Secretaires
Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Secretaires
Nutwood
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass
2010s Portuguese Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Iron
1850s French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century European Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Burl
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Bronze
Early 20th Century Swedish Regency Secretaires
Brass
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Secretaires
Leather, Ash
18th Century German Antique Secretaires
Wood, Walnut, Burl
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Walnut
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass, Steel
Early 18th Century British Queen Anne Antique Secretaires
Bronze
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Secretaires
Mahogany, Satinwood
2010s Portuguese Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Iron
Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Secretaires
Oak
16th Century Italian Renaissance Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1980s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Secretaires
Mahogany, Leather, Glass
Late 19th Century Asian Antique Secretaires
Wood
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1940s American Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Brass
19th Century Italian Empire Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Late 18th Century Danish Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Brass
18th Century Italian Other Antique Secretaires
Silver
1750s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Kingwood
Early 19th Century European Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Cherry, Pine
Mid-18th Century English Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Secretaires
Metal, Chrome
Late 19th Century French Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Secretaires
Oak
Late 20th Century North American Chippendale Secretaires
Burl
Early 19th Century American American Classical Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
20th Century Italian Louis XV Secretaires
Mirror, Wood
Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Bronze
1770s English Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Brass
Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Birch, Pine, Walnut
2010s French Neoclassical Secretaires
Leather, Wood, Cherry, Lacquer
1840s French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Pine
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Louis XVI Secretaires
Wood
Late 18th Century North American Victorian Antique Secretaires
Cherry
1720s English Queen Anne Antique Secretaires
Oak
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires
Satinwood
1840s English Victorian Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century Japanese Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Porcelain, Mahogany
1850s French Antique Secretaires
Ash, Elm, Walnut
19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Bronze
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Glass, Birch
1880s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Wood
2010s American Minimalist Secretaires
Aluminum
Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Secretaires
Leather, Mahogany
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass
Early 20th Century French Secretaires
Bamboo, Rattan, Oak
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Leather, Walnut
Early 20th Century Spanish Colonial Secretaires
Walnut
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Bronze
18th Century Italian Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Wood
Mid-19th Century Belgian Louis XIV Antique 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.