Secretaires
18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Late 18th Century English Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 18th Century Italian Empire Antique Secretaires
Wood, Walnut
1790s Dutch Baroque Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 18th Century Dutch Baroque Antique Secretaires
Brass
Mid-18th Century German Baroque Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1780s English Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Secretaires
Wood
Late 18th Century Dutch Neoclassical Revival Antique Secretaires
Brass
18th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires
Wood
18th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Wood
Early 18th Century Baroque Antique Secretaires
Maple, Olive
Late 18th Century German Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Maple, Oak, Walnut
Late 18th Century German Baroque Antique Secretaires
Brass
17th Century Italian Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1770s English George III Antique Secretaires
Oak, Pine, Mahogany
1770s American Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 18th Century English George I Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Wood
17th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Oak
1750s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Iron
Late 18th Century Danish Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Oak
Early 18th Century English George II Antique Secretaires
Walnut, Yew
Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Secretaires
Wood, Walnut
1780s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Kingwood, Yew
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Metal, Bronze
18th Century English Queen Anne Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Wood
18th Century Spanish Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass
Late 17th Century Italian Louis XIV Antique Secretaires
Wrought Iron
1780s English Georgian Antique Secretaires
Oak
Late 18th Century British Regency Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 1700s Italian Louis XIV Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Secretaires
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
Late 18th Century British George III Antique Secretaires
Oak
Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Secretaires
Brass
1760s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Kingwood, Mahogany
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass
18th Century British George III Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Leather, Wood
Mid-18th Century Swiss Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Late 18th Century Irish Georgian Antique Secretaires
Satinwood, Mahogany
18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Cherry
1720s English George I Antique Secretaires
Walnut
18th Century British Georgian Antique Secretaires
Oak
1750s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Maple, Walnut, Birdseye Maple
Late 18th Century Baltic Baltic Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass
Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
18th Century Italian Rococo Antique Secretaires
Mirror, Walnut
Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Bronze
18th Century Italian Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Wood
1760s English Antique Secretaires
Brass
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.