Georgian Oak Secretary
Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Oak, Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Oak, Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Oak
Antique 18th Century British Georgian Secretaires
Oak
Late 20th Century Georgian Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Brass
Antique Mid-19th Century Irish George III Bookcases
Glass, Mahogany, Satinwood
Antique 19th Century North American Georgian Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Antique 1840s English Georgian Secretaires
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese George III Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century English George III Bookcases
Brass
Antique 18th Century British Georgian Secretaires
Oak
Antique 18th Century British Georgian Bookcases
Mahogany
Antique 1770s English George III Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak, Pine, Mahogany
Antique 1740s English George II Cabinets
Glass, Mahogany
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Antique Late 18th Century English George III Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Antique Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Brass
Antique 19th Century British Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century American Country Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Late 18th Century Chippendale Desks
Cherry
Antique 18th Century Irish George II Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Late 20th Century Renaissance Secretaires
Walnut
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Metal, Brass
Antique 19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Wood
Early 20th Century Danish Queen Anne Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Early 18th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Desks
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Other Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Secretaires
Pine
Early 20th Century European Biedermeier Secretaires
Oak
Vintage 1920s Swedish Art Deco Secretaires
Birch
Recent Sales
Antique Late 18th Century English George III Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Secretaires
Oak, Walnut
Antique 1880s English Georgian Secretaires
Oak
Antique 19th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Brass
Antique Mid-19th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Brass
Antique Mid-18th Century English George III Secretaires
Oak
Antique 1790s English Gustavian Secretaires
Mahogany, Oak
Antique 19th Century British Georgian Secretaires
Mahogany, Oak, Pine
Antique Late 18th Century English George III Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique 1820s English Georgian Desks
Leather, Oak
Antique Late 18th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires
Oak, Pine
Antique 19th Century English Secretaires
Brass
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Secretaires
Oak
Antique 19th Century English Secretaires
Antique Late 18th Century English George III Secretaires
Brass
2010s English Georgian Secretaires
Yew
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Secretaires
Brass, Iron
Antique 19th Century English Secretaires
Wood
Georgian Oak Secretary For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Georgian Oak 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.