Secretaires
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Brass, Ormolu
Early 19th Century Russian Empire Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass
Early 19th Century Swedish Country Antique Secretaires
Pine
Late 19th Century French Antique Secretaires
Wood
Mid-19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Metal
1810s German Empire Antique Secretaires
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Secretaires
Wood
Early 19th Century German Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Metal
1840s French Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Marble, Bronze
1880s Swedish Victorian Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Late 19th Century Eastlake Antique Secretaires
Cherry
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires
Birch
19th Century Portuguese Baroque Antique Secretaires
Wood
19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Brass
Mid-19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires
Wood
1830s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Birch, Cherry, Walnut
1840s German Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1930s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Rosewood
Late 19th Century English Campaign Antique Secretaires
Brass
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Wood
19th Century English Campaign Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 1800s German Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Wood, Nutwood, Oak
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Maple, Walnut
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Secretaires
Wood
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Wood
Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Cherry, Walnut
Late 19th Century Federal Antique Secretaires
Leather, Glass, Mahogany
Early 19th Century Italian Baroque Antique Secretaires
Wood
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Brass
19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Cherry
1830s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Pine, Wood
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Marble
19th Century French Antique Secretaires
Fruitwood, Tulipwood
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Wood
19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass
19th Century American American Empire Antique Secretaires
Mahogany, Glass
Mid-19th Century Swedish Country Antique Secretaires
Pine
Early 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Secretaires
Wood
1820s Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Wood
1850s Italian Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Mid-19th Century European Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany, Baize
1830s English William IV Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mirror, Wood, Walnut
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Stone, Marble, Metal, Brass
1860s English High Victorian Antique Secretaires
Glass, Walnut
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Cherry, Softwood
1810s French Empire Antique Secretaires
Bronze
19th Century English Campaign Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass
1840s English Victorian Antique Secretaires
Glass, Hardwood
1870s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Rosewood, Satinwood
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Maple
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.