Secretaires
1940s French Directoire Vintage Secretaires
Carrara Marble, Bronze
1950s Italian Vintage Secretaires
Wood
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Carrara Marble, Ormolu
18th Century English George I Antique Secretaires
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Wood, Ash, Lacquer
1720s Queen Anne Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1810s English Regency Antique Secretaires
Brass
18th Century English Queen Anne Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Early 19th Century British George III Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1780s Italian Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1740s Italian Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Early 18th Century Italian Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Bronze
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Louis XVI Secretaires
Brass
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Wood, Ash, Lacquer
20th Century European Secretaires
Wood
Early 19th Century European Empire Antique Secretaires
Oak, Mahogany
1810s Italian Empire Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Wood
Early 1900s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Oak
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century German Aesthetic Movement Antique Secretaires
Wood
19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Bronze
Early 1800s George III Antique Secretaires
Wood
Late 19th Century Swedish Renaissance Revival Antique Secretaires
Pewter
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass, Chrome
1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1750s German Baroque Antique Secretaires
Walnut
19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Wood
1750s Swiss Baroque Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Macassar
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Wood, Ash, Lacquer
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Wood, Ash, Lacquer
Early 19th Century Danish Empire Antique Secretaires
Bone, Mahogany, Satinwood, Walnut
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1960s Italian Vintage Secretaires
Wood
19th Century Sheraton Antique Secretaires
Glass, Satinwood
18th Century English Antique Secretaires
Wood, Paint
19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Secretaires
Brass
19th Century Italian Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Late 19th Century Austrian Baroque Revival Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 18th Century English Sheraton Antique Secretaires
Mahogany, Satinwood
19th Century English Regency Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Secretaires
Metal, Chrome
Late 18th Century Classical Roman Antique Secretaires
Wood, Oak, Walnut
19th Century Antique Secretaires
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Leather, Walnut, Giltwood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass
1890s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1960s Danish Vintage Secretaires
Teak
Mid-18th Century Swiss Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Wood, Ash, Lacquer
1960s American Chippendale Vintage Secretaires
Maple
18th Century Italian Rococo Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1850s Swedish Renaissance Revival Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Walnut
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.