Secretaires
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
Early 19th Century American Antique Secretaires
Wood
1780s English Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 19th Century Indonesian British Colonial Antique Secretaires
Glass, Wood
Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Bronze
18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires
Oak
Early 19th Century British George III Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1830s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Ash
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Carrara Marble, Bronze
Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Wood
1950s Italian Vintage Secretaires
Wood
Late 19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Antique Secretaires
Bronze
1760s German Baroque Antique Secretaires
Wood, Nutwood
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Birch
1880s French Antique Secretaires
Wood
17th Century Spanish Antique Secretaires
Wood
Late 19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Copper
20th Century Biedermeier Secretaires
Wood, Pine, Birdseye Maple
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
Mid-19th Century Unknown Empire Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1850s Scandinavian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Early 19th Century German Empire Antique Secretaires
Bronze
1950s Italian Vintage Secretaires
Wood
Late 18th Century German Baroque Antique Secretaires
Brass
1920s Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Macassar, Oak, Satinwood
Early 1900s Art Deco Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Early 1900s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Griotte Marble, Bronze
Early 19th Century Danish Empire Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1850s Dutch Dutch Colonial Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 19th Century American Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1960s French Vintage Secretaires
Wood, Maple, Nutwood
20th Century Biedermeier Secretaires
Wood, Maple
Late 18th Century Danish Antique Secretaires
Brass, Iron
Mid-20th Century American Country Secretaires
Brass
Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Secretaires
Wood
Early 1800s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Bronze
19th Century Spanish Antique Secretaires
Leather, Wood
Late 18th Century Russian Baroque Antique Secretaires
Metal, Bronze
Mid-19th Century Swedish Country Antique Secretaires
Pine
19th Century English Chinese Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Leather, Bamboo, Wood, Maple
Late 18th Century English Regency Antique Secretaires
Rosewood
19th Century Portuguese Renaissance Antique Secretaires
Wood
Mid-20th Century Belgian Art Deco Secretaires
Chrome
Late 20th Century North American Louis XV Secretaires
Walnut
Mid-19th Century Scandinavian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Secretaires
Oak
1980s Louis XVI Vintage Secretaires
Late 19th Century English Gothic Revival Antique Secretaires
Oak
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass, Steel, Chrome
20th Century American Federal Secretaires
Leather, Glass, Mahogany
18th Century French Queen Anne Antique Secretaires
Mirror, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak, Wood, Hardwood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Iron
Late 19th Century French French Provincial Antique Secretaires
Wood
19th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Secretaires
Wood
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Wood
1870s French Renaissance Revival Antique Secretaires
Oak
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.