Dyrlund Secretary

Proudly maintaining functionalist ideals and Scandinavian modernist sensibilities for more than six decades, Denmark’s Dyrlund furniture company declares itself a maker of the antiques of tomorrow. Its durable and appealing mid-century pieces are recognizable to collectors owing to the brand’s golden circle logo, embossed with the name Dyrlund, which is synonymous with quiet elegance and superior quality. 

Working with ash, beech, oak and teak, Dyrlund’s furniture makers employ quality oil finishes by hand to protect and bring out the deep richness of the wood. The company outfits its sideboards and cupboards with sturdy, solid-wood oval handles — another signature that is likely familiar to enthusiasts of the manufacturer.

Established in 1960, the company set out to create long-lasting furniture that would remain beautiful and reliable throughout its life. Over the years, the brand's focus has mainly been on the manufacture of office furnishings. Dyrlund credenzas, desks and office cabinets — as well as living room items like sofas and coffee tables — are the most well-known pieces. However, Dyrlund occasionally produces limited runs of bedroom furniture, such as beds and nightstands. 

Dyrlund boasts a clientele that includes celebrities, royalty and heads of state. One client the company is particularly proud of is Mikhail Gorbachev. The late Russian and Soviet politician posed for a photo standing in front of a Dyrlund desk.

The company still operates out of Copenhagen, headed by director Bent Møller Jørgensen, who is just as often seen on the shop floor going over details with cabinetmakers as he is in his office speaking to clients. Dyrlund’s commitment to quality and Danish modern forms hasn't wavered and is sure to continue into the future.

On 1stDibs, find Dyrlund dining tables, seating and bookcases.

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.