Secretaires
20th Century Italian Louis XV Secretaires
Mirror, Wood
Early 20th Century European Sheraton Secretaires
Walnut
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Beech
1780s German Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1940s Italian Art Nouveau Vintage Secretaires
Maple, Rosewood, Burl
1910s Italian Louis XV Vintage Secretaires
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Asian French Provincial Secretaires
Wood
Early 1800s German Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Brass
2010s French Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Ash
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Secretaires
Brass
19th Century American Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 2000s American Baroque Secretaires
Glass, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Rococo Secretaires
Wood
19th Century Spanish Antique Secretaires
Leather, Wood
18th Century Dutch Antique Secretaires
Walnut, Mirror
Late 19th Century Indian Campaign Antique Secretaires
Brass
1860s French Directoire Antique Secretaires
Mahogany, Satinwood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
20th Century English Campaign Secretaires
Brass
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Brass
Mid-19th Century Danish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 19th Century French Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Brass, Other
Mid-19th Century Belgian Antique Secretaires
Oak
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Ash, Walnut
1940s American Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Wood, Ash, Lacquer
Early 20th Century Swedish Regency Secretaires
Brass
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Chrome, Brass
Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Leather, Oak
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Wood, Paint
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass
1730s English William IV Antique Secretaires
Rosewood
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Ormolu
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Walnut
18th Century English Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Late 18th Century North American Victorian Antique Secretaires
Cherry
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass, Steel
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Wood, Ash, Lacquer
1690s Italian Baroque Antique Secretaires
Pine
Mid-18th Century Italian Rococo Antique Secretaires
Lacquer, Wood
Secretaires
1740s English George II Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Late 19th Century English Sheraton Antique Secretaires
Rosewood, Satinwood
20th Century Biedermeier Secretaires
Maple, Wood
Late 19th Century Swedish Renaissance Revival Antique Secretaires
Pewter
1820s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Birch
Late 18th Century Sheraton Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Bronze
18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass
Early 19th Century European Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Cherry, Pine
1760s English George III Antique Secretaires
Oak
19th Century English Queen Anne Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1840s Danish Other Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1740s English Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
20th Century French Empire Secretaires
Bronze
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
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.