Secretaires
1880s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century Italian Baroque Antique Secretaires
Precious Stone, Wood
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Marble, Brass
Mid-20th Century Rustic Secretaires
Pine
19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Walnut
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Pine
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
1940s American Vintage Secretaires
Mahogany
1940s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque Secretaires
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Wood
Mid-19th Century Country Antique Secretaires
Pine, Paint
1950s French Vintage Secretaires
Brass
1950s Danish Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
Late 19th Century English Campaign Antique Secretaires
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Leather, Glass, Lacquer
1950s Dutch Dutch Colonial Vintage Secretaires
Maple, Walnut, Fir
1890s Empire Antique Secretaires
Wood, Mahogany
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Iron
Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Mid-19th Century German Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Brass
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Pine
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Aluminum
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Glass, Teak
19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1930s Italian Vintage Secretaires
Wood
19th Century Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood
19th Century Sheraton Antique Secretaires
Glass, Mahogany
Early 19th Century Danish Empire Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 20th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires
Metal
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Wood
1820s French Charles X Antique Secretaires
Leather, Mahogany
Late 20th Century American George III Secretaires
Hardwood
Early 19th Century Swedish Empire Antique Secretaires
Birch
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Lacquer, Mirror, Beech
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Pine
Early 19th Century Swedish Country Antique Secretaires
Pine
1970s Italian Neoclassical Vintage Secretaires
Bronze
1960s Italian Louis XV Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Glass, Birch
1880s French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Brass
19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Wood
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Metal
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Metal
19th Century Danish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Wood
Early 1800s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Bronze
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Oak
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Ormolu
Early 20th Century American Edwardian Secretaires
Maple, Oak
Early 19th Century American Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Unknown Louis XV Secretaires
Cherry
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.