Secretaires
18th Century French French Provincial Antique Secretaires
Wood, Paint
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Wood, Paint
1940s American Vintage Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires
Brass
Mid-19th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Secretaires
Wood
18th Century Italian Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Walnut, Giltwood
1780s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Mahogany, Satinwood
Early 20th Century Scandinavian Biedermeier Secretaires
Mahogany
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires
Oak
18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires
Oak
20th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Bronze
19th Century Spanish Colonial Antique Secretaires
Wood
18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires
Oak
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Metal
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Cherry
1890s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Kingwood
1860s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1730s German Baroque Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1820s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Oak
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 20th Century American Georgian Secretaires
Brass
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1970s Swedish Rococo Vintage Secretaires
Glass, Wood
Late 20th Century American Queen Anne Secretaires
Brass
1850s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Early 19th Century Swedish Empire Antique Secretaires
Birch
1780s Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Wood
Early 19th Century English George IV Antique Secretaires
Brass
19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Oak, Paint
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires
Brass
1960s Danish Vintage Secretaires
Glass, Teak
20th Century English Campaign Secretaires
Brass
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 19th Century Swedish Rustic Antique Secretaires
Pine
1740s English George II Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century Swedish Country Antique Secretaires
Pine
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Beech
19th Century European Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Wood
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires
Wood
Mid-20th Century European Biedermeier Secretaires
Wood
19th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Antique Secretaires
Iron
1920s German Industrial Vintage Secretaires
Glass, Oak, Pine, Plywood
2010s Portuguese Modern Secretaires
Wood
1790s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Late 19th Century Empire Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1930s American Mission Vintage Secretaires
Walnut
19th Century Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Spruce, Cherry
20th Century French Empire Secretaires
Marble
1830s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Birch
19th Century Antique Secretaires
Oak
1780s English George III Antique Secretaires
Oak
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Brass
18th Century English George II Antique Secretaires
Brass
19th Century Antique Secretaires
Oak
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.