Secretaires
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Marble
Early 19th Century Swedish Country Antique Secretaires
Pine
1850s French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Granite, Brass, Ormolu
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Secretaires
Brass
Early 20th Century Jacobean Secretaires
Brass
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Oak
19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Marble, Brass
Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Bronze
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Walnut
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood
Early 1900s Danish Scandinavian Modern Antique Secretaires
Pine
Mid-19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass
1920s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Birch
1960s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Secretaires
Metal, Brass
19th Century Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Wood
1990s Chinese Modern Secretaires
Chrome
1810s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Bronze
20th Century Italian Georgian Secretaires
Brass
Late 19th Century European Renaissance Revival Antique Secretaires
Walnut, Glass
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Wood
19th Century American Rustic Antique Secretaires
Pine
19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Brass, Bronze, Steel
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass
19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1960s French Vintage Secretaires
Laminate, Oak
19th Century Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Wood
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Elm, Walnut
1950s French Vintage Secretaires
Brass
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Marble, Bronze
1820s Austrian Baroque Antique Secretaires
Elm, Fruitwood, Ebony
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Marble, Brass
Early 19th Century British Georgian Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Chrome
Late 20th Century Adam Style Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Brass, Iron
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Pine
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass
Early 1900s Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Paint
1970s Queen Anne Vintage Secretaires
Glass, Cherry
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Wood
Early 19th Century French Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Bronze
1920s Italian Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Metal
1820s Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Brass, Gold Leaf
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Bronze
19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Secretaires
Leather, Mahogany
1950s French Vintage Secretaires
Elm
1850s Dutch Dutch Colonial Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 19th Century American Federal Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century German Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Brass
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Brass
1810s French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Marble, 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.