Swedish Antiques Secretary Desk
Early 20th Century Swedish Neoclassical Desks
Elm, Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Country Secretaires
Pine
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Secretaires
Pine
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Country Corner Cupboards
Pine
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Metal
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Country Secretaires
Pine
Antique Early 1800s Swedish Gustavian Cabinets
Pine
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Brass
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Baroque Secretaires
Glass, Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Birch
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Country Desks and Writing Tables
Pine
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Oak, Paint
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Desks and Writing Tables
Paint, Wood, Oak
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks
Brass
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Wood
Antique 19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Pine
Vintage 1920s Swedish Chippendale Secretaires
Oak
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Wood, Birch
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Pine
Antique 1880s Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Country Cabinets
Pine
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Antique 1820s Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Birch, Ebony
Antique 1820s Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Ash, Ebony
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Country Sideboards
Pine
Antique 1870s Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Country Secretaires
Pine
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Country Secretaires
Brass
Antique Mid-18th Century Swedish Baroque Secretaires
Brass
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Pine, Paint
Antique 1820s Swedish Empire Secretaires
Birch
Antique 1860s Swedish Empire Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 1860s Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 1860s Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 1840s Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 1870s Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 1840s Swedish Karl Johan Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Brass
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks and Writing Tables
Pine, Paint
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Desks and Writing Tables
Wood, Oak, Paint
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Desks
Wood, Oak, Paint
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Country Secretaires
Pine
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Wood
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Country Secretaires
Pine
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Brass
Antique 1820s Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Ash, Ebony, Burl
Antique 1820s Swedish Biedermeier Models and Miniatures
Birch
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Secretaires
Pine
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Country Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Elm
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks
Wood
Antique 19th Century Swedish Desks
Pine
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks
Wood
Antique 1770s Swedish Rococo Desks and Writing Tables
Pine
Swedish Antiques Secretary Desk For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Swedish Antiques Secretary Desk?
Finding the Right Secretaires for You
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.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021An 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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