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1940 Secretary Desk

Elwood 1940s French Secretary with Chair
Located in Dallas, TX
Elwood 1940s French Secretary with chair
Category

Vintage 1940s Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

Art Deco Secretary Cabinet Desk in Book Matched Walnut by Gilbert Rohde
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in New York, NY
This rare and captivating Art Deco Drop Front Secreter Desk in Book-matched Hand-Rubbed Walnut is
Category

Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Desks

Materials

Walnut

1940's Traditional Burl Wood Secretary/ Desk
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Beautiful Grand Scale 1940's Traditional style Burl Wood Secretary/ Writing Desk. This secretary is
Category

Vintage 1940s Mid-Century Modern Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Vintage Mahogany Secretary with Flip Down Desk and Storage
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Vintage wood tall secretary having pretty flat front with carved wood decoration and urn shape in
Category

Vintage 1940s American Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Fine Quality French Mahogany Bronze Mounted Secretary Desk Bookcase Top
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is an absolutely gorgeous and superb quality diminutive secretary desk from France. The desk
Category

Vintage 1940s French Directoire Secretaires

Materials

Carrara Marble, Bronze

Vintage French Provincial Hand Carved White Secretary Desk and Display Cabinet
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage French Provincial Hand Carved White Secretary Desk and Display Cabinet This hand carved
Category

Vintage 1940s French French Provincial Cabinets

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paint

Maison Jansen French Louis XVI Style Ebonized Secretary Desk
By Maison Jansen
Located in Queens, NY
French Louis XVI-style (1940s) ebonized & bronze trim abbatant form desk with a drop front interior
Category

Vintage 1940s French Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Recent Sales

Swedish Art Moderne Secretary Desk and Dry Bar in Honduran Mahogany, circa 1940
Located in Richmond, VA
Swedish Art Moderne drop front secretary desk with side cabinets for bottle storage. Rendered in
Category

Vintage 1940s Swedish Art Deco Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Venetian High Palace Secretary Desk, circa 1945
Located in Liverpool, GB
A palace-like, tall Venetian secretary, with a light olive-colored polychrome, beautiful gilding
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Neoclassical Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Italian Writing Secretary Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
Beautifully crafted lady's writing desk of walnut parquetry. Please contact us with
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Italian Writing Secretary Desk
Italian Writing Secretary Desk
H 34.125 in W 34.75 in D 14.75 in
Antique Mahogany Governor Winthrop Secretary Desk Circa 1940
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Governor Winthrop secretary offers mahogany construction with upper having broken arch
Category

Mid-20th Century Desks

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

Rattan and Mahogany Secretary Desk
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Finished in rattan and mahogany, this mid-century era desk has an attached single drawer for
Category

Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Mahogany, Rattan

Rattan and Mahogany Secretary Desk
Rattan and Mahogany Secretary Desk
H 34 in W 33.5 in D 24 in
George Nelson Secretary Desk
By Fritz Hansen
Located in Asbury Park, NJ
This George Nelson Secretary for Herman Miller features storage of an incredible variety, including
Category

Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Desks

George Nelson Secretary Desk
George Nelson Secretary Desk
H 45.5 in W 56 in D 18.5 in
Italian Olive Burl Wood Cabriole Leg Bombé Secretary Desk With Bookshelf
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Elevate your home decor with the exquisite Italian Olive Burl Wood Secretary Desk. Featuring
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Burl

Baker School Colonial Flame Mahogany Breakfront Secretary Cabinet, circa 1940
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Big Flats, NY
striated glass doors and flanking recessed side cabinets each with glass door, central drop front secretary
Category

20th Century American American Colonial Desks

Materials

Bronze

Vintage Antique Louis XV-Style Inlaid Wood Secretary Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dimensions: 58.25”H x 32.50”W x 21”D Desk Height 30.25”
Category

Vintage 1940s American Louis XV Desks

Materials

Walnut

Swedish Art Moderne Mahogany Roll-Top Secretary Writing Desk
By SMF Svenska Möbelfabriken Bodafors
Located in Atlanta, GA
Gorgeous roll-top writing desk in rich ribbon mahogany with inset parquetry and crotch mahogany
Category

Vintage 1940s Swedish Desks

Materials

Mahogany

Restored Large Stacked Rattan Secretary Desk w/ Solid Mahogany Top
Located in Van Nuys, CA
to the bottom, creating a great modern look. This was a custom-built desk made in 1940
Category

Vintage 1940s Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Rattan

Swedish Art Moderne Golden Elm Drop-Leaf Secretary Writing Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
Uniquely sized drop-leaf secretary in sleek golden elm. Leaf folds down to reveal cubbyholes and
Category

Vintage 1940s Swedish Desks

Swedish Art Moderne Golden Elm Drop-Leaf Secretary Writing Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
Description: Uniquely sized drop-leaf secretary in sleek golden elm. Leaf folds down to reveal
Category

Vintage 1940s Swedish Desks

20th Century French Carved Oak Desk Secretary Bureau Bookcase Louis XV Style
Located in Shreveport, LA
Direct from France, a lovely vintage French carved “drop front” secretary, absolutely loaded with
Category

Vintage 1940s French Louis XV Desks

Materials

Oak

Gilbert Rohde Paldao Bookcase Cabinet with Secretary Desk, Newly Restored
By Herman Miller, Gilbert Rohde
Located in South Bend, IN
An extremely rare and exceptional Mid-Century Modern bookcase cabinet with drop-front secretary
Category

Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Glass, Paldao

Federal Mahogany Secretary Desk With Bookcase Attributed to Imperial Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful Federal style bureau with tambour doors, fold-out desk, and bookcase hutch top
Category

Vintage 1940s American Federal Desks

Materials

Brass

Secretary Mural in the Style of Rene Prou
Located in Danville, CA
Secretary Mural in Palissander of Rio outside and Sycamore inside with Leather Desk
Category

Vintage 1940s French Desks

Secretary Mural in the Style of Rene Prou
Secretary Mural in the Style of Rene Prou
H 57 in W 29.75 in D 15.75 in
Lovely Vintage French Secretary
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Handpainted feminine and funtional desk with interior storage, 4 drawers and good surface area for
Category

Vintage 1940s French Desks

Materials

Wood

Lovely Vintage French Secretary
Lovely Vintage French Secretary
H 41.5 in W 32.5 in D 15 in
An Italian Two Part Secretary Desk
Located in New York, NY
An Italian two part secretary desk, the lower section having a slant front desk tilted with three
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Secretaires

Materials

Wood

An Italian Two Part Secretary Desk
An Italian Two Part Secretary Desk
H 82 in W 36 in D 20 in
Art Deco Gilbert Rohde Paldao Dropfront Desk/Secretary
By Herman Miller, Gilbert Rohde
Located in Atlanta, GA
Art Deco transiting to Streamline modern drop front desk/secretary designed by Gilbert Rohde in
Category

Vintage 1940s American Streamlined Moderne Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Swedish Art Moderne Drop-Leaf Secretary Writing Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
Uniquely sized drop-leaf secretary in sleek golden elm. Leaf folds down to reveal shelves
Category

Vintage 1940s Swedish Secretaires

Swedish Art Moderne Drop-Leaf Secretary Writing Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
Uniquely sized drop-leaf secretary in sleek golden elm. Leaf folds down to reveal shelves
Category

Vintage 1940s Swedish Secretaires

Swedish Art Moderne Drop-Leaf Secretary Writing Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
Uniquely sized drop-leaf secretary in sleek golden elm. Leaf folds down to reveal shelves
Category

Vintage 1940s Swedish Secretaires

Materials

Elm

Superb Shallow Depth French Country Painted Mesh Door Secretary Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a gorgeous distressed-painted SHALLOW DEPTH secretary desk with slide out leather writing
Category

Vintage 1940s French French Provincial Secretaires

Materials

Brass, Wire

Emerald Green Lacquer Hand Painted Chinoiserie Secretary Desk China Cabinet
Located in West Hartford, CT
Magnificent emerald green lacquer Chinoiserie secretary two part desk features a pagoda top and
Category

Vintage 1940s Chinese Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Paint, Leather, Wood

Antique Walnut Serpentine Secretary Desk Chippendale Style Bookcase Oxbow
Located in Dayton, OH
A gorgeous serpentine front one piece secretary desk. Made from American walnut. Interior opens to
Category

Vintage 1940s Chippendale Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Walnut

Antique Maddox Walnut Serpentine Secretary Desk Chippendale Bookcase Oxbow
By Maddox Furniture
Located in Dayton, OH
A gorgeous serpentine front one piece secretary desk by Maddox Tables of Jamestown NY. Made from
Category

Vintage 1940s Chippendale Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Walnut

Swedish Art Moderne Elm Roll-Top Secretary Writing Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
Gorgeous roll-top writing desk in golden elm with inset parquetry and crotch mahogany panels. Top
Category

Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires

Materials

Elm

Swedish Neoclassical Drop-Leaf Secretary Writing Desk of Flame Birch
Located in Atlanta, GA
Swedish Grace style drop-leaf secretary in two beautiful shades of flame birch. Leaf folds down to
Category

Vintage 1940s Swedish Neoclassical Secretaires

Materials

Birch

Baker Georgian Mahogany Breakfront Bookcase Cabinet With Secretary Desk, 1940s
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous English Georgian style breakfront bookcase cabinet with drop-front secretary desk By
Category

Vintage 1940s American Georgian Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Baker Furniture Mahogany Breakfront Bookcase Cabinet with Secretary Desk, 1940s
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous mahogany breakfront display cabinet or bookcase with pull-out leather top secretary desk
Category

Vintage 1940s American British Colonial Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Restored Rattan and Mahogany Secretary Wave Desk
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Refinished rattan and mahogany "wave" desk with a single drawer for storage. Also available are a
Category

Vintage 1940s North American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Rattan, Mahogany

Børge Mogensen Teak Secretary Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Nicely designed, compact drop front secretary with three drawers below and storage or cubby holes
Category

Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks

Materials

Teak

Børge Mogensen Teak Secretary Desk
Børge Mogensen Teak Secretary Desk
H 47.5 in W 39.5 in D 18 in
Swedish Art Moderne Secretary Writing Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
Gorgeous drop-front writing desk in rich combinations of wood with inset parquetry and crotch
Category

Vintage 1940s Swedish Modern Desks

Materials

Mahogany

Swedish Art Moderne Secretary Writing Desk
Swedish Art Moderne Secretary Writing Desk
H 38.5 in W 35 in D 17.75 in
Swedish Art Moderne Oak Roll-Top Secretary Writing Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
Gorgeous roll-top writing desk in oak recently restored and refinished to a warm rich dark walnut
Category

Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Desks

Materials

Brass

Rare Bright Green Italian Venetian Painted Rococo Secretary Desk Circa 1940
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a superb green and yellow splash of elegance and color disguised as a secretary desk. The
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Rococo Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Superb Shallow Depth French Country Painted Mesh Door Secretary Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a gorgeous distressed-painted SHALLOW DEPTH secretary desk with slide out leather writing
Category

Vintage 1940s French Louis XV Cabinets

Materials

Walnut

Swedish Art Moderne Drop-Leaf Secretary Writing Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
Uniquely sized drop-leaf secretary in sleek golden elm. Leaf folds down to reveal shelves
Category

Vintage 1940s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires

Materials

Elm

Flame Mahogany Breakfront China Cabinet Bookcase Secretary Desk
Located in West Hartford, CT
open to three shelves with grooves to display china. Bottom part has drop down butler's desk having a
Category

Vintage 1940s American George III Bookcases

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

Antique Burled Walnut Drop Front Secretary Desk by Lebus
By Harris Lebus
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique burled walnut drop-front secretary desk by Lebus Furniture, circa 1940s. The
Category

Vintage 1940s Queen Anne Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller Burl Wood Art Deco Cabinet Secretary Desk
By Herman Miller
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller Art Deco cabinet secretary Modernist Art Deco Cabinet Secretary
Category

Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Secretaires

Materials

Burl

French 1940's secretary
Located in New Jersey City, NJ
French lacquered secretary in the style of Jansen.Age appropriate wear to brass as seen in photos.
Category

French Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

French 1940's secretary
French 1940's secretary
H 41 in W 43 in D 19 in
Italian Marquetry Desk Secretary
Located in Summerland, CA
Exquisite marquetry work on this very charming Italian secretary desk. There are three drawers
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Desks

Italian Marquetry Desk Secretary
Italian Marquetry Desk Secretary
H 42 in W 32 in D 23 in
Signed Hekman Secretary
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-century Secretary signed Hekman in the drawer. Modern and elegant style can adapt with
Category

Vintage 1940s American Desks and Writing Tables

Signed Hekman Secretary
Signed Hekman Secretary
H 32.5 in W 54 in D 28 in
1940's Mahogany Secretary Desk
Located in New York, NY
1940's mahogany drop leaf secretary desk with elm interior.
Category

Vintage 1940s Danish Secretaires

1940's Mahogany Secretary Desk
1940's Mahogany Secretary Desk
H 44 in W 46 in D 19 in
Jules Leleu Macassar Ebony Secretary
Located in Southampton, NY
Clean line example. Macassar ebony veneer. Sycamore interior. Brushed steel details.
Category

Vintage 1940s French Desks

Materials

Steel

Jules Leleu Macassar Ebony Secretary
Jules Leleu Macassar Ebony Secretary
H 60 in W 29.5 in D 14.5 in
Grand Scale French Secretary with Flip down Top
Located in Cathedral City, CA
would expect from a secretary desk of this kind. And, it’s not untypical of the French
Category

Vintage 1940s French Desks

Secretary/Desk in Birch
Located in New Orleans, LA
Drop-front Writing Desk in Birch with three open shelves and seven interior compartments, raised on
Category

Vintage 1940s French Secretaires

Secretary/Desk in Birch
Secretary/Desk in Birch
H 55.5 in W 28.5 in D 30 in
Vintage Asian Inspired Secretary Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
desk is open.
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Vintage Asian Inspired Secretary Desk
Vintage Asian Inspired Secretary Desk
H 78 in W 22.25 in D 14 in
Brass Secretary's Desk Lamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Petite candle lamp for a desk or accent table. Newly rewired with brown silk cord.
Category

Vintage 1940s American Schoolhouse Table Lamps

Brass Secretary's Desk Lamp
Brass Secretary's Desk Lamp
H 18 in W 7 in D 4 in
Rare Modernage Breakfront Bookcase Secretary Desk
Located in Southfield, MI
white lacquer. Flip down secretary desk with attendant cubbies for storage. Fixed wooden shelves with
Category

Vintage 1940s American Bookcases

Signed Johan Tapp Tall Secretary Desk & Bookcase
Located in Southfield, MI
early 1940's, this piece is realized in cerused (waxed) brown mahogany, and serves multi purposes with a
Category

Vintage 1940s American Secretaires

Modern Age Art Deco Drop Down Desk or Secretary, circa 1940s
By Modernage Furniture Company
Located in Alhambra, CA
Rare Art Deco drop down desk or storage cabinet thought to be from Modern age. Original walnut
Category

Vintage 1940s Art Deco Secretaires

Materials

Steel

Art Deco Secretary/Bar
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful Art Deco secretary or bar. Black Lacquer with gold leaf details. Front door pulls out for
Category

Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Gold Leaf

Art Deco Secretary/Bar
Art Deco Secretary/Bar
H 47.75 in W 47.5 in D 17.75 in

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Pair of Constant Night Stands in Iroko Wood by Master Studio for Lemon
By Lemon
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Neatly proportioned with exceptional detailing, the constant nightstand is your perfect bedside partner. In our furniture making, the IDEA is to create special pieces that you can bu...
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2010s South African Minimalist Pedestals

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Antique Rosewood Secretary Dresser Desk
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Rectangular Secrétaire in rosewood in frames of rosewood. It opens with a drawer in the upper part and a flap discovering two drawers, Feet with cut sides. In the lower part ornamen...
Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Rosewood

Antique Rosewood Secretary Dresser Desk
Antique Rosewood Secretary Dresser Desk
H 51 in W 23.5 in D 13.5 in
Louis XVI Period Secretary 18th Century
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A late 18th century ‘secrétaire à abattant’, or drop-leaf desk, in fruit wood. This lovely piece of upright furniture benefits from a wealth of useful storage compartments, both inte...
Category

Antique 18th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

Louis XVI Period Secretary 18th Century
Louis XVI Period Secretary 18th Century
H 57.88 in W 37.41 in D 16.15 in
Vintage Rosewood Secretary Desk by Dyrlund Denmark
By Dyrlund
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Discover a tranquil workspace with this elegant mid-century Danish Modern secretary desk produced by Dyrlund of Denmark. Constructed with stunning and generous rosewood veneer, this ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Hardwood, Rosewood

Georgian Mahogany Blind Door Bookcase Secretary
Located in Bradenton, FL
A very nice early Georgian Mahogany blind door bookcase secretary desk 1740-50. This is a great looking piece that retains an old and possibly original surface with a great mellow co...
Category

Antique 1740s English George II Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller Rosewood Vanity
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in New York, NY
Stunning 1940s Gilbert Rohde designed for Herman Miller Model number 3770 vanity, made of Brazilian rosewood with 3 drawers 3 small storage compartments and glass shelf.
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20th Century American Art Deco Vanities

Materials

Brass

Tramp Art Secretary Desk of Diminutive Size
Located in Downingtown, PA
Tramp Art Secretary Desk of Diminutive Size, late-19th century. The secretary desk is black over red with thumb-nail moldings. The top with drawers made from old cigar boxes. ...
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Early 20th Century American Folk Art Desks

Materials

Wood

Curtain Lamp
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Located in West Hollywood, CA
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Brass

Curtain Lamp
Curtain Lamp
H 16 in W 5 in D 5 in
Drop Front Secretary Desk by Arne Wahl Iversen
By Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Danish made mid-century modern drop front secretary desk in rich rosewood grain. Two wide drawers for storage, drop front door becomes a writing surface, inset desk storage and drawe...
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Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

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Rosewood

Drop Front Secretary Desk by Arne Wahl Iversen
Drop Front Secretary Desk by Arne Wahl Iversen
H 43.25 in W 37.5 in D 17.25 in
Rare Egon Ostergaard Swedish Roll-Top Secretary Desk Bookmatched Teak & Rosewood
By Egon Ostergaard
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed by Egon Ostergaard in the 1950s, this desk was made some time after by Gustafsson in Sweden. Similar to other pieces of the era and origin, this desk features awesome graine...
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Metal

Biedermeier Secretary Desk in Walnut, Germany, 19th Century, Restored
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Elevate your workspace with this stunning secretary desk, a remarkable piece of furniture hailing from Germany, crafted in the first half of the 19th century. Made from pine wood and...
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Secretary Made In Teak, Danish Design From 1960s
Located in Lejre, DK
This secretary, designed and produced in Denmark around the 1960s, is a beautiful example of Danish furniture art from this era. Made of teak wood, the secretary exudes a warm and na...
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Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires

Materials

Teak

Secretary Made In Teak, Danish Design From 1960s
Secretary Made In Teak, Danish Design From 1960s
H 39.38 in W 34.65 in D 18.12 in
Art Deco Palladio Fall Front Desk by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller c. 1940’s
By Gilbert Rohde, Herman Miller
Located in New York, NY
Elegant and sophisticated drop front desk designed by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller as part of the much sought after Palladio series, circa 1940’s. The desk features a burl veneer ...
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Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Desks

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Wood, Burl

Queen Anne Secretary Desk
By Maddox Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Antique style drop front secretary desk, made in Queen Anne style with brass hardware. Petite size, with 22x17" desk space, great for small space. Please confirm location NY or NJ
Category

Mid-20th Century Queen Anne Desks and Writing Tables

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Brass

Queen Anne Secretary Desk
Queen Anne Secretary Desk
H 40 in W 24 in D 17 in
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1940 Secretary Desk For Sale on 1stDibs

Find many varieties of an authentic 1940 secretary desk available at 1stDibs. Each 1940 secretary desk for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, mahogany and metal. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect 1940 secretary desk — we have versions that date back to the 20th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century are available. When you’re browsing for the right 1940 secretary desk, those designed in Mid-Century Modern, Art Deco and Scandinavian Modern styles are of considerable interest. A well-made 1940 secretary desk has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Herman Miller, Baker Furniture Company and Gilbert Rohde are consistently popular.

How Much is a 1940 Secretary Desk?

Prices for a 1940 secretary desk start at $375 and top out at $34,000 with the average selling for $2,800.

Finding the Right Case Pieces And Storage Cabinets for You

Of all the vintage storage cabinets and antique case pieces that have become popular in modern interiors over the years, dressers, credenzas and cabinets have long been home staples, perfect for routine storage or protection of personal items. 

In the mid-19th century, cabinetmakers would mimic styles originating in the Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI eras for their dressers, bookshelves and other structures, and, later, simpler, streamlined wood designs allowed these “case pieces” or “case goods” — any furnishing that is unupholstered and has some semblance of a storage component — to blend into the background of any interior. 

Mid-century modern furniture enthusiasts will cite the tall modular wall units crafted in teak and other sought-after woods of the era by the likes of George Nelson, Poul Cadovius and Finn Juhl. For these highly customizable furnishings, designers of the day delivered an alternative to big, heavy bookcases by considering the use of space — and, in particular, walls — in new and innovative ways. Mid-century modern credenzas, which, long and low, evolved from tables that were built as early as the 14th century in Italy, typically have no legs or very short legs and have grown in popularity as an alluring storage option over time. 

Although the name immediately invokes images of clothing, dressers were initially created in Europe for a much different purpose. This furnishing was initially a flat-surfaced, low-profile side table equipped with a few drawers — a common fixture used to dress and prepare meats in English kitchens throughout the Tudor period. The drawers served as perfect utensil storage. It wasn’t until the design made its way to North America that it became enlarged and equipped with enough space to hold clothing and cosmetics. The very history of case pieces is a testament to their versatility and well-earned place in any room. 

In the spirit of positioning your case goods center stage, decluttering can now be design-minded.

A contemporary case piece with open shelving and painted wood details can prove functional as a storage unit as easily as it can a room divider. Alternatively, apothecary cabinets are charming case goods similar in size to early dressers or commodes but with uniquely sized shelving and (often numerous) drawers.

Whether you’re seeking a playful sideboard that features colored glass and metal details, an antique Italian hand-carved storage cabinet or a glass-door vitrine to store and show off your collectibles, there are options for you on 1stDibs.

Questions About 1940 Secretary Desk
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    A secretary desk works with the help of hinges that secure the writing surface to the rest of the piece. To use one, you simply pull down on the wooden door to open the hinge and lower the writing surface. Return the desk to its closed position by lifting the writing surface up. You'll find a selection of secretary desks on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Secretary desks originated in the early 18th century. They were typically used by secretaries and clerks and featured plenty of compacted drawers for stationary storage. On 1stDibs, find a collection of secretary desks from some of the world’s top sellers.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023
    A secretary desk is called by its name because of its original function. When the desks first emerged in 19th-century France, the secretaries of estates used them to conduct business. Once they finished paying bills and reconciling accounts, they could raise the hinged writing surface and close the desk. Secretary desks are the workstations of choice in many busy households, especially those with spaces pulling double duty as offices by day and living rooms, dining rooms or bedrooms at night. On 1stDibs, shop an array of secretary desks.
  • 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021
    An antique secretary desk will range in value depending on its authenticity and condition. The price can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. On 1stDibs find the antique secretary desk you’re looking for today.

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