Secretary Cabinet Mirror
Antique Mid-18th Century English Secretaires
Brass
Early 20th Century Italian Baroque Secretaires
Walnut, Mirror
Antique 18th Century Italian Rococo Secretaires
Metal, Brass
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Desks
Mirror, Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Secretaires
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century British Secretaires
Mirror, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Danish Secretaires
Mirror, Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Glass, Teak
Vintage 1930s English Georgian Secretaires
Mirror, Satinwood, Walnut
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Brass
Antique 18th Century Dutch Secretaires
Walnut, Mirror
Antique Mid-19th Century Italian Secretaires
Mirror, Wood, Paint
Vintage 1950s Italian Secretaires
Mirror, Parchment Paper
Antique 1780s English George III Secretaires
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Georgian Desks
Brass
Vintage 1970s American French Provincial Desks
Brass
Late 20th Century American Georgian Secretaires
Brass
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Vitrines
Steel
Antique 18th Century Italian Rococo Secretaires
Paper, Mirror, Wood
Antique 18th Century English Queen Anne Secretaires
Brass
Antique Mid-19th Century European Gothic Revival Desks
Rosewood
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Glass, Teak
Antique 18th Century Dutch Desks
Wood, Walnut
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Bookcases
Mirror, Wenge
20th Century Chippendale Desks
Brass
Antique 1750s Irish Georgian Secretaires
Mercury Glass, Mahogany
Antique 18th Century English Queen Anne Secretaires
Walnut
Antique 1730s German Baroque Secretaires
Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Mirror, Walnut
Antique 1870s French Napoleon III Dressers
Carrara Marble, Brass, Bronze
Vintage 1980s Italian Secretaires
Walnut
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century Italian Rococo Secretaires
Walnut
Antique 1880s English Queen Anne Desks
Mirror, Walnut, Burl
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Empire Secretaires
Mirror, Giltwood, Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Metal, Brass
Antique 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Secretaires
Mirror, Wood, Walnut
Antique 18th Century French Queen Anne Secretaires
Mirror, Walnut
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 1720s English Queen Anne Secretaires
Oak
Early 20th Century American Edwardian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Maple, Oak
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Wood
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Secretaires
Elm, Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century Baltic Biedermeier Secretaires
Ormolu
Early 20th Century European Secretaires
Mirror, Mahogany, Pine
Vintage 1940s American Hollywood Regency Secretaires
Brass
Vintage 1940s American Hollywood Regency Secretaires
Brass
20th Century Bookcases
Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
Antique 18th Century English Secretaires
Wood
Vintage 1950s French Secretaires
Sycamore
Antique Mid-18th Century Irish George II Secretaires
Mirror, Mahogany
Vintage 1920s Italian Louis XV Secretaires
Walnut, Burl, Mirror
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Secretaires
Leather, Mahogany, Maple
Antique Early 18th Century English George II Secretaires
Walnut, Yew
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
20th Century Italian Louis XV Secretaires
Mirror, Wood
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Teak
Antique 18th Century British George II Secretaires
Walnut, Burl
Antique Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Secretaires
Walnut
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Secretary Cabinet Mirror For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Secretary Cabinet Mirror?
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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