Secretaires
15
1,643
89
6
to
303
930
766
1,738
1,665
1,691
179
111
110
94
78
74
68
57
29
28
27
23
14
9
5
3
1
1
374
690
578
95
102
323
69
20
6
16
27
34
53
101
25
14
5
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
1,660
498
395
344
333
1,422
399
297
258
219
21
13
13
10
9
Secretaires For Sale
Danish Rosewood Secretary Desk and Bookcase
Located in Oakland, CA
Mid century secretary desk and bookcase crafted of Brazilian rosewood with pull-out writing surface over a small cabinet with sliding ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Materials
Rosewood
Antique Danish Louis Philippe Empire Style Mahogany Secretary Desk
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Danish Louis Philippe Empire Style Mahogany Secretary Desk
This exquisite 19th-century secretary desk beautifully combines the influence of the Louis Philippe and Danish Emp...
Category
Late 19th Century Danish Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Metal
Secretary in Teak by Nils Jonsson for HJN Möbelfabrik, 1960s
By Nils Jonsson
Located in Kiel, SH
High quality secretary by Nils Jonsson in good used condition
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Teak
Roller blind cabinet by Interier Paraha, 1950s, Czechoslovakia
Located in Prague 8, CZ
Roller blind cabinet made in the 1950s in the former Czechoslovakia. More precisely, in 1955 by the furniture company Interiér Praha. It is made of beech wood and plywood. The cabine...
Category
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Beech, Plywood
Mid-18th Century English Chippendale Two Part Oak Secretary with Brass Hardware
Located in Middleburg, VA
Mid-18th Century English Chippendale Two Part Oak Secretary with Brass Hardware. This piece stands tall at just over 6 feet and will be a beautiful antique addition to your home. Mad...
Category
Mid-18th Century English Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Secretary Desk Cabinet / Bar in Teak Wood
By Paul McCobb
Located in Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo
resenting a striking midcentury modern desk meticulously fashioned from solid wood, presently offered in good condition on 1stdibs. Skillfully embellished in the enduring elegance of...
Category
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Teak
Late 18th or Early 19th Century Secretary with Hidden Mechanisms, Mahogany
Located in Greven, DE
Antique secretary after designs by Friedrich Gottlob Hoffmann
Central German (Leipzig)
Mahogany, maple burl
around 1800
Dimensions: H x W x D: 144 x 89 x 51 cm
Description:
The tw...
Category
1790s German Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany, Maple
Antique Oak Secretary Bureau, Denmark circa 1800-40
Located in Round Top, TX
This oak secretary reflects the refined grace and style of early 1800's Denmark. The fluted carving along the mid-section and half columns at sides adds a decorative touch to the dro...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Country Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Empire Style Secretary Made In Mahogany & Intarsia From 1820s
Located in Lejre, DK
This impressive Empire style secretary from the year 1820 is a true masterpiece of craftsmanship and aesthetic beauty. Hand-polished mahogany wo...
Category
1820s Danish Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
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
19th Century Louis XVI Style French Secretaire with Black Marble Top
Located in Houston, TX
In the lavish world of 19th-century French design, the Louis XVI Style Secretaire with a Black Marble Top stands as a masterpiece of sophistication and functionality. Adorned with th...
Category
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Marble
Danish Modern Bow Front Secretary Desk In Teak
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Denmark
Designer: Unknown
Manufacturer: Unknown
Era: 1960s
Materials: Teak
Measurements: 33.25" wide x 16" deep x 42.5" tall, Desk: 21.5" wide, 16.75" deep x 28" tall
Condit...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Teak
18th Century German Baroque Secretary with Marquetry and Patina, circa 1750
Located in Greven, DE
Baroque secretary with impressive marquetry
Southwest Germany
Walnut a.o.
around 1750
Dimensions: H x W x D: 211 x 127 x 65 cm
Description:
Antique top-mounted secretary from the ...
Category
Mid-18th Century German Baroque Antique Secretaires
Materials
Fruitwood, Maple, Walnut
Børge Mogensen Two Piece Cabinet or Secretary for Karl Andersson and Sons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Oak and teak storage unit and desk by Børge Mogensen for Karl Andersson and Sons c.1960s, Sweden. This two piece storage cabinet has eight drawers along the lower cabinet and a drop ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Materials
Oak, Teak
Period Danish Rococo Front Slant Secretaire
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Period Danish desk with a slant front that opens to a workspace.
Below are three serpentine drawers for useful storage.
Repainted in soft black, with a green/grey interior.
Category
18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Danish Blue Painted Baroque Cabinet Bureau / Secretaire
Located in Kastrup, DK
18th Century Danish Baroque period secretary cabinet in two parts. Crafted in oak, painted in a beautiful blue color and a dark grey interior.
Upper cabinet with curved crown and a ...
Category
Mid-18th Century Danish Baroque Antique Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Arne Vodder Scandinavian Danish Modern Teak Desk Vanity Table Top Organizer
By Arne Vodder
Located in Wayne, NJ
Wonderful aged teak three-drawer organizer. Beautifully crafted, finished on all sides. This can also be for multiple purposes such as used as jewelry , Makeup , flatware chest , Re...
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Teak
Rosewood secretair by Torbjørn Afdal, Norway, 1960s, Palisander
Located in Hägersten, SE
Secretair designed by Torbjørn Afdal. Produced by Nesjestranda møbelfabrikk during the 1960s. Made from palisander with solid wood in the legs and the drawers. The drawers made with ...
Category
1960s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Palisander
Kindel Winterthur Collection Mahogany Goddard Townsend Secretary Writing Desk
Located in Dayton, OH
Kindel Winterthur Collection Mahogany Goddard Townsend Blockfront Secretary Writing Desk. Made from mahogany with a high sheen finish. This exception ...
Category
Late 20th Century Federal Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Cees Braakman CB07 Secretaire in Birch red / blue plywood for Pastoe Netherlands
By Cees Braakman, Pastoe
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stylish Secretaire Model CB07 designed by Cees Braakman and manufactured by Pastoe in the 1950s, the Netherlands. This Secretaire was part of the 'Birch Series' of Pastoe and inspire...
Category
1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Birch
20th Century Walnut Burl and Beech Wood Italian Trumeau Desk Secrétaire, 1950
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Lombard trumeau of the mid-twentieth century. Moved and rounded, double body, richly carved in walnut, burl and beech woods of beautiful lines and pleasant decor. Trumeau with a work...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Wood
20th Century Wood Italian Lombard Trumeau Desk Secrétaire, 1960s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Lombard trumeau from the mid-20th century. Double body furniture carved in walnut, burl and beech of a beautiful line and pleasant decor. Lower body equipped with three drawers and d...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Secretaire "a Abbatant" Napoleon III Empire, 19th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Title: Secretaire "a Abbatant"
Date/Period: 19th century
Dimension: 147cm x 105cm x 51cm.
Material: Mahogany wood
Additional Information: Secretaire "a Abbatant" French, Empire Style...
Category
Early 19th Century European Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Antique American Empire Flame Mahogany Secretary Desk With Leaded Glass c1840
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique American Empire secretary offers flame mahogany construction with upper having arched pediment over bookcase having double doors with leaded glass over lower with slant fr...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
Swedish Gustavian Painted Secretary Cabinet Bookcase
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Gustavian Painted Secretary Cabinet Bookcase, Sweden
Antique Swedish secretary cabinet in Gustavian Style. The cabinet is a well crafted pie...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
charming secretary circa 1960 in solid walnut, gilded metal base.
Located in Mouscron, WHT
charming secretary 1960 in solid walnut, gilded metal base.
The leather is stained
Category
1960s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Metal
Danish Design Teak Secretaire by Johannes Sorth for Bornholm Møbelfabrik, 1960s
Located in Elshout, NL
Danish Design Secretaire
This tall Danish chest of shelves with pull out desk is manufactured Bornholms Møbelfabrik from a pressed wood teak veneer composite. Made late 60s the desi...
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Teak
18th C. Swedish Rococo Period Two-Part Painted Secretary with Library
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
Swedish secretary with library from the late Rococo period, circa 1780. The upper section has two library shelves with glass doors. The lower body is shaped to provide slant desk r...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paint
Mid-Century Modern Secretary, Memphis Style
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Secretary, Memphis Style
Category
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Hand-Painted & Decorated Front Neoclassical Style Breakfront Secretary Bookcase
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Introducing our exquisite 19th-century Neoclassical Style Hand-Painted & Decorated Front Breakfront/Secretary Bookcase, a stunning blend of artistry and functionality that adds a tou...
Category
1840s French Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
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 Baroque Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Antique Swedish Golden Ash Biedermeier Secretary Chest Dresser Desk inlaid 1820
Located in Portland, OR
A very fine antique Swedish Biedermeier golden ash secretary chest, circa 1820.
The chest is made of the finest gold ash; a beautiful blond wood with figured graining. To the top of ...
Category
1820s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Ash, Ebony
A fine 19th c Biedermeier birch secretary. Ebonized details and gilt bronze
Located in Dallas, TX
A very fine Biedermeier period drop front secretary. Fine Empire gilt bronze details . Ebonized details . Beautiful walnut and birch woods
Category
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
Brazilian Rosewood Mid-century Danish Secretary Desk with Vanity Mirror
Located in Oakland, CA
Brazilian rosewood secretary desk, 1955, Denmark. Crafted with exquisite attention to detail, it showcases stunning Brazilian rosewood with dark grains and dynamic book-matched patte...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Secretaires
Materials
Mirror, Rosewood
Early 19th Century Mahogany Secretary
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Early XIX Century Mahogany Secretary
Germany, 1800
Mahogany
This classicist cylinder bureau made of mahogany dates from 1810 and is an original from the Empire & Biedermeier era. Th...
Category
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
20th Century Inlaid Carved Wood Austrian Biedermeier Style Secretaire Desk, 1960s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Austrian secretaire from the 20th century. Biedermeier style furniture elegantly inlaid, veneered and carved in walnut, maple, beech and fr...
Category
1960s Austrian Biedermeier Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Midcentury Danish Brazilian Rosewood Secretary Desk
Located in Oakland, CA
Brazilian Rosewood secretary desk with locking drop-front desk over three drawers with carved pulls, raised on tapered legs. Designed by William Jensen for Skrillinge Mobelfabrik, mo...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Materials
Rosewood
Vintage Danish Mid Century Modern Rosewood Secretary Desk
Located in San Marcos, CA
Here is a beautiful scandinavian modern secretary desk in rosewood manufactured in Denmark in the 1960's.
This exquisite case piece, recently imported from Europe to California befor...
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Rosewood
Midcentury Danish teak secretary, vanity /Make up table By Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in Gaggenau, DE
Midcentury Danish vintage teak secretary, vanity /Make up table By Arne Wahl Iversen, 1960s
Usable as: desk / office / secretary / closet / dresser / Make up Table
Dimensions:
45 ...
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Teak
Circa 1810. French Empire Mahogany Secretary With Ormolu Fittings & Trim
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Circa 1810. French Empire Mahogany Secretary With Ormolu Fittings & Trim
Category
Early 19th Century French French Provincial Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
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
Antique 18th Century VOC Dutch Colonial Padouk Ebony Secretary Desk Bureau 1730
Located in Portland, OR
A very rare antique Dutch Colonial V.O.C. (Dutch East India Company) fall front bureau/desk on stand, Batavia, circa 1730.
This desk in the Queen Anne style was made in the Dutch Eas...
Category
1730s Indonesian Dutch Colonial Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Oak Roll Top Secretary Desk with Drawers
Located in Madrid, ES
Oak secretary / writing desk from circa 1900's. Featuring a roll-up flap with underlying writing board, shelf interior and two drawers. Below the writing desk there are two pull-out ...
Category
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Italian Mid-Century Secretary Palisander Wood with Inlays by Paolo Buffa 1940s
Located in Salzburg, AT
Exceptional secretary by Paolo Buffa from the late 1940s in Italy.
The object is a real gem due to its distinctive size as well as the fineness of its execution.
The look is clea...
Category
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Burl, Bog Wood, Oak, Maple, Boxwood, Birch, Glass, Palisander
Retro Mid Century Teak Secretaire Bureau
Located in Leicester, GB
A cute retro teak bureau desk with three drawers. Lovely sculpted legs in solid teak, three clean drawers with white carcasses and a simple drop down...
Category
1970s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Teak
CRAFTIQUE Solid Mahogany Chippendale Secretary Desk w/ Bookcase
Located in Charlotte, NC
A stunning secretary desk with bookcase by top-quality furniture maker Craftique, in the style of early American John Hancock desks. Solid mahogany with their Old Wood finish, brass ...
Category
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Painted Baroque Secretaire, 18th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Baroque slanted-flap bureau with curved front and three drawers. The bureau rests on pressed ball feet. The compartments inside consist of six drawers and a shelf. The white painting...
Category
18th Century German Baroque Antique Secretaires
Materials
Softwood
Secretaire by Arne Wahl Iversen for Vinde Mobelfabrik, 1960s
Located in HEVERLEE, BE
Mid century palisander secretaire designed by Arne Wahl Iversen for Vinde Mobelfabrik.
It consists of a fold down door and two drawers.
Gorgeous cabinet with eye for details and qu...
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Louise Semainier Secretaires in Fine Hammered Antique Bronze by Paul Mathieu
Located in New York, NY
“Semainier” refers to a French piece of furniture with seven drawers (Fr. Semaine = week). It is part of the Louise Collection designed by renowne...
Category
2010s Indian Other Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Sheet Metal
Louise Semainier Secretaires in Mid. Hammered White Bronze by Paul Mathieu
Located in New York, NY
“Semainier” refers to a French piece of furniture with seven drawers (Fr. Semaine = week). It is part of the Louise Collection designed by renowned designer Paul Mathieu. A remarkabl...
Category
2010s Indian Other Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Sheet Metal
Louise Semainier Secretaires in Mid. Hammered Copper by Paul Mathieu
Located in New York, NY
“Semainier” refers to a French piece of furniture with seven drawers (Fr. Semaine = week). It is part of the Louise Collection designed by renowne...
Category
2010s Indian Other Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Sheet Metal
Louise Semainier Secretaires in Smooth Antique Bronze by Paul Mathieu
Located in New York, NY
“Semainier” refers to a French piece of furniture with seven drawers (Fr. Semaine = week). It is part of the Louise Collection designed by renowne...
Category
2010s Indian Other Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Sheet Metal
Louise Semainier Secretaires in Fine Hammered Copper by Paul Mathieu
Located in New York, NY
“Semainier” refers to a French piece of furniture with seven drawers (Fr. Semaine = week). It is part of the Louise Collection designed by renowne...
Category
2010s Indian Other Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Sheet Metal
Louise Semainier Secretaires in Fine Hammered Copper by Paul Mathieu
Located in New York, NY
“Semainier” refers to a French piece of furniture with seven drawers (Fr. Semaine = week). It is part of the Louise Collection designed by renowne...
Category
2010s Indian Other Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Sheet Metal
Louise Semainier Secretaires in Smooth Copper by Paul Mathieu by S Odegard
Located in New York, NY
“Semainier” refers to a French piece of furniture with seven drawers (Fr. Semaine = week). It is part of the Louise Collection designed by renowned designer Paul Mathieu. A remarkabl...
Category
2010s Indian Other Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Sheet Metal
Louise Semainier Secretaires in Fine Hammered Brass by Paul Mathieu
Located in New York, NY
“Semainier” refers to a French piece of furniture with seven drawers (Fr. Semaine = week). It is part of the Louise Collection designed by renowne...
Category
2010s Indian Other Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Sheet Metal
Louise Semainier Secretaires in Smooth Brass by Paul Mathieu for S. Odegard
Located in New York, NY
“Semainier” refers to a French piece of furniture with seven drawers (Fr. Semaine = week). It is part of the Louise Collection designed by renowned designer Paul Mathieu. A remarkabl...
Category
2010s Indian Other Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Sheet Metal
Louise Semainier Wardrobes and armoires in Smooth White Bronze by Paul Mathieu
Located in New York, NY
“Semainier” refers to a French piece of furniture with seven drawers (Fr. Semaine = week). It is part of the Louise Collection designed by renowned designer Paul Mathieu. A remarkabl...
Category
2010s Indian Other Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Sheet Metal
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.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Glass Cabinet Secretary
Antique French Secretary Desk
Side By Side Secretary
Brass Secretary Desk Antique
Oak Secretaries
Secretary Desk Legs
Antique Secretaire Bookcase
Antique Style Secretary Desk
Secretary Desk With Key
Slant Top Cabinet
French Front Secretary
Antique Cubby Cabinet
Secretary Desk Walnut
Oak Secretary
Slant Front Desk With Cabinet
Secretary Chests
Secretary Desks With Drop Front
1930 Secretary