Secretaires
1860s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Marble
Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Brass
Mid-19th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Secretaires
Wood
Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Birch
Late 19th Century Antique Secretaires
Granite
Mid-19th Century German Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Brass
1930s Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Bronze
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Wood
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Satinwood, Walnut
Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Leather, Oak
1880s Italian Country Antique Secretaires
Walnut, Fir
Late 19th Century French French Provincial Antique Secretaires
Wood
1830s Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Iron, Tin
Mid-19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Birch
19th Century Dutch Antique Secretaires
Brass
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Marble, Bronze
Early 19th Century British Early Victorian Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Marble, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Brass
19th Century French Charles X Antique Secretaires
Marble
19th Century American Country Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Cherry
1890s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Kingwood
19th Century British Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1820s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Oak
1860s Scandinavian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1890s French Louis XIV Antique Secretaires
Marble
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Ebony
Mid-19th Century French Neoclassical Revival Antique Secretaires
Brass
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Marble
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Wood, Mahogany
Late 19th Century European Renaissance Revival Antique Secretaires
Walnut, Glass
1930s English Georgian Vintage Secretaires
Mirror, Satinwood, Walnut
Early 19th Century German Empire Antique Secretaires
Bronze
1850s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Early 19th Century English George IV Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1830s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Birch
Early 19th Century German Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Late 19th Century Swedish Rustic Antique Secretaires
Pine
1860s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1820s Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Walnut
19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Metal
1860s European Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires
Wood
19th Century Antique Secretaires
Oak
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Spruce, Cherry
Early 19th Century Danish Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1840s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 19th Century Empire Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires
Brass
19th Century Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century European Georgian Antique Secretaires
Brass
19th Century Antique Secretaires
Oak
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.