Secretaires
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Brass
2010s Renaissance Secretaires
Glass, Mahogany
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Goatskin, Wood
Late 18th Century Swedish Baroque Antique Secretaires
Glass, Wood
1780s Dutch Rococo Antique Secretaires
Fruitwood, Walnut, Ebony, Satinwood
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass, Bronze
2010s Renaissance Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 18th Century Italian Empire Antique Secretaires
Wood, Walnut
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak, Glass
Mid-18th Century Danish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 19th Century Federal Antique Secretaires
Glass, Mahogany
1970s American Chinoiserie Vintage Secretaires
Brass
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires
Brass
18th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires
Wood
20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires
Brass
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass
Mid-19th Century Irish George III Antique Secretaires
Glass, Mahogany, Satinwood
Early 20th Century French Secretaires
Stone
Late 19th Century Scandinavian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
2010s Chippendale Secretaires
Glass, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Wood
2010s German Modern Secretaires
Steel
Mid-19th Century European Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Baize, Mahogany
Mid-18th Century Danish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass
1820s Austrian Baroque Antique Secretaires
Elm, Fruitwood, Ebony
18th Century American Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Maple
19th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Secretaires
Glass, Wood
Late 19th Century Swedish Country Antique Secretaires
Pine
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Leather, Glass, Lacquer
Early 19th Century French Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Brass, Other
Mid-19th Century American Victorian Antique Secretaires
Birdseye Maple, Walnut
Late 19th Century Italian Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Fruitwood, Lacquer
Early 19th Century German Empire Antique Secretaires
Birch, Fruitwood
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass
2010s French Neoclassical Secretaires
Leather, Wood, Cherry, Lacquer
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Pine, Walnut
19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 20th Century American Federal Secretaires
Mahogany
1860s European Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass
Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Secretaires
Oak, Walnut
19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Brass, Bronze, Steel
1780s English George III Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century English Campaign Antique Secretaires
Brass
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Walnut
Late 19th Century Federal Antique Secretaires
Leather, Glass, Mahogany
19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1770s American Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Brass
18th Century German French Provincial Antique Secretaires
Softwood
Late 19th Century English Campaign Antique Secretaires
Brass
1950s French Vintage Secretaires
Elm
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Pine
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Secretaires
Fruitwood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese George II Secretaires
Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Secretaires
Wood
1940s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Secretaires
Brass
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Pine
1880s French Charles X Antique Secretaires
Fruitwood
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.