Secretaires
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Metal, Iron
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
1810s French Empire Antique Secretaires
Walnut
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Rosewood, Wood, Walnut
20th Century Empire Secretaires
Bronze
1960s Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood
Early 19th Century Empire Antique Secretaires
Walnut, Fir
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Metal
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Wood, Ash, Birch, Elm, Maple, Poplar, Walnut
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Rosewood
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak, Oak
1810s French Empire Antique Secretaires
Brass
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Maple
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Metal
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Laminate, Teak
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Wood
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Wood
1810s French Empire Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Palisander
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Ash, Walnut
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Glass, Teak
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Aluminum
Early 19th Century Swedish Empire Antique Secretaires
Pine
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Steel
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Wood
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Marble, Ormolu
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Rosewood
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Rosewood
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Walnut
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Bronze
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Walnut
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Beech
20th Century French Empire Secretaires
Bronze
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass, Steel
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Bronze
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass, Chrome
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Walnut
1980s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Mahogany
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Glass, Wood, Birch
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1960s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Marble, Bronze
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass
19th Century Italian Empire Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1960s Slovak Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood, Oak
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
1820s Austrian Empire Antique Secretaires
Wood, Mahogany, Lacquer
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Rosewood
19th Century Unknown Empire Antique Secretaires
Bronze, Ormolu
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Glass, Birch
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.