Petite Secretary Desk
Antique Early 1900s Louis XVI Secretaires
Burl
Antique 1890s French Louis XIII Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Mid-20th Century American Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany, Paint
Recent Sales
Mid-20th Century American Moorish Desks
Wood
Antique 19th Century English Aesthetic Movement Desks
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century English Queen Anne Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Italian Hollywood Regency Desks
Poplar, Giltwood
Mid-20th Century North American Regency Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
20th Century English Georgian Desks
Walnut, Burl, Satinwood
Antique Early 1900s English Edwardian Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 1810s French Empire Secretaires
Bronze
Antique 1880s French Renaissance Revival Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Mid-20th Century Italian French Provincial Desks
Brass
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Fruitwood
Antique Late 19th Century French Victorian Vitrines
Pine
Antique Late 19th Century English Adam Style Secretaires
Satinwood
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires
Brass
Late 20th Century American Georgian Secretaires
Brass
People Also Browsed
Late 20th Century Philippine Modern Secretaires
Enamel
2010s British Louis XVI Sofas
Giltwood
Antique 1890s French Louis XVI Console Tables
Oak
Vintage 1920s French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Antique 18th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Bronze
Early 20th Century Italian Victorian Secretaires
Wood, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese George III Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Antique 19th Century English Chinese Chippendale Vitrines
Glass, Mahogany
20th Century English Country Dining Room Tables
Metal, Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Rococo Desks and Writing Tables
Gesso, Wood, Paint
Antique 1880s British Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
20th Century French French Provincial Dining Room Tables
Oak
Antique 19th Century Dressers
Pine
Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Cabinets
Brass
Antique Late 18th Century Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood, Glass
Petite Secretary Desk For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Petite Secretary Desk?
Finding the Right Storage-case-pieces for You
Of all the vintage storage cabinets and antique case pieces that have become popular in modern interiors over the years, dressers, credenzas and cabinets have long been home staples, perfect for routine storage or protection of personal items.
In the mid-19th century, cabinetmakers would mimic styles originating in the Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI eras for their dressers, bookshelves and other structures, and, later, simpler, streamlined wood designs allowed these “case pieces” or “case goods” — any furnishing that is unupholstered and has some semblance of a storage component — to blend into the background of any interior.
Mid-century modern furniture enthusiasts will cite the tall modular wall units crafted in teak and other sought-after woods of the era by the likes of George Nelson, Poul Cadovius and Finn Juhl. For these highly customizable furnishings, designers of the day delivered an alternative to big, heavy bookcases by considering the use of space — and, in particular, walls — in new and innovative ways. Mid-century modern credenzas, which, long and low, evolved from tables that were built as early as the 14th century in Italy, typically have no legs or very short legs and have grown in popularity as an alluring storage option over time.
Although the name immediately invokes images of clothing, dressers were initially created in Europe for a much different purpose. This furnishing was initially a flat-surfaced, low-profile side table equipped with a few drawers — a common fixture used to dress and prepare meats in English kitchens throughout the Tudor period. The drawers served as perfect utensil storage. It wasn’t until the design made its way to North America that it became enlarged and equipped with enough space to hold clothing and cosmetics. The very history of case pieces is a testament to their versatility and well-earned place in any room.
In the spirit of positioning your case goods center stage, decluttering can now be design-minded.
A contemporary case piece with open shelving and painted wood details can prove functional as a storage unit as easily as it can a room divider. Alternatively, apothecary cabinets are charming case goods similar in size to early dressers or commodes but with uniquely sized shelving and (often numerous) drawers.
Whether you’re seeking a playful sideboard that features colored glass and metal details, an antique Italian hand-carved storage cabinet or a glass-door vitrine to store and show off your collectibles, there are options for you on 1stDibs.
- How does a secretary desk work?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A secretary desk works with the help of hinges that secure the writing surface to the rest of the piece. To use one, you simply pull down on the wooden door to open the hinge and lower the writing surface. Return the desk to its closed position by lifting the writing surface up. You'll find a selection of secretary desks on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Secretary desks originated in the early 18th century. They were typically used by secretaries and clerks and featured plenty of compacted drawers for stationary storage. On 1stDibs, find a collection of secretary desks from some of the world’s top sellers.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023A secretary desk is called by its name because of its original function. When the desks first emerged in 19th-century France, the secretaries of estates used them to conduct business. Once they finished paying bills and reconciling accounts, they could raise the hinged writing surface and close the desk. Secretary desks are the workstations of choice in many busy households, especially those with spaces pulling double duty as offices by day and living rooms, dining rooms or bedrooms at night. On 1stDibs, shop an array of secretary desks.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021An antique secretary desk will range in value depending on its authenticity and condition. The price can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. On 1stDibs find the antique secretary desk you’re looking for today.
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.