Secretarie Cabinets
Antique 18th Century French Louis XVI Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Antique 18th Century French Secretaires
Metal
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Antique Mid-19th Century American Empire Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 1830s Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Pine, Wood
Mid-20th Century Chippendale Dressers
Wood
Vintage 1910s French Louis XVI Secretaires
Brass
Antique 19th Century English Secretaires
Leather, Glass, Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Sofa Tables
Brass, Ormolu
Antique Late 18th Century North American Georgian Desks
Metal
Antique 19th Century English Desks
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Leather, Glass, Lacquer
Early 20th Century French Louis XIV Secretaires
Oak
Antique 1820s French Charles X Secretaires
Leather, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century French Country Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique Mid-18th Century Dutch Rococo Secretaires
Kingwood, Tulipwood, Satinwood, Mahogany
Antique Early 18th Century Belgian Baroque Wardrobes and Armoires
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century Dutch Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
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Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Secretaires
Brass
Antique 19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Pine
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Secretaires
Wood, Birch, Walnut, Burl
Vintage 1950s European Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Brass
Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Antique 19th Century George III Bookcases
Wood
Antique Early 19th Century Chinese Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique 1740s Italian Louis XV Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Cabinets
Mahogany, Burl
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks
Brass
Antique 1780s German Baroque Secretaires
Walnut
Antique 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Secretaires
Wood
Antique Early 1800s European Baroque Secretaires
Pine
Antique 18th Century Swedish Rococo Secretaires
Wood
Antique 19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Wood
Antique 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Cabinets
Birch, Satinwood
Vintage 1950s American Secretaires
Brass
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Secretaires
Marble, Brass
Antique Mid-19th Century Indian Campaign Secretaires
Teak
Vintage 1970s Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
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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