Baroque Secretaires
BAROQUE STYLE
The decadence of the Baroque style, in which ornate furnishings were layered against paneled walls, painted ceilings, stately chandeliers and, above all, gilding, expressed the power of the church and monarchy through design that celebrated excess. And its influence was omnipresent — antique Baroque furniture was created in the first design style that truly had a global impact.
Theatrical and lavish, Baroque was prevalent across Europe from the 17th to mid-18th century and spread around the world through colonialism, including in Asia, Africa and the Americas. While Baroque originated in Italy and achieved some of its most fantastic forms in the late-period Roman Baroque, it was adapted to meet the tastes and materials in each region. French Baroque furniture informed Louis XIV style and added drama to Versailles. In Spain, the Baroque movement influenced the elaborate Churrigueresque style in which architecture was dripping with ornamental details. In South German Baroque, furniture was made with bold geometric patterns.
Compared to Renaissance furniture, which was more subdued in its proportions, Baroque furniture was extravagant in all aspects, from its shape to its materials.
Allegorical and mythical figures were often sculpted in the wood, along with motifs like scrolling floral forms and acanthus leaves that gave the impression of tangles of dense foliage. Novel techniques and materials such as marquetry, gesso and lacquer — which were used with exotic woods and were employed by cabinetmakers such as André-Charles Boulle, Gerrit Jensen and James Moore — reflected the growth of international trade. Baroque furniture characteristics include a range of decorative elements — a single furnishing could feature everything from carved gilded wood to gilt bronze, lending chairs, mirrors, console tables and other pieces a sense of motion.
Find a collection of authentic antique Baroque tables, lighting, decorative objects and other furniture on 1stDibs.
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Style: Baroque
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
Late 19th Century Spanish Walnut Bureau Bookcase ‘Secretaire’
Located in Miami, FL
A late 19th century Spanish Walnut Bureau bookcase ‘secretaire’ with fretwork open swan neck pediment, centred by a shaped finial, above a pair of doors, slant front enclosed writing...
Category
Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Swedish 1770s Baroque Period Light Gray Painted Secretary with Slant Front Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Baroque tall secretary from circa 1770, with slant front desk, light Gustavian gray painted finish, two doors and four drawers. Experience the timeless elegance of this Swedish tall secretary from circa 1770, a piece that seamlessly marries the grandeur of Baroque design with the serene simplicity of the Gustavian painted finish. Indeed, this secretary, with its light gray painted finish, two doors, and four drawers, is a testament to the refined craftsmanship and understated beauty of Nordic furniture.
The secretary's tall, imposing structure is softened by the light Gustavian gray finish, creating a sense of calm sophistication. The two doors, featuring simply carved panels, open to reveal an interior bathed in antique powder...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Wood
Spanish Cabinet "Bargueño" Walnut, Wrought Iron, Stone, 17th Century
Located in Miami, FL
The rectangular locker rests on chest with legs, and has four drawers decorated with diamonds that lock and fittings and shield shown horseshoe. Answer...
Category
17th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
18th Century Baroque Bureau In Walnut With Inlays
Located in Kastrup, DK
A very beautiful Baroque bureau. Thick walnut veneer with inlays.
Hidden "secret" locking system for the drawers in the upper section.
Grate quality Ni...
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Brass, Iron
Antique Austrian Baroque Biedermeier Marquetry Roll Top Tabernacle Cabinet Desk
Located in Portland, OR
A rare & unusual antique Bohemian inlaid marquetry Elm tabernacle cabinet and desk, Austria, circa 1820.
The cabinet in two sections, the top with an arched pediment, the sides of th...
Category
1820s Austrian Antique Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Elm, Fruitwood, Ebony
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 Antique Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Black Painted Gustavian Style Writing Desk Secretary, 18th Century Denmark
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Period Danish Black Painted Gustavian Style Writing Desk Secretary. Refinished in painted black with pull down desk area and multiple drawers that vary in size. The brass hardware el...
Category
Mid-18th Century Danish Antique Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Extraordinary Italian Parquetry Bureau Cabinet Trumeaux Rome, 1740
Located in Rome, IT
Outstanding Italian walnut, parquetry bureau cabinet fruitwood inlaid with scrolling foliage,
The upper section with a shaped carved cresting centere...
Category
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Walnut
18th Century Austrian Baroque Secretaire/ Bureau Cabinet, Nutwood, AT ca. 1770
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Remarkable 18th Century baroque secrétaire/ bureau cabinet elaborately handcrafted in the period around 1770 in Austria. As former part of the inventory of an old Upperaustrian castl...
Category
Late 18th Century Austrian Antique Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Brass
18th Century, Italian Inlaid Wood Chest of Drawers with Secretaire
Located in IT
18th century, Italian inlaid wood chest of drawers with secretaire
This chest of drawers with secretaire represents the elegant pr...
Category
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Baroque Walnut Secretaire, 18th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Italian secretaire standing on bracket feet with four drawers and trapezoidal top with an inclined flap. The walnut veneer is contrasted with panel-shaped frames and decorated with a...
Category
18th Century European Antique Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
17th Century Spanish Vargueno with Decoupage Exterior on Baroque Style Base
Located in Milford, NH
An exceptional Spanish vargueno or collector cabinet with a sophisticated assemblage of decorated drawers and cabinets on the interior with columnar accents. The exterior with except...
Category
17th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Wrought Iron
Dutch Secretary Desk, Around 1800, Mahogany
Located in Belmont, MA
Dutch secretary desk, Netherlands, around 1800.
This elegantly curved secretary desk has three spacious drawers in the lower part. The writing flap ...
Category
1790s Dutch Antique Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Walnut and walnut burl Baroque Secretary à deux corps Saxony around 1760
Located in Münster, DE
Secretary à deux corps
Baroque, Saxony c. 1740, walnut and walnut burl veneer, sloping lid, 2-door top with sprung gable and beautiful interior division, 3-tier, double-arched chest...
Category
1760s German Antique Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Nutwood
18th Centurey Baroque Walnut Tabernacle / Secretaire
Located in Darmstadt, DE
The Tabernacle Secretaire is divided into 3 parts.
The upper part has a door with a snap lock in the middle, in this compartment the three small drawers on the right and left side c...
Category
18th Century Austrian Antique Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Extraordinary Italian Parquetry Bureau Cabinet Trumeaux Rome, 1740
Located in Rome, IT
Outstanding Italian 18' century walnut, parquetry bureau cabinet fruitwood inlaid with scrolling foliage,
The upper section with a shaped carved cresting centered by a cartouche-sha...
Category
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Walnut
Black Painted Baroque Swedish Oak Secretary Bureau, circa 1780-1810
Located in Round Top, TX
This striking oak secretary is an elegant statement piece crowned with a curved bonnet. Note the heavily carved panel doors and the large curvaceous lower three serpentine drawers.
T...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Original 18th Century Venetian Secretary Desk Bookcase burled walnut with inlaid
Located in Vigonza, Padua
What makes this piece unique and special is its originali twist to the characteristic Secretaire, a must-have object among Venetian aristocratic families that could not be missing in...
Category
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
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 Antique Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Swedish Baroque Drawer Cabinet Secrétaire Late 18th Century
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Beautiful Swedish secrétaire from the end of the 18th century made of pine and veneered with best selected north European cherry with breath taking grain all in great and original co...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Brass
Italian Olive Burl Wood Bombe Secretary Vanity with Display Top & Matching Chair
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous Italian bombe drop front secretary cabinet in olive wood with the matching chair. Bookcase top with Two drawers with brass hardware and exquisite cabriole legs. Expert craft...
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Flemish Style Bombe Secretary Bookcase by Marge Carson
By Marge Carson
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A large and dramatic cabinet in the Flemish style, by Marge Carson, Inc., 2004. In a fine distressed ecru with gilt trim finish. The scrolled crest rail with a shell center over double textured glass...
Category
Early 2000s American Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Wood
Magnificent Italian Baroque Secretary, circa 1700
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The upper case with swept pediment and stepped molded edge fitted with 11 drawers and an arched door. The lower case with a slant front opening over a well above three long drawers e...
Category
Early 18th Century Antique Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Maple, Olive
Italian Baroque Ebonized and Eglomise Bureau Cabinet
Located in Essex, MA
Slightly arched top that may have held a bust at some point, over a middle section with drawers with reverse painted panels with scenes of ancient towns and ruins with a central mirr...
Category
1690s Italian Antique Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Pine
18th Century Spanish Colonial Vargueno Set on a 19th Century Mission Chest
Located in Hudson, NY
This interesting two-part piece of furniture is an example of the Spanish dominion over the Americas during the global colonization associated with Empire and trade supremacy. The to...
Category
Mid-18th Century Mexican Antique Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Antique Italian Baroque Style Burl Walnut Secretary Cabinet
Located in Miami, FL
Italian Baroque style walnut veneer secretary cabinet, early 20th century. The top part of the cabinet over slant-front desk with writing compa...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Mirror, Walnut
19th Century Painted Baroque Style Secretary Commode from Southern Germany
Located in Dallas, TX
This wonderful Baroque-style secretary commode features a wavy serpentine chest of drawers surmounted by a slant-top desk. Hand-carved in Southern Germany during the 1800s, the secre...
Category
19th Century German Antique Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Paint
Baroque Cabinet with Secretaire, Germany, 1750-1760
Located in Belmont, MA
Outstanding baroque cabinet with fall top secretaire, South Germany, 1750-1760. Beautiful walnut veneer with exquisite figural and landscape marque...
Category
1750s German Antique Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Elm, Walnut
18th Century Baroque Cabinet with Secretaire, Germany, 1760
Located in Belmont, MA
18th century Baroque cabinet with secretaire, Germany, 1760, walnut veneer. Beautiful piece in excellent condition, professionally rest...
Category
1760s German Antique Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Vintage Italian Baroque Style Marquetry Inlay Flip-Up Secretary Display Cabinet
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Italian Baroque Style Marquetry Inlay Carved Flip-Down Secretary Display Cabinet
A practical and elegant addition to any office or living room, this cabinet contains a remar...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Wood
18th Century Danish Late Baroque Secretaire
Located in Allerum, SE
Fine 18th century Danish late Baroque secretaire in its original finish with three drawers in the bottom half. The desk compartment features four drawers ...
Category
18th Century Danish Antique Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Baroque Cabinet with Secretaire, Germany 1750
Located in Belmont, MA
Add timeless elegance to your home or office with this original Baroque cabinet featuring a built-in secretary desk, crafted in Germany circa 1750. This exquisite piece originates fr...
Category
1750s German Antique Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
18th Century Baroque Secretaire, Lake Constance Region
Located in Belmont, MA
18th century baroque secretaire, Lake Constance region. Two-drawer body on curved square feet, foldable desk, inside six drawers, a wide shelf and a sec...
Category
1750s German Antique Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Ferdinando Pogliani Atrib. 19th Century Restored
By Ferdinando Pogliani
Located in Madrid, ES
Ferdinando Pogliani Atrib.
Amazing Italian Secretaire
19th Century.
Perfect condition.
RESTORED
Wood, precious stones
Measures: 170cm x 104cm...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Precious Stone, Wood
Italian early 18th century Baroque Walnut Secretary-Bookcase
Located in Troy, NY
Italian secretary with beautiful, thick walnut radica veneer, wonderful color, ebonized moldings, most likely retaining the original mirror plates. The two upper doors open to reveal a fitted interior, the lower part has a fitted desk compartment...
Category
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
18th Century German Pine Baroque Secretary
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
German provincial baroque secretary à deux corps from around 1750. Solid made in pine wood.
Consisting of a three drawer commode lower part with S-...
Category
18th Century German Antique Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Pine
Baroque Secretaire à Trois Corps, 18th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Large Baroque secretaire on bun feet with a three-drawer commode base with a serpentine front, a writing surface at a height of 80 cm and a broken pediment top part. The doors and dr...
Category
18th Century European Antique Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Late 19th Century Spanish Walnut Bureau Bookcase ‘Secretaire’
Located in Miami, FL
A late 19th century Spanish Walnut Bureau bookcase ‘secretaire’ with fretwork open swan neck pediment, centred by a shaped finial, above a pair of doors, slant front enclosed writing...
Category
Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Tall Walnut Cabinet with a Bureau Desk Compartment
Located in Dubai, AE
Tall walnut desk cabinet in Baroque style with gilded brass ornamentation. The upper glazed part reveals seven drawers, a leaf, and fifteen lockers, the flap revealing six drawers, s...
Category
19th Century German Antique Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Brass
18th Century Baroque Secretaire/ Writing Cabinet Nutwood, Germany ca. 1770
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Important 18th century secrétaire or writing cabinet elaborately made in the baroque period in West Germany around 1770. Different kinds of fine nutwood/ walnut were used to set up a...
Category
Late 18th Century German Antique Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Brass
18th Century Baroque Secretaire, South German, 1750-1760
Located in Belmont, MA
Unique 18th century Baroque secretaire, South German, probably Lake of Constance region, circa 1750-1760.
Elaborate bombe shaped Baroque secretaire with beautiful walnut, elmwood an...
Category
1750s German Antique Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Late 18th Century French Cherry Wood Secretaire
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
A late 18th century French provincial secretary made of cherry wood.
Solidly cherrywood body standing on 6 feet with moulded sides, slight...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Cherry
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 Antique Baroque Secretaires
Portuguese Secretaire of the 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Portuguese Secretaire
of the 19th Century, in mahogany wood with inlays. Bottom with two drawers.
Elevation with two shelves.
Small defects Dim.: 105 x 89 x 56 cm.
very good condition
Category
19th Century Portuguese Antique Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Walnut and plum Baroque Secretary à deux corps around 1760
Located in Münster, DE
Secretary à deux corps
Baroque around 1760
Walnut and plum veneered on softwood, lower part with concave corrus and three drawers,
two-door top with symmetrically arranged compart...
Category
1760s German Antique Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Nutwood
Original Antique Baroque Secretary Desk, Germany 18th century, Walnut
Located in Leimen, DE
Original Antique Baroque Secretary Desk, Germany, 1750
This exquisite antique Baroque secretary desk from Germany (circa 1750) is a rare find for antique furniture collectors. Featur...
Category
1750s German Antique Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Baroque Secretaire, Saxony Mid-18th Century
Located in Greding, DE
An elegant Baroque secretary cabinet from Saxony, crafted in the mid-18th century. The lower section consists of a three-drawer commode with a curved apron and S-shaped legs. Above, ...
Category
Mid-18th Century German Antique Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
18th-19th Century Grey Russian Two Part Bureau - Antique Baroque Oak Secretaire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 18th - 19th Century, antique Russian two part bureau made of hand crafted painted Oakwood, designed and produced by an unknown carpenter from St. Petersburg, in good condition. The vintage secretaire...
Category
Late 18th Century Russian Antique Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Bronze
18th Century Swiss Made Secretaire
Located in Greven, DE
Antique secretary or chest of drawers
Switzerland
Yew, oak
second half of 18th century
Dimensions: H x W x D: 105 x 116 x 61 cm
Description:
Antique sloping flap chest of drawers ...
Category
Mid-18th Century Swiss Antique Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Oak, Yew
Baroque Secretary Desk, Switzerland 1750, Walnut
Located in Belmont, MA
Baroque secretary desk, Switzerland, 1750.
This gorgeous baroque secretary desk stands out for its very pretty walnut veneer. The writing flap opens...
Category
1750s Swiss Antique Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
18th Century Baroque Secretary or Writing Desk in Walnut
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
Exceptional Baroque secretary or writing desk, probably from southern Germany, around 1760.
The softwood corpus à deux corps, ornamentally veneered in walnut, burl and other preciou...
Category
18th Century German Antique Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Nutwood, Walnut, Pine
Early 18th C Italian Baroque Figured Walnut Secretary w/ Architectural Pediment
Located in Atlanta, GA
Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Figured Walnut Secretary with Architectural Pediment, Arched Mirror Cabinet Door
Category
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Baroque Secretaire, Bern ‘Switzerland’ 1750, Attribute to Mathaeus Funk
By Mathaeus Funk
Located in Belmont, MA
Exquisite 18th century Baroque secretaire, Bern (Switzerland) 1750, attributed to Mathaeus Funk (cabinetmaker 1697-1783). Rectangular body with two ...
Category
1750s Swiss Antique Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Baroque secretaires for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Baroque secretaires for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage secretaires created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, walnut and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Baroque secretaires made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and Germany pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original secretaires, popular names associated with this style include Europa Antiques, Bassano's Ebanisteria, Ferdinando Pogliani, and Marge Carson. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for secretaires differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $2,195 and tops out at $154,144 while the average work can sell for $11,055.