Secretaires
1960s Swedish Vintage Secretaires
Elm, Walnut
Mid-20th Century American George III Secretaires
Wood
1810s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Cherry
19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Marble, Iron
1940s French Vintage Secretaires
Brass
19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires
Pine
1780s English Georgian Antique Secretaires
Mahogany, Satinwood
Late 19th Century Danish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Brass
1930s American Hepplewhite Vintage Secretaires
Glass, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Secretaires
Poplar
19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass
Mid-19th Century American Colonial Antique Secretaires
Glass, Hardwood
1820s French Charles X Antique Secretaires
Walnut
19th Century English Sheraton Antique Secretaires
Brass
2010s Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Secretaires
Metal
2010s American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood, Giltwood, Lacquer
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Pine, Walnut
1690s English William and Mary Antique Secretaires
Wood, Walnut
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Secretaires
Glass, Mahogany, Pine
2010s American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
Mid-18th Century British Georgian Antique Secretaires
Walnut
19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Marble, Brass
1860s Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1970s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires
Pine
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Rosewood
Early 20th Century Italian Baroque Secretaires
Brass
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Brass
Mid-19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass
Mid-19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany, Birdseye Maple, Ebony
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
Late 18th Century American Sheraton Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1780s Dutch Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Spanish Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
1880s British Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 19th Century British George III Antique Secretaires
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Secretaires
Shagreen Stingray, Palmwood
Mid-18th Century English Queen Anne Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Marble, Ormolu
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Secretaires
Lacquer
Mid-18th Century Danish Baroque Antique Secretaires
Brass
18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Bronze
1820s Austrian Baroque Antique Secretaires
Elm, Fruitwood, Ebony
18th Century English George I Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass
18th Century American Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Maple
Late 18th Century English Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Leather, Glass, Wood, Boxwood, Oak, Satinwood
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 20th Century English Hepplewhite Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 1900s Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Burl
18th Century German Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Spruce, Walnut
19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires
Wood
Late 18th Century Danish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 19th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Late 19th Century English George I Antique Secretaires
Glass, Walnut
2010s German Bauhaus Secretaires
Metal, Chrome
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.