Bureau Secretaire
Antique Late 18th Century Danish Louis XVI Secretaires
Brass
Antique Late 18th Century Danish Louis XVI Secretaires
Mahogany, Satinwood
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Vintage 1960s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
Brass
Antique 1740s Italian Louis XV Desks
Nutwood
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Secretaires
Hardwood
Antique Early 1800s English Georgian Secretaires
Oak
Antique 19th Century Secretaires
Antique Late 18th Century Danish Gustavian Secretaires
Brass, Iron
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Metal, Bronze
Vintage 1960s British Mid-Century Modern Desks
Teak
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Teak
Antique Mid-18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Metal, Bronze
Vintage 1940s Spanish Secretaires
Wood, Lacquer
Antique 1890s French French Provincial Secretaires
Mahogany
Vintage 1970s British Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
Antique Late 18th Century Secretaires
Brass
Antique Mid-18th Century British Georgian Secretaires
Walnut
Antique Early 18th Century English George I Secretaires
Pewter
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Metal
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Metal, Bronze
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Louis XV Secretaires
Walnut
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Metal, Brass
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Metal
Antique Late 18th Century Austrian Baroque Secretaires
Brass
Vintage 1930s German Art Deco Secretaires
Walnut
Antique Early 1800s French Directoire Secretaires
Marble, Brass
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Secretaires
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Secretaires
Wood, Birdseye Maple, Lacquer
Antique 18th Century English George III Secretaires
Oak
Antique Early 1900s British Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Oak
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Wood
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
Vintage 1980s Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
Antique Mid-18th Century British Georgian Secretaires
Walnut
Antique 19th Century Secretaires
Bamboo
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
Antique 18th Century Danish Secretaires
Pine
Antique 18th Century English George III Secretaires
Oak
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Secretaires
Oak
Antique 18th Century Danish Baroque Secretaires
Brass
Vintage 1960s German Secretaires
Teak
Antique 18th Century English George III Secretaires
Oak
Antique 18th Century British Georgian Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century English George III Secretaires
Oak
Vintage 1930s British George II Secretaires
Walnut
Antique 18th Century English George III Secretaires
Oak
Antique 18th Century English George III Secretaires
Oak
Antique Mid-18th Century Danish Baroque Secretaires
Brass
Antique 18th Century English George III Secretaires
Oak
Antique 1720s European Neoclassical Secretaires
Brass
Antique 19th Century Swedish Neoclassical Secretaires
Pine
Antique 1710s Sri Lankan William and Mary Secretaires
Ebony
Antique Late 18th Century Italian Secretaires
Wood, Pine, Paint
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Bureau Secretaire For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Bureau 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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