Secretaires
1980s Louis XVI Vintage Secretaires
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Rosewood
1920s French Napoleon III Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1930s British George II Vintage Secretaires
Walnut
17th Century Spanish Antique Secretaires
Wood
1940s English Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Oak
18th Century Spanish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Wood, Walnut
19th Century Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Brass
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires
Brass
19th Century Antique Secretaires
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Marble, Bronze
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass
Early 19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Bronze
20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Unknown Arts and Crafts Secretaires
Oak
18th Century Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Pine, Paint
Mid-19th Century Belgian Louis XIV Antique Secretaires
Brass
19th Century Austrian Antique Secretaires
19th Century Georgian Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires
Satinwood
1820s Austrian Empire Antique Secretaires
Wood, Lacquer
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Rosewood
1840s English Victorian Antique Secretaires
Glass, Hardwood
20th Century Secretaires
Wood
18th Century Italian Antique Secretaires
Walnut
19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Marble
1960s Italian Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1770s English Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 19th Century Swedish Country Antique Secretaires
Pine
19th Century American Antique Secretaires
Brass
1970s Vintage Secretaires
Bronze
1830s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Secretaires
Brass
2010s French Modern Secretaires
Steel
20th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Oak, Satinwood
18th Century Spanish Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Early 19th Century Russian Empire Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass
Early 1900s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Ormolu
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Oak
1760s British Georgian Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Bronze
1960s Danish Vintage Secretaires
Rosewood
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Lacquer, Mirror, Beech
19th Century Portuguese Baroque Antique Secretaires
Wood
18th Century Italian Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Wood
Mid-19th Century European Louis XIII Antique Secretaires
Brass
20th Century Italian Secretaires
Leather, Mahogany, Satinwood, Burl
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Louis XVI Secretaires
Wood
1790s British Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1770s French Rococo Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 1800s German Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Wood, Nutwood, Oak
20th Century Louis XVI Secretaires
Wood, Fruitwood
1780s English George III Antique Secretaires
Satinwood
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique 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.