Secretaires
1860s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century Dutch Antique Secretaires
Oak, Paint
Late 19th Century English George I Antique Secretaires
Glass, Walnut
Late 19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Antique Secretaires
Bronze
19th Century Italian Baroque Antique Secretaires
Precious Stone, Wood
Late 19th Century North American Aesthetic Movement Antique Secretaires
Walnut
19th Century American Eastlake Antique Secretaires
Walnut, Burl
Mid-19th Century English British Colonial Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 19th Century European Antique Secretaires
Brass
1870s French Renaissance Revival Antique Secretaires
Oak
Early 19th Century American Sheraton Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 1800s Austrian Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Cherry
19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Wood
1840s Danish Other Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Secretaires
Mahogany, Leather, Glass
1860s European Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Secretaires
Brass
1810s Danish Empire Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 19th Century French Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Oak
1860s French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Leather, Boxwood, Rosewood
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Marble, Bronze
1870s French Renaissance Revival Antique Secretaires
Oak
Early 1800s German Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Brass
19th Century English Country Antique Secretaires
Wood
Late 19th Century American Victorian Antique Secretaires
Glass, Wood, Walnut
Early 19th Century English British Colonial Antique Secretaires
Brass
Mid-19th Century Belgian Antique Secretaires
Oak
Early 19th Century Italian Chinoiserie Antique Secretaires
Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass, Steel
Late 19th Century Swedish Renaissance Revival Antique Secretaires
Pewter
19th Century French Other Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Mid-19th Century Irish George III Antique Secretaires
Glass, Mahogany, Satinwood
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Ormolu
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Secretaires
Marble, Bronze
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Brass
1840s English Victorian Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 19th Century English Edwardian Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 19th Century European Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Cherry, Pine
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Wood, Paint
Late 19th Century French Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Oak
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Rosewood
Late 19th Century English Sheraton Antique Secretaires
Rosewood, Satinwood
Early 19th Century American Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Birch
19th Century Italian Empire Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1850s French Antique Secretaires
Ash, Elm, Walnut
Early 19th Century American American Classical Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 1800s English Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 19th Century French Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1830s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Rustic Antique Secretaires
Iron
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Softwood, Wood, Mahogany
1880s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1950s French Vintage Secretaires
Brass
1840s Danish Other Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1820s Austrian Empire Antique Secretaires
Wood, Mahogany, Lacquer
19th Century Japanese Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Porcelain, Mahogany
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.