Secretaires
Late 17th Century Dutch Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Mahogany, Oak
Mid-18th Century English Georgian Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1790s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1790s German Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Brass
1940s French French Provincial Vintage Secretaires
Brass, Wire
Mid-18th Century British Georgian Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Marble, Bronze
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Brass
18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires
Brass
1780s English Georgian Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1780s English Georgian Antique Secretaires
Brass
18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Wood
Mid-18th Century English Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Brass
Mid-18th Century Danish Baroque Antique Secretaires
Oak
Mid-18th Century German Baroque Antique Secretaires
Fruitwood, Maple, Walnut
1790s German Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Mahogany, Maple
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Wood, Paint
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Secretaires
Wood
1730s Indonesian Dutch Colonial Antique Secretaires
Brass
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Burl, Bog Wood, Oak, Maple, Boxwood, Birch, Glass, Palisander
Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Glass, Wood, Paint
Late 18th Century British George III Antique Secretaires
Brass
18th Century German Baroque Antique Secretaires
Softwood
1750s Antique Secretaires
Wood
1940s Italian Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Metal
Mid-18th Century English Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires
Satinwood
1760s English George III Antique Secretaires
Bronze
Mid-18th Century Austrian Baroque Antique Secretaires
Maple, Walnut
18th Century French Antique Secretaires
Satinwood
1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Steel, Nickel
18th Century Italian Antique Secretaires
Wood
Late 18th Century Swedish Baroque Antique Secretaires
Glass, Wood
Mid-18th Century Norwegian Baroque Revival Antique Secretaires
Oak
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1790s German Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Bronze
18th Century Unknown Antique Secretaires
Wood, Lacquer
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Brass
1760s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Walnut
18th Century Antique Secretaires
Kingwood
Late 18th Century Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Cherry
18th Century English Antique Secretaires
Wood, Paint
Late 18th Century Danish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Wrought Iron
Late 18th Century Danish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Oak, Paint
Late 18th Century Danish Antique Secretaires
Brass, Iron
18th Century German Baroque Antique Secretaires
Nutwood, Walnut, Pine
Mid-18th Century French Agra Antique Secretaires
Breccia Marble, Bronze
18th Century French Antique Secretaires
Metal
18th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Wood
18th Century Italian Neoclassical Revival Antique Secretaires
Maple, Nutwood
Mid-18th Century Swedish Baroque Antique Secretaires
Bronze
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Metal
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Mid-18th Century Swiss Baroque Antique Secretaires
Oak, Yew
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.