Secretaires
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Spruce, Cherry
Late 19th Century Federal Antique Secretaires
Leather, Glass, Mahogany
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Sycamore
Early 20th Century Chinese Chippendale Secretaires
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Rosewood
1930s Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Bronze
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Brass
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass
Early 19th Century Scandinavian Empire Antique Secretaires
Ash, Burl
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Marble
19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Cherry
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
1880s Swedish Victorian Antique Secretaires
Walnut
20th Century Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
Early 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Secretaires
Wood
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Wood
19th Century Antique Secretaires
Pine
20th Century American American Classical Secretaires
Maple
19th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Secretaires
Wood
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Brass
Late 20th Century American Queen Anne Secretaires
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Rosewood
1820s Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Wood
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Teak
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1860s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1920s Scandinavian French Provincial Vintage Secretaires
Walnut
1920s Belgian Louis Philippe Vintage Secretaires
Oak
Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Brass
1930s English Georgian Vintage Secretaires
Mirror, Satinwood, Walnut
Mid-19th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Secretaires
Wood
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Walnut, Plywood
1830s English William IV Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Maple
1940s Rococo Revival Vintage Secretaires
Metal
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Marble
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires
Brass
1970s Queen Anne Vintage Secretaires
Glass, Cherry
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Satinwood, Walnut
Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Secretaires
Brass
1950s French Vintage Secretaires
Wood
Early 1900s Art Deco Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mirror, Wood, Walnut
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Teak
Mid-20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Secretaires
Oak
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Marble
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Brass
20th Century English Sheraton Secretaires
Leather, Hardwood, Satinwood, Walnut
Late 19th Century French French Provincial Antique Secretaires
Wood
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Cherry, Softwood
1970s Danish Vintage Secretaires
Teak
Late 19th Century British Late Victorian 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.