Secretaires
1950s Dutch Dutch Colonial Vintage Secretaires
Maple, Walnut, Fir
Late 18th Century French Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
20th Century Italian Secretaires
Wood, Tulipwood
1860s Scandinavian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1960s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Palisander
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Fir
1860s European Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1840s English Victorian Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 1800s Belgian Empire Antique Secretaires
Brass
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century American Rococo Secretaires
19th Century American Antique Secretaires
Brass
Mid-18th Century English Georgian Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1840s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century French Directoire Antique Secretaires
Brass
18th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires
Wood
1870s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Secretaires
Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Ormolu
Early 19th Century Swedish Empire Antique Secretaires
Birch
Early 1800s Italian Antique Secretaires
Fruitwood, Paint
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Wood
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood
Mid-19th Century American Victorian Antique Secretaires
Birdseye Maple, Walnut
19th Century English Adam Style Antique Secretaires
Wood, Satinwood
19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires
Wood
Late 18th Century Dutch Dutch Colonial Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Brass
Early 20th Century Victorian Secretaires
Mahogany
1960s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
Early 20th Century French Louis XIV Secretaires
Brass
Early 19th Century Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Brass
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires
Brass
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
Early 1900s Italian Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Early 19th Century Swedish Country Antique Secretaires
Pine
Early 1900s Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Paint
Early 1900s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Griotte Marble, Bronze
1870s Scandinavian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Late 19th Century Renaissance Antique Secretaires
Walnut
19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Maple, Oak
Late 19th Century Dutch Antique Secretaires
Satinwood
1870s American Federal Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
1790s German Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Brass
1950s French Directoire Vintage Secretaires
Brass
19th Century German Baroque Antique Secretaires
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Secretaires
Ceramic, Leather, Oak
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Brass
Mid-20th Century English Chinese Chippendale Secretaires
Pine
1940s French French Provincial Vintage Secretaires
Brass, Wire
Early 1800s Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1990s French Provincial Secretaires
Wood
19th Century Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Wood
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.