Secretaires
19th Century American Eastlake Antique Secretaires
Burl, Walnut
18th Century British Georgian Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Metal, Wrought Iron, Metallic Thread
Late 19th Century Swedish Country Antique Secretaires
Pine
Early 19th Century Danish Empire Antique Secretaires
Bone, Leather, Mahogany, Maple, Satinwood
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Marble, Brass
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Brass
1920s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1750s German Baroque Antique Secretaires
Elm, Walnut
1810s French Empire Antique Secretaires
Brass
Mid-19th Century Unknown Empire Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Italian Baroque Secretaires
Glass, Wood
19th Century European Antique Secretaires
Wood
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Bronze, Ormolu
1840s European Antique Secretaires
Elm
Early 19th Century English British Colonial Antique Secretaires
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Metal
1790s American Federal Antique Secretaires
Birch, Mahogany
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Birch, Glass, Wood
Mid-19th Century English Regency Antique Secretaires
Mahogany, Rosewood
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires
Wood
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1970s Swedish Rococo Vintage Secretaires
Pine
1960s French Vintage Secretaires
Brass
18th Century Unknown Baltic Antique Secretaires
Brass
1770s Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1840s French Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Mid-19th Century Belgian Antique Secretaires
Oak
1810s English Georgian Antique Secretaires
Wood
Late 18th Century Danish Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Oak
Early 20th Century American Victorian Secretaires
Wood
1750s German Baroque Antique Secretaires
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Secretaires
Wood
19th Century German Black Forest Antique Secretaires
Pine
Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Wood
Early 19th Century Italian Baroque Revival Antique Secretaires
Walnut, Burl
Early 1800s Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Bronze
18th Century French Queen Anne Antique Secretaires
Mirror, Walnut
Late 19th Century Unknown Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Early 19th Century European Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Leather, Mahogany, Satinwood
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1920s Italian Louis XV Vintage Secretaires
Walnut, Burl, Mirror
20th Century American Secretaires
Brass
1890s English Adam Style Antique Secretaires
Satinwood
Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Secretaires
Brass
19th Century Dutch Antique Secretaires
Brass
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass
18th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires
Wood
1860s European Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Brass
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Brass
1970s American Rococo Revival Vintage Secretaires
Walnut
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Wood, Mahogany
1870s French Renaissance Revival Antique Secretaires
Oak
1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Steel
19th Century Chinese Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Mahogany, Giltwood
1850s French Rococo Revival Antique Secretaires
Marble, Ormolu
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires
Wood
1720s English Queen Anne Antique Secretaires
Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Glass, Rosewood
Early 19th Century German Empire Antique Secretaires
Ash
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.