Secretaires
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Marble, Brass, Bronze
19th Century Dutch Antique Secretaires
Oak
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Carrara Marble, Ormolu
19th Century Dutch Antique Secretaires
Oak
1810s English Regency Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 19th Century British George III Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Wood
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1810s Italian Empire Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 19th Century European Empire Antique Secretaires
Oak, Mahogany
19th Century German Aesthetic Movement Antique Secretaires
Wood
Early 1800s George III Antique Secretaires
Wood
Late 19th Century Swedish Renaissance Revival Antique Secretaires
Pewter
19th Century Italian Antique Secretaires
Walnut
19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Secretaires
Brass
19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Bronze
Late 19th Century Austrian Baroque Revival Antique Secretaires
Brass
19th Century Antique Secretaires
Early 19th Century Danish Empire Antique Secretaires
Bone, Mahogany, Satinwood, Walnut
Early 19th Century Italian Empire Antique Secretaires
Mirror, Giltwood, Walnut
19th Century Sheraton Antique Secretaires
Glass, Satinwood
19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Wood
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Leather, Walnut, Giltwood
Early 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Brass
1890s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Steel, Nickel
1850s Swedish Renaissance Revival Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1810s German Empire Antique Secretaires
Bronze
Late 19th Century Dutch Antique Secretaires
Satinwood
Mid-19th Century French French Provincial Antique Secretaires
Oak
1840s French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Walnut
19th Century Indonesian Antique Secretaires
Wood
Late 19th Century Italian Baroque Revival Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1880s French Charles X Antique Secretaires
Fruitwood
1880s French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Oak
19th Century European Regency Antique Secretaires
Other
Late 19th Century English Gothic Revival Antique Secretaires
Oak
Mid-19th Century French Neoclassical Revival Antique Secretaires
Brass
Mid-19th Century British Indian Ocean Territory Anglo-Indian Antique Secretaires
Brass
19th Century Antique Secretaires
Pine
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Bronze
19th Century Antique Secretaires
Brass
1850s French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Leather, Wood
19th Century Antique Secretaires
19th Century French Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Mid-19th Century English Regency Antique Secretaires
Mahogany, Rosewood
19th Century Italian Rococo Antique Secretaires
Brass
1870s French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Early 1800s French Empire Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Wood
19th Century Unknown Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 1800s French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Brass, Bronze
19th Century French French Provincial Antique Secretaires
Leather, Wood, Paper
Late 19th Century French Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Ebony, Mahogany, Satinwood
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.