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Secretaires For Sale
18th Century Danish White Painted Oak Secretary Bureau
Located in Round Top, TX
This oak secretary or "bureau" reflects the grace and class of Scandinavian styling from the late 1700's. The serpentine drawers and carved outer panel of the drop down desk add a ro...
Category

Mid-18th Century Danish Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Vintage Maddox Hepplewhite Style Mahogany Tambour Secretary Desk & Bookcase
Located in Dayton, OH
An exceptional vintage Hepplewhite-style secretary by Maddox, circa 1930s. This beautiful specimen is made from mahogany with an upper bookcase having double mullioned glass doors ov...
Category

1930s American Hepplewhite Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

19th Century Scottish Stained Glass Carved Secretary Desk Cabinet
Located in Bensalem, PA
Stunning Scotch secretary in oak and stained glass very unique and will make a statement in any room feel free to reach out with any questions
Category

Late 19th Century Scottish Gothic Antique Secretaires

Materials

Oak

Egon Ostergaard for Svensk Mobelindustri Teak Roll-Top Secretary Desk, 1960s
Located in San Francisco, CA
A late-1960s Scandinavian modern teak roll-top secretary desk with pull-out writing surface and multiple drawers by Egon Ostergaard for Svensk Mobelindustri of Sweden. Lockable cyli...
Category

1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Brass

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Two Part Painted Secretary
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Grand late 18th century Swedish gustavian period two-part secretaire cabinet or bookcase crafted from pine and beech. The substantial case has a gracefully curved or arched pediment ...
Category

18th Century European Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Iron

Antique Gentleman's Bureau, English, Walnut, Writing Desk, Secretaire, Georgian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique gentleman's bureau. A fine English, walnut writing desk or secretaire, dating to the Georgian period, circa 1760. Wonderful Georgian example, with a delightful v...
Category

Mid-18th Century British Georgian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

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

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Rosewood

Georgian Style Red & Gold Chinoiserie Decorated Burton-Ching Secretary Desk
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Georgian Style Red & Gold Chinoiserie Decorated Burton-Ching Secretary Desk.
Category

2010s Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Wood

NVIN0518 Vintage Mahogany Secretary Desk
Located in Annville, PA
A Vintage Mahogany Secretary Desk brought to you by Niagara Furniture. This desk is impressive in both it’s design and scale. Made of beautifully grained mahogany and mahogany veneer...
Category

Late 20th Century Renaissance Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Victorian Bamboo Chinoiserie Lacquered Secretaire Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Victorian secretaire desk, in the Brighton Pavilion style. Having a frame of burnt bamboo, inset with lacquered panels hand-painted with birds and floral motifs. Its top panel hinged...
Category

1880s British Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

English Antique Art Deco Bureau Secretaire Oak Cabinet
Located in Leicester, GB
Beautiful English Antique bureau from the 1920's. The compact Art Deco piece of furniture hosts a writing table and pigeon holes for small items behind a drop-down door. Three drawer...
Category

1920s British Art Deco Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Oak

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

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

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

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

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Style Secretary / Writing Desk - Painted
Located in Kvidinge, SE
Swedish Gustavian Secretary / Writing Desk from early 19th century A rectangular top sitting above a slant front desk opening to reveal a light blue painted interior and multiple sma...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century English Pine Chinese Chippendale Style Carved Pine Secretary Desk
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a mid-century Chinese Chippendale style carved pine secretary. It is purported to be English, and it has glass shelves. The drawers do have dovetail construction, and it is t...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Chinese Chippendale Secretaires

Materials

Pine

Burton-Ching Georgian Black & Gold Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Burton-Ching Georgian Black & Gold Chinoiserie Secretary Desk
Category

2010s American Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Wood

George III Style Chinoiserie Lacquered Secretary Bookcase Desk
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Grand English George III style secretaire bookcase embellished with parcel gilt chinoiserie reserves. The 2 part case is beautifully decorated with idyllic Asian scenes having figure...
Category

20th Century American George III Secretaires

Materials

Brass

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 French Mahogany Drop Front Brass Gallery Secretary Writing Desk 40"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique French Victorian secretary / library writing desk. Made of mahogany featuring drop front door inlaid with floral mother of pearl and shield motif, which opens to writing surf...
Category

Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

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

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

George II Style Black & Gold Lacquer Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
George II Style Black & Gold Lacquer Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase.
Category

2010s American Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Giltwood, Lacquer

18th Century Antique Federal Sheraton Mahogany Fall Front Secretary Writing Desk
Located in Dayton, OH
An exquisite and rare late 18th century American Federal Sheraton library secretary desk. Made of mahogany featuring velvet drop front writin...
Category

Late 18th Century American Sheraton Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Retro Mid Century Teak Secretaire Bureau
Located in Leicester, GB
We can ship directly to you - please contact us with your country & postcode for an accurate delivery price. A cute retro teak bureau desk with thr...
Category

1970s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Teak

French Provincial Style Secretary Desk with Marquetry Inlays and Key
Located in Soquel, CA
French Provincial Style Walnut Secretary Desk with Marquetry Inlays and Key. Original Finish.
Category

1860s Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

French Empire Secrétaire á Abattant
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A handsome 19th century French Empire secrétaire à abattant made of richly figured, bookmatched walnut. This desk has a black fossil marble top resting above a hidden drawer, free of hardware and opening by a shallow groove on the bottom of the drawer front. Below is a fold-front door revealing a fitted interior with a functional writing surface, inset with worn green leather with gold tooling. The interior has an open storage shelf flanked by Empire style columns over a set of six drawers of varying sizes. The writing surface is supported with rounded brass hinges. Below are three easy to use drawers...
Category

19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Brass

19th c. Swedish Rococo Secretary with Library in Original Blue Paint
Located in Wichita, KS
A rare, early 19th century Swedish Rococo style slant-front secretary from Fryksdalen in Värmland with arched cornice, circa 1820. The paint has been hand-scraped down to the origina...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Paint

Midcentury Danish Modern Magic Box Desk in Teak by Mummenthaler & Meier
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Midcentury teak closable locking teak writing desk called the "Magic Box", designed by Swiss Mummenthaler and Meier. The piece closes completely and can be key-locked to protect all ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Rare Antique Swedish Secretary Desk in Folk Art from Northern Sweden
Located in Kramfors, SE
Rate antique Swedish secretary desk in folk art made around 1830 in northern Sweden. The secretary is made by hand with a frame in solid pine...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine

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

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

Chinoiserie Black Lacquered Drop Front Secretary Desk With Bookcase Hutch
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous Georgian Chinoiserie style bureau with drop front secretary desk and bookcase hutch top In the manner of Jasper Furniture Company USA, Late 20th Century Black lacquered...
Category

Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Early 19th Century Swedish Two-part Secretary
Located in Atlanta, GA
This early 19th-century Swedish two-part secretary is a truly unique piece, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship and artistry. The upper section features a beautifully carved cornice...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine

Lovely Mixed Wood Inlay French Secretary
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Exceptional classic French secretary having stunning floral inlay on all sides with a variety of different color woods. The interior features 6 drawers, an open shelf, and addition...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Kingwood, Satinwood

Scandinavian 18th Century Mahogany Secretary Bureau Cabinet
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Impressive Louis XVI style bureau secretary with quality rich in age, charm, and character with its elegant design. This secretary has two secret drawers features parquerty design, g...
Category

Late 18th Century Danish Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

Danish Mid Century Teak Secretary Desk
Located in VANCOUVER, CA
Teak Danish secretary desk, circa 1960's. Beautiful book matched veneer, dovetail-constructed drawers, integrated handles, and sleek legs. Elegant bow front, chest of drawers, slidin...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Teak, Glass

Early 19th Century Neoclassical Karelian Birch Secretary
Located in Houston, TX
An extraordinary early 19th Century Neoclassical style Karelian birch secretary. This wonderful cabinet features four ebonized columns supporting giltwood caryatids, two gothic arched cabinet...
Category

Early 19th Century Baltic Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Ormolu

Louis XVI Secretary Desk, South German 1770-80, walnut
Located in Belmont, MA
Exquisite Louis XVI Secretary Desk South Germany, 1770-80 Discover a stunning Louis XVI secretary desk from South Germany (circa 1770-1780), a true masterpiece of late Baroque and ...
Category

1770s German Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Swedish Mahogany Chiffonje, Writing Agency - Cabinet by Karl Johan
By Karl Johan
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 19th Century, antique Swedish Biedermeier writing agency, secretary table made of hand crafted polished, partly veneered Mahogany with a writing flap, designed by Karl-Johan in goo...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Metal, Brass

Large blue Secretary Desk - design Eric Gizard, Paris - made in France
Located in Landivy, FR
This large secretary desk is designed by the famous parisian Designer Eric Gizard and delivered fully mounted. The overall dimensions of the b...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Ash, Lacquer

Biedermeier Style Burled Birchwood Secretary Desk by Colombo Mobili
Located in Shippensburg, PA
BIEDERMEIER STYLE BURLED BIRCHWOOD SECRETARY DESK Executed by Colombo Mobili, ca. 21st century Item # 411OBP20A A truly remarkable Biedermeier style secretaire a'abattant desk from ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Biedermeier Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Queen Anne Style Burton-Ching Black Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Queen Anne Style Burton-Ching Black Chinoiserie Secretary Desk Bookcase
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

George III Mahogany Breakfront Bureau Bookcase
Located in Huntington, NY
This exceptional George III Mahogany Breakfront Bureau Bookcase with Glazed Doors, has wonderful flame & crotch grain Mahogany. Comprised of a large central cabinet, flanked by 2 sma...
Category

18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Early 19th Century Biedermeier Empire Secretary, Germany, Prussia, C. 1815
Located in Greven, DE
North Germany / Prussia Birch Biedermeier / Empire around 1815 Dimensions: H x W x D: 174 x 102 x 55 cm Description: Very exclusive secretary from the Prussian North German Biedermeier period around 1815. Piece of furniture standing on pointed legs with two drawers at the bottom, the writing flap above, another drawer above and a hidden head drawer at the very top. The piece of furniture is veneered in exciting grained birch wood. Due to the different color hangings within the wood and the interplay of hues associated with it, we also refer to it as "flamed" birch. The beautiful wood is complemented by blackened moldings and beautiful fire-gilded bronze hardware in beautiful quality. The interior of the writing compartment is veneered in apple tree. We see a stair-like rise to a central door flanked by pilasters. Drawers of different sizes and two large compartments with dividers for letters and papers complete the secretary part. Looking at the piece of furniture from above, we see an old shipping label. According to it, the secretary was loaded onto the train at the station "Odertor" in Wroclaw. The destination was probably Berin. Corresponding mmarkings we find on the back panel. Piece of furniture made in wonderful quality craftsmanship. A true testament to the high quality of Prussian furniture...
Category

Early 19th Century German Empire Antique Secretaires

Materials

Birch, Fruitwood

19th Century French Empire desk Secretaire a Abattant
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Beautiful upright secrétaire from the French Empire period. The desk is made of oak with burr walnut veneer, decorated with bronze ormolu elements. These are typical of the French Em...
Category

Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

Vintage Danish Modern Teak Secretary Desk / Vanity
Located in Gardiner, NY
Authentic vintage mid century Danish / Scandinavian Modern teak secretary desk / dresser / chest of drawers / vanity with mirror. This piece is in excellent refinished condition wit...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires

Materials

Teak

Late 18th Century Neoclassical Rolltop Bureau, Germany
Located in Greding, DE
An elegant Louis XVI, Zopfstil, roll-top secretary desk, crafted in the late 18th century. The piece features a three-drawer base and a three-door upper section with a projecting cen...
Category

Late 18th Century Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

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

George III Mahogany Secretary
Located in Wilson, NC
George III mahogany secretary with original glass. Outstanding patina with original brasses and bracket feet. Two pieces. Mahogany and...
Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Antique Empire Cylinder-Top Secretary with Bookcase in Burled Ash
Located in Miami, FL
An exceptional Empire secretary bookcase in fine burl ash wood. Denmark or North Germany, circa 1800. The bookcase features a tiered bonnet w...
Category

Early 19th Century Scandinavian Empire Antique Secretaires

Materials

Ash, Burl

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

18th Century Grey Swedish Gustavian Two Part Pine Secretary - Scandinavian Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A light-grey, white antique Sweden Gustavian two part bureau with a writing flap made of hand crafted painted Pinewood, in good condition. The Scandinavian writing table, desk is com...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Metal, Brass

Antique Kittinger Jacobean Spanish Revival American Walnut Carved Secretary Desk
Located in Dayton, OH
Extremely early Kittinger Jacobean Revival fall front secretary writing desk. Made from American walnut with a carved and paneled front featuring a ...
Category

Early 20th Century Jacobean Secretaires

Materials

Oak, Walnut

c1900 French Antique Louis XVI Style Burl Wood Secretary/ Desk - Petite Size
Located in Opa Locka, FL
c1900 French Antique Louis XVI style Petite Secretary/ Desk. Louis XVI style and made from Exotic Burl Wood. Upper cabinet book storage/ display. Dr...
Category

Early 1900s Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Burl

19th Century American Empire Secretary Cabinet
Located in Chicago, IL
A remarkable, and strong early 19th century American Empire secretary bookcase of grand architectural scale with an incredible arched pedimen...
Category

1830s American American Empire Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

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

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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