Secretaires
19th Century Dutch Antique Secretaires
Oak
1780s German Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Cherry
20th Century Biedermeier Secretaires
Bronze
2010s French Secretaires
Leather, Walnut
Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Secretaires
Wood
1810s Danish Empire Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
17th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Secretaires
Wrought Iron
1960s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
19th Century Unknown Empire Antique Secretaires
Bronze, Ormolu
18th Century British Georgian Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Late 19th Century English Edwardian Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1830s Scottish Antique Secretaires
Walnut
20th Century Biedermeier Secretaires
Wood, Pine
Early 19th Century Italian Chinoiserie Antique Secretaires
Wood
20th Century Secretaires
Bronze
1840s French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Pine
Early 18th Century English George I Antique Secretaires
Metal
Late 18th Century Italian Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Walnut
19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Oak
19th Century Italian Antique Secretaires
Walnut
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Marble
1890s English Adam Style Antique Secretaires
Satinwood
Early 1800s English Antique Secretaires
Brass
20th Century Italian Baroque Secretaires
Wood
1920s Czech Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Wood, Rosewood, Lacquer
1820s Danish Empire Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass
18th Century Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1790s English Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 20th Century Italian Secretaires
Wood
19th Century English William IV Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century European Regency Antique Secretaires
Other
Late 19th Century North American Aesthetic Movement Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Secretaires
Oak
Early 19th Century American Sheraton Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century Dutch Dutch Colonial Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Wood, Ash, Birch, Elm, Maple, Poplar, Walnut
Early 1900s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Ormolu
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood
Late 18th Century Spanish Antique Secretaires
Pine
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Secretaires
Bronze
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Secretaires
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary European Secretaires
Wood
19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
20th Century Biedermeier Secretaires
Leather, Wood, Maple
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Marble, Ormolu
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Rosewood
20th Century Austrian Biedermeier Secretaires
Birdseye Maple
1810s English Georgian Antique Secretaires
Wood
Late 18th Century German Empire Antique Secretaires
Walnut, Wood
Mid-20th Century Spanish Secretaires
Walnut
19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Secretaires
Oak
19th Century English Victorian Antique Secretaires
Wood
18th Century Italian Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Wood
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Wood
18th Century English George I Antique Secretaires
Walnut
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Marble, Bronze
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.