18th Century Cherry Secretary
Antique Late 18th Century North American Victorian Secretaires
Cherry
Antique 18th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Cherry
2010s French Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Wood, Cherry, Lacquer
2010s French Neoclassical Secretaires
Leather, Wood, Cherry, Lacquer
People Also Browsed
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Oak, Plywood
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Sideboards
Chrome, Steel
Vintage 1930s English Art Deco Cabinets
Brass
Antique 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Secretaires
Cherry, Walnut
Antique Early 1900s Art Nouveau Wardrobes and Armoires
Ash, Cherry
Antique Late 18th Century French Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Belle Époque Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Antique 1840s German Biedermeier Secretaires
Mahogany
2010s South African Minimalist Sideboards
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Bookcases
Metal, Brass
20th Century French Desks
Metal
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Baroque Secretaires
Wood
20th Century Empire Secretaires
Bronze
Antique Late 19th Century French Chaise Longues
Fabric, Wood, Velvet
Recent Sales
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Secretaires
Iron, Brass
Antique 18th Century American Chippendale Secretaires
Cherry
Antique Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Leather, Cherry
Antique Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Bronze
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Louis XVI Secretaires
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Secretaires
Cherry
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Secretaires
Cherry, Walnut
Antique Late 18th Century German Louis XVI Secretaires
Cherry, Walnut
Antique Late 18th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires
Brass
Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Walnut
Antique 18th Century and Earlier American Chippendale Secretaires
Cherry
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Secretaires
Cherry
Antique 1830s German Biedermeier Secretaires
Cherry
Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Cherry, Fruitwood
Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Cherry, Walnut
Antique 18th Century American American Colonial Desks
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Cherry
Antique 18th Century and Earlier American Chippendale Secretaires
Antique 18th Century and Earlier American Secretaires
Cherry, Poplar
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Secretaires
Wood
Antique 18th Century French Louis XVI Desks
Cherry
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Desks
Marble, Brass
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Secretaires
Cherry, Pine
Antique 18th Century and Earlier American Secretaires
Brass
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.
Read More
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.
28 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.
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.