Secretaires
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Secretaires
Rosewood
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Pine
1890s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Bronze
1820s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Birch
19th Century English Regency Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1810s French Empire Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Wood
19th Century English Country Antique Secretaires
Wood
Late 19th Century Moroccan Moorish Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1820s British Regency Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1840s French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Pine
Early 1800s English George III Antique Secretaires
Brass
Mid-19th Century Victorian Antique Secretaires
Amboyna
1890s Italian Neoclassical Revival Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Brass
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Ormolu
1840s English Victorian Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1860s English Gothic Revival Antique Secretaires
Oak
19th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Secretaires
Glass, Wood
Early 19th Century French Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Brass, Other
1870s French Renaissance Revival Antique Secretaires
Oak
1840s Danish Other Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1850s Scandinavian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century British Victorian Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Bronze
19th Century French Directoire Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Maple, Walnut
1830s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Birch
19th Century Antique Secretaires
Brass, Copper
Early 19th Century American Sheraton Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Brass
1850s Scandinavian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Marble, Ormolu
1840s English Victorian Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century French Antique Secretaires
Walnut
19th Century English Baroque Antique Secretaires
Wood
Early 19th Century Swedish Empire Antique Secretaires
Pine
19th Century Italian Baroque Antique Secretaires
Precious Stone, Wood
Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 19th Century European Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 19th Century French Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Oak
Late 19th Century Asian Antique Secretaires
Wood
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Wood, Mahogany
Late 19th Century English George I Antique Secretaires
Glass, Walnut
1930s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Antique Secretaires
Bronze
1850s French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century English Georgian Antique Secretaires
Pine
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Wood
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Brass
1860s French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Leather, Boxwood, Rosewood
1810s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1860s European Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 19th Century European Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Cherry, Pine
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 1800s German Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 19th Century French Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century English Queen Anne Antique Secretaires
Walnut
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.