Double Bonnet Secretary
20th Century North American Adam Style Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany, Paint
Late 20th Century American Georgian Secretaires
Brass
Antique 18th Century English Queen Anne Secretaires
Walnut
Antique Late 18th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century French Queen Anne Secretaires
Mirror, Walnut
People Also Browsed
20th Century Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Bergere Chairs
Linen
Late 20th Century American Georgian Bookcases
Brass
Vintage 1960s American Georgian Bookcases
Blown Glass, Satinwood
20th Century Bookcases
Wood
Antique 1860s Scandinavian Biedermeier Secretaires
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Hepplewhite Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
1970s American Modern Nude Photography
Silver Gelatin
Antique 19th Century English Georgian Side Tables
Leather, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century North American Regency Dressers
Walnut
Antique 1840s English Victorian Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Italian Greco Roman Figurative Sculptures
Carrara Marble
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Armchairs
Fabric, Wood
Antique 18th Century English George III Secretaires
Brass
20th Century Italian Louis XV Secretaires
Mirror, Wood
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Wood
Recent Sales
1990s American Georgian Desks
Walnut
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires
Brass
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Secretaires
Burl, Walnut
Early 20th Century Italian Rococo Secretaires
Glass, Paint, Wood
Early 20th Century English Baroque Revival Secretaires
Early 20th Century English Baroque Revival Secretaires
Glass, Wood
Late 20th Century Chippendale Secretaires
Brass
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires
Brass
Vintage 1970s American Chinese Chippendale Secretaires
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Brass
Antique Early 18th Century English Queen Anne Secretaires
Leather, Mercury Glass, Walnut, Burl
Antique Mid-19th Century English Queen Anne Cabinets
Brass
Mid-20th Century European Secretaires
Satinwood, Walnut, Burl
Early 20th Century Chippendale Secretaires
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires
Brass
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Spanish Secretaires
Walnut
Antique 19th Century Italian Secretaires
Wood
Early 20th Century English Secretaires
Brass
Antique 19th Century English Secretaires
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Swedish Secretaires
Wood
20th Century English Secretaires
Antique 19th Century English Queen Anne Secretaires
Wood
Antique 18th Century English Secretaires
Oak
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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