Secretaires
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Glass, Teak
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Wood, Ash, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Metal
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Birch, Rosewood
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Aluminum
1810s Austrian Empire Antique Secretaires
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Oak
1960s French Vintage Secretaires
Wood
18th Century European Baroque Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak, Wood, Hardwood
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Wood
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Marble, Brass
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
Early 1900s Danish Scandinavian Modern Antique Secretaires
Pine, Glass
Early 19th Century American Federal Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 19th Century English Sheraton Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Brass, Bronze, Steel
1810s German Empire Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1950s Italian Rococo Revival Vintage Secretaires
Walnut
Early 1900s Art Deco Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Early 19th Century Swedish Country Antique Secretaires
Brass
1750s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Bronze
Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Secretaires
Oak, Walnut
Early 1800s English Georgian Antique Secretaires
Oak
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary French Other Secretaires
Birch
Late 18th Century French Directoire Antique Secretaires
Marble
1780s Dutch Rococo Antique Secretaires
Fruitwood, Walnut, Ebony, Satinwood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Walnut
Early 19th Century French Antique Secretaires
Wood
1820s French Charles X Antique Secretaires
Leather, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Birch, Jacaranda
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Brass
1860s Scandinavian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1930s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 19th Century German Empire Antique Secretaires
Bronze
1820s Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Brass, Gold Leaf
Early 19th Century French Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Brass
Mid-20th Century English British Colonial Secretaires
Brass
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese French Provincial Secretaires
Wood
18th Century Dutch Antique Secretaires
Brass, Bronze
Mid-18th Century English Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chippendale Secretaires
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary North American Louis XV Secretaires
Wood
19th Century English Regency Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 20th Century North American Chippendale Secretaires
Burl
Mid-19th Century British Indian Ocean Territory Anglo-Indian Antique Secretaires
Brass
Mid-19th Century Scandinavian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Belgian Art Deco Secretaires
Chrome
Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Birch, Pine, Walnut
1950s Italian Louis XV Vintage Secretaires
Walnut
2010s German Bauhaus Secretaires
Metal, Chrome
18th Century English George III 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.