Secretaires
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Marble
Mid-20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Secretaires
Oak
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Leather, Glass, Lacquer
1950s American Country Vintage Secretaires
Glass, Wood
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Bronze
1830s English William IV Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
Early 20th Century European Biedermeier Secretaires
Oak
1970s French Provincial Vintage Secretaires
Hardwood, Paint
1970s Danish Vintage Secretaires
Teak
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires
Brass
Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Secretaires
Brass
Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Rosewood
20th Century American American Classical Secretaires
Maple
18th Century European Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Wood
Late 18th Century Scandinavian Antique Secretaires
Wood
1880s Swedish Victorian Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1950s French Vintage Secretaires
Wood
20th Century English Sheraton Secretaires
Leather, Hardwood, Satinwood, Walnut
Late 19th Century Federal Antique Secretaires
Leather, Glass, Mahogany
18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Bronze
1860s English High Victorian Antique Secretaires
Glass, Walnut
19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mirror, Wood, Walnut
Mid-19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Birch
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Marble
Late 18th Century European Antique Secretaires
Glass, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Brass
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Satinwood, Walnut
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires
Birch
Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Oak
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Cherry, Softwood
1810s French Empire Antique Secretaires
Bronze
1840s English Victorian Antique Secretaires
Glass, Hardwood
Early 19th Century English George IV Antique Secretaires
Brass
20th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Bronze
1960s Danish Vintage Secretaires
Teak
2010s Renaissance Secretaires
Glass, Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Secretaires
Wood
1970s Queen Anne Vintage Secretaires
Glass, Cherry
1940s Rococo Revival Vintage Secretaires
Metal
1870s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Rosewood, Satinwood
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires
Brass
19th Century American Primitive Antique Secretaires
Pine
Mid-19th Century Swedish Country Antique Secretaires
Pine
1940s European Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Walnut
Mid-18th Century Swedish Baroque Antique Secretaires
Bronze
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Bronze
Mid-19th Century European Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany, Baize
Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Marble, Bronze
Early 20th Century Jacobean Secretaires
Oak, Walnut
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Maple
Mid-19th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Secretaires
Wood
1890s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Kingwood
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
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.