Secretaires
Late 19th Century Queen Anne Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1910s Italian Louis XV Vintage Secretaires
Walnut
Mid-19th Century Danish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak, Glass
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Oak
Early 20th Century Italian Secretaires
Brass
Late 20th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires
Metal
1760s English Georgian Antique Secretaires
Leather, Oak
Late 19th Century North American Aesthetic Movement Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Wood
Late 19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Antique Secretaires
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Oak, Teak
1790s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1780s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Kingwood
Mid-19th Century Swedish Country Antique Secretaires
Pine
1780s English Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Brass
1790s American Federal Antique Secretaires
Birch, Mahogany
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Carrara Marble, Bronze
Mid-19th Century Swedish Country Antique Secretaires
Pine
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Cherry
1760s German Baroque Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1940s Dutch Rococo Revival Vintage Secretaires
Brass
Late 19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Lacquer, Mirror, Beech
1820s French Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Ormolu
Mid-20th Century Belgian Art Deco Secretaires
Chrome
1870s French Renaissance Revival Antique Secretaires
Oak
Late 19th Century American Renaissance Revival Antique Secretaires
Wood
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Wood, Walnut, Plywood
18th Century Italian Antique Secretaires
Wood
Late 18th Century Danish Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Mahogany, Satinwood
20th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Wood
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Brass
1940s Argentine Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood, Parchment Paper
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Mid-19th Century French Neoclassical Revival Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Brass
19th Century Spanish Antique Secretaires
Leather, Wood
18th Century and Earlier French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Leather, Cherry
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Beech
20th Century American Country Secretaires
Chestnut, Oak
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Teak
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Walnut, Burl
Early 1900s Italian Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Bronze
20th Century Biedermeier Secretaires
Pine, Wood, Birdseye Maple
19th Century Victorian Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Walnut
1790s Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Steel
1750s German Baroque Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Secretaires
Rosewood
Late 18th Century Dutch Neoclassical Revival Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 18th Century German Baroque Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 1900s Danish Scandinavian Modern Antique Secretaires
Pine, Glass
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Brass
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.