Secretaires
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Bronze
19th Century English Campaign Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 1900s Danish Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Ormolu, Brass, Bronze
Early 20th Century Swedish Art Deco Secretaires
Metal, Brass
1810s French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Marble, Brass
1730s Indonesian Dutch Colonial Antique Secretaires
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Leather, Glass, Lacquer
Early 20th Century Jacobean Secretaires
Brass
Early 19th Century French Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Brass, Other
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Carrara Marble, Bronze
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Rosewood
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese George II Secretaires
Wood
Mid-19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Brass
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Ash
Late 19th Century English George III Antique Secretaires
Glass, Mahogany
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 20th Century Unknown Federal Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 18th Century English William and Mary Antique Secretaires
Olive
2010s German Modern Secretaires
Steel
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Pine, Paint
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1950s American Vintage Secretaires
Birch
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Walnut
18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Wood
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Wood
1780s English Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Brass
1810s French Empire Antique Secretaires
Marble, Bronze
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Brass
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Stainless Steel
18th Century English Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese George III Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Late Victorian Secretaires
Kingwood, Satinwood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Wood, Hardwood, Rosewood
17th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Marble
Early 18th Century English George I Antique Secretaires
Metal
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Elm, Walnut
1950s French Vintage Secretaires
Elm
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak, Glass
Early 19th Century Swedish Country Antique Secretaires
Pine
Mid-18th Century Danish Baroque Antique Secretaires
Brass
Mid-19th Century Scandinavian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Secretaires
Wood
1820s American American Empire Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 20th Century American Federal Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 19th Century British George III Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1780s English George III Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1990s Chinese Modern Secretaires
Chrome
Early 19th Century British Georgian Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 19th Century American Federal Antique Secretaires
Glass, Mahogany
2010s Italian Other Secretaires
Wood
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Walnut
1790s Dutch Baroque Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Wood, Ash, Lacquer
19th Century French Regency Antique Secretaires
Brass, Steel
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage 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.