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Secretaires For Sale
Period: 20th Century
Period: 19th Century
Burr Walnut Clapper Empire Secretaire with Detached Columns and Secret Drawer
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This beautiful Empire clapper secretaire is made of burr walnut. It has very elegant detached columns with Fine chiseled bronze elements on top and bottom of each column. Inside of the secretaire there is leather desk and several drawers including a secret drawer...
Category
1850s French Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
Antique English Rustic Secretary Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique English Rustic Secretary Desk makes the perfect choice for a cozy office, a student's desk, or just a great place to catch up on correspondenc...
Category
Mid-20th Century English British Colonial Secretaires
Materials
Brass
1930's Art Deco Secretaire Desk with hidden locking mechanism
Located in Ulm, DE
Secretary
wooden body, shellac hand polished
probably stained ash
One drawer can be locked/unlocked by a hidden locking mechanism.
Original Art Deco, France 1930s
Dimensions:
Widt...
Category
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Wood
George Nelson Thin Edge Secretary Desk Cabinet for Herman Miller
Located in Lake Worth, FL
1950s original Thin Edge secretary desk cabinet designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. This early version features the rare black enamel stainless large pulls and tapered wood feet. Cabinet on the right includes an adjustable shelf and 2 drawers. Pull down desk is covered with black leather and features 5 drawers on the left side with original small white porcelain George Nelson drawer pulls...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Biedermeier Cherry Fall Front Desk / Secretaire
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Introducing a stunning late Biedermeier Slant-Front Secretary, crafted from solid cherry wood in the 1840s. This exquisite piece of furniture features three drawers spanning the enti...
Category
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Spruce, Cherry
Early 19th Century Swedish Two-part Secretary
Located in Atlanta, GA
This early 19th-century Swedish two-part secretary is a truly unique piece, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship and artistry. The upper section features a beautifully carved cornice...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Pine
Antique French Secretaire / Bureau in Mahogany
Located in Leicester, GB
Beautiful Antique French flame Mahogany secretaire/bureau/cabinet. The inside is lined with maple and finished with ebonized black details. The cabinet has got lots of charm and char...
Category
1890s French French Provincial Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
19th C. French Empire Style Louis Philippe Period Secretaire Abattant
Located in Forney, TX
A Louis Philippe period (1830–1848) fruitwood secretaire abattant fall front desk.
Born in France in the mid-19th century, hand-crafted of rich solid fruitwood with warm wood tones, subtle grain detail, and nicely aged mellow patina over the whole. Finished in French Empire taste, having a molded cornice, concealed ogee frieze drawer with dovetail joinery, over fall front panel, opening to reveal original fitted interior gallery, with inset gilt tooled leather writing surface, large open shelf cubby, six drawers of various size, above double-door cabinet with brass shield escutcheon that opens to provide generous storage space, and an additional lower drawer for valuables hidden in the base molding, rising on square feet.
Dimensions: (approx)
56.75" High 41" Wide, 17.5" Deep
History/Back Story:
Louis Philippe furniture had the same types and forms as the earlier French Restoration style, but with less decoration; comfort was the primary consideration.
During the turbulent French Revolution and following Napoleon rule, Louis Philippe (1773-1850) remained in exile for 21 years until the Bourbon Restoration, when he became the King of the French from 1830 to 1848.
For the first time, the developing upper class–not the monarchy–influenced the progression of this style’s characteristics.
However, King Louis Philippe’s personality still inspired many aspects. His casual nature reflected this style’s informal, comfortable build. Much of the style was taken from the personality of the King himself. Unlike his Bourbon predecessors, he wore business dress...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Fruitwood
George III Diminutive English Mahogany Glazed Bookcase Bureau
Located in Staffordshire, GB
circa 1800
George III Diminutive English Mahogany Glazed Bookcase Bureau
sku 2040
Together W59 x D44 x H200 cm
Base W59 x D44 x H102 cm
Top W59 x D24 x H98 cm
Top internal shelf dept...
Category
19th Century Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
English Mahogany Secretary Desk, 19th Century
Located in Southampton, NY
English Mahogany secretary desk, 19th century
Three pieces: Crown, upper drawers and lower cabinet. Lowest draw pulls out as a secretary desk.
Measures: 21" deep x 46.5" wide x 80.5"...
Category
19th Century British Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
André Sornay Secretaire, circa 1930
By Andre Sornay
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Andre´ Sornay secretaire, circa 1930
Signed.
Restored.
Certificate of authenticity from Thierry Roche, French expert for Andre´ Sornay.
Category
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Tesselated Black Marble Stone and Brass Inlay Secretaire by Maitland-Smith
Located in Casteren, NL
A monumental secretaire made by Maitland-Smith in the late 20th century. The whole piece was decorated with tessellated black marble and solid brass inlaid Greek key pattern. The low...
Category
1980s Philippine Greek Revival Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Marble, Brass
French 19th Century Walnut Secretary
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A wonderful walnut secretary desk. The desk can be separated into two bodies: the lower writing surface, and the upper glass-front cabinet. The writing surface is covered in beautifu...
Category
19th Century French Other Antique Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Danish Teak Secretary by Erling Torvits for Klim Møbelfabrik, 1960s
Located in Rosendahl, DE
This elegant vintage design secretary from the 1960s was designed by Erling Torvits for Klim Møbelfabrik and impresses with its timeless aesthetics and functionality. The secretary h...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Materials
Teak
19th Century Fine Biedermeier Walnut Secretaire. Vienna, c. 1825
Located in Vienna, AT
Hello,
This elegant and rare early Viennese Biedermeier Secretaire was made in Vienna c. 1825.
The secretaire is an example of beautiful, rare and refined design and excellent craft...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
A George I Style Burl Walnut Secretary Desk, England
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A beautifully detailed and well appointed Georgian style secretary desk, made in England. The dovetailed drawers with brass hardware with a l...
Category
20th Century English George I Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Antique Empire Cylinder-Top Secretary with Bookcase in Burled Ash
Located in Miami, FL
An exceptional Empire secretary bookcase in fine burl ash wood. Denmark or North Germany, circa 1800. The bookcase features a tiered bonnet w...
Category
Early 19th Century Scandinavian Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Ash, Burl
English Regency Style Mahogany and Satinwood Inlaid Carlton House Desk
Located in Vero Beach, FL
English Regency style mahogany and satinwood inlaid Carlton house desk.
Circa 1880 rare Carlton House desk, typical for the Regency period, is a beautiful piece of furniture. It i...
Category
19th Century English Regency Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century George III Style Mahogany Bureau Secretary Bookcase
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a sophisticated and stately Danish secretary bookcase. The partially pierced cornice and a secondary tiered; a shaped cornice over tw...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Early American 19th Century Pine Plantation Desk
Located in Forney, TX
An early American 19th century pine plantation desk with nicely aged patina.
Born in the Mid-Atlantic region / Southern United States, circa 1800s, hand-crafted of solid pine wood with mellow warm tone and rich grain patterns, one-piece construction, having a stepped molded cornice above a tall pair of paneled cabinet doors, opening to reveal an interior fitted with shelves and divided slots for documents, plank boarded back with old metal patch, over a lift-top writing slope with spacious storage underneath, the apron adorned with simple decorative pilasters...
Category
19th Century American Rustic Antique Secretaires
Materials
Pine
English Georgian Style Oak Marquetry Drop Front Secretary Desk
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Distinctive English Georgian fall front or drop front secretaire desk crafted from oak. The secretary features lovely marquetry inlay on the slanted front and the drawer fronts. The ...
Category
20th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Materials
Oak, Satinwood
Painted Swedish Secretary, 19th Century
Located in South Salem, NY
This 19th-century Swedish secretary is a captivating example of timeless design. Its cream-painted exterior exudes classic charm, while the writing surface features the popular faux ...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires
Materials
Wood
19th Century Swedish Mahogany Chiffonje, Writing Agency - Cabinet by Karl Johan
By Karl Johan
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 19th Century, antique Swedish Biedermeier writing agency, secretary table made of hand crafted polished, partly veneered Mahogany with a writing flap, designed by Karl-Johan in goo...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Brass
Early 19th Century Inlaid Oak Secretary Bureau from Denmark
Located in Round Top, TX
The warm patina of the aged wood glows with life in this lovely rococo secretary or bureau with striking inlaid double star pattern along desk front.
The interior 14 drawers and one ...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
European 1800s Two-Part Painted Wood Secretary with Slanted Front Desk
Located in Atlanta, GA
A tall European painted wood two-part secretary from the early 19th century, with molded cornice, dentil molding, slanted front desk and graduated drawers. Created in Europe during t...
Category
Early 19th Century European Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary Desk, circa 1860, after Renovation
Located in Opole, PL
We present you another incredible piece of furniture in our collection -- this elegant and highly exquisite Biedermeier secretary desk circa 1860.
The secretary desk was manufactu...
Category
1860s Scandinavian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
French Empire Mahogany Drop Front Secretary "Secrétaire à Abattant"
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Early 19th century French mahogany wood Empire style drop front secretary with a removable black marble top. The secretary features two front side columns with bronze mounts detail w...
Category
1810s French Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Burl Walnut Art Deco Cabinet
Located in Dronten, NL
Period Dutch Art Deco secretary in wonderful burl walnut veneer in symmetrical pattern.
Cut-glass pane, drop front desk, ebony wood door handles.
Comes with three beautiful original ...
Category
1920s Dutch Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Cut Glass, Ebony, Burl
19th Century Fine Biedermeier Walnut Secretaire. Vienna, c. 1825.
Located in Vienna, AT
Hello,
This elegant and truly exceptional early Viennese Biedermeier Secretaire was made in Vienna circa 1825.
Viennese Biedermeier is distinguished by their sophisticated proportio...
Category
Early 19th Century Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Fantastic English Adams Paint Decorated Satinwood Slant Lid Secretary Desk
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a superb Adams paint decorated satinwood desk made in England during the 1880s era. The desk wears superbly painted scenes and floral themes and shimmering satinwood. The des...
Category
Early 1900s English Adam Style Antique Secretaires
Materials
Satinwood
Oak Drop-Front Secretary with Inlaid Parquetry in the Manner of Kjaernulf
Located in Black Rock, CT
A beautifully detailed Danish secretary desk in solid oak in the manner of Henning Kjaernulf, circa 1960s. This heirloom-quality piece features a serpentine front with three generous...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Atomic Teak Bureau/Desk
Located in Puslinch, ON
Condition: Pre-Restored
Dimensions: 37.5” L x 18.5” D x 53.75” H (29.5” Desk Height)
Description: A vintage teak desk/bureau with drawers. Freshl...
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Teak
Antique English Jacobean Carved Burl & Mixed Wood Drop Down Secretary
Located in Southampton, NJ
An early 20th C. Jacobean style bar cabinet Secretary with drop down front & three drawers.
Lovingly restored, our refinishers removed 4 layers o...
Category
Early 20th Century American Jacobean Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Rene Drouet Attributed, Art Deco walnut and Thuya Burr Cabinet
By René Drouet
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Rene Drouet attributed, Art Deco walnut and thuya burr cabinet.
Ivory and interior in sycamore veneer.
Secret drawers, original bronzes.
Fully restored. F...
Category
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
Mid-Century Danish Rosewood Secretaire: A Treasure Trove of Modern Design
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
Unveil the elegance and functionality of mid-century Danish design with this exceptional rosewood secretaire, circa 1960s. This versatile piece, meticulously crafted from rich rosewo...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Antique English oak secretaire with stepped interior and working locks
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This antique English oak secretaire from the late 18th/early 19th century is a real eye-catcher. It has oak fronts, a stepped interior, beautiful original details and working locks. ...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Red Japanned Bureau Bookcase
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a highly decorative and stylish Chinese red painted bureau bookcase decorated overall with gilt chinoiseries. The top section contains a broken arched pediment over two confo...
Category
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Secretaires
Materials
Wood
German Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary
Located in Queens, NY
German Biedermeier (circa 1820) mahogany secretary cabinet with Corinthian columns on top and bottom section and a centered drop front revealing a...
Category
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
20th Century Inlaid Wood French Napoleon III Style Roll-Top Bureau Desk, 1920s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
French roll-top bureau from the early 20th century. Napoleon III style furniture richly inlaid with floral decorations in mahogany, walnut, maple, bone and precious woods. Bureau equ...
Category
1920s French Napoleon III Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Charles Spooner Arts & Crafts Oak secretaire Cabinet with Serpentine Stretchers
Located in London, GB
Charles Sydney Spooner, probably made by J H Brandt.
A rare oak secretaire cabinet on stand, with quarter veneered panels to the doors and drawers with black and green diamond shaped handles. The doors open to reveal adjustable shelves. The sides and lower stand are all made from solid quarter sawn oak with beautiful figuring. The slightly graduated mouldings to the waist frame the tidy little writing area. Standing on squashed ball feet, united with serpentine entwined stretchers.
This is an oak variation of the cabinet Charles Spooner exhibited at the Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society in 1910. One can see that both cabinets are essentially the same design, one with drawers one with a pull down writing area. Both have quartered veneered panels to the doors, the Mahogany one with applied moulded decoration to the doors.
See : illustration below from : Arts and Crafts Furniture by John Andrews.
See also : Charles Spooner Arts and Crafts Architect, page 209 illustration 10:28.
: Fine Art Society for a Coromandel variation and Puritan Values : Important Furniture Page 1, for a larger four door lacquered panelled variation.
Charles Spooner is noted as one of the most influential people and also credited as one of the fathers of the Arts and Crafts Movement.
Born at St Mary's Hospital, Paddington (London), Spooner was the second of 5 children of Charles Spooner and Sarah Frances Trinder, who lived at Brook Green, Hammersmith. Spooner became an architect and an instructor of furniture design at the London County Council's Central School of Arts and Crafts. He was a pupil and then assistant of Sir A W Blomfield and in 1890 won the RIBA’s Soane Medallion (Proc RIBA). He specialised in smaller churches and houses turning out some beautiful and complete buildings. He was influenced by E W Godwin and contemporary American architects such as H H Richardson. He was a member of the Society and Protection of Ancient Buildings and the Art Workers Guild, he worked in the tradition of William Morris, teaching...
Category
1920s English Arts and Crafts Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Oak
French Empire Flamed Mahogany Secretaire a'Abattant Desk ca. 1830
Located in Shippensburg, PA
LOUIS PHILIPPE FLAMED MAHOGANY SECRETAIRE A'ABATTANT
France, circa 1830
Item # 407TCJ10P
This positively stunning secretary desk from the second quarter of the 19th century features...
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Brass, Bronze, Steel
Secretary Made In Rosewood, Danish Design From 1960s
Located in Lejre, DK
Secretary made of rosewood, of Danish design from the 1960s.
Measurements: H:121cm W:104cm D:46cm
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Rosewood
Rosewood Secretaire by Erling Torvits for Klim Mobelfabrik, 1960s
Located in Breda, Netherlands
Danish Design
Danish rosewood secretary designed by Erling Torvits for Klim Møbelfabrik. This secretary has a hinged leaf that drops down and becomes a sturdy desktop. Behind this le...
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Rosewood
English Antique Georgian Inlaid Solid Oak Bureau / Secretaire c.1800
Located in Leicester, GB
A stunning English Georgian bureau. This bureaux is from the Georgian era, just after 1800. Fabulous color and patina to the solid oak finish. The whole piece of furniture is made of...
Category
Early 1800s English Georgian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Antique Victorian Painted Grain Dragon Griffon Secretary Library Writing Desk
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Early 20th Century Victorian style secretary writing desk featuring painted grain finish and dragon / serpent / griffon carving. The desk opens to large writing surface with...
Category
Early 20th Century Victorian Secretaires
Materials
Hardwood
19th Century French Directory Cherry Wood Secetary Desk
Located in Madrid, ES
A French Directory era secretary desk, from the early 19th century, made of beautiful cherry wood, in a light tone with bronze handles and bronze keyholes as well. In their lower par...
Category
Early 19th Century French Directoire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
Antique Irish Burl Walnut Two Door Bookcase attrib Robert Strahan Dublin Ireland
Located in Dublin, Ireland
A very imposing example of an Irish Burr Walnut Two Door Library Bookcase, made during the third quarter of the Nineteenth Century. Firmly attributed to renowned furniture maker Robe...
Category
Mid-19th Century Irish Early Victorian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany, Walnut
19th Century French Louis XV Style Secretaire
Located in Belmont, MA
Exquisite French Louis XV style secrétaire with wave shaped front adorned with beautiful flower marquetry made of kingwood, rosewood and boxwood veneer, drop front writing desk with ...
Category
1870s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Materials
Rosewood
Rare and Diminutive British Military Campaign Secretary with Leather Top Fall
Located in Austin, TX
A fine British military officer’s Campaign secretary or secretaire from the early 19th century Georgian Era, of a desirably rare and diminutive scale, fashioned as a chest of drawers...
Category
Early 19th Century English Campaign Antique Secretaires
Materials
Metal, Brass
Edwards and Roberts Antique Inlaid Secretary Desk, 1860-1875, London
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Stately Mahogany inlaid leather top secretary desk, London England 1860-1875 by Cabinetmakers Edwards and Roberts. Moulded cornice over arched glazed panel doors with green fabric lined interior above a rolled front inlaid fan, shell and scroll decoration.
Pull out embossed green leather writing surface above graduated drawers on narrow feet: stamped "Edwards and Roberts" on top drawers edge. Famous cabinetry makers.
The firm Edwards and Roberts were among the best English antique furniture cabinet makers of the second half of the nineteenth century. The company was founded in 1845 and by 1854 was trading as ‘Edwards and Roberts’, 21 Wardour Street, ‘Antique and Modern Cabinet...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany, Leather, Glass
Scandinavian Modern Teak Sideboard
By Bodafors
Located in New York, NY
A multifunctional piece, this piece was primarily used to hold the traditional and festive Smörgåsbord, the centerpiece of every holiday, as well as storing the dishes, table linens ...
Category
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Materials
Teak
Antique French Renaissance Revival Hunt Desk / Secretaire Barley Twist Oak 19th
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Gorgeous French antique 19th century Renaissance revival / Hunt style Writing desk in carved oak.
Marvelous decorated hunt style desk with fox head drawers & barley twisted columns...
Category
1870s French Renaissance Revival Antique Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Directoire Bureau a Cylindre - France, circa 1800, Mahogany Secretaire or Desk
Located in Greven, DE
Desk with mirror attachment - Bureau à cylindre
France
Mahogany
Directoire circa 1800
Dimensions: H x W x D: 149 x 97 x 50 cm
Description:
Top-mounted desk standing on tapered rou...
Category
Early 1800s French Directoire Antique Secretaires
Materials
Marble, Brass
Desk Walnut Art Nouveau with Brass Fittings, Fitted Interior, with Brass Accents
By Murray-Kay Limited
Located in Toronto, CA
A beautiful drop front desk in walnut with interesting fitted interior. Great Art Nouveau brass fitted hardware and details. Presented to Dr. Anthony Stewart of Palmerston Ontario by appreciative friends in 1911
tags Murray -Kay Ltd which existed between 1910 and 1923. This recently restored desk...
Category
Early 20th Century Canadian Art Nouveau Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Antique Arts & Crafts Macey Five Stack Oak Barrister Bookcase & Desk c1920
By Macey Co.
Located in Big Flats, NY
***Reduced Delivery Rates - See Below or Click “Ask The Seller” to Request a Quote***
An antique Arts and Crafts barrister bookcase...
Category
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Oak
19th Century Biedermeier Secretary Desk in Maple Burl with Ebonized Details
By Biedermeier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A refined 19th-century Biedermeier secretary desk, crafted in maple burl and veneers, showcasing the elegant simplicity of the Biedermeier period. The drop-front design opens to reve...
Category
19th Century German Antique Secretaires
Materials
Burl
1930s Art Déco Veneered Wood Secretary Cabinet in Jacques Adnet Style, France
Located in North Miami, FL
1930s Art Déco veneered wood secretary cabinet with multiple compartments in Jacques Adnet Style, France
By: Jacques Adnet (in the style of)
Material: wood, metal
Technique: carved, cast, molded, metalwork, veneer
Dimensions: 11.5 in x 50 in x 44 in
Date: early 20th century, circa 1930
Style: Art Déco, Mid-Century Modern
Place of origin: France
Defined by a striking architectural silhouette and a strong geometric rhythm, this 1930s French secretary cabinet...
Category
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Secretaires
Materials
Metal
19th Century Louis Philippe Style Fall Front Secretary Chest
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Beautiful craftsmanship Louis Philippe style secretary chest cabinet desk in a satin / burl wood with exterior front inlay musical instruments and flowers marquetry scene details. Th...
Category
1810s French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Materials
Marble, 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.