Secretaires Secretaries
Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Wood, Rosewood, Walnut, Softwood
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Country Secretaires
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Metal, Brass
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Wood
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Birch
Antique 1810s French Empire Secretaires
Brass
Antique 19th Century French Empire Secretaires
Brass
Antique 1820s French Charles X Secretaires
Leather, Mahogany
Antique 1740s English Cabinets
Mahogany
Antique Early 1800s English Secretaires
Brass
Antique 1780s English Chippendale Secretaires
Brass
Antique 1770s English Chippendale Secretaires
Brass
Antique 1810s Scandinavian Biedermeier Secretaires
Antique 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Birch, Fir
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Birch
Antique Mid-17th Century Italian Secretaires
Walnut
Antique Mid-19th Century Italian Secretaires
Mirror, Wood, Paint
Antique Early 19th Century French Biedermeier Secretaires
Brass, Other
2010s Chippendale Secretaires
Glass, Wood
2010s Renaissance Secretaires
Mahogany
2010s Renaissance Secretaires
Glass, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Czech Biedermeier Secretaires
Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century English Sheraton Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Wood
Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Oak, Walnut
Antique 19th Century Secretaires
Bone, Ebony
Antique 1760s English Secretaires
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Oak, Walnut
Early 20th Century French Secretaires
Sycamore
Vintage 1950s Italian Secretaires
Mirror, Parchment Paper
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Walnut, Goatskin
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Italian Secretaires
Antique 19th Century French Secretaires
Walnut
Antique 1760s English Secretaires
Brass
20th Century Italian Secretaires
Wood, Tulipwood
Antique 1850s Swedish Renaissance Revival Secretaires
Walnut
Vintage 1920s German Industrial Secretaires
Glass, Oak, Pine, Plywood
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Brass
Antique 1750s Irish Georgian Secretaires
Mercury Glass, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Sheraton Secretaires
Glass, Mahogany
Late 20th Century Renaissance Secretaires
Walnut
Antique 18th Century English Queen Anne Secretaires
Walnut
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Secretaires
Walnut
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
Antique 1810s Austrian Empire Secretaires
Bronze
Antique 18th Century British Georgian Secretaires
Oak
Antique Mid-19th Century American Empire Secretaires
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Country Secretaires
Wood
Antique Mid-18th Century Swiss Baroque Secretaires
Oak, Yew
Antique Early 19th Century English Secretaires
Ebony, Mahogany, Satinwood
Antique 1750s German Baroque Secretaires
Walnut, Softwood
Antique Late 18th Century British Regency Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Mid-18th Century French Secretaires
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Wood
20th Century Secretaires
Vintage 1940s Spanish Secretaires
Wood, Lacquer
Antique 1770s Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century French Secretaires
Bronze
Antique 19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Wood
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Secretaires Secretaries For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Secretaires Secretaries?
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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