Secretaires
1920s French Napoleon III Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Rosewood
19th Century French Antique Secretaires
Late 18th Century English Regency Antique Secretaires
Brass
1790s French Directoire Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
18th Century English George I Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass
1960s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Metal
18th Century and Earlier French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Leather, Cherry
18th Century English George I Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Mid-18th Century German Baroque Antique Secretaires
Walnut
19th Century American Antique Secretaires
Brass
Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Brass
18th Century British Georgian Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak, Glass
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Metal
1950s French Vintage Secretaires
Brass
1850s French Rococo Revival Antique Secretaires
Marble, Ormolu
18th Century Italian Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Wood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Secretaires
Glass, Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Glass, Wood
Late 20th Century Unknown Regency Secretaires
Glass, Laminate
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Marble, Ormolu
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood
19th Century Austrian Antique Secretaires
Ebony, Walnut
1810s French Empire Antique Secretaires
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Louis XVI Secretaires
Wood
19th Century European Antique Secretaires
Wood
1920s Campaign Vintage Secretaires
Teak
19th Century Sheraton Antique Secretaires
Glass, Satinwood
Early 20th Century Swedish Art Deco Secretaires
Metal, Brass
Late 20th Century Unknown Regency Secretaires
Glass, Laminate
Early 19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Oak
19th Century Austrian Antique Secretaires
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Secretaires
Walnut
19th Century English Victorian Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Marble, Bronze
Late 18th Century Danish Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Brass
18th Century European Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Wood, Lacquer, Oak
1880s French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Bronze
1950s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass
2010s Portuguese Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Walnut
19th Century North American Federal Antique Secretaires
Mahogany, Satin
Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Secretaires
Oak
Late 18th Century German Baroque Antique Secretaires
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Wood, Ash, Lacquer
Late 18th Century Danish Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 17th Century Italian Louis XIV Antique Secretaires
Wrought Iron
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1950s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Secretaires
Brass
1940s Italian Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1840s French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Walnut
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Ormolu, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Ash, Wood, Lacquer
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Wood
19th Century British Georgian Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Late 18th Century Scandinavian Antique Secretaires
Wood
1870s French Renaissance Revival Antique Secretaires
Oak
Early 20th Century English Hepplewhite Secretaires
Mahogany
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.