Secretaires
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Rosewood
20th Century English Campaign Secretaires
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Campaign Secretaires
Metal, Brass
1930s British George II Vintage Secretaires
Walnut
1840s English Victorian Antique Secretaires
Glass, Hardwood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Brass
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Secretaires
Leather, Ash
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Secretaires
Mirror, Wood, Paint
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Rosewood
Late 18th Century Dutch Neoclassical Revival Antique Secretaires
Brass
20th Century Italian Secretaires
Brass
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Wood, Paint
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Secretaires
Bronze, Ormolu
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1840s English Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1960s Danish Vintage Secretaires
Teak
Late 19th Century Queen Anne Antique Secretaires
Walnut
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1970s Vintage Secretaires
Bronze
Early 1800s French Directoire Antique Secretaires
Marble, Brass
19th Century Dutch Antique Secretaires
Oak
Early 19th Century Danish Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Bone, Maple
20th Century Austrian Biedermeier Secretaires
Birdseye Maple
20th Century European Secretaires
Wood
Late 18th Century English Sheraton Antique Secretaires
Mahogany, Satinwood
1920s Dutch Vintage Secretaires
Wood
18th Century Spanish Antique Secretaires
Walnut
19th Century Antique Secretaires
20th Century Georgian Secretaires
Brass
1820s Austrian Empire Antique Secretaires
Wood, Lacquer
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass
1820s French Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Ormolu
1950s Vintage Secretaires
Bronze
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Bronze
Early 1800s George III Antique Secretaires
Wood
Mid-18th Century British Georgian Antique Secretaires
Walnut
19th Century French Antique Secretaires
Fruitwood, Tulipwood
19th Century English Regency Antique Secretaires
Purpleheart, Satinwood, Holly
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Wood, Mahogany, Softwood
19th Century European Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood, Teak
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Secretaires
Glass, Oak
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Pine
19th Century English Victorian Antique Secretaires
Ormolu
18th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Wood
1980s Philippine Greek Revival Vintage Secretaires
Marble, Brass
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires
Brass
19th Century English Regency Antique Secretaires
Brass
18th Century Italian Rococo Antique Secretaires
Walnut
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Birdseye Maple
1770s English Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Brass
Mid-19th Century Unknown George III Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Wood, Ash, Lacquer
18th Century Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Teak
18th Century English Antique Secretaires
Wood
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Bronze, Ormolu
1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Bronze
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.