Secretaires
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Wood, Teak, Glass
Late 19th Century French Antique Secretaires
Wood
Early 19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Wood
19th Century German Baroque Antique Secretaires
Brass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1890s English Moorish Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1940s French Louis XVI Vintage Secretaires
Marble, Bronze
Early 20th Century American Victorian Secretaires
Wood
19th Century German Black Forest Antique Secretaires
Pine
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Walnut
Late 20th Century American Queen Anne Secretaires
Brass
Late 19th Century Italian Louis XIV Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Early 19th Century American Antique Secretaires
Wood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood, Walnut
Early 20th Century Canadian Art Nouveau Secretaires
Walnut
Early 19th Century English Campaign Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Birch, Ebony, Satinwood
1910s Vintage Secretaires
Fruitwood
19th Century English Chinese Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Leather, Bamboo, Wood, Maple
Early 1800s English George III Antique Secretaires
Brass
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 1900s English Adam Style Antique Secretaires
Satinwood
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Secretaires
Wood, Mahogany
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Brass
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Sycamore
1850s French Rococo Revival Antique Secretaires
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires
Wood
19th Century English Victorian Antique Secretaires
Marble, Brass, Ormolu
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
1860s British Victorian Antique Secretaires
Boxwood, Rosewood, Walnut
Late 19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque Secretaires
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Secretaires
Wood, Paint
Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Marble, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Secretaires
Glass, Wood
Early 19th Century Danish Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century Dutch Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Oak, Bone
19th Century German Antique Secretaires
Maple
1960s Italian Louis XV Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1880s French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Brass
20th Century English Edwardian Secretaires
Hardwood
Late 19th Century Queen Anne Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Walnut
1960s Italian Rococo Vintage Secretaires
Wood
19th Century French Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Brass
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass, Steel
Early 19th Century German Empire Antique Secretaires
Ash
Late 19th Century American Victorian Antique Secretaires
Glass, Wood, Walnut
19th Century English Chinese Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Bamboo, Wood
Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Secretaires
Bronze, Ormolu
1940s Dutch Rococo Revival Vintage Secretaires
Brass
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Wood
Mid-19th Century Danish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Teak
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Wood, Mahogany
Early 19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Oak
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.