Secretaires
Mid-19th Century Swedish Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 19th Century American Country Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Pine
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Wood, Ash, Birch, Elm, Maple, Poplar, Walnut
20th Century French Secretaires
Brass
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
Mid-20th Century Italian Secretaires
Wood
Late 18th Century Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1830s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Bronze
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Beech, Teak
Mid-19th Century British Gothic Revival Antique Secretaires
Leather, Oak
19th Century English Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Marble
Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Oak
19th Century British Regency Antique Secretaires
Brass
19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Bronze
20th Century American Regency Revival Secretaires
Brass
19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Giltwood, Wood
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.