Secretary Cabinet Antique
18th Century Unknown Baltic Secretary Cabinet Antique
Brass
19th Century British Georgian Secretary Cabinet Antique
Wood
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretary Cabinet Antique
Brass
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretary Cabinet Antique
Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Rococo Secretary Cabinet Antique
Bronze
1860s Spanish Rustic Secretary Cabinet Antique
Iron
Early 20th Century Italian Baroque Secretary Cabinet Antique
Walnut, Mirror
Late 19th Century French Rustic Secretary Cabinet Antique
Iron
Late 19th Century Austrian Baroque Revival Secretary Cabinet Antique
Brass
Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Secretary Cabinet Antique
Wood
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretary Cabinet Antique
Pine
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretary Cabinet Antique
Brass
1870s French Gothic Revival Secretary Cabinet Antique
Walnut
Late 19th Century English Regency Secretary Cabinet Antique
Brass
Early 19th Century Swedish Country Secretary Cabinet Antique
Pine
1920s German Industrial Secretary Cabinet Antique
Glass, Oak, Pine, Plywood
1920s Spanish Secretary Cabinet Antique
Wood
19th Century European Biedermeier Secretary Cabinet Antique
Burl
18th Century Italian Secretary Cabinet Antique
Wood
Early 20th Century French French Provincial Secretary Cabinet Antique
Glass, Walnut
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretary Cabinet Antique
Wood
1830s American American Empire Secretary Cabinet Antique
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Secretary Cabinet Antique
Macassar
1750s English George III Secretary Cabinet Antique
Leather, Oak
Late 19th Century French French Provincial Secretary Cabinet Antique
Pine
18th Century Italian Rococo Secretary Cabinet Antique
Metal, Brass
18th Century French Louis XV Secretary Cabinet Antique
Wrought Iron, Metal, Metallic Thread
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Secretary Cabinet Antique
Leather, Walnut
1840s English Victorian Secretary Cabinet Antique
Mahogany
1840s English Victorian Secretary Cabinet Antique
Mahogany
Late 19th Century French Louis Philippe Secretary Cabinet Antique
Walnut
19th Century Spanish Secretary Cabinet Antique
Leather, Wood
1880s Italian Baroque Revival Secretary Cabinet Antique
Walnut
18th Century Dutch Secretary Cabinet Antique
Wood, Walnut
1860s French Louis XVI Secretary Cabinet Antique
Brass, Bronze
19th Century English Georgian Secretary Cabinet Antique
Mahogany
19th Century German Biedermeier Secretary Cabinet Antique
Mahogany
Late 19th Century American Victorian Secretary Cabinet Antique
Glass, Wood, Walnut
Late 19th Century Italian Directoire Secretary Cabinet Antique
Wood
18th Century European Secretary Cabinet Antique
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
Early 20th Century European Rococo Revival Secretary Cabinet Antique
Wood
Mid-18th Century Danish Baroque Secretary Cabinet Antique
Oak
1790s British George III Secretary Cabinet Antique
Mahogany
Early 19th Century Swedish Secretary Cabinet Antique
Paint, Wood
1820s Swedish Gustavian Secretary Cabinet Antique
Wood
Mid-19th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Secretary Cabinet Antique
Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century European Secretary Cabinet Antique
Brass
Late 17th Century Italian Louis XIV Secretary Cabinet Antique
Wrought Iron
1740s English Secretary Cabinet Antique
Mahogany
Mid-18th Century English Georgian Secretary Cabinet Antique
Leather, Walnut
19th Century French Louis XV Secretary Cabinet Antique
Ormolu, Bronze
18th Century French Directoire Secretary Cabinet Antique
Mahogany
19th Century French Louis XV Secretary Cabinet Antique
Mahogany, Rosewood
19th Century French Napoleon III Secretary Cabinet Antique
Metal, Brass, Enamel
1770s German Baroque Secretary Cabinet Antique
Walnut
Late 18th Century Dutch Neoclassical Revival Secretary Cabinet Antique
Brass
Early 1800s Italian Secretary Cabinet Antique
Fruitwood, Paint
Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Secretary Cabinet Antique
Metal, Brass
Early 20th Century Italian Secretary Cabinet Antique
Brass
1850s English Victorian Secretary Cabinet Antique
Mahogany
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Secretary Cabinet Antique For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Secretary Cabinet Antique?
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.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To date an antique secretary desk, start by determining the type of hinge used to secure the writing surface. Consult an authoritative resource to find out which furniture makers worked with that type of hinge. You can also look for the name of the manufacturer on the back or bottom of the piece. Find a range of expertly vetted antique secretaries on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021An antique secretary desk will range in value depending on its authenticity and condition. The price can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. On 1stDibs find the antique secretary desk you’re looking for today.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022For an item to be considered antique, it needs to be 100 years or older. It can be tricky to determine the age of a cabinet on your own. The best way to determine the value and age of your china cabinet is to work with a certified appraiser. You’ll find expertly vetted antique china cabinets and other furniture on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021How much an antique china cabinet is worth depends on the style of the cabinet, age and condition. Any additional features/decorative touches might increase the worth of the cabinet. That is, a cabinet with hand painting or carving will cost more in general. Also, the older the cabinet, the more its value. An antique china cabinet can be purchased for $1500 onwards. Find a collection of antique china cabinets today on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023How much an antique record player cabinet is worth depends on a variety of factors. The age, materials, maker and condition all impact value. If the record player remains inside the cabinet, and whether or not it is operational will also affect the price you can expect to receive for it. Having the cabinet evaluated by a certified appraiser is a simple way to find out how much your piece is worth. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of record players.
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