Antique Secretary Desks
-
Dutch 18th Century Birch Secrétaire á Abattant
$2,650.0048.50"H x 42.88"W x 35.13"D
Dimensions: 48 ½” H x 42 ⅞” W x 35 ⅛” D
An impressive 19th century birch secretary made in the Netherlands circa 1800. The exterior is simple in design, celebrating the beautifully figured burl and bookmatched birch wood. At the top the cabinet has a carved bone escutcheon plate opening with a functioning lock and key to a fold front desk. The writing surface is simple and utilitarian compared to its more formal fitted interior. Inside you’ll find fifteen drawers with ebonized turned knobs and one storage cavity with a working lock and key. Below the desk are three large drawers with rounded brass drawer pulls. All locks are in working order and share a single key. Cleaned and polished, this antique is ready for your immediate use. Be sure to view the detailed images to see the current condition of this antique secrétaire á abattant.
When the desk is in use the writing surface is 30”H , the total depth is 35”
When the desk is not in use, the total depth is 20 ½” -
Large French Louis XVI Style Ebonized Desk
$6,995.0030"H x 65"W x 31.50"D
Dimensions: 30” H x 65” W x 31 ½” D
An impressive early 19th Century Louis XVI style ebonized desk made in France. This large desk has an ebonized wood frame with a worn inset leather top embossed with brass tooling. A leather topped slide with a brass ring pull extends 12” from the both sides, giving the desk an 86 ¼” width when extended. Below the writing surface you’ll find four drawers including a center drawer. On the left side are two stacked drawers and on the right is a single double-stacked drawer to mimic the design. Louis XVI style gilt bronze escutcheon plates are featured on the drawer fronts and one key is present to work all of the functioning locks. The desk is raised on tapered legs with brass capped feet. Cleaned and polished with a French paste wax, this antique is ready for your immediate use. The worn leather writing surfaces have patina and marks consistent with age and use, be sure to look at the detailed images to see the current condition of this desk. Knee clearance: 23 ½”
-
English 19th Century Mahogany Secrétaire
$4,200.0099.50"H x 47.75"W x 20.25"D
Dimensions: 99 ½” H x 47 ¾” W x 20 ¼” D
A mahogany secrétaire made in England circa 1890. This secrétaire is topped with a broken pediment design over a pair of glass front doors that open with a working lock and key. Inside are three adjustable shelves at 8” deep. A drop front desk opens to a wine colored leather writing surface with gold tooling and is fitted with nine open storage cavities, and eight drawers with brass knobs. The base below includes five easy-to-use drawers with brass pulls. All the drawer locks are in working condition and use the same key as the glass doors. Cleaned and polished with a paste wax, this antique is ready for your immediate use. Be sure to view the detailed images to see the current condition of this secrétaire. Note: The drop front desk lock is not in working order and uses a blank key as a pull.
-
French 19th Century Empire Desk
$2,500.0029.50"H x 57"W x 29.50"D
Dimensions: 29 ½” H x 57” W x 29 ½” D
A classically designed Empire style mahogany desk from France. This desk has a new inset green leather top embossed with brass tooling and banding around the perimeter. A more worn leather topped slide extends 14 ½” from the both sides, giving the desk an 85 ⅝” width when extended. Below the writing surface you’ll find four drawers including a center drawer. On the left side are two stacked drawers and on the right is a single double-stacked drawer to mimic the design. The interior is fitted with removable storage compartments to reveal a hidden bottom. One key is present to work the left drawer’s functioning lock. Empirical embellishments are featured on the tapered legs and the whole rests on brass paw feet. Cleaned and polished with a French paste wax, this antique is ready for your immediate use. Be sure to look at the detailed images to see the current condition of this desk. Knee clearance: 24”
-
French Petite Drop Front Desk
Original price was: $2,100.00.$1,680.00Current price is: $1,680.00.39.63"H x 32.25"W x 16"D
Dimensions: 39 ⅝” H x 32 ¼” W x 16” D
A petite drop front walnut and inlay French desk. The top compartment has a slanted top which folds forward to become a flat writing surface inset with green leather and a gilt perimeter. The cabinet is fitted with open shelves and four drawers. Below the writing surface are three drawers all with inset geometric inlay banding. The whole is raised on tapering partial fluted legs. Be sure to view the detailed images to see the current condition of this unique antique desk.
The writing surface is 29 ½” H
Total depth with the desk in use is 29 ½” -
French 19th Century Writing Desk
$3,995.0038.75"H x 56.75"W x 33.50"D
Dimensions: 38 ¾” H x 56 ¾” W x 33 ½” D
A French writing desk made of rosewood and mahogany. This desk has an upper console containing four drawers and a center open cavity with a scalloped shelf. The writing surface has an inset leather top and has a pull out slide on its right side for additional surface area, measuring 28 ¼”H x 24 ¾”W x 15 ¾”D. Below the writing surface you’ll find a center drawer with a knob for opening. On the left side are two stacked drawers, the lock is missing in the top drawer, and the bottom drawer’s lock is functioning. Mimicking the design of the left is a single double-stacked drawer on the right. The interior is fitted with removable storage compartments and has a functioning lock. One key is present to work the bottom left drawer and the desk’s right drawer. This desk is supported on turned mahogany legs. Cleaned and polished with a French paste wax. Be sure to view the detailed images of this exceptional desk. Knee clearance in the center of the desk is 24”.
-
French Empire Secrétaire á Abattant
$3,995.0055"H x 38.50"W x 17.50"D
Dimensions: 55” H x 38 ½” W x 17 ½” D
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 with brass round knobs. You’ll find four functioning locks all surrounded with decorative ormolu escutcheon plates, 1 key works all the locks. Cleaned and polished with a French paste wax, this antique is ready for your immediate use. Be sure to view the detailed images to see the current condition of this antique secrétaire á abattant. Circa 1810. The writing surface is 30”H x 28 ½”W x 21”D. Total depth with the writing surface being used is 33 ½”D.
-
French 18th Century Directoire Roll Top Desk
$5,995.0049"H x 55.75"W x 25.50"D
Dimensions: 49” H x 55 ¾” W x 25 ½” D
A handsome and classically designed French Directoire “D” roll top desk. The desk is topped with a polished piece of St. Anne gris marble. Directly beneath the marble are three drawers with beautiful bookmatched burl mahogany drawer fronts and brass escutcheon plates with an impressive steel key and locking system. The D shaped roll top is quite impressive with its burl bookmatched design and brass handles. The top opens to a fitted interior including three open cavities, three drawers and two spring loaded hidden compartments. The leather top writing surface extends forward making the total depth of the desk 37 ¼”D. The main writing surface is 29 ½”H x 48 ¾”W x 20”D. On each side of the desk you’ll find a slide out leather top writing surface, each measuring 28 ½”H x 19 ⅜”W x 18 ⅜”D. Below the center writing surface you’ll find a center drawer, two stacked drawers on the left side and a single double stacked drawer on the right. The interior of the right drawer is fitted with removable compartments. This desk is supported with squared off tapered legs ending in brass caps. The desk has been cleaned and polished with a French paste wax. Be sure to view the detailed images of this exceptional desk.
-
French Petite Mahogany Writing Desk
Original price was: $2,200.00.$1,700.00Current price is: $1,700.00.29.50"H x 37"W x 20.13"D
Dimensions: 29 ½” H x 37” W x 20 ⅛” D
A petite mahogany desk with an inset leather writing surface from 19th Century France. The worn leather top is in antique condition with embossed gold tooling. A single drawer is housed within the apron, featuring a brass keyhole and functioning lock and key, raised on long tapered legs ending in brass caps. Knee clearance: 24”. Be sure to view all the images for a closer look at the details and current condition of this petite writing desk.
-
French 19th Century Solid Oak Desk
$2,200.0028.13"H x 47.50"W x 25.88"D
Dimensions: 28 ⅛” H x 47 ½” W x 25 ⅞” D
A primitive solid oak desk made in France. The table top is full of patina with long boards ending in breadboard ends. There is one center drawer in the apron over turned oak legs. An H shaped stretcher base gives character and support. Cleaned and polished with a French paste wax this antique is ready for your immediate use. Be sure to view the detailed dimages. Knee clearance is 22”
-
French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Mahogany Desk
$6,500.0039.50"H x 51.38"W x 29.75"D
Dimensions: 39 ½” H x 51 ⅜” W x 29 ¾” D
A wonderful mid-19th century French Louis XVI style mahogany desk hand-crafted in France circa 1850. A beautiful, smooth top of flame mahogany is surrounded by a three quarter decorative brass gallery following down to two open center storage spaces and four roomy drawers in a removable riser. This top piece easily lifts off the base for transport and is affixed with circular, recessed brass escutcheon plates surrounded by Louis XVI style brass bellflower pulls. A second three quarter brass gallery surrounds the writing surface which measures 30” H and is adorned with new black leather with gold gilt tooling. Two sliders on each side of the writing surface are covered with the original leather and extend the desk out 17 ¾” on either side. The apron showcases the handsome veneer and gorgeous colors of the wood and contains four drawers of the same design that open easily. The right side has a singular large drawer that opens to contain a notched wooden privacy slide and a four compartment pull out wooden tray for excellent organization. The whole is raised on regal turned, tapering fluted legs with brass capitals and capped feet. Showcasing an attractive polished mahogany, this desk has fine features, many storage options, and is fully finished on all sides making it a supremely practical piece. Be sure to view all the images to see every detail of this unique antique desk.
-
French 19th Century Walnut Secretary
$6,500.0071"H x 44.75"W x 24.75"D
Dimensions: 71”H x 44-¾”W x 24-¾”D
A wonderful walnut secretary desk. The desk can be separated into two bodies: the lower writing surface, and the upper glass-front cabinet. The writing surface is covered in beautiful black, tooled leather and can be pulled out for additional work space. The writing surface has a height of 29-½”H and the knee clearance is 26-⅝”H. The base also contains two drawers with working locks and a single key. Above the writing surface is a little cubby with a whimsical scalloped frame flanked by two drawers on each side. The drawers all have a round brass knob. The top has two glass-front bookcase doors with original glass and working lock and latch. The cabinet has two adjustable shelves. The secretary is lifted by four brilliantly turned legs.
-
French 19th Century Barley-Twist Fold-Down Desk
$6,995.0048.625"H x 58.25"W x 27.125"D
Dimensions: 48-5/8″H x 58-1/4″W x 27-1/8″D
A handsome, impressive carved mahogany desk with gem-cut decorations and fitted birds-eye maple interiors and original black leather writing surface. A very interesting key unlocks the top part of this fine desk, folding down to an interior fitted with 9 storage areas. The top of the desk slides forward reveling the writing surface which is pulled out and then dropped down for a very functional and useable writing surface. Below the writing surface are three large drawers (one is a faux front, one large drawer with a hidden locked compartment) The whole sits on impressively carved barley twist legs. 1840’s
Shop Vintage & Antique Secretary Desks
Antique secretary desks can become a passion, whether a rolltop in cherry, 1920’s French single-width, or curio-cabinet windowed style. They’re such unique pieces of furniture that they can suit any home area, whether as a showpiece or lending charm and style to a utilitarian purpose.
Perhaps you need a new accent or table for your sewing room, or you’re looking for a unique piece to use as a vanity. Regardless of your preferences, there are as many uses for an antique secretary desk as the styles they come in; the only limit is your imagination. At Fireside Antiques, we’ve got the inventory to spark that imagination and let it run wild.
Choosing an Antique Secretary Desk
The modern bedroom set may contain a dresser or chest of drawers, even an armoire. But consider adding a stunning antique secretary desk for a smart and useful look for a space of any size or shape.
Where would you put it? This can tell you much about what you’re looking for, especially in size and shape. Sitting at your secretary desk, you’ll drift away on thoughts of the letters you might write to far-off lands and loved ones or that novel you know you’ve got inside.
Neither overly formal nor particularly relaxed, an antique secretary desk is a perfect way to add a little something extra to your furnishings. You can dream, plan, work or learn in style while enjoying a piece of history in your home.
Types of Antique Secretary Desks
Antique secretary desks come in numerous styles, materials, and finishes.
For instance, maple and mahogany give a solid appeal, while a secretary’s desk with a hutch can create a welcoming ambiance for an entire foyer. Meanwhile, an oaken bureau style can balance a larger room wonderfully or functionally store linens or board games. Some have slant fronts, and others may have cabinetry or windows, but they’re all exquisite.