Antique Dutch Bombe Secretary Desk
Late 18th Century Dutch Biedermeier Antique Dutch Bombe Secretary Desk
Wood
Late 18th Century Dutch Baroque Antique Dutch Bombe Secretary Desk
Brass
Mid-18th Century Dutch Rococo Antique Dutch Bombe Secretary Desk
Mahogany, Satinwood, Kingwood, Tulipwood
People Also Browsed
17th Century Japanese Edo Antique Dutch Bombe Secretary Desk
Copper, Gold
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Antique Dutch Bombe Secretary Desk
Oak, Plywood
21st Century and Contemporary Antique Dutch Bombe Secretary Desk
Linen
19th Century English American Classical Antique Dutch Bombe Secretary Desk
Brass
Early 19th Century Swedish Karl Johan Antique Dutch Bombe Secretary Desk
Cotton, Upholstery, Mahogany
Late 18th Century British Queen Anne Antique Dutch Bombe Secretary Desk
Brass
19th Century Italian Antique Dutch Bombe Secretary Desk
Wood
Early 20th Century Danish Queen Anne Antique Dutch Bombe Secretary Desk
Mahogany
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Dutch Bombe Secretary Desk
Elm, Walnut
1890s French Art Nouveau Antique Dutch Bombe Secretary Desk
Iron
17th Century English William and Mary Antique Dutch Bombe Secretary Desk
Walnut
Late 19th Century French Antique Dutch Bombe Secretary Desk
Mahogany
Mid-17th Century British Charles II Antique Dutch Bombe Secretary Desk
Walnut
Early 20th Century English Charles II Antique Dutch Bombe Secretary Desk
Tapestry, Velvet
1920s Belgian Louis Philippe Antique Dutch Bombe Secretary Desk
Oak
Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Dutch Bombe Secretary Desk
Oak
Recent Sales
Early 20th Century Dutch Antique Dutch Bombe Secretary Desk
Brass
17th Century Dutch Dutch Colonial Antique Dutch Bombe Secretary Desk
Walnut
Early 20th Century Dutch Antique Dutch Bombe Secretary Desk
Wire
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.
Read More
The Ultimate Guide to Types of Tables for the Home
Whether you’re just moving in or ready to give your home a makeover, our guide will give you pointers on tables that are fitting for every room, nook and hallway.
What Exactly Is a Secretary Desk, and What Is It Used For?
The furniture equivalent of a Swiss Army knife, it's the multifunctional piece you didn't know you needed.
This Shelving System with Oxidized Brass Tubes Is Retro and Futuristic at Once
Italian studio DimoreMilano mustered great ingenuity when crafting these sculptural shelves, which are built without any screws.
28 Cheerful Home Bars, Where Everybody (Literally) Knows Your Name
Simple or sophisticated, equipped with console, cart or custom cabinetry, these stylish bar areas deserve a toast.
Ask an Interior Designer: Work-from-Home Edition
Leaping into a design project, whether it's refreshing the bedroom or redoing the whole house, can be overwhelming. Luckily, we know more than a few interior designers. You asked questions on Instagram, and now they're answering.
Collected and Eclectic, ‘Wunderkammern’ Are Back in a Big Way
Introduced nearly 500 years ago, curiosity cabinets are finding new fans among today's collectors and designers.
Meet the Incredible Woman Transforming Fallen Trees into Sleek Furniture
In the hands of New York Heartwoods cofounder Megan Offner, unwanted local trees become works of design art.
These New York Architects Love a Complicated Project
From Brooklyn townhouses to Maine campgrounds, Trattie Davies and Jonathan Toews relish a challenge, like transforming a former warehouse space into the new 1stdibs Gallery.