Secretaires
Early 19th Century French Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Bronze
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Pine
19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Marble, Brass
1950s French Modern Vintage Secretaires
Oak
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Secretaires
Wood
Mid-20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Secretaires
Oak
Late 19th Century Unknown Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Walnut
19th Century Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires
Pine
19th Century English Regency Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
18th Century Italian Antique Secretaires
Iron
20th Century Italian Secretaires
Leather, Mahogany, Satinwood, Burl
18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires
Oak
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Carrara Marble, Bronze
1960s Italian Louis XV Vintage Secretaires
Wood
Mid-19th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Secretaires
Wood
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass
20th Century Italian Federal Secretaires
Brass
Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Wood, Ash, Lacquer
18th Century Dutch Antique Secretaires
Brass, Bronze
Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Secretaires
Leather, Mahogany
1960s Swedish Vintage Secretaires
Teak
18th Century English Chinese Export Antique Secretaires
Lacquer
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Wood, Ash, Lacquer
Early 18th Century English George I Antique Secretaires
Brass
19th Century Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Secretaires
Mahogany, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary American Louis XV Secretaires
Gold Leaf
20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Wood
1880s Arts and Crafts Antique Secretaires
Pine
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 20th Century Philippine Modern Secretaires
Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Wood, Ash, Lacquer
1760s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1940s English Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Oak
1840s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
2010s French Neoclassical Secretaires
Leather, Wood, Cherry, Lacquer
1950s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Wood, Lacquer
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Secretaires
1960s French Vintage Secretaires
Wood
Early 18th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Pine, Walnut
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Marble, Bronze
2010s Portuguese Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Oak
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Rosewood
19th Century Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Brass
1960s English Vintage Secretaires
Wood
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Marble, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Rosewood
19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Wood, Paint
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood
18th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Wood
1810s Scandinavian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Late 18th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Marble
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Brass, Chrome
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Ash, Walnut
18th Century Italian Rococo Antique Secretaires
Mirror, Walnut
19th Century Hungarian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Walnut, Burl
Mid-20th Century American Federal Secretaires
Glass, 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.