Baroque Walnut Secretary
Antique Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Secretaires
Walnut
Antique 1750s Swiss Baroque Secretaires
Walnut
Early 20th Century Italian Baroque Secretaires
Walnut, Mirror
Antique 18th Century German Baroque Secretaires
Nutwood, Walnut, Pine
Early 20th Century Italian Secretaires
Brass
Antique Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Secretaires
Walnut
Antique Mid-18th Century Austrian Baroque Secretaires
Maple, Walnut
Antique 1760s German Baroque Secretaires
Wood, Nutwood
Antique 1770s German Baroque Cabinets
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Italian Louis XIII Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century Austrian Secretaires
Ebony, Pearwood, Burl, Kingwood
Antique 1750s German Baroque Secretaires
Walnut, Softwood
Antique Late 17th Century Baroque Secretaires
Walnut
Antique Mid-18th Century German Baroque Secretaires
Fruitwood, Maple, Walnut
Antique 1730s German Baroque Secretaires
Walnut
Antique 1880s Italian Baroque Revival Cabinets
Walnut
Antique Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Secretaires
Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Baroque Revival Secretaires
Walnut
Antique Mid-18th Century German Baroque Secretaires
Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Baroque Revival Secretaires
Walnut, Burl
20th Century Italian Secretaires
Brass
Antique Mid-18th Century Baroque Secretaires
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Italian Baroque Revival Secretaires
Walnut
Antique Late 18th Century Dutch Baroque Secretaires
Nutwood
Antique Mid-18th Century Swiss Louis XV Secretaires
Walnut
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Baroque Walnut Secretary For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Baroque Walnut Secretary?
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.