Secretaires
1940s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Bronze
1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Birch
1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Birch
1810s Austrian Empire Antique Secretaires
Brass, Iron, Gold Leaf
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Wood, Walnut, Plywood
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Wood, Walnut, Plywood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass
Late 20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Maple, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
Mid-19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Marble
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Wood, Ash, Birch, Elm, Maple, Poplar, Walnut
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Bronze
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.