Secretaires
Mid-19th Century Unknown Empire Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 19th Century Antique Secretaires
Nutwood
Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Secretaires
Brass
19th Century North American Federal Antique Secretaires
Mahogany, Satin
19th Century Dutch Dutch Colonial Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 1900s English Late Victorian Antique Secretaires
Hardwood
1930s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 20th Century North American Chippendale Secretaires
Burl
1930s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Steel
1820s American Sheraton Antique Secretaires
Brass
19th Century Antique Secretaires
1830s French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Amboyna
Mid-20th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Brass, Bronze
20th Century Louis XVI Secretaires
Wood, Fruitwood
Early 1900s American Arts and Crafts Antique Secretaires
Glass, Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Rosewood
Early 1800s Austrian Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Cherry
Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Rosewood
Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Secretaires
Mahogany, Oak
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Pine
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Chrome
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Maple
Early 1900s Danish Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Ormolu, Brass, Bronze
Mid-20th Century American Edwardian Secretaires
Walnut
1840s French Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
19th Century English Victorian Antique Secretaires
Marble, Brass, Ormolu
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass
20th Century American Directoire Secretaires
Mahogany
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Oak
Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Leather, Oak
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
1810s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Bronze
Mid-19th Century German Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Pine
19th Century European Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Burl
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1810s French Empire Antique Secretaires
Wood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood
19th Century Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Metal
Late 19th Century Italian Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Fruitwood, Lacquer
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Bronze
Mid-19th Century Belgian Antique Secretaires
Oak
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Wood, Teak, Glass
19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Marble, Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak, Wood, Hardwood
1920s Italian Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Metal
19th Century Antique Secretaires
Brass
1850s French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Birch, Pine, Walnut
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 19th Century Swedish Country Antique Secretaires
Pine
Mid-20th Century Czech Art Deco Secretaires
Wood, Walnut
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Pine, Paint
Mid-19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Brass
20th Century American Country Secretaires
Chestnut, Oak
1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Steel
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.