$12,500
H 82.5 in W 49 in D 24 in
Early 19th Century Duncan Phyfe Grecian Plain Style Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
By Duncan Phyfe
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An important piece of American furniture, attributed to the shop of Duncan Phyfe, circa 1840. To
Mahogany
$16,750Sale Price|25% Off
H 83 in W 42.75 in D 21 in
19th Century Federal Period Duncan Phyfe Style Flame Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
By Duncan Phyfe
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
Rare and important antique American early 19th century figured mahogany "Duncan Phyfe" style flap
Mahogany
Secretary Bookcase
By Duncan Phyfe
Located in New York, NY
Attributed to Duncan Phyfe (1770-1854), New York, about 1820 Mahogany (secondary woods: pine
Pine, Poplar, Mahogany, Glass
New York Classical Secretary Attributed To Duncan Phyfe
Located in Norwalk, CT
French Empire style attributed to the shop of Duncan Phyfe
Mahogany, Poplar
$26,000
H 102 in W 61.5 in D 79 in
English Georgian Mahogany Gadrooned and Upholstered Tester Bed, Circa 1800
Located in Charleston, SC
English Georgian mahogany four-poster bed with a carved molded inset headboard, tapered head post, serpentine gadrooned and upholstered tester with a centered carved urn & swags, dec...
Upholstery, Mahogany
$2,100Sale Price|30% Off
H 92 in W 46 in D 23.5 in
Adams Style Mahogany Half Cylinder Secretary Writing Desk Hutch Curio 92"
Located in Dayton, OH
A very large and impressive vintage Adams style half cylinder secretary desk / hutch featuring a mahogany finish with upper bookcase curio cabinet with fretwork doors supported by a ...
Mahogany
$5,381Sale Price|20% Off
H 74.81 in W 30.32 in D 19.3 in
Antique English 19th Century Sheraton Revival Mahogany Display Cabinet on Stand
Located in London, GB
Antique English 19th century Sheraton revival mahogany display cabinet on stand. A 19th century mahogany display cabinet on stand, the upper section with astragal glazed doors on ...
Glass, Mahogany
$3,775
H 35.83 in W 59.85 in D 27.96 in
Antique George III Inlaid Flame Mahogany Sideboard, 18th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a superb antique George III inlaid flame mahogany bowfront sideboard, circa 1780 in date. The top is banded in satinwood and the sideboard has three oak lined frieze drawers...
Mahogany
Meissen Porcelain Dinnerware Service for 12 People
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Beautiful German Meissen dinnerware service for twelve people with serving pieces. The dinnerware service is in great condition. Just exquisite & very rare to find a complete service...
Gold
Antique English Regency Flame Mahogany Sideboard 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a superb antique English Regency flame mahogany shaped serpentine bowfront sideboard, Circa 1820 in date. It is crossbanded, bordered with ebony lines and fitted with a cent...
Mahogany
George III Mahogany Breakfront Bureau Bookcase
Located in Huntington, NY
This exceptional George III Mahogany Breakfront Bureau Bookcase with Glazed Doors, has wonderful flame & crotch grain Mahogany. Comprised of a large central cabinet, flanked by 2 sma...
Brass
$4,462
H 36.62 in W 72.05 in D 29.14 in
Antique George III Flame Mahogany Serpentine Sideboard, 18th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a superb antique George III inlaid flame mahogany serpentine sideboard, circa 1790 in date. With wood banding and marquetry spandrels, the central frieze drawer flanked by ...
Mahogany
$187,500
H 102 in W 84.5 in D 22.5 in
Exceptional 19th Century English Chinoiserie Pagoda Display Cabinet
Located in Houston, TX
Large-scale 19th century English display cabinet executed in the Chinoiserie tradition. Constructed in carved mahogany and conceived as a tripartite architectural façade, each glazed...
Glass, Mahogany
$62,033Sale Price|20% Off
H 104.34 in W 153.55 in D 19.69 in
Antique Pharmacy Cabinet, Walnut Bookcases and Glass Doors with Sign, '800 Italy
Located in Cuneo, Italy (CN)
Complete antique pharmacy cabinet, with 3 open bookcases on the sides, 1 bookcase with drawers and 2 original doors with glass and enameled mirror sign. Built in the mid-19th century...
Glass, Walnut
19th Century Tester Bed
Located in New Orleans, LA
This lavish American tester bed exhibits superior craftsmanship and detail. The design is embellished with elaborate carvings on the headboard and sides. The stunning wood grain enha...
Silk, Wood
$16,400
H 51.58 in W 52.76 in D 25.2 in
French 18th Century Large Louis XVI Marquetry Desk or Bureau à Cylindre
By Jean Kisling
Located in Berlin, DE
French 18th century large Louis XVI marquetry desk or bureau à Cylindre An exceptional marquetry secrétaire in the form of a bureau with a cylinder front and on a stand with four ...
Bronze
$177,483
H 113.39 in W 166.93 in D 15.75 in
18th Century English Antique Library Bookcase Attributed to Gillows of Lancaster
By Gillows of Lancaster & London
Located in Dublin, IE
A magnificent George III period seven door breakfront library bookcase. Constructed in the finest quality figured mahogany, having a moulded cornice above seven astragal glazed doors...
Mahogany
Rare Near Pair of Regency Bookcases
Located in Stamford, CT
A rare near pair of English Regency period secretary or bookcases with rosewood, ebony, mahogany and satinwood inlay. The fitted drawers in the fall front are slightly different in c...
Ebony, Mahogany, Rosewood, Satinwood
Antique English Mahogany Glass Front Bureau Bookcase, circa 1830
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English mahogany glass front Bureau bookcase with Fitted Interior, circa 1830.
Mahogany, Glass
$8,031
H 38.98 in W 74.81 in D 29.53 in
Antique George III Scottish Mahogany Bowfront Sideboard 18th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a fine antique Scottish flame mahogany and line inlaid bowfront sideboard made in the reign of George III, circa 1790 in date. The splendid piece features a central frieze ...
Mahogany
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.