Midcentury Modern Secretaire
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Wood
Vintage 1960s British Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
Vintage 1970s British Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Metal
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Teak
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Glass, Wood, Birch
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Wood
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Teak
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Walnut
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Wood
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Walnut, Goatskin
Vintage 1950s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Wood
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Teak
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Laminate, Teak
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Brass
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Teak
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Plexiglass, Wood, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Chrome
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Brass
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Metal
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Mahogany, Teak, Walnut
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Teak
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Walnut
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Teak
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Wood
Vintage 1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Wood
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
Vintage 1940s French Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Walnut
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Walnut
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Brass
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
2010s French Secretaires
Leather, Walnut
2010s French Secretaires
Leather, Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Metal
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Metal
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Wood
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Beech
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Aluminum
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Brass
Vintage 1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Rosewood
Vintage 1950s European Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Birch
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Beech
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Sycamore
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Rosewood
Vintage 1980s German Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Wood, Fruitwood
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Rosewood
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Oak
Vintage 1960s Danish Secretaires
Rosewood
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Cherry
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Teak
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Teak
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Midcentury Modern Secretaire For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Midcentury Modern 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.
- What is midcentury modern?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Organic shapes, clean lines and elegant simplicity describe mid-century modern American furniture well. The style, which emerged primarily in the post-World War II era, is characterized by furniture that was crafted by creators who believed that good design was key to good living.Today, mid-century modern is by far the largest category of furnishings on 1stDibs.