chest with four drawers, the upper of which opens to reveal a secretary with cubbies, 3 shallow drawers and gold tooled leather...

English Georgian style (19th century) red lacquered Chinoiserie decorated slant front secretary cabinet.

An elegant 19th-century English Georgian mahogany secretaire, combining refined form with practical function. The upper cabinet features original glazed mullioned doors with geometri...

We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely Victorian flamed mahogany library bookcase with built in secrataire desk and chest of drawers A good looking and multifunctional pie...

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...

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...

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:...