Skip to main content

Primitive Secretary

Antique Primitive Country Farmhouse Pine Wood Secretary Bookcase Cupboard
Antique Primitive Country Farmhouse Pine Wood Secretary Bookcase Cupboard

Antique Primitive Country Farmhouse Pine Wood Secretary Bookcase Cupboard

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Antique Country Farmhouse Pine Wood Secretary Hutch Cupboard. Item features 2 part construction, working lock and key, authentic age and patina, very nice antique bookcase. Circa Lat...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Rustic Bookcases

Materials

Glass, Pine

Early American Country Pine Two-Piece Plantation Desk Secretary, Circa 1830–1850
Early American Country Pine Two-Piece Plantation Desk Secretary, Circa 1830–1850

Early American Country Pine Two-Piece Plantation Desk Secretary, Circa 1830–1850

Located in Louisville, KY

An authentic early American Country two-piece plantation desk or plantation secretary, handcrafted in solid pine during the second quarter of the nineteenth century, circa 1830–1850.

Category

Antique Early 19th Century American Primitive Desks

Materials

Iron

Recent Sales

Antique Fretwork Folk Art Eterger/Secretary or Étagère with Dressing Table
Antique Fretwork Folk Art Eterger/Secretary or Étagère with Dressing Table

Antique Fretwork Folk Art Eterger/Secretary or Étagère with Dressing Table

Located in INTERLAKEN, NY

A rare and unique piece of Fretwork Folk Art from the Adirondack region with elaborate cut-out form, dressing mirrors and table, drawers, cubbies and open shelving or ètagère. New Yo...

Category

Antique 1870s American Adirondack Primitives

Materials

Wood

c.1600 Primitive Spanish Secretary
c.1600 Primitive Spanish Secretary

c.1600 Primitive Spanish Secretary

Sold

H 76.5 in W 44.25 in D 20.5 in

c.1600 Primitive Spanish Secretary

Located in Highwood, IL

Handmade primitive Spanish desk with extensive inlay. We were told by a European antique expert that this piece is from the 1500's. It has beautiful hand-cut, crude barly twist colum...

Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier Spanish Secretaires

Materials

Fruitwood

c.1600 Primitive Spanish Secretary
c.1600 Primitive Spanish Secretary

c.1600 Primitive Spanish Secretary

Sold

H 93 in W 44.25 in D 20.5 in

c.1600 Primitive Spanish Secretary

Located in Highwood, IL

Handmade primitive Spanish desk with extensive inlay. We were told by a European antique expert that this piece is from the 1500's. It has beautiful hand-cut and crude barly twist, f...

Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier Spanish Secretaires

Materials

Fruitwood

c.1600 Primitive Antique Spanish Secretary w/Marquetry
c.1600 Primitive Antique Spanish Secretary w/Marquetry

c.1600 Primitive Antique Spanish Secretary w/Marquetry

Located in Highwood, IL

Handmade primitive Spanish desk with extensive inlay. We were told by a European antique expert that this piece is from the 1500's. It has beautiful hand-cut, crude barly twist colum...

Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier Spanish Secretaires

Materials

Fruitwood

Norwegian Secretary Hutch
Norwegian Secretary Hutch

Norwegian Secretary Hutch

Sold

H 88 in W 45 in D 23 in

Norwegian Secretary Hutch

By Magnor of Norway

Located in Hollywood, FL

This is a Norwegian Secretary Hutch. it has been restored and repainted with "Milk Paint" Measure: Desk height 27 Comes out 16 Depth open 39.  

Category

Antique 1810s Norwegian Primitive Secretaires

Materials

Pine

Norwegian Black Secretary Hutch
Norwegian Black Secretary Hutch

Norwegian Black Secretary Hutch

Sold

H 80 in W 45 in D 22 in

Norwegian Black Secretary Hutch

Located in Hollywood, FL

This is a Norwegian black secretary hutch, it has been restored and repainted with milk paints "Jet Black". It’s a 2 piece cabinet Measures: Desk height 27 Comes out 16 Open depth...

Category

Antique 1790s Norwegian Primitive Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Antique Early American 19th C Plantation Writing Desk Secretary Cabinet Cupboard
Antique Early American 19th C Plantation Writing Desk Secretary Cabinet Cupboard

Antique Early American 19th C Plantation Writing Desk Secretary Cabinet Cupboard

Located in Dayton, OH

A beautiful plantation or secretary desk featuring primitive styling with upper cabinet or bookcase and lower flip top desk over turned legs.

Category

Antique Early 19th Century American Colonial Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Poplar, Walnut

People Also Browsed

Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool
Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool

Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool

By Bertu Furniture

Located in Oak Harbor, OH

Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool This White Oak Chile Counter Stool is beautifully constructed from solid wood in Ohio, USA. The stool is chunky and modern...

Category

2010s American Modern Stools

Materials

Wood, Oak

Custom Made Modern English Arm Sofa in Performance Linen Velvet - 86"
Custom Made Modern English Arm Sofa in Performance Linen Velvet - 86"

Custom Made Modern English Arm Sofa in Performance Linen Velvet - 86"

By Bloom Home Inc

Located in Old Town Orange, CA

This beautiful english arm sofa has a modern twist, with its single bench cushion, and beautiful curved apron sides. It’s upholstered in a Linen Velvet Performance fabric. Shown in...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Sofas

Materials

Linen, Velvet

Set Antique Vintage Acorn Opaline White Milk Glass Ceiling Pendant Light Lamp
Set Antique Vintage Acorn Opaline White Milk Glass Ceiling Pendant Light Lamp

Set Antique Vintage Acorn Opaline White Milk Glass Ceiling Pendant Light Lamp

Located in Sale, GB

- A fabulous run of church opaline acorn pendant lights with steel galleries, circa 1950. - Wear commensurate with age, all in excellent condition, the steel galleries are aged worn...

Category

Mid-20th Century British Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Glass

Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Style Mahogany Bookcase or Vitrine, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Style Mahogany Bookcase or Vitrine, Bronze

Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Style Mahogany Bookcase or Vitrine, Bronze

Located in Fayetteville, AR

This late nineteenth century French Louis XVI style mahogany bibliotheque or bookcase is finished with bronze banding. Its corners feature bronze fluting and the side panels are also...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Bookcases

Materials

Bronze

Antique American Oak Farmhouse Kitchen Pantry Ice Box Refrigerator Bar Cabinet
Antique American Oak Farmhouse Kitchen Pantry Ice Box Refrigerator Bar Cabinet

Antique American Oak Farmhouse Kitchen Pantry Ice Box Refrigerator Bar Cabinet

Located in Dayton, OH

A beautiful early 1900s Ice Chest. Made oak with a stout rectangular frame featuring three doors, original brass hardware and paneled sides. Interior is enameled with two mesh shelve...

Category

Early 20th Century American Rustic Cabinets

Materials

Oak

Solid Pine Kitchen Cupboard, 1900s
Solid Pine Kitchen Cupboard, 1900s

Solid Pine Kitchen Cupboard, 1900s

$2,782

H 76.78 in W 45.28 in D 20.48 in

Solid Pine Kitchen Cupboard, 1900s

Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland

Large wooden sideboard made around 1900. The cabinet consists of two parts. In the upper part 2 doors with two shelves. At the bottom 2 drawers and 2 doors with a shelf for lots of s...

Category

Antique Early 1900s Hungarian Rustic Cupboards

Materials

Glass, Pine

19th century French Bookcase Mahogany
19th century French Bookcase Mahogany

19th century French Bookcase Mahogany

$4,536

H 98.43 in W 55.91 in D 20.87 in

19th century French Bookcase Mahogany

Located in MILL, NL

Insanely beautiful Louis Philippe bookcase / sideboard / display cabinet. Mahogany veneer over oak. Dates from the late 19th century. Condition is exceptionally good. All locks func...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany, Oak

Traditional Oak Bookcase
Traditional Oak Bookcase

Traditional Oak Bookcase

$1,495

H 60.25 in W 36.25 in D 12.25 in

Traditional Oak Bookcase

Located in Bradenton, FL

A traditional wooden bookcase made of oak with oak veneers. The solid oak frame supports four oak veneered shelves behind two glass doors. The doors open with round brass mushroom kn...

Category

Late 20th Century Bookcases

Materials

Glass, Oak

19th Century Large & Narrow Cupboard or Bookcase with Glass Vitrine, Pine
19th Century Large & Narrow Cupboard or Bookcase with Glass Vitrine, Pine

19th Century Large & Narrow Cupboard or Bookcase with Glass Vitrine, Pine

Located in Miami, FL

19th Century Spanish cupboard or bookcase with glass vitrine, constructed from a pine called "mobila" and original glasses of this period. Features a coffered case fronted by four la...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Bookcases

Materials

Pine

Large English 19thC Pine Dresser Base
Large English 19thC Pine Dresser Base

Large English 19thC Pine Dresser Base

$5,399

H 32.68 in W 74.41 in D 22.45 in

Large English 19thC Pine Dresser Base

Located in Staffordshire, GB

circa 1890 Large English 19thC Pine Dresser Base sku 1768 W189 x D57 x H83 cm Weight 73 Kg

Category

Antique 19th Century Dressers

Materials

Pine

19th Century French Renaissance Revival Bookcase Cabinet Made of Pine
19th Century French Renaissance Revival Bookcase Cabinet Made of Pine

19th Century French Renaissance Revival Bookcase Cabinet Made of Pine

Located in Dusseldorf, DE

A 19th Century French bookcase in Renaissance style, made of solid pine. Consists of an upper and a lower part with a total of 4 doors. Facade-like front. Pilaster strips with flut...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Renaissance Revival Bookcases

Materials

Fir, Pine

19th Century English Mahogany Breakfront Bookcase Cabinet, circa 1885
19th Century English Mahogany Breakfront Bookcase Cabinet, circa 1885

19th Century English Mahogany Breakfront Bookcase Cabinet, circa 1885

$3,143Sale Price|36% Off

H 86.62 in W 47.25 in D 17.33 in

19th Century English Mahogany Breakfront Bookcase Cabinet, circa 1885

Located in Sofia, BG

Late 19th century two-door mahogany breakfront bookcase cabinet, the moulded cornice above two astragal glazed doors opening to reveal four adjustable shelves, the bottom section hav...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English George III Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany

Early 19th century antique French country Cherrywood cabinet/bookcase
Early 19th century antique French country Cherrywood cabinet/bookcase

Early 19th century antique French country Cherrywood cabinet/bookcase

Located in Allentown, PA

This is an early 19th century handmade French country Cherrywood cabinet/bookcase. This cabinet has a beautiful amber patina to the Cherrywood and features as original pewter hardwar...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French French Provincial Bookcases

Materials

Wood

Antique English Regency Mahogany Secretary Bookcase, Circa 1890
Antique English Regency Mahogany Secretary Bookcase, Circa 1890

Antique English Regency Mahogany Secretary Bookcase, Circa 1890

Located in New Orleans, LA

Antique English Regency Mahogany Secretary bookcase, Circa 1890.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Regency Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

19thC English Pine Dresser Base
19thC English Pine Dresser Base

19thC English Pine Dresser Base

$9,501

H 32.68 in W 74.41 in D 21.66 in

19thC English Pine Dresser Base

Located in Staffordshire, GB

circa 1880 sku 2050B 19thC English Pine Dresser Base W189 x D55 x H83 cm Middle section Internal shelf depth 46 cm Left section internal shelf depth 40 cm Weight 65Kg

Category

Antique 19th Century Dressers

Materials

Pine

Antique American Victorian Oak Stepback Hutch Display China Cabinet Bookcase 85"
Antique American Victorian Oak Stepback Hutch Display China Cabinet Bookcase 85"

Antique American Victorian Oak Stepback Hutch Display China Cabinet Bookcase 85"

Located in Dayton, OH

A beautiful Victorian stepback hutch. Features a naturally weathered, distressed and paneled oak frame. The upper hutch has semi-arched doors with applied carved foliate and opens t...

Category

Early 20th Century American Late Victorian Bookcases

Materials

Oak

Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Primitive Secretary", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Finding the Right Case Pieces And Storage Cabinets for You

Of all the vintage storage cabinets and antique case pieces 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 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. Alternatively, apothecary cabinets are charming case goods similar in size to early dressers or commodes but with uniquely sized shelving and (often numerous) drawers.

Whether you’re seeking a playful sideboard that features colored glass and metal details, 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.

Read More

37 Cheerful Home Bars, Where Everybody (Literally) Knows Your Name

Simple or sophisticated, equipped with console, cart or custom cabinetry, these stylish bar areas deserve a toast.

The Ultimate Guide to Types of Tables for the Home

Whether you’re just moving in or ready to give your home a makeover, our guide will give you pointers on tables that are fitting for every room, nook and hallway.

What Exactly Is a Secretary Desk, and What Is It Used For?

The furniture equivalent of a Swiss Army knife, it's the multifunctional piece you didn't know you needed.

This Shelving System with Oxidized Brass Tubes Is Retro and Futuristic at Once

Italian studio DimoreMilano mustered great ingenuity when crafting these sculptural shelves, which are built without any screws.

Ask an Interior Designer: Work-from-Home Edition

Leaping into a design project, whether it's refreshing the bedroom or redoing the whole house, can be overwhelming. Luckily, we know more than a few interior designers. You asked questions on Instagram, and now they're answering.

Collected and Eclectic, ‘Wunderkammern’ Are Back in a Big Way

Introduced nearly 500 years ago, curiosity cabinets are finding new fans among today's collectors and designers.

Meet the Incredible Woman Transforming Fallen Trees into Sleek Furniture

In the hands of New York Heartwoods cofounder Megan Offner, unwanted local trees become works of design art.

These New York Architects Love a Complicated Project

From Brooklyn townhouses to Maine campgrounds, Trattie Davies and Jonathan Toews relish a challenge, like transforming a former warehouse space into the new 1stdibs Gallery.