Secretaires
18th Century Italian Rococo Antique Secretaires
Walnut
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Birdseye Maple
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Bronze, Ormolu
18th Century Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
2010s French Directoire Secretaires
Leather, Wood, Cherry, Lacquer
18th Century English Antique Secretaires
Wood
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Secretaires
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
1870s American Federal Antique Secretaires
Walnut
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Marble
Early 1800s German Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Wood, Nutwood, Oak
20th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Wood
18th Century Italian Rococo Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
1950s Italian Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Lacquer, Mirror, Beech
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass
1930s Italian Vintage Secretaires
Wood
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires
Satinwood
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Marble, Brass
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Ormolu
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Tortoise Shell, Oak
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Bronze
1740s English George II Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1960s Italian Vintage Secretaires
Wood
Late 18th Century Russian Empire Antique Secretaires
Brass
1780s French French Provincial Antique Secretaires
Walnut
20th Century Louis XVI Secretaires
Wood, Fruitwood
Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Metal
1870s Italian Renaissance Antique Secretaires
Walnut
19th Century English Georgian Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Bronze
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Rattan, Wood
Early 20th Century Unknown Other Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century French Charles X Antique Secretaires
Marble
1860s French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Leather, Boxwood, Rosewood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Marble, Brass
19th Century Portuguese Baroque Antique Secretaires
Wood
20th Century French Empire Secretaires
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Wood, Ash, Lacquer
20th Century Biedermeier Secretaires
Bronze
20th Century Empire Secretaires
Bronze
Early 19th Century British George III Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1870s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Rosewood, Satinwood
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Secretaires
Mirror, Walnut, Wood
Early 1800s French Empire Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Mid-18th Century French Antique Secretaires
Wood
19th Century Italian Rococo Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Oak
18th Century Italian Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Wood
Early 19th Century Danish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Brass
19th Century Georgian Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century Unknown Empire Antique Secretaires
Bronze, Ormolu
Early 18th Century Italian Louis XIV Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Mid-17th Century Italian Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Mid-18th Century English Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Bronze
19th Century Dutch Antique Secretaires
Oak
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Birch, Burl
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Stone, Marble, Metal, Brass
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Ormolu
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.