Tall Secretary Desk
Late 20th Century North American Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Glass, Laminate, Burl
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Secretaires
Burl
Mid-20th Century Unknown Louis XVI Desks
Cane, Wood
Mid-20th Century American American Classical Desks and Writing Tables
Pine
Antique Early 1900s English Adam Style Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century American Late Victorian Desks
Walnut
Antique 1790s Italian Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Desks
Brass
1990s American Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Antique 1880s French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Antique 1880s French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Antique 17th Century American Agra Desks
Hardwood, Walnut
Antique 1890s American Desks
Wood
Antique 1880s American Victorian Desks
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Chippendale Desks
Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Desks
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany, Paint
Antique Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Desks
Leather, Oak
Antique Mid-19th Century Italian Rococo Secretaires
Glass, Wood
Antique Late 18th Century European Secretaires
Glass, Wood
Antique 18th Century European Secretaires
Glass, Wood
Antique Early 19th Century Danish Secretaires
Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century American George III Desks and Writing Tables
Glass, Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century Indonesian British Colonial Furniture
Glass, Wood
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Rosewood
Antique 19th Century French Secretaires
Marble, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Rosewood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
Teak
Early 2000s Philippine Adam Style Secretaires
Satinwood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
Late 20th Century Georgian Secretaires
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Cabinets
Paint, Wood
Early 20th Century Jacobean Secretaires
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Secretaires
Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Teak
Antique Early 1900s Italian Louis XV Secretaires
Walnut
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Rosewood
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Wood
Vintage 1940s American Secretaires
Mahogany
20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Secretaires
Wood
Antique 1870s Austrian Biedermeier Secretaires
Mahogany
Vintage 1940s French French Provincial Secretaires
Brass, Wire
Late 20th Century Philippine Modern Secretaires
Enamel
Vintage 1940s French Directoire Secretaires
Carrara Marble, Bronze
Antique Early 1900s French Louis XV Secretaires
Oak
20th Century American Chippendale Dressers
Mahogany
Vintage 1940s Italian Rococo Secretaires
Walnut
Antique 1820s English Chinese Chippendale Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century American Chippendale Secretaires
Brass
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Tall Secretary Desk For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Tall Secretary Desk?
Finding the Right Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets for You
Of all the antique and vintage case pieces and storage cabinets that have become popular in modern interiors over the years, dressers, credenzas and cabinets have long been home staples, perfect for routine storage or protection of personal items.
In the mid-19th century, cabinetmakers would mimic styles originating in the Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI eras for their dressers, bookshelves and other structures, and, later, simpler, streamlined wood designs allowed these “case pieces” or “case goods” — any furnishing that is unupholstered and has some semblance of a storage component — to blend into the background of any interior.
Mid-century modern furniture enthusiasts will cite the tall modular wall units crafted in teak and other sought-after woods of the era by the likes of George Nelson, Poul Cadovius and Finn Juhl. For these highly customizable furnishings, designers of the day delivered an alternative to big, heavy bookcases by considering the use of space — and, in particular, walls — in new and innovative ways. Mid-century modern credenzas, which, long and low, evolved from tables that were built as early as the 14th century in Italy, typically have no legs or very short legs and have grown in popularity as an alluring storage option over time.
Although the name immediately invokes images of clothing, dressers were initially created in Europe for a much different purpose. This furnishing was initially a flat-surfaced, low-profile side table equipped with a few drawers — a common fixture used to dress and prepare meats in English kitchens throughout the Tudor period. The drawers served as perfect utensil storage. It wasn’t until the design made its way to North America that it became enlarged and equipped with enough space to hold clothing and cosmetics. The very history of storage case pieces is a testament to their versatility and well-earned place in any room.
In the spirit of positioning your case goods center stage, decluttering can now be design-minded.
A contemporary case piece with open shelving and painted wood details can prove functional as a storage unit as easily as it can a room divider. Whether you’re seeking a playful sideboard made of colored glass and metals, an antique Italian hand-carved storage cabinet or a glass-door vitrine to store and show off your collectibles, there are options for you on 1stDibs.
- How does a secretary desk work?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A secretary desk works with the help of hinges that secure the writing surface to the rest of the piece. To use one, you simply pull down on the wooden door to open the hinge and lower the writing surface. Return the desk to its closed position by lifting the writing surface up. You'll find a selection of secretary desks on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Secretary desks originated in the early 18th century. They were typically used by secretaries and clerks and featured plenty of compacted drawers for stationary storage. On 1stDibs, find a collection of secretary desks from some of the world’s top sellers.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023A secretary desk is called by its name because of its original function. When the desks first emerged in 19th-century France, the secretaries of estates used them to conduct business. Once they finished paying bills and reconciling accounts, they could raise the hinged writing surface and close the desk. Secretary desks are the workstations of choice in many busy households, especially those with spaces pulling double duty as offices by day and living rooms, dining rooms or bedrooms at night. On 1stDibs, shop an array of secretary desks.
- 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.
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