Secretary Cabinets
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Brass
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Brass
Vintage 1960s Swedish Secretaires
Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Rosewood
Vintage 1960s Danish Cabinets
Mirror, Teak
Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Secretaires
Wood
2010s German Modern Secretaires
Steel
Early 20th Century Italian Baroque Secretaires
Mirror, Walnut
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Birch, Rosewood
Antique Late 19th Century Austrian Baroque Revival Secretaires
Brass
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Brass, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary American Louis XV Secretaires
Gold Leaf
Antique Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Cabinets
Wood
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Cabinets
Teak
Antique Late 18th Century Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood, Glass
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Country Corner Cupboards
Pine
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Secretaires
Metal
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Metal, Iron
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Cabinets
Amboyna
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Cabinets
Oak, Pine
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Baroque Secretaires
Oak
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Cabinets
Pine
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Cabinets
Pine
Antique 1720s Italian Louis XIV Secretaires
Walnut
Antique 18th Century Italian Secretaires
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Post-Modern Cabinets
Brass
Antique 1890s French French Provincial Cabinets
Glass, Fruitwood
Vintage 1960s Swedish Secretaires
Brass
Vintage 1960s Swedish Secretaires
Teak
Antique 19th Century European Biedermeier Secretaires
Burl
20th Century American Classical Dry Bars
Mahogany
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Brass
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Wood
Early 20th Century French French Provincial Secretaires
Glass, Walnut
Antique 1830s American American Empire Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Secretaires
Macassar
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Secretaires
Lacquer, Mirror, Beech
Antique Late 19th Century French French Provincial Cabinets
Pine
Antique 18th Century Italian Rococo Secretaires
Metal, Brass
Antique 18th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Metal, Wrought Iron, Metallic Thread
Antique Late 19th Century Indonesian British Colonial Furniture
Glass, Wood
Vintage 1940s French Secretaires
Brass
Antique 18th Century Dutch Secretaires
Brass, Bronze
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Cabinets
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Brass
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Secretaires
Leather, Walnut
Antique Early 18th Century Italian Louis XIV Secretaires
Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis Philippe Secretaires
Walnut
Antique Mid-19th Century Danish Art Deco Wardrobes and Armoires
Pine
Vintage 1940s French Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Walnut
Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Cabinets
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Spanish Cabinets
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary North American Louis XV Secretaires
Wood
Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Desks
Walnut
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Aluminum
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Secretary Cabinets For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Secretary Cabinets?
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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