Antique Scriban Secretaries
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Scriban Secretaries
Walnut
Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Antique Scriban Secretaries
Leather, Oak
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Scriban Secretaries
Bronze
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Scriban Secretaries
Wrought Iron, Metal, Metallic Thread
18th Century Dutch Antique Scriban Secretaries
Wood, Walnut
1880s French Louis XVI Antique Scriban Secretaries
Marble, Brass
Early 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Antique Scriban Secretaries
Wood, Paint
Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Scriban Secretaries
Bronze
Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Scriban Secretaries
Walnut
People Also Browsed
Early 2000s American Black Forest Antique Scriban Secretaries
Wood
1960s American Georgian Antique Scriban Secretaries
Brass
1970s American Hollywood Regency Antique Scriban Secretaries
Chrome
1890s French Art Nouveau Antique Scriban Secretaries
Iron
Mid-20th Century American Other Antique Scriban Secretaries
Oak
1970s American Georgian Antique Scriban Secretaries
Brass
1870s French Napoleon III Antique Scriban Secretaries
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scriban Secretaries
Leather, Wood
17th Century Old Masters Antique Scriban Secretaries
Canvas, Oil
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Scriban Secretaries
Bronze
1920s English Art Deco Antique Scriban Secretaries
Crystal
20th Century Italian Louis XV Antique Scriban Secretaries
Mirror, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Chippendale Antique Scriban Secretaries
Mahogany
Late 18th Century Sheraton Antique Scriban Secretaries
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scriban Secretaries
Brass, Bronze
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Scriban Secretaries
Brass
Recent Sales
Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Scriban Secretaries
Leather, Cherry
Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Scriban Secretaries
Bronze
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scriban Secretaries
Walnut
Early 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Scriban Secretaries
Iron
18th Century Dutch Louis XV Antique Scriban Secretaries
Kingwood, Mahogany
18th Century Italian Rococo Antique Scriban Secretaries
Wood, Lacquer
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Antique Scriban Secretaries
Walnut
18th Century Antique Scriban Secretaries
Wood
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Scriban Secretaries
Mahogany
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.
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.