Curved Secretaires
Antique 1810s Scandinavian Biedermeier Secretaires
Antique 18th Century Secretaires
Kingwood
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Walnut, Goatskin
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Secretaires
Wood, Lacquer
Antique 18th Century German Baroque Secretaires
Softwood
Antique Mid-18th Century Swiss Baroque Secretaires
Oak, Yew
Antique 1750s German Baroque Secretaires
Walnut, Softwood
Antique 19th Century Secretaires
Brass
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Secretaires
Cherry
Antique Mid-18th Century Baroque Secretaires
Walnut
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Secretaires
Wood, Ash
Antique 19th Century Dutch Secretaires
Brass
Antique 1750s German Baroque Secretaires
Walnut
Antique Mid-18th Century Danish Baroque Secretaires
Oak
Antique 18th Century German French Provincial Secretaires
Softwood
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Fruitwood
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Metal
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Teak
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Secretaires
Marble, Bronze
Antique 1790s German Louis XVI Secretaires
Bronze
Antique Late 18th Century German Baroque Secretaires
Brass
Antique 1830s Austrian Biedermeier Secretaires
Iron, Tin
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Brass
2010s Indian Other Secretaires
Metal, Sheet Metal
2010s Indian Other Secretaires
Metal, Sheet Metal
2010s Indian Other Secretaires
Metal, Sheet Metal
2010s Indian Other Secretaires
Metal, Sheet Metal
2010s Indian Other Secretaires
Metal, Sheet Metal
2010s Indian Other Secretaires
Metal, Sheet Metal
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Pine
2010s Indian Other Secretaires
Metal, Sheet Metal
Antique 19th Century French French Provincial Secretaires
Leather, Wood, Paper
Antique 1880s French Louis XV Secretaires
Marble, Ormolu
Antique 18th Century Italian Secretaires
Wood
20th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Secretaires
Bronze
Antique Mid-18th Century German Baroque Secretaires
Walnut
Antique Mid-18th Century Swiss Louis XV Secretaires
Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Birch
Vintage 1980s Philippine Greek Revival Secretaires
Marble, Brass
Antique 19th Century French Secretaires
Wood
2010s Indian Other Secretaires
Metal, Sheet Metal
Antique 18th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Bronze
2010s Indian Other Secretaires
Metal, Sheet Metal
2010s Indian Other Secretaires
Metal, Sheet Metal
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Bronze
Antique 1830s French Charles X Secretaires
Maple
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Walnut
2010s Indian Other Secretaires
Metal, Sheet Metal
2010s Indian Other Secretaires
Metal, Sheet Metal
Antique 18th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Bronze
Antique 19th Century Restauration Secretaires
Fruitwood, Rosewood
Antique Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Walnut
Antique 1760s French Louis XV Secretaires
Kingwood, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Secretaires
Wood
Antique 18th Century British Georgian Secretaires
Oak
Antique Mid-19th Century Dutch Biedermeier Secretaires
Oak
2010s Indian Other Secretaires
Metal, Sheet Metal
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Curved Secretaires For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Curved Secretaires?
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.
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