Secretaire Second Empire
Antique 1850s French Napoleon III Secretaires
Granite, Brass, Ormolu
Antique 18th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Brass
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Carrara Marble, Bronze
Antique Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Secretaires
Bronze
Antique Early 19th Century Prints
Paper
Antique Mid-19th Century French Rococo Revival Vitrines
Ormolu
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Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Figurative Sculptures
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
20th Century Sterling Silver
Stainless Steel
Antique 19th Century English Baroque Animal Sculptures
Marble
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Wood
20th Century European Louis XV Pedestals and Columns
Ormolu
19th Century Rococo Figurative Paintings
Oil
Antique 19th Century French Musical Instruments
Ormolu, Brass
20th Century American Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Antique 19th Century English Dinner Plates
Paste, Porcelain
Antique 19th Century French Torchères
Bronze
20th Century Biedermeier Secretaires
Maple, Wood
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Table Lamps
Bronze
Antique 19th Century Scandinavian Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Empire Revival Mantel Mirrors and Fireplace ...
Gesso, Mirror, Wood
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Crystal Serveware
Crystal, Ormolu
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble, Bronze
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Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Secretaires
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Marble, Brass, Bronze
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Desks
Bronze, Ormolu
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Carrara Marble, Bronze, Brass
Antique 19th Century French Empire Desks
Ormolu
20th Century English Campaign Desks
Mahogany
20th Century French Secretaires
Rosewood
Antique 1820s German Empire Secretaires
Birch, Mahogany
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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