Secretaires
1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Pine
19th Century French Antique Secretaires
Fruitwood, Tulipwood
Early 19th Century Japanese Antique Secretaires
Gold, Brass
1940s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Bronze
Early 18th Century English George I Antique Secretaires
Brass
1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Bronze
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Brass
1910s Dutch Dutch Colonial Vintage Secretaires
Wood
Mid-18th Century Dutch Rococo Antique Secretaires
Mahogany, Satinwood, Kingwood, Tulipwood
1790s American Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Chestnut
19th Century Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Metal, Bronze
20th Century Biedermeier Secretaires
Wood, Maple
Early 20th Century French French Provincial Secretaires
Glass, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Teak
1950s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Sycamore, Walnut
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Brass
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Metal
Mid-20th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Bronze
Late 19th Century European Renaissance Revival Antique Secretaires
Walnut, Glass
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Marble, Bronze, Gold Leaf
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass, Bronze
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass
1970s Asian Chinoiserie Vintage Secretaires
Brass
20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 20th Century North American Louis XV Secretaires
Walnut
1920s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Birch
Mid-20th Century Italian Other Secretaires
Wood
Early 1800s French Directoire Antique Secretaires
Marble, Brass
1810s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Chrome
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Cherry
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass
Mid-19th Century Danish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1780s English George III Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1950s French Vintage Secretaires
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Brass, Bronze
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
Late 19th Century English Regency Antique Secretaires
Glass, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
19th Century British Antique Secretaires
Metal
Early 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Birch
1770s English Chippendale Antique Secretaires
1770s Italian Directoire Antique Secretaires
Cherry, Maple, Walnut
Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires
Wood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Rosewood
Late 19th Century English George I Antique Secretaires
Glass, Walnut
18th Century English Chinese Export Antique Secretaires
Lacquer
19th Century Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
20th Century American Directoire Secretaires
Mahogany
18th Century and Earlier French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Fruitwood
19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Marble, 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.