Secretaires
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Wood, Pine, Paint
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Bronze
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 19th Century Swedish Country Antique Secretaires
Pine
1820s Danish Empire Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1850s French Rococo Revival Antique Secretaires
Marble, Ormolu
1810s English Georgian Antique Secretaires
Wood
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Italian Baroque Antique Secretaires
Precious Stone, Wood
1890s English Adam Style Antique Secretaires
Satinwood
Early 19th Century American Antique Secretaires
Wood
19th Century French Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1930s British George II Vintage Secretaires
Walnut
19th Century German Black Forest Antique Secretaires
Pine
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Ormolu
1810s Austrian Empire Antique Secretaires
Brass, Iron, Gold Leaf
Early 19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Wood
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Bronze
Early 1800s Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 19th Century German Empire Antique Secretaires
Ash
Mid-19th Century Dutch Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Oak, Bone
1860s French Directoire Antique Secretaires
Mahogany, Satinwood
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1870s French Renaissance Revival Antique Secretaires
Oak
19th Century German Antique Secretaires
Maple
1830s Danish Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 19th Century Unknown Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Walnut
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Bronze
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Bronze
19th Century English Chinese Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Bamboo, Wood
Late 19th Century American Victorian Antique Secretaires
Glass, Wood, Walnut
19th Century German Black Forest Antique Secretaires
Oak, Horn, Stained Glass
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany, Wood
19th Century Dutch Dutch Colonial Antique Secretaires
Brass
19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires
Wood
1820s French Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Ormolu
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Birch, Ebony, Satinwood
19th Century Portuguese Renaissance Antique Secretaires
Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Secretaires
Wood
1880s Arts and Crafts Antique Secretaires
Pine
1890s Italian Baroque Revival Antique Secretaires
Wood
Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Brass
19th Century English George III Antique Secretaires
Kingwood, Satinwood, Tulipwood
19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century American George III Antique Secretaires
Glass, Walnut
19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Wood
Early 19th Century English Queen Anne Antique Secretaires
Wood
Early 19th Century Danish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Brass
19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Bronze
Late 19th Century Danish Anglo-Indian Antique Secretaires
Pine
Late 19th Century Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 19th Century Italian Baroque Revival Antique Secretaires
Walnut, Burl
1870s Norwegian Empire Antique Secretaires
Walnut
19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Leather, Glass, Mahogany
1810s Danish Empire Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Wood, Mahogany
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.