Skip to main content

Secretaires

15
1,646
89
7
to
304
928
772
1,742
1,669
1,695
179
111
110
91
79
74
68
57
28
28
27
24
13
9
4
3
1
1
372
698
575
96
101
319
71
20
6
16
27
33
53
98
25
14
5
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
1,663
498
394
346
333
1,425
402
298
259
219
21
13
13
10
9
Secretaires For Sale
Venetian Trumeau Green Lacquered Hand Decorated Secretary with Writing Desk 1976
Located in Prato, IT
Venezia, Italy, handcrafted production from 1976 In Venetian style Louis XV Painted and decorated in gold Upper part with two doors with two beveled mirrors depicting a Lady and a...
Category

20th Century Italian Louis XV Secretaires

Materials

Mirror, Wood

Sheraton Revival Cylinder Bureau, writing Desk with marquetry, circa 1890
Located in Miami, FL
A very good quality late 19th century satinwood Sheraton revival cylinder bureau with ebony string inlay, five walnut frieze drawers, the cylinder opening to reveal pigeon hole compa...
Category

Early 20th Century European Sheraton Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini Secrétaire and Wall Shelves
Located in London, GB
An Italian secrétaire with three wall shelves by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini. In rosewood veneer, with brass handles and key and brushed gold legs.
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Beech

Louis XVI Secretary Desk, South German 1780, Walnut
Located in Belmont, MA
This original Louis XVI Secretary Desk dates back to 1780 and comes form the southern part of Germany. It is a real beauty! The lower part has...
Category

1780s German Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Secretaire in Rosewood Art Nouveau Style, 1940s
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Furniture made of rosewood inlaid with precious briarwood and maple. The furniture is of high bourgeois taste. The contrast of the rigid geometric lines of the body of the furniture that enclose art-nouveau inlays...
Category

1940s Italian Art Nouveau Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Maple, Rosewood, Burl

Early 20th Century Italian Louis XV Style Cabinet with Writing Desk
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Elegant Italian Louis XV Style cabinet with desk 1910s. This cabinet is characterized by a refined veneer in fine rosewood. The veneer is laid using the grain of the wood as a decora...
Category

1910s Italian Louis XV Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

French Country Painted Secretary
Located in Westwood, NJ
A French Country-style white washed painted secretary bookcase with an unusual folding writing surface that can convert to a table. It features a bea...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Asian French Provincial Secretaires

Materials

Wood

Neoclassiacal Mahogany Secretaire with Clock, Probably Berlin around 1800
Located in Greding, DE
Secretaire with three drawers veneered in mahogany with enameled clock face in the tympanum field of the pedimented top with dentil frieze and brass moldings. Interior division consi...
Category

Early 1800s German Neoclassical Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

white secretary desk, PEFC certified ash wood, design by Eric Gizard Paris
Located in Landivy, FR
This Secretary desk in solid and veneer ash wood is designed by famous parisian Designer Eric Gizard The Kube itself (without the feet height) is Width 90 cm / 35.4'' x Height 90 cm / 35.4'' x Depth 46 cm / 18;11'' Measures: Height of the feet is 35 cm / 13.8'' Useful Height behind the lower hinged doors is 37 cm / 14.6'' Overall width of each compartment behind the hinged doors is 42 cm / 16.5'' and useful width is 38 cm / 15.0'' due to the hinges. The vertical interior divider can be moved during the manufacture process to allow the installation of printers with a width> 42 cm / 16.5''. The upper working part is fitted with a flap door on a "push-loose" opening for an efficient work with your laptop and smartphone. The storage space inside the cube and behind the flap is for your screen or to store your paperwork in the removable shelves. The 2 horizontal shelves and the 2 vertical storage...
Category

2010s French Scandinavian Modern Secretaires

Materials

Ash

Antique Early 19th Century George III Inlaid Mahogany Secretaire Chest
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique early 19th century George III inlaid mahogany secretaire having a splendid mahogany top with top faux drawer having beautifully crafted inlaid oval panels which drops and ope...
Category

Early 19th Century English George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

19th Century Two-Piece English Butler's Secretary
Located in Asheville, NC
This two-piece secretary is constructed of oak with contrast mahogany banding, the compartmented fall front desk forms the top drawer of the base cabinet when closed, the upper cabin...
Category

19th Century American Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Flemish Style Bombe Secretary Bookcase by Marge Carson
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A large and flamboyant cabinet in the Flemish style, by Marge Carson, Inc., 2004. In a fine distressed ecru with gilt trim finish. The scrolled crest rail with a shell center over double textured glass...
Category

Early 2000s American Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Wood

20th Century Inlaid Wood Lombard Trumeau Desk, 1960
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Lombard trumeau from the mid-20th century. Moved and rounded furniture in Rococo style richly inlaid in walnut, burl, maple, beech and fruitwood. Double body trumeau equipped with th...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Rococo Secretaires

Materials

Wood

19th C. Spanish Leather-Wrapped Secretary Cabinet on a Custom Iron Base
Located in Atlanta, GA
A 19th century Spanish secretary desk, on custom iron base. This antique case piece from Spain has a leather-wrapped exterior which is adorn in ...
Category

19th Century Spanish Antique Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Wood

Antique 18th Century Dutch Burled Walnut Secretary Bookcase with Antique Mirror
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique 18th century Dutch Burled walnut secretary bookcase with fitted interior and antique mirror.
Category

18th Century Dutch Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut, Mirror

Antique Anglo Indian Military Campaign Camphor Wood & Brass Bureau Desk Drawers
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely late Victorian Anglo Indian campaign Camphor wood with brass inlay Military bureau desk This piece really is exquisite. It’s a genui...
Category

Late 19th Century Indian Campaign Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Directoire Style Desk with Cylinder Top, France, 19th Century
Located in Belmont, MA
Directoire style desk with cylinder top, France 19th century Mahogany veneer with satinwood inlays. This elegant little desk is perfect for a small working space. The writing top fo...
Category

1860s French Directoire Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany, Satinwood

Danish Mid-Century Teak Chest Drawers, Secretaire ore Writing Cabinet, 1950s
Located in München, Bavaria
Measures: Height: 100 cm Width: 90 cm Depth: 45 cm Swedish Mid Century Teak Rolltop Bureau in the style of Egon Ostergaard manufactured by SMi ...
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Teak

Lovely Small Harrods London Reh Kennedy Military Campaign Writing Bureau Desk
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer this lovely small R.E.H Kennedy made, Harrods London retailed military campaign bureau desk in mahogany with brass fittings ...
Category

20th Century English Campaign Secretaires

Materials

Brass

19th Century Fine Biedermeier Walnut Secretaire. Vienna, c. 1820-25.
Located in Vienna, AT
Hello, This elegant and truly exceptional early Viennese Biedermeier Secretaire was made in Vienna circa 1820-25. The Secretaire is an example of beautiful, rare and refined design ...
Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass

19th Century Empire Mahogany Bureau Secretary with Bookcase
Located in Miami, FL
A very fine Empire secretary in West Indies mahogany, also known as Cuban mahogany, considered to be among the finest mahoganies because of its beautiful grain and color, Denmark, circa 1820. Cylinder top opens to a pull-out desk which offers an adjustable baize-lined lectern or writing surface flanked by sliding storage compartments, as well as a series of small interior drawers around a central cabinet. Above the desk, are three cupboards with bowed doors, the central one featuring a pediment top. Below the pull-out desk drawer, there are three long storage...
Category

Mid-19th Century Danish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Antique French Secretary
Located in Malibu, CA
This early 19th-century drop-leaf secretaire features the traditional Biedermeier ebony accents, columns, and matched woodgrain pattern. Unlike the h...
Category

Early 19th Century French Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Brass, Other

Belgian Oak Slant-Front Secretary, circa 1850
Located in Evergreen, CO
This substantial, mid-19th century secretary features solid oak construction with a beautiful patina. A molded arched cornice with a swan neck p...
Category

Mid-19th Century Belgian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Oak

Mid-Century Modern Vintage Walnut Ash Desk Bureau Secretary, 1950s, Italy
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid-Century Modern vintage secretary desk bureau Ico Parisi style from walnut and ash veneers designed and manufactured 1950s Italy. The beauti...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Secretaires

Materials

Ash, Walnut

Gilbert Rohde 'Paldao Group' Modular Bookcase System
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rare 3-piece storage system, one of the earliest modular furniture designs, veneered in exotic Paldao burl door-fronts and figured Paldao sides. The dark stain finish is original and beautiful, with a rich rosewood color. The drop-down secretary door is set with an elegantly cast brass knob, and opens to a hidden desk...
Category

1940s American Art Deco Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Brass

blue French secrétaire desk with storage room, design by E. Gizard, Paris
Located in Landivy, FR
This secretary Desk belongs to our ÉGÉE COLLECTION and has been created in a KUBE concept for optimized storage spaces. The ÉGÉE collection is designed by the Parisian designer Eri...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Ash, Lacquer

Early 20th Century Secretary with Drawers and Marquetry and Brass Details
Located in New York, NY
This early 20th century secretary has two drawers and a flap, with storage behind the flap. The flap opens by key, which is included. The ...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Regency Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Art Deco Secretaire Cabinet by Jules Deroubaix
Located in North York, ON
This Jules Deroubaix display cabinet secretaire is timeless, functional, and effortlessly chic. Made of burl sandalwood, it showcases a drop door paneled wit...
Category

1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Chrome, Brass

Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Heavily Carved Oak Desk Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
Hand carved in northern France circa 1860, the "secretaire a abattants" is both stylish and functional. The writing desk is crafted from solid oak wood and stands on cabriole legs en...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Oak

Swedish Secretaire Cupboard
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Swedish 19th Century painted secretaire cupboard in the Gustavian style. This cupboard dates from the late 19th Century and consists of two cupboard doors below the secretaire fal...
Category

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Paint

Rare Golden Lacquer and Brass Maison Jansen Secretary Cabinet 1970s
Located in Paris, IDF
An exciting example of French design firm Maison Jansen’s commissioned pieces. This secretary cabinet is made from solid mahogany, lacquered in a rich dark brown and bronze–golden fi...
Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Brass

William IV Secretaire Cabinet in Rosewood
Located in Whaley Bridge, GB
Sn4699 in quality William IV secretaire chiffonier, having oblong top and secretaire section with pigeon holes, small drawers and leather writing surface above cupboard door with ple...
Category

1730s English William IV Antique Secretaires

Materials

Rosewood

Louis XVI Style Gilt-Bronze Mounted Secrétaire À Abattant
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Impressive Louis XVI style gilt-bronze mounted secrétaire à Abattant, In The Manner Of André Charles Boulle. This drop-front writing cabinet or secrétaire à abattant is finishe...
Category

19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Ormolu

Luciano Frigerio Credenza Diamante, 1970's
Located in bari, IT
Mid-Century Modern 12-drawer Diamante chest of drawers is made of walnut and is decorated with a complex block pattern designed by Luciano Frigerio di Desio.
Category

1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

18th Century Georgian Walnut Secretary Bookcase
Located in Charleston, SC
18th century Georgian walnut secretary bookcase. Blind paneled doors, bracket feet.
Category

18th Century English Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

18th Century Secretary Desk Writer’s Bureau
Located in Pasadena, TX
48" Victorian secretary desk writer’s Bureau Crafted from solid cherry, this multi-function piece can serve as a desk as well as a bookcas...
Category

Late 18th Century North American Victorian Antique Secretaires

Materials

Cherry

Mid-Cenury Modern Secretary Cabinet, Fully Adjustable, Teak, Zebra Wood - Italy
Located in Girona, ES
Secretary cabinet with shelves, two solid teak blocks with teak veneer and blackened steel, fully adjustable, zebra wood inside, shellac finishing. Po...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Brass, Steel

Midcentury George Nelson Gentlemens Secretary Chest
Located in Pasadena, TX
George Nelson George Nelson (1908-1986) was an important modernist whose work cut across the fields of interior, industrial and exhibition design. Nelson studied architecture at Yale University in the 1920s, and in the next two decades earned a strong reputation as a writer on design for Architectural Forum, Interiors and Fortune. In 1945 Nelson began a long association with the Herman Miller Furniture Company of Zeeland, Michigan, where as head designer he developed an innovative line of furniture and commissioned new designs from others. His first commission was Isamu Noguchi`s biomorphic glass-topped coffee table, which began production in 1947, the first of many designs that the sculptor would create for Herman Miller in the late Forties. Nelson also was responsible for bringing the designs of Charles Eames to Herman Miller, and he collaborated with R. Buckminster Fuller on a number of projects. Among Nelson`s own creations are classic works of 1950s design, including the bubble lamp, ball clock, marshmallow sofa and the pole-supported wall-storage system. Nelson also designed numerous exhibitions, including the 1959 American National Exhibition in Moscow, and the Chrysler Corporation display at the 1964 New York World`s Fair. Vintage midcentury George Nelson walnut secretary 1960s A great example of early George Nelson design. Secretary desk and dresser...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

green French secrétaire, design Eric Gizard in Paris - 11 colours available
Located in Landivy, FR
This Secretaire desk is designed by famous parisian Designer Eric Gizard and delivered fully mounted. The dimensions of the Box itself are width 90 cm / 35.4'' x height 90 cm / 35.4'' x depth 46 cm / 18;11'' Height of the feet is 35 cm / 13.8'' Useful Height behind the lower hinged doors is 37 cm / 14.6'' Overall width of each compartment behind the hinged doors is 42 cm / 16.5'' and useful width is 38 cm / 15.0'' due to the hinges. The vertical interior divider can be moved during the manufacture process to allow the installation of printers with a width> 42 cm / 16.5''. The upper working part is fitted with a flap door on a "push-loose" opening for an efficient work with your laptop and smartphone. The storage space inside the cube and behind the flap is for your screen or to store your paperwork in the removable shelves. The 2 horizontal shelves and the 2 vertical storage...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Secretaires

Materials

Wood, Ash, Lacquer

Italian Baroque Ebonized and Eglomise Bureau Cabinet
Located in Essex, MA
Slightly arched top that may have held a bust at some point, over a middle section with drawers with reverse painted panels with scenes of ancient towns and ruins with a central mirr...
Category

1690s Italian Baroque Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pine

Exceptional 18thc Painted Venetian Secretary Desk
Located in New Orleans, LA
Fantastic painted Italian secretary with original designs, paint and interior silk fabric.
Category

Mid-18th Century Italian Rococo Antique Secretaires

Materials

Lacquer, Wood

French, 19th Century, Transitional Style Tulipwood and Kingwood Secretary
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most elegant French 19th century Transitional st. Kingwood, Tulipwood, ormolu, and Rouge Royale marble Secretary. The one door seven drawer secretary is raised by fine cabriole leg...
Category

Secretaires

Fine Antique George II Circa 1740 Burr Walnut Burear Bookcase Chest of Drawers
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this very fine Burr Walnut & Brass George II circa 1740 Library Bureau Bookcase with campaign handles A very good looking and well made piece, ...
Category

1740s English George II Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Antique English Sheraton Satinwood Inlaid Secretary w/ Rosewood Banding Ca. 1880
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique English Sheraton Satinwood Inlaid Secretary with Rosewood Banding, Circa 1880. This is a very lovely secretary, typical of the period and with fine detail. The warm color of...
Category

Late 19th Century English Sheraton Antique Secretaires

Materials

Rosewood, Satinwood

20th Century Vienna Biedermeier Style Secretaire
Located in Berlin, DE
Sensational Vienna secretaire in Biedermeier style. Tulip veneer on solid pinewood, partially ebonized. Round, bowed body on profiled clump-feet. In the structured front, there are ...
Category

20th Century Biedermeier Secretaires

Materials

Maple, Wood

Renaissance Revival Standing Desk, ca. 1880
Located in New York, NY
This is a functional and beautiful piece with many unique features. The drawers pulls and escutcheons are a geometric delight, made of pewter/brass and black cellulose. Deep and gene...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Renaissance Revival Antique Secretaires

Materials

Pewter

Swedish Karl Johan Biedermeier Chest of Drawers with Pull Out Secretary in Birch
Located in Miami, FL
A very handsome birch Karl Johan Biedermeier chest of drawers with a drawer front fold down secretary. The drawer-front opens to an ample and beautiful ebonized and faux mahogany interior offering two letter drawers...
Category

1820s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires

Materials

Birch

Antique 18th Century Federal Sheraton Mahogany Fall Front Secretary Writing Desk
Located in Dayton, OH
An exquisite and rare late 18th century American Federal Sheraton library secretary desk. Made of mahogany featuring velvet drop front writin...
Category

Late 18th Century Sheraton Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

18th Century French Louis XV Walnut Desk Secretary from Provence
Located in Dallas, TX
Carved in southern France, circa 1760, the fold out secretary is both stylish and functional; the elegant writing desk crafted from solid walnut, stands on cabriole legs over a scalloped apron and dressed with bombe drawer across the front embellished with the original patinated bronze handles. The top folds down to reveal a large writing surface, a theater with four smaller drawers on the sides, and a double compartment niche in the center. When sliding out the drawers and niche, the cabinet reveals different secret storage compartments underneath (see pictures). Both sides with scalloped apron are decorated with recessed panels. Flaunting beautiful lines, a rich patina, and complete functionality, this "Secretaire a Abattant" is in excellent condition and includes all the original keys; put a sophisticated spin on your study or bedroom with this antique slant front desk commode, or "commode scriban...
Category

Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

George III Bureau Desk or Secretary Chest of Mahogany from the 18th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A fine George III slant top desk or bureau secretary chest of patinated mahogany, c.1770 - an inlaid slant front drops to reveal a series of small drawers and document compartments, ...
Category

18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Metal, Brass

Copf Style Cherry Inlay Secretaire Cabinet, ca. 1800
Located in Budapest, HU
Early 19th century hutch, (combination of a writing secretaire and a glass cabinet) in Copf-Style. The pine corpus has a cherry veneer, and has fine...
Category

Early 19th Century European Louis XVI Antique Secretaires

Materials

Cherry, Pine

George III circa 1760 English Oak Thomas Chippendale Carved Bureau Bookcase
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer absolutely stunning hand made in England George III circa 1760-1780 Bureau bookcase with Thomas Chippendale carvings This is a true piece of classic Engl...
Category

1760s English George III Antique Secretaires

Materials

Oak

Antique Walnut Slant Front Queen Anne Style Secretary Desk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Late 19th century English Queen Anne style slant front desk with three drawers & inner compartments.
Category

19th Century English Queen Anne Antique Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Tall Corner Cabinet/Secretaire in Mahogany, 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
The tall corner cabinet/secretary in mahogany, in beautiful antique condition from the 1840s, is an impressive piece of furniture that exudes timel...
Category

1840s Danish Other Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

18th Century Mahogany Secretaire Bookcase China Cabinet
Located in Lymington, GB
A fine English mid-18th century mahogany secretaire / secretary / bookcase / china cabinet. Of lovely, deep, rich color, patina and quality. George III period, circa 1760. The bold, detachable, swan-neck pediment carved with 'Gothic' open fretwork, spiral rosettes and a dentil cornice. The pediment is centred by a small platform below which is a fluted panel. The bookcase / china cabinet section with two, thirteen-pane glazed doors, with three original adjustable shelves with applied beadings for the display of china etc. The base with a pull-out writing section fitted with small drawers, two of which have secret releases. These secret drawers are faced with blind-fret 'Gothic' tracery, and centred by a carved, shaped arch. The base with three cock-beaded drawers, and raised on its original bracket feet which are faced with blind fret. This fine, sophisticated and well-proportioned example of a secretaire / secretary / cabinet / desk / bookcase is remarkable for having survived in its original state including all swan-neck handles and locks. Of superb quality, color, patination, and well figured throughout. With mahogany drawer linings: further confirmation of its quality. Measures: 42" wide (107 cm) 23" deep 58.5 cm) 95" high (241 cm) - without cartouche. A related antique bureau cabinet...
Category

1740s English Antique Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Scandinavian Modern Teak Secretaire by Gunnar Falsig 1960s
Located in Asaa, DK
Scandinavian Modern teak secretaire by Gunnar Falsig 1960s Mid-century modern Danish secretaire with curved front. Very elegant and versatile, both a writing desk and a chest of drawers. Manufactured by Holstebro Møbelfabrik...
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Teak

Royal Writing Desk/ Bureau Plat in Empire Style After J. Desmalter, Maple Root
Located in Berlin, DE
Writing table/ bureau plat in Empire style after Jacob Desmalter Maple Roots with thread intarsia on solid Pinewood, partially carved and handpainted. Cutted out pedestal on profile...
Category

20th Century French Empire Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

Italian Mid-Century Sideboard with Secretaire attributed to Paolo Buffa, 1950s
Located in Traversetolo, IT
This so amazing cabinet with Secretaire of the 1950s is attributable to the design of Paolo Buffa. The external structure is refinished with glass dividers and parchment feet. Its ae...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Wood, Birch

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.

Recently Viewed

View All