Secretaires
Late 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Teak
19th Century American Country Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Rosewood
1940s European Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Walnut
20th Century English Sheraton Secretaires
Leather, Hardwood, Satinwood, Walnut
1820s Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Satinwood, Walnut
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Mahogany, Maple
Early 19th Century Italian Baroque Antique Secretaires
Wood
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Ebony
Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Secretaires
Walnut
20th Century English George I Secretaires
Leather, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary American Louis XV Secretaires
Gold Leaf
Mid-19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Birch
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Glass, Rosewood
19th Century Dutch Antique Secretaires
Brass
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass
Early 19th Century European Empire Antique Secretaires
Oak, Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Secretaires
Marble
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
1770s Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Marble, Bronze
Late 19th Century French French Provincial Antique Secretaires
Wood
Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Marble, Bronze
1830s Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Iron, Tin
1860s Scandinavian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1970s Queen Anne Vintage Secretaires
Glass, Cherry
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Oak
18th Century British Georgian Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1940s Rococo Revival Vintage Secretaires
Metal
Late 18th Century European Antique Secretaires
Glass, Wood
Early 20th Century Danish Queen Anne Secretaires
Mahogany
18th Century Swedish Baroque Antique Secretaires
Wood, Paint
1930s English Georgian Vintage Secretaires
Mirror, Satinwood, Walnut
20th Century Italian Secretaires
Glass, Paint
Mid-20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Secretaires
Oak
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Marble
Mid-19th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Secretaires
Wood
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Cherry
Early 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Metal
Early 20th Century American Georgian Secretaires
Brass
20th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Brass, Bronze
20th Century English Campaign Secretaires
Brass
Late 20th Century American Queen Anne Secretaires
Brass
Late 20th Century Secretaires
Cherry
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Bronze
1790s American Hepplewhite Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 18th Century French Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
20th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Wood
1880s Italian Country Antique Secretaires
Walnut, Fir
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Metal
Late 19th Century Antique Secretaires
Granite
1820s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Birch
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Leather, Glass, Lacquer
1890s French Louis XIV Antique Secretaires
Marble
Antique, New and Vintage Secretaires
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.