Antique Danish Empire Mahogany Secretary Desk
Late 19th Century Danish Empire Antique Danish Empire Mahogany Secretary Desk
Metal
Early 19th Century European Empire Antique Danish Empire Mahogany Secretary Desk
Oak, Mahogany
Mid-19th Century Danish Biedermeier Antique Danish Empire Mahogany Secretary Desk
Mahogany
Early 19th Century Danish Empire Antique Danish Empire Mahogany Secretary Desk
Mahogany
1810s Danish Empire Antique Danish Empire Mahogany Secretary Desk
Mahogany
Early 19th Century Swedish Empire Antique Danish Empire Mahogany Secretary Desk
Birch
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20th Century Biedermeier Antique Danish Empire Mahogany Secretary Desk
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Mahogany, Baize
20th Century Biedermeier Antique Danish Empire Mahogany Secretary Desk
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Danish Empire Mahogany Secretary Desk
Walnut
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20th Century Empire Antique Danish Empire Mahogany Secretary Desk
Bronze
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Elm, Walnut
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Crystal
Mid-20th Century American Other Antique Danish Empire Mahogany Secretary Desk
Oak
17th Century Italian Baroque Antique Danish Empire Mahogany Secretary Desk
Spruce
19th Century French Empire Antique Danish Empire Mahogany Secretary Desk
Ormolu
1740s English George II Antique Danish Empire Mahogany Secretary Desk
Mahogany
Mid-18th Century Danish Baroque Antique Danish Empire Mahogany Secretary Desk
Oak
20th Century Biedermeier Antique Danish Empire Mahogany Secretary Desk
Maple, Wood
1920s German Industrial Antique Danish Empire Mahogany Secretary Desk
Glass, Oak, Pine, Plywood
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Early 19th Century Danish Empire Antique Danish Empire Mahogany Secretary Desk
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19th Century Scandinavian Biedermeier Antique Danish Empire Mahogany Secretary Desk
Mahogany
Early 19th Century Danish Empire Antique Danish Empire Mahogany Secretary Desk
Wood
Early 1800s Danish Empire Antique Danish Empire Mahogany Secretary Desk
Mahogany
1820s Danish Empire Antique Danish Empire Mahogany Secretary Desk
Satinwood, Mother-of-Pearl, Mahogany
Mid-19th Century English Biedermeier Antique Danish Empire Mahogany Secretary Desk
Early 19th Century Danish Empire Antique Danish Empire Mahogany Secretary Desk
Mahogany
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.