Secretaires
19th Century European Antique Secretaires
Wood
Mid-19th Century American Empire Antique Secretaires
Glass, Mahogany
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Secretaires
Ebony, Pearwood, Burl, Kingwood
1760s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Early 1800s George III Antique Secretaires
Wood
18th Century Unknown Antique Secretaires
Wood, Lacquer
1880s Swedish Victorian Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Brass
19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Marble, Brass
1970s North American Chinoiserie Vintage Secretaires
Lacquer
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Secretaires
Glass, Oak
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Secretaires
Mirror, Wood, Paint
1920s French Louis XV Vintage Secretaires
Bronze
18th Century Antique Secretaires
Kingwood
19th Century American American Craftsman Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1830s French Charles X Antique Secretaires
Maple
Early 19th Century French Charles X Antique Secretaires
Wood
1980s Philippine Vintage Secretaires
Wood, Rattan
1760s English George III Antique Secretaires
Bronze
1880s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Marble, Brass
Late 19th Century English Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Wood
Early 19th Century Spanish Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Hardwood, Kingwood, Mahogany
1960s Dutch Louis XVI Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Metal
18th Century English Antique Secretaires
Wood, Paint
18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires
Brass
20th Century Country Secretaires
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Walnut
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Teak
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Ebony
Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
Late 18th Century Danish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Wrought Iron
1950s French Vintage Secretaires
Elm
1920s English Arts and Crafts Vintage Secretaires
Oak
Late 18th Century Danish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Oak, Paint
Late 18th Century Danish Antique Secretaires
Brass, Iron
20th Century American Federal Secretaires
Brass
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires
Wood
Early 1900s Art Deco Antique Secretaires
Oak
18th Century German Baroque Antique Secretaires
Nutwood, Walnut, Pine
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Wood, Teak
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
1880s French Charles X Antique Secretaires
Fruitwood
Mid-18th Century French Agra Antique Secretaires
Breccia Marble, Bronze
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Rosewood
Late 20th Century American Bohemian Secretaires
Glass, Wood
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Leather, Mahogany, Maple
Mid-18th Century Danish Baroque Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 20th Century German Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Pine
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Chrome
18th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Wood
18th Century French Antique Secretaires
Metal
Early 19th Century English Sheraton Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique 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.