Secretaires
Late 19th Century American Victorian Antique Secretaires
Burl
Mid-20th Century English Art Deco Secretaires
Walnut
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1890s Empire Antique Secretaires
Wood, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Ash, Walnut
1940s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Leather, Walnut
1930s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood
Late 19th Century French French Provincial Antique Secretaires
Wood
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Walnut
20th Century English George I Secretaires
Leather, Walnut
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Aluminum
1970s Italian Neoclassical Vintage Secretaires
Bronze
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Leather, Fruitwood
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Brass, Chrome
Mid-20th Century English British Colonial Secretaires
Brass
Late 19th Century Eastlake Antique Secretaires
Cherry
Mid-20th Century Italian Other Secretaires
Wood
1980s Philippine Greek Revival Vintage Secretaires
Marble, Brass
1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
Early 19th Century French Antique Secretaires
Wood
Early 1900s Art Deco Antique Secretaires
Walnut
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
1840s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Brass
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Glass, Teak
1950s American Vintage Secretaires
Birch
19th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Secretaires
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
1920s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Birch
19th Century Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 19th Century British George III Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century English Regency Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 20th Century North American Louis XV Secretaires
Walnut
Mid-20th Century French Secretaires
Fruitwood
1850s French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Teak
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Pine
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Glass, Teak
Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Brass
Mid-19th Century Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Bronze
1850s Swedish Antique Secretaires
Birch
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
19th Century French Antique Secretaires
Fruitwood, Tulipwood
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Secretaires
Mahogany, Leather, Glass
Late 19th Century Federal Antique Secretaires
Leather, Glass, Mahogany
Early 19th Century European Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Bronze
19th Century French Regency Antique Secretaires
Brass, Steel
Early 20th Century French French Provincial Secretaires
Glass, Walnut
Early 20th Century Victorian Secretaires
Hardwood
Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Bronze
Late 19th Century Renaissance Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1830s French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Amboyna
Early 1900s Italian Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Walnut
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.