Secretaires
Early 20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires
Hardwood, Paint
Early 1800s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Carrara Marble
Late 18th Century Danish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Brass, Iron
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Brass
1980s American American Colonial Vintage Secretaires
Maple
Late 18th Century George III Antique Secretaires
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Baroque Secretaires
Oak
18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass
Early 19th Century American Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Brass
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Secretaires
Brass, Steel
Mid-20th Century American Federal Secretaires
Glass, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American George III Secretaires
Wood
19th Century English George III Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 18th Century Antique Secretaires
Brass
1930s American Hepplewhite Vintage Secretaires
Glass, Mahogany
1940s French Vintage Secretaires
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Secretaires
Poplar
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Rosewood
19th Century Federal Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Cherry, Walnut
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Brass
2010s Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass
19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Marble, Iron
Mid-18th Century British Georgian Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Late 19th Century Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1970s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
1860s Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Pine, Walnut
19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Marble, Brass
Mid-19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass
2010s American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood, Giltwood, Lacquer
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Marble, Bronze
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Secretaires
Shagreen Stingray, Palmwood
1790s English Georgian Antique Secretaires
Leather, Mahogany
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Marble, Brass
1890s French French Provincial Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century English Regency Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Marble, Brass
1820s Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Ormolu
19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires
Wood, Pine
19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 19th Century American Federal Antique Secretaires
Glass, Mahogany
Early 20th Century Italian Baroque Secretaires
Brass
18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires
Brass
18th Century American Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Maple
20th Century English Secretaires
Wood
Early 19th Century British George III Antique Secretaires
Brass
1940s French Louis XVI Vintage Secretaires
Carrara Marble
18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Bronze
1830s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Brass
1880s French Charles X Antique Secretaires
Fruitwood
Late 19th Century British Georgian Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Metal
20th Century Georgian Secretaires
Brass
18th Century British Georgian Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
18th Century English George I Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass
Antique, New and Vintage Secretaires
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.









