Secretaires
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304
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1,738
1,665
1,691
179
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14
9
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1
374
690
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69
20
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101
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Secretaires For Sale
French Louis XV Period 18th Century Walnut Slant Front Secretary and Buffet
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Louis XV period walnut slant front secretary from the 18th century with buffet in the lower section. Step into the world of regal elegance with this French Louis XV period w...
Category
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
French Empire Secrétaire á Abattant
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A handsome 19th century Empire secrétaire à abattant made of rich bookmatched and figured walnut. This desk has a black fossil marble top resting above a drawer, accessible with a hidden pull. 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 with empirical styled 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
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 Baroque Antique Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Wood
20th Century Painted Wood Venetian Style Bureau Desk, 1960s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Venetian bureau from the second half of the 20th century. Beautifully designed furniture, pleasantly lacquered and hand painted with floral decorations. High leg bureau equipped with...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Wood
18th C. Venetian Tall Secretary Cabinet with Beautiful Hand-Painted Finish
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian Venetian tall secretary cabinet from the 18th century. This antique 7.75 feet tall (approximate) cabinet from Venice, Italy boasts a ...
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Privé" secrétaire by Jürgen Lange for Rosenthal Germany 1987
Located in Renens, CH
"Privé" writing desk or secrétaire by Jürgen Lange for Rosenthal Germany 1987.
This is an extremely well thought and crafted desk. While standing on a small footprint it offers amaz...
Category
1980s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Fruitwood
Oak Secretary Bureau With Painted Finish from Sweden circa 1760-1800
Located in Round Top, TX
This oak secretary or "bureau" reflects the grace and class of Swedish styling from the early 1800's.
The dramatic serpentine drawers and carved outer panel of the drop down desk add a romantic touch, accented by brass pulls and key escutcheon.
The traditional interior with 12 unique, small drawers and central “cubbie” with two petite drawers offers perfect space to organize.
Under the desk top is three standard large size drawers and upper narrow drawer, each has two brass pulls used to open drawer.
It was later professionally painted with an exceptional layered salmon/desert pink...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
18th century Norwegian carved oak bureau bookcase
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Stunning and rare Norwegian baroque oak bureau bookcase circa 1760.
Comprising of 3 sections due to the monumental proportions.
Top section with shaped cornice, below which the car...
Category
Mid-18th Century Norwegian Baroque Revival Antique Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Edwardian Walnut Secretary with Hand Painted Motifs
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a lovely Edwardian walnut Secretary, the top having two glazed doors within Gothic mullions. The bottom section with a slant drop front, contains a hand painted center medal...
Category
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Antique Trumeau Burl Wood Style Secretary Writing Desk Chest with Drawers
Located in Greer, SC
Attractive Italian Rococo style burl wood veneer secretary cabinet, circa early 20th century.
Double bodied with the top part of the cabinet over a slant-front desk with writing comp...
Category
Early 20th Century European Rococo Revival Secretaires
Materials
Wood
French Ormolu-Mounted Secrétaire À Abattant by Millet
Located in London, GB
The brèche d'Alep marble top above a long frieze drawer, the hinged fall front with gilt-tooled brown leather writing-surface, the fitted interior with four open compartments and a long drawer, above two cupboard doors, the interior with one shelf, on spreading foliate feet, the gilt-bronze banding to the left side signed Millet à Paris.
Category
19th Century French Antique Secretaires
Materials
Fruitwood, Tulipwood
19th C. European Butler's Chest w/its Original Fabulously Hand-Painted Finish
Located in Atlanta, GA
A European wooden secretary chest, with original hand-painted finish, from the 19th century. This antique chest from Europe features a slanted fall-front at top, flanked between two ...
Category
19th Century European Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Antique Austrian Baroque Walnut Pearwood Marquetry Secretary Late 18th Century
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Late 18th Century Austrian Baroque marquetry & inlaid secretary - Vienna, Austria, having 3 sections - the top with a molded crest, above two glazed ...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Ebony, Pearwood, Burl, Kingwood
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
18th Century Northern European Tortoiseshell Lacquer Japanned Bureau Cabinet
Located in Southampton, NY
18th Century Northern European Tortoiseshell Lacquer Japanned Bureau Cabinet Secretary
A rare and fine bureau cabinet. Three sections: a broken pediment crown atop a tall cabinet with 2 shelves (included but not shown in photo) and two drawers. Atop a slope front bureau writing section with three stepped drawers on either side of a cubby section and a center door. Atop of chest of three drawers. Beautiful orange red paint on interior of bureau. Original hardware. Tortoiseshell faux paint ground with gilded Japanned Chinoiserie painted scenes. Some chips and losses to lacquer. Damage to top left back corner of chest section (as shown in photo). Overall good structural condition. Condition is consistent with age and use.
This bureau is decorated in one of the most fashionable styles of the Baroque period, Japanned lacquer with gilded decoration and tortoiseshell imitation ground and would have been a statement piece within the interior. Tortoiseshell furniture...
Category
18th Century Unknown Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Louis XV Period Secretary At Doucine by Denis Louis Ancellet - 18th Century
By Denis-Louis Ancellet
Located in Rio De Janeiro, BR
Oven secretary in walnut and other european woods, opening with two leaves a flap and a drawer. The decor is composed of three medallions containing inlaid floral arrangements. Open...
Category
1760s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Antique 19th Century Walnut Shenandoah Valley Moravian Plantation / Postal Desk
Located in Charlotte, NC
An antique 19th Century American plantation / postal desk, handcrafted by Moravian craftsmen in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, USA. Solid walnu...
Category
19th Century American American Craftsman Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Hand Painted Secretary
Located in Newport Beach, CA
Hand painted and silver gilt secretary with inset original glass mirrored doors and fitted interior.
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mirror, Wood, Paint
20th Century Vienna Biedermeier Style Secretaire after Johann Härle
By Johann Härle
Located in Berlin, DE
Aristocratic secretaire of Vienna Biedermeier after Johann Härle, 1813.
Highly valuable bird’s-eye maple root veneer on solid pinewood, partially ebonized, crested with classicist m...
Category
20th Century Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Pine, Wood, Birdseye Maple
Louis XVI Style French Scriban Chest
Located in Austin, TX
Scriban or secretary chest in the Louis XVI style from France. This piece is made of mahogany that has been ebonized and finished with a lustrous French polish. There are two doors t...
Category
1880s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Marble, Brass
paved "urn" secrétaire
Located in Firenze, IT
Beautiful "urn" secretaire panelled in rosewood with fruitwood fillets.
The shape of the secretaire is highly elegant, with a three-tiered arrangement reflecting a balanced distrib...
Category
18th Century Antique Secretaires
Materials
Kingwood
Pair of Secretaire and Cupboard, Epoche Charles X, France, circa 1830
Located in Greven, DE
Rare pair of furniture - secretary and fronted cabinet
France
Maple, rosewood
Charles X around 1830
Dimensions: H x W x D: 135 x 66 x 33 cm
Description:
Extremely rare pair of fur...
Category
1830s French Charles X Antique Secretaires
Materials
Maple
19th C. Drop Front Desk, Secretary Abattant, with Multiple Wood Marquetry Inlay
Located in Madrid, ES
This handsome Carlos IV style "secretaire-abattant" or drop front desk combines functionality with ample storage space. Top, front and sides feature detailed marquetry inlay in geome...
Category
Early 19th Century Spanish Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Hardwood, Kingwood, Mahogany
Secrétaire en bois laqué à riches décors de fleurs sur fond noir, XIXe
Located in ROYÈRE-DE-VASSIVIÈRE, FR
Secrétaire en bois laqué à riches décors de fleurs sur fond noir, XIXe
Il ouvre à un abattant (manque la serrure, remplacée par un aimant) et quatre tiroirs.
L’abattant ouvre sur tro...
Category
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
18th Century English George III Mahogany Inlaid Secretaire Chest of Drawers 1700
Located in Roma, RM
English secretaire with mahogany chest of drawers and finely inlaid in fruitwood and satinwood in the manner of Thomas Sheraton, on the sides also two columns with gilt bronze capita...
Category
1760s English George III Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Charles X Writing Desk with secret compartment
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
19th Century Charles X Writing Desk with secret compartment. Gorgeous piece. Age appropriate wear on wood and red leather top, see detailed pics.
Category
Early 19th Century French Charles X Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Antique Victorian Chippendale Mahogany Secretary Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Transport your workspace into another time and place with this exquisite antique secretary desk. Made of carved red mahogany with a generous lacquer, this piece opens up to reveal a ...
Category
Late 19th Century English Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Brass
20th Century Inlaid Wood Dutch Louis XVI Style Secretaire, 1960
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Dutch secretaire from the second half of the 20th century. Louis XVI style furniture pleasantly inlaid in walnut, palisander, maple, rosewood, mahogany, burl, ebonized wood and fruitwood. High-leg secretaire equipped with a front drawer and drawer (see photo). Interior complete with 8 small drawers, an open compartment and a large secret compartment (see photo). Desk top with a central stain with a small lack of veneer (see photo). Furniture supported by 4 legs in the shape of an inverted pyramid, wooden upper shelf with some small signs of wear (see photo). Secretaire of excellent proportions and pleasant furnishings, adorned on the front with a female figure inlaid...
Category
1960s Dutch Louis XVI Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Wood
George Nelson Thin Edge Secretary Desk Cabinet for Herman Miller
Located in Lake Worth, FL
1950s original Thin Edge secretary desk cabinet designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. This early version features the rare black enamel stainless large pulls and tapered wood feet. Cabinet on the right includes an adjustable shelf and 2 drawers. Pull down desk is covered with black leather and features 5 drawers on the left side with original small white porcelain George Nelson drawer pulls...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Vintage Danish Mid Century Modern Teak Secretary Desk by Arne Wahl Iversen
Located in San Marcos, CA
Here is a beautiful and sought after scandinavian modern secretary desk designed by Arne Wahl Iversen and manufactured by Vinde Mobelfabrik in Denmark in the 1960s. This exquisite ca...
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Teak
Black Painted Rococo Secretary from Denmark circa 1760-1800
Located in Round Top, TX
This pine rococo secretary reflects the grace and class of Swedish styling in the early 1800's.
The dramatic serpentine drawers with curvaceous front and carved skirt resting on cabr...
Category
Late 18th Century Danish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wrought Iron
Vintage Danish Mid Century Modern Rosewood Secretary Desk
Located in San Marcos, CA
Here is a beautiful scandinavian modern secretary desk in rosewood attributed to Gunnar Falsig, Denmark, 1960's.
This exquisite piece, recently imported from Europe to California bef...
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Rosewood
18th century Georgian secretary in hand painted blue wedge wood swirl finish
Located in Charleston, SC
Wonderful 18th century Georgian mahogany secretary with hand painted wedgewood swirl finish by “The Fabulous Things”. This piece is a statement piece that will elevate any room. The ...
Category
18th Century English Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Paint
Yellow Painted Oak Secretary, Denmark circa 1760-80
Located in Round Top, TX
This oak secretary reflects the grace and class of European styling in the early 1800's with four serpentine drawers and curved skirt.
The traditional interior with 12 small drawers ...
Category
Late 18th Century Danish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Materials
Oak, Paint
Slant Front Pine Chest Paint Decorated In White And Green
Located in Bridgeport, CT
The chest in white paint with two short over two long drawers with baroque style bales and escutcheons (lacking a key). The slant front opens to an emerald green painted interior wit...
Category
20th Century Country Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Johannes Sorth Secretary Bookcase Desk
Located in Southampton, NJ
Danish Modern Brazilian Rosewood secretary desk by Johannes Sorth number 331 32.
Multifunctional having three adjustable bookshelves to the tapered top with pull out pocket desk & t...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Materials
Rosewood
Conant Ball Gallery Drawer Box Modern Mates Leslie Diamond Rare
Located in Fraser, MI
Please feel free to reach out for efficient shipping to your location.
Gallery box with three drawers.
Solid Flame Birch construction.
Designed by Leslie Diamond for the famed Mode...
Category
1950s American Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Birch
Painted Oak Secretary Bureau, Denmark circa 1760-80
Located in Round Top, TX
This striking oak secretary is an elegant statement piece crowned with a beautifully curved and carved bonnet or crown.
The entire secretary has been given a professional custom layered salmon/desert...
Category
Late 18th Century Danish Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass, Iron
Superb American Stacking Filing Cabinet by Yawman and Erbe
By Yawman Erbe
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Superb American Stacking Filing Cabinet by Yawman and Erbe
This is a superb Example of an American Stacking System Waterfall Filing Cabinet, this hands...
Category
Early 1900s Art Deco Antique Secretaires
Materials
Oak
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 Baroque Antique Secretaires
Materials
Nutwood, Walnut, Pine
Vintage Boho Henredon Folio Arched Secretary Desk
Located in west palm beach, FL
A chic vintage Boho secretary desk. Made by the iconic Henredon group. Part of their Folio 14 collection. Beautiful double arch design with beautiful wood grain detail. Acquired from...
Category
Late 20th Century American Bohemian Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Wood
Crotch Mahogany Individual Glass Pains Door Drop Front Secretary Breakfront MINT
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Crotch Mahogany Individual Glass Pains Door Drop Front Secretary Breakfront MINT!
Category
20th Century American Federal Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Gustavian Style Drop Front or Slant Front Secretary, Late 19th Century
Located in South Salem, NY
This late 19th-century Gustavian style drop-front secretary bookshelf is a true embodiment of timeless sophistication. Adorned with a later gray pa...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
solid pine secretary desk by WASA, Germany 1990s
Located in ECHT, NL
Secretary desk made by German company Wasa in 1992. it is made from solid pine.
It has a lid that folds down to function as a work top. Behind the lid there are shelves and drawers....
Category
Late 20th Century German Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Materials
Pine
Empire Secretary à abattant, France early 19th century
Located in Greding, DE
French Empire secretary à abattant with a two-door base, two wide drawers and a flat writing flap surrounded by smooth full columns with fire-gilt bronze capitals and bases. The bure...
Category
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Mahogany, Maple
Late 19th Century Charles X Style Letter Storage Desk Cabinet
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A antique desk cabinet for storing letters and cards. Made of wood veneer with foliage wood inlay. Made in France, circa 1870-1880
Note: one of th...
Category
1880s French Charles X Antique Secretaires
Materials
Fruitwood
Teak Mid-Century Dresser w/ Secretary Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage Danish modern secretary desk. Fold down table with office storage and four dresser drawers. Classic Danish modern design with w...
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Teak
Swedish 1800s Light Gray Painted Secretary from Värmland with Slant Front Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish tall secretary from Värmland circa 1800, with gray painted finish, carved bonnet top, four doors, slant front desk and bracket feet. Embrace the understated elegance of Swe...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Italian Louis XV Style Painted Bombe Secretary
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Italian Louis XV style painted bombe secretary, circa 1960's. The top section with double serpentine shaped top and two doors with birdcage wire and two shelves, the bottom section o...
Category
1960s Italian Louis XV Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Brass
18th Century Oak Drop Front Secretaire
Located in Dallas, TX
French oak drop front secretarie with green leather writing surface.
Circa 1780
Category
18th Century French Antique Secretaires
Materials
Metal
A drop-front secretary desk - 1950 - France.
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A secretary desk from the 1950s, French craftsmanship. Solid elm wood with a beautiful patina.
Height with the drop-down leaf open: 75 cm.
Dimensions of the drop-down leaf: 45 cm ...
Category
1950s French Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Elm
Rosewood secretary desk, Denmark, 1960s.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Rosewood secretary desk, Danish design, 1960s
Very good condition.
Wood: rosewood
h. 117 cm w. 110 cm d. 43 cm
Category
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Rosewood
Ivory Lacquered French Art Deco Cabinet or Writing Desk in the style of Arbus
By André Arbus
Located in Miami, FL
Very elegant and rare piece of furniture. This writing desk cabinet is in lacquered wood and has drawers and two side doors with shelves and bookc...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Burl Walnut Art Deco Cabinet
Located in Dronten, NL
Period Dutch Art Deco secretary in wonderful burl walnut veneer in symmetrical pattern.
Cut-glass pane, drop front desk, ebony wood door handles.
Comes with three beautiful original ...
Category
1920s Dutch Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Cut Glass, Ebony, Burl
IMPORTANT GERMAN STATIONERY/SECRETAYRE 18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
IMPORTANT GERMAN STATIONERY 18th Century
plated in fruit wood with inlays representing gallant scenes and floral motifs.
Wavy box with three drawers, showing factory interior with d...
Category
18th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Antique Walnut French Provincial Secretary Cabinet
Located in Portland, OR
Exceptional in every way! Imported from Belgium this French display cabinet with secretary desk is as enchanting as it is functional. Exquisitely crafted of walnut with incredible ha...
Category
Early 20th Century French French Provincial Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Walnut
Secrétaire Neoclassical Lombardy Late 18th Century
Located in Milano, IT
Neoclassical secrétaire supported by truncated-pyramidal feet, on the front has two doors surmounted by flap-opening door concealing scarab with morocco top, central compartment, sma...
Category
18th Century Italian Neoclassical Revival Antique Secretaires
Materials
Maple, Nutwood
Børge Mogensen for Søborg Secretary Desk 1960s
Located in Handewitt, DE
Secretary desk / cabinet, designed in 1950s by Børge Mogensen for Søborg Møbelfabrik Denmark. Made in fine walnut early 1960s. Front with three drawers and a writing flap. Behind the...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Materials
Wood
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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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