19 Century Secretaire
Antique 19th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Secretaires
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Secretaires
Ebony
Antique Late 18th Century English George III Secretaires
Satinwood
Antique Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Ormolu
Antique Early 18th Century English George III Secretaires
Satinwood
Antique 19th Century French Louis Philippe Secretaires
Cherry
Antique 19th Century English Aesthetic Movement Secretaires
Bamboo
Antique 19th Century Napoleon III Secretaires
Wood
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Teak
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Laminate, Teak
Antique Mid-18th Century English Chippendale Secretaires
Brass
Antique 1870s French Louis XVI Secretaires
Rosewood, Satinwood
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Country Secretaires
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese French Provincial Secretaires
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Asian French Provincial Secretaires
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese George II Secretaires
Wood
Antique Late 18th Century British George III Secretaires
Brass
Late 20th Century Philippine Modern Secretaires
Enamel
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Wood, Burl
Mid-20th Century Italian Baroque Secretaires
Glass, Wood
Antique 19th Century French Louis Philippe Secretaires
Leather, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Rosewood
Early 20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Secretaires
Bentwood
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Brass
Antique Mid-18th Century Danish Baroque Secretaires
Oak
Antique Mid-19th Century French Rococo Revival Vitrines
Ormolu
20th Century French French Provincial Desks
Wire
Antique Early 18th Century French Baroque Western European Rugs
Silk, Wool
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21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Textile
Antique 1820s English Regency Dining Room Tables
Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Birch
Antique 1820s Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Birch
Antique 1860s Scandinavian Biedermeier Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 1820s Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Ash, Ebony
Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Cabinets
Brass
Antique Mid-19th Century European Biedermeier Secretaires
Mahogany, Baize
Antique 1820s Swedish Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch, Burl
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese George III Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 20th Century North American Chippendale Secretaires
Burl
Antique Early 19th Century Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood, Burl
Antique Mid-18th Century English George III Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Antique 1880s Swedish Victorian Secretaires
Walnut
Antique 1870s French Napoleon III Beds and Bed Frames
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Rosewood
Recent Sales
Antique 19th Century French Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century English Secretaires
Antique 18th Century and Earlier German Baroque Secretaires
Elm, Wood
Antique 19th Century American Gothic Revival Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Bookcases
Mahogany
Antique Early 18th Century French Louis XIV Paintings
Canvas
Antique Early 1800s Italian Baroque Secretaires
Walnut
Antique 19th Century Italian Regency Secretaires
Brass
Antique 19th Century North American Biedermeier Secretaires
Antique 19th Century Italian Secretaires
Antique Mid-19th Century European Biedermeier Secretaires
Birch, Oak
Antique 19th Century Swedish Victorian Secretaires
Birch
Antique Early 1800s Italian Secretaires
Fruitwood, Paint
Antique 1780s French Louis XVI Secretaires
Bronze
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Secretaires
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Victorian Secretaires
Birch
Antique 1850s French Louis Philippe Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XIV Secretaires
Marble
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Birch, Burl
Antique 1880s French Louis XIV Secretaires
Oak
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Teak
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Cherry
20th Century English Secretaires
Wood
Early 20th Century Unknown British Colonial Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Secretaires
Leather, Glass, Mahogany
Late 20th Century Renaissance Secretaires
Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Empire Secretaires
Ormolu
Early 20th Century British Sheraton Secretaires
Antique 19th Century French Renaissance Secretaires
Brass
Antique 19th Century English Secretaires
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Wood, Birch
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires
Brass
Antique Early 18th Century British Queen Anne Secretaires
Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century Great Britain (UK) Hepplewhite Bookcases
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Cabinets
Marble, Ormolu
Antique 19th Century English William IV Bookcases
Antique 19th Century English William IV Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Shelves
Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese French Provincial Desks
Wood
20th Century English Campaign Desks
Mahogany
20th Century English Edwardian Desks
Silver
Antique 19th Century English Cabinets
Antique 18th Century French Louis XV Arms, Armor and Weapons
Silver
Antique Early 19th Century British Early Victorian Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Secretaires
Brass
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Teak
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Early 20th Century British Queen Anne Secretaires
Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century European Biedermeier Desks
Walnut
Antique 19th Century German Secretaires
Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century Chinese Secretaires
Brass
Antique 19th Century Irish Secretaires
Pine
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Secretaires
Antique 19th Century American Hepplewhite Secretaires
Antique 19th Century Chinese Secretaires
Antique 19th Century English Secretaires
Metal
Late 20th Century Art Deco Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 1890s English Aesthetic Movement Bookcases
Birdseye Maple, Walnut
Antique Mid-18th Century English Bookcases
Antique 1880s Danish Victorian Wardrobes and Armoires
19 Century Secretaire For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a 19 Century 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.
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