Secretaires
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Secretaires
Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century English Chinese Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Leather, Bamboo, Wood, Maple
1950s Italian Vintage Secretaires
Wood
19th Century Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Bronze
Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Wood, Burl
19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Leather, Glass, Mahogany
19th Century English Other Antique Secretaires
Brass
Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Marble
Early 19th Century Danish Country Antique Secretaires
Brass
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Marble, Ormolu
1880s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Marble, Ormolu
Early 19th Century English Sheraton Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century Portuguese Baroque Antique Secretaires
Wood
Mid-19th Century American Empire Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1820s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Ash, Ebony
1860s Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Bronze
1810s Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Oak
Late 19th Century American Federal Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 19th Century English Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass
1840s English Georgian Antique Secretaires
Brass
1810s Austrian Empire Antique Secretaires
Bronze
19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Leather, Mahogany
19th Century European George III Antique Secretaires
Leather, Glass, Mahogany
1880s Arts and Crafts Antique Secretaires
Pine
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Birch
Mid-19th Century American Empire Antique Secretaires
Glass, Mahogany
Early 1800s George III Antique Secretaires
Wood
19th Century European Antique Secretaires
Wood
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Secretaires
Ebony, Pearwood, Burl, Kingwood
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Secretaires
Mirror, Wood, Paint
19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Marble, Brass
1830s French Charles X Antique Secretaires
Maple
19th Century American American Craftsman Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1950s American Vintage Secretaires
Birch
Early 19th Century French Charles X Antique Secretaires
Wood
1880s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Marble, Brass
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Wood
1880s Swedish Victorian Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Early 19th Century Spanish Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Hardwood, Kingwood, Mahogany
Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Ebony
1950s French Vintage Secretaires
Elm
1880s French Charles X Antique Secretaires
Fruitwood
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Leather, Mahogany, Maple
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires
Wood
Early 19th Century English Sheraton Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 19th Century Baltic Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Ormolu
Mid-19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Wood
Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Brass
Mid-19th Century Swedish Country Antique Secretaires
Pine
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Birch
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique 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.