Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
17th Century American Agra Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Hardwood, Walnut
Mid-18th Century English Georgian Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Leather, Walnut
19th Century American Chippendale Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Wood, Maple
1880s American Victorian Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Brass
Mid-19th Century British George III Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Brass
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Copper
1780s English Georgian Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Brass
Early 20th Century American Chippendale Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Mahogany
19th Century American Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Wood
19th Century English Queen Anne Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Walnut
Early 20th Century Edwardian Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Mahogany
Late 19th Century English Queen Anne Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Mahogany
19th Century American Eastlake Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Walnut, Burl
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Wood
Mid-19th Century American George III Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Glass, Walnut
Late 18th Century Dutch Biedermeier Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Wood
1920s French Louis XV Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Oak
1920s French Louis XV Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Oak
Early 1900s American Arts and Crafts Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Copper
Late 19th Century American Chippendale Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Brass
Early 20th Century American American Classical Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Oak
Early 20th Century Italian Other Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Walnut
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Spruce, Cherry
19th Century French Other Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Walnut
Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Brass
Early 1900s British Queen Anne Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Bronze
Early 20th Century Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Mahogany
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Copper
18th Century American Chippendale Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Brass
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Wood
Mid-19th Century Belgian Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Oak
Early 19th Century European Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Brass
Late 18th Century Swedish Baroque Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Glass, Wood
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Wood
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Brass
Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Wood
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Brass
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Wood
Late 18th Century European Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Glass, Wood
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Wood
18th Century European Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Glass, Wood
Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Wood
Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Brass
Early 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Wood
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Wood
19th Century French Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Mirror, Wood
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Wood
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Brass
19th Century American Country Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Mahogany
1880s English Queen Anne Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Mirror, Walnut, Burl
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Walnut
19th Century English Chinese Chippendale Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Bamboo, Wood
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Olive, Burl
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Wood
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Wood
Late 19th Century Eastlake Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Cherry
18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Iron
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Brass
1790s English Chippendale Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Mahogany
Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk
Brass
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Antique Slant Front Secretary Desk For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Antique Slant Front 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.
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