English Antique Secretaire
1820s British Regency English Antique Secretaire
Mahogany
1760s English George III English Antique Secretaire
Bronze
Late 19th Century English Edwardian English Antique Secretaire
Mahogany
19th Century George III English Antique Secretaire
Kingwood, Satinwood, Tulipwood
Early 1800s English English Antique Secretaire
Brass
1790s English English Antique Secretaire
Brass
Mid-19th Century English Regency English Antique Secretaire
Rosewood
18th Century English Chippendale English Antique Secretaire
Brass
19th Century English Other English Antique Secretaire
Brass
1810s English Georgian English Antique Secretaire
Wood
19th Century English English Antique Secretaire
Leather, Glass, Mahogany
19th Century English Regency English Antique Secretaire
Ebony, Walnut
19th Century English Chinoiserie English Antique Secretaire
Brass
Late 18th Century English George III English Antique Secretaire
Brass
18th Century English Georgian English Antique Secretaire
Brass
Late 18th Century English George III English Antique Secretaire
Satinwood
Early 19th Century European Empire English Antique Secretaire
Wood
Early 18th Century English George III English Antique Secretaire
Satinwood
Early 1800s Dutch Empire English Antique Secretaire
Mahogany
1760s English English Antique Secretaire
Brass
1760s English English Antique Secretaire
Brass
19th Century Sheraton English Antique Secretaire
Glass, Mahogany
18th Century English Queen Anne English Antique Secretaire
Walnut
19th Century English Georgian English Antique Secretaire
Mahogany
19th Century Sheraton English Antique Secretaire
Glass, Satinwood
Early 18th Century English George I English Antique Secretaire
Metal
19th Century British Georgian English Antique Secretaire
Wood
1720s English George II English Antique Secretaire
Brass
Early 19th Century English Sheraton English Antique Secretaire
Mahogany
1740s English English Antique Secretaire
Brass
Early 19th Century English English Antique Secretaire
Bronze
18th Century and Earlier English English Antique Secretaire
1780s English English Antique Secretaire
Brass
1840s English Georgian English Antique Secretaire
Brass
1880s British Late Victorian English Antique Secretaire
Mahogany
1910s English Arts and Crafts English Antique Secretaire
Copper
19th Century British English Antique Secretaire
Mahogany
19th Century English Chinoiserie English Antique Secretaire
Wood
1780s English George III English Antique Secretaire
Walnut
19th Century Chinese Chippendale English Antique Secretaire
Giltwood, Mahogany
18th Century English English Antique Secretaire
Wood
1780s English Georgian English Antique Secretaire
Brass
Early 18th Century British Queen Anne English Antique Secretaire
Bronze
1830s English William IV English Antique Secretaire
Brass
1820s English George IV English Antique Secretaire
Walnut
19th Century English Chinoiserie English Antique Secretaire
Wood
Late 19th Century English Regency English Antique Secretaire
Glass, Mahogany
19th Century English Baroque English Antique Secretaire
Wood
18th Century and Earlier English English Antique Secretaire
Wood
19th Century American English Antique Secretaire
Brass
Mid-19th Century English English Antique Secretaire
Mahogany
Late 18th Century English Georgian English Antique Secretaire
Brass
Early 18th Century English George I English Antique Secretaire
Mahogany, Satinwood, Walnut
19th Century English English Antique Secretaire
Mahogany
1780s English George III English Antique Secretaire
Mahogany
Late 19th Century English Regency English Antique Secretaire
Brass
18th Century French Queen Anne English Antique Secretaire
Mirror, Walnut
19th Century English English Antique Secretaire
Metal
18th Century British George II English Antique Secretaire
Walnut
1790s English Neoclassical English Antique Secretaire
Brass
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English Antique Secretaire For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is an English Antique Secretaire?
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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