Georgian Walnut Secretaire
Early 2000s Georgian Secretaires
Mahogany, Walnut
Antique Early 18th Century Desks
Walnut
Antique 18th Century English Secretaires
Walnut
Vintage 1930s English Georgian Secretaires
Mirror, Satinwood, Walnut
Late 20th Century American Georgian Secretaires
Brass
Antique 18th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Oak, Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Oak, Walnut
Antique Mid-18th Century British Georgian Secretaires
Walnut
Antique 18th Century British Georgian Secretaires
Walnut
Antique 18th Century British Georgian Secretaires
Walnut
20th Century English George I Secretaires
Leather, Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Mirror, Walnut
Antique 18th Century English Georgian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Antique Early 18th Century English George II Secretaires
Walnut, Yew
Antique Mid-19th Century English Victorian Secretaires
Mahogany, Leather, Glass
Antique Early 18th Century English George I Desks
Walnut
Antique Early 18th Century English George I Desks
Metal
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Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Brass
20th Century Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
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Mahogany
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Mahogany
Antique 19th Century British Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 1790s British George III Bookcases
Mahogany
Early 20th Century American Georgian Secretaires
Brass
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Early 20th Century English George I Secretaires
Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century Italian George III Secretaires
Antique Early 1900s English Georgian Secretaires
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Secretaires
Walnut
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Secretaires
Oak, Walnut
Antique 1890s English Georgian Secretaires
Oak, Walnut
Vintage 1950s English Georgian Secretaires
Walnut
Antique 1890s English Georgian Secretaires
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Irish Secretaires
Walnut
Antique 1880s English Georgian Secretaires
Mahogany, Satinwood
Antique 18th Century and Earlier British Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Antique Early 18th Century English Georgian Cupboards
Oak
Antique 1730s English George II Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Antique 1780s English Georgian Secretaires
Brass
Antique 19th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Brass, Bronze, Iron
Antique 18th Century British Georgian Desks
Mahogany
Early 20th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Glass, Leather, Walnut
Antique 18th Century and Earlier British Georgian Secretaires
Walnut
Antique 18th Century and Earlier British Georgian Secretaires
Antique 18th Century Italian Georgian Secretaires
Mirror, Walnut
Antique 18th Century and Earlier British George II Commodes and Chests o...
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Linen Presses
Walnut, Mahogany
2010s English Georgian Secretaires
Walnut
Georgian Walnut Secretaire For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Georgian Walnut 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.