Secretaires
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Macassar
1970s Vintage Secretaires
Bronze
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Bronze
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Oak
1970s American Louis XV Vintage Secretaires
Brass
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass, Chrome
1930s Hungarian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Rosewood, Walnut
Late 20th Century Unknown Regency Secretaires
Glass, Laminate
1930s English Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Sycamore
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Metal
1930s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood, Walnut
Late 20th Century American Secretaires
Steel
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Sycamore
1930s German Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Walnut
1980s Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass
1980s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Mahogany
1930s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
1930s Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Bronze
1970s Vintage Secretaires
Walnut
1930s Argentine Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1980s English Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Glass, Wood, Lacquer, Ebony, Maple
1930s Italian Vintage Secretaires
Wood, Maple, Walnut
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Secretaires
Bronze
1980s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood, Fruitwood
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Secretaires
Bronze
Late 20th Century Spanish Secretaires
Bamboo
Late 20th Century English Secretaires
Wood
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.