Empire 1800 Secretary
Antique Late 18th Century French Empire Secretaires
Marble
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Empire Secretaires
Mirror, Giltwood, Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century German Louis XVI Secretaires
Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century Scandinavian Empire Secretaires
Ash, Burl
Antique Early 19th Century Prints
Paper
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century Russian Empire Secretaires
Metal, Brass
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century Russian Empire Dressers
Bronze
Antique Early 1800s English Neoclassical Serving Bowls
Sterling Silver
People Also Browsed
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Oak, Plywood
Vintage 1960s French Desks
Bronze
Antique Mid-19th Century European Biedermeier Secretaires
Mahogany, Baize
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Wood, Walnut
Antique 1820s German Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Antique 1810s French Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
Antique 1860s Scandinavian Biedermeier Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 1840s German Biedermeier Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Wood, Mahogany
Antique 1820s Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Birch
Antique 19th Century Scottish Victorian Desks
Mahogany
Antique 1790s French Louis XVI Secretaires
Walnut
1890s Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Board, Gouache
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Leather, Oak
Antique Mid-19th Century American Empire Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Birch
Recent Sales
Antique Early 1800s French Empire Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Empire More Folk Art
Fruitwood, Palisander, Walnut, Wenge
Antique Early 19th Century German Empire Secretaires
Birch, Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century German Empire Secretaires
Birch, Ebony, Maple, Mahogany, Oak, Poplar
Antique Early 1800s French Secretaires
Walnut
Antique 19th Century American Empire Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Secretaires
Padouk
Antique 1830s German Biedermeier Secretaires
Birch, Mahogany
Antique 1810s German Biedermeier Secretaires
Mahogany, Oak
Antique 1840s German Biedermeier Secretaires
Ash
Antique Early 1800s Danish Empire Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century Danish Empire Secretaires
Birch, Oak, Ash, Kingwood
Antique Early 1800s French Empire Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Early 1800s Swedish Empire Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Early 1800s French Empire Desks
Mahogany, Walnut
Antique Early 1800s German Empire Desks
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Early 1800s French Empire Secretaires
Bronze
Antique 19th Century German Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 1800s Romantic Portrait Paintings
Oil
Empire 1800 Secretary For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Empire 1800 Secretary?
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.
Read More
The Ultimate Guide to Types of Tables for the Home
Whether you’re just moving in or ready to give your home a makeover, our guide will give you pointers on tables that are fitting for every room, nook and hallway.
What Exactly Is a Secretary Desk, and What Is It Used For?
The furniture equivalent of a Swiss Army knife, it's the multifunctional piece you didn't know you needed.
This Shelving System with Oxidized Brass Tubes Is Retro and Futuristic at Once
Italian studio DimoreMilano mustered great ingenuity when crafting these sculptural shelves, which are built without any screws.
28 Cheerful Home Bars, Where Everybody (Literally) Knows Your Name
Simple or sophisticated, equipped with console, cart or custom cabinetry, these stylish bar areas deserve a toast.
Ask an Interior Designer: Work-from-Home Edition
Leaping into a design project, whether it's refreshing the bedroom or redoing the whole house, can be overwhelming. Luckily, we know more than a few interior designers. You asked questions on Instagram, and now they're answering.
Collected and Eclectic, ‘Wunderkammern’ Are Back in a Big Way
Introduced nearly 500 years ago, curiosity cabinets are finding new fans among today's collectors and designers.
Meet the Incredible Woman Transforming Fallen Trees into Sleek Furniture
In the hands of New York Heartwoods cofounder Megan Offner, unwanted local trees become works of design art.
These New York Architects Love a Complicated Project
From Brooklyn townhouses to Maine campgrounds, Trattie Davies and Jonathan Toews relish a challenge, like transforming a former warehouse space into the new 1stdibs Gallery.