Secretaire Writing Desk
Antique 1820s English George IV Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Antique Late 18th Century English George III Desks and Writing Tables
Hardwood
Vintage 1970s English Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
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Aluminum, Iron
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Amboyna
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Oak
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Oak
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Spruce, Cherry
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Ebony, Bone
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Walnut, Pine
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Shagreen Stingray, Palmwood
Antique 1820s French Desks and Writing Tables
Marble
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century British Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Antique 19th Century French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables
Marble
Antique 1840s Biedermeier Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writi...
Wood, Ash, Lacquer
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Vintage 1930s Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century European Neoclassical Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Stone, Marble, Metal, Brass
Vintage 1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Teak
Vintage 1960s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Palisander
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writi...
Wood, Ash, Lacquer
Antique 18th Century French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Antique 1830s French Louis Philippe Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Antique Late 19th Century English George III Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Mahogany, Satinwood
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writi...
Wood, Ash, Lacquer
Antique Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Desks and Writi...
Wood, Ash, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Birch
Antique 1790s English Georgian Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Hardwood
Late 20th Century American Desks and Writing Tables
Steel
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Antique Early 18th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Porcelain, Mahogany, Walnut
Antique 1890s French Directoire Desks and Writing Tables
Marble, Brass, Bronze
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Ormolu, Bronze
2010s Italian Desks and Writing Tables
Brass, Gold Leaf
Antique Late 18th Century Italian Empire Secretaires
Wood, Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Ormolu
Antique 19th Century French Secretaires
Carrara Marble, Ormolu
Antique 19th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Country Secretaires
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Ormolu
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Marble, Ormolu
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Pine
Antique 1880s French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Bronze
Antique 1750s French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Iron
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Desks and Writing Tables
Ormolu
Antique Late 18th Century English Desks and Writing Tables
Satinwood
Antique Late 18th Century Great Britain (UK) Desks and Writing Tables
Satinwood, Boxwood, Ebony, Padouk, Harewood
Antique Early 1900s Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Paint
20th Century French Art Deco Secretaires
Metal
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Secretaire Writing Desk For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Secretaire Writing Desk?
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.
- What is a writing desk?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
A writing desk may refer to a desk with a top, often sloping, for writing on or to a portable case with compartments to hold writing materials and a surface for writing.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021A writing desk with drawers is also called a secretary. It is a desk with drawers, one of which can be pushed out and the front of the desk lowered to create a flat writing surface. These writing desks have been made in a variety of styles over the years. Shop for a variety of writing tables with drawers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021A small writing table is also called a davenport table or davenport desk. They normally feature a sloped or inclined top attached with hinges to the back of the table. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique and vintage davenport desks.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023What an old-fashioned writing desk is called varies by design. Pieces with drop-down fronts are secretary desks (these are typically made of two parts: a chest of drawers on the bottom and a hutch or cupboard with shelves on the top), while ones that rest on two pillars, cabinets or bookcases are pedestal desks. A desk with a small writing surface positioned in front of drawers and cubbies is a bureau à gradin. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of desks.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023In French, the term for a writing desk that often featured a drop-down writing surface is secretaire. This type of desk is called a secretary desk in English. 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, which are called pigeonholes, cubbies, recesses or drawers, are revealed. On 1stDibs, shop antique secretary desks from some of the world's top sellers.
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