Egyptian Secretaire
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Glass, Birch
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Secretaires
Marble
Antique Early 1800s Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Empire Secretaires
Bronze
Antique 19th Century English Regency Cabinets
Purpleheart, Satinwood, Holly
Vintage 1940s European Art Deco Cabinets
Wood, Parchment Paper
Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Cabinets
Marble, Brass
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Antique 19th Century French Empire Beds and Bed Frames
Brass
Antique 1870s French Empire Cabinets
Ormolu
Antique 19th Century French Empire Beds and Bed Frames
Mahogany
Vintage 1970s French Space Age Architectural Elements
Metal, Aluminum
20th Century French Floor Lamps
Crystal
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Wood
Antique 1820s Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Birch
Antique 1870s French Napoleon III Beds and Bed Frames
Mahogany
Late 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
19th Century Academic Nude Paintings
Oil
Antique 19th Century English Chinoiserie Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Regency Bathroom Fixtures
Metal
Antique 19th Century French Empire Buffets
Marble, Brass
Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Beds and Bed Frames
Walnut
Antique 19th Century English Gothic Revival Beds and Bed Frames
Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century French Tableware
Silver
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Antique 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Secretaires
Poplar
Antique 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Secretaires
Ebony, Giltwood, Walnut
Antique 1810s English Regency Secretaires
Ormolu
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Neoclassical Secretaires
Brass
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Secretaires
Antique Early 19th Century English Sheraton Bookcases
Mahogany
Vintage 1920s Egyptian Revival Secretaires
Bronze
Early 20th Century Egyptian Moorish Secretaires
Pearl
Antique 19th Century Belgian Empire Bookcases
Early 20th Century Desks and Writing Tables
Vintage 1920s American Egyptian Revival Secretaires
Bronze
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Desks
Brass, Bronze
Antique Late 18th Century English Georgian Bookcases
Brass
Antique 19th Century English Secretaires
Antique 19th Century Austrian Secretaires
Wood
Antique 19th Century Secretaires
Oak, Giltwood
Antique 1860s French Directoire Secretaires
Antique 19th 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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