Secretaires
Early 19th Century French Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Bronze
1850s French Empire Antique Secretaires
Bronze
Early 19th Century American Federal Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 20th Century Georgian Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century French Other Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Early 20th Century Victorian Secretaires
Mahogany
20th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Oak, Satinwood
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Brass, Iron
18th Century Italian Antique Secretaires
Ash, Walnut
18th Century Italian Antique Secretaires
Wood
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Metal, Bronze
Late 18th Century French Directoire Antique Secretaires
Marble
20th Century Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
1950s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Sycamore, Walnut
2010s French Secretaires
Leather, Walnut
Early 19th Century Swedish Country Antique Secretaires
Pine
1780s English Campaign Antique Secretaires
Brass
1970s Queen Anne Vintage Secretaires
Glass, Cherry
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Oak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Birch, Rosewood
1760s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Kingwood, Rosewood
19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Marble, Brass
1950s Italian Louis XV Vintage Secretaires
Walnut
Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Secretaires
Walnut
19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
20th Century English George I Secretaires
Leather, Walnut
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Cherry
Early 19th Century French Antique Secretaires
Wood
Early 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Birch
Early 20th Century Victorian Secretaires
Hardwood
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Metal
Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Rosewood
18th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires
Pine
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Ash
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Elm, Walnut
Late 19th Century Italian Louis XIV Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1930s English Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Sycamore
1820s American American Empire Antique Secretaires
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Louis XVI Secretaires
Brass
1850s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Ash
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Rosewood
Early 19th Century European Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Leather, Mahogany, Satinwood
1950s Italian Rococo Revival Vintage Secretaires
Walnut
1910s Dutch Dutch Colonial Vintage Secretaires
Wood
Early 19th Century British Georgian Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Metal
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Marble
1910s English Arts and Crafts Vintage Secretaires
Copper
Early 20th Century Secretaires
Macassar
1860s British Victorian Antique Secretaires
Boxwood, Rosewood, Walnut
Mid-18th Century Dutch Rococo Antique Secretaires
Mahogany, Satinwood, Kingwood, Tulipwood
17th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Secretaires
Wrought Iron
Early 1900s Italian Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1770s Italian Directoire Antique Secretaires
Cherry, Maple, Walnut
1940s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Secretaires
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Glass, Teak
1990s Chinese Modern Secretaires
Chrome
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.