Secretaires
1950s Dutch Dutch Colonial Vintage Secretaires
Maple, Walnut, Fir
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1950s French Directoire Vintage Secretaires
Brass
1940s French French Provincial Vintage Secretaires
Brass, Wire
1950s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1950s Italian Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1950s Italian Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1950s English Queen Anne Vintage Secretaires
Walnut
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Burl, Bog Wood, Oak, Maple, Boxwood, Birch, Glass, Palisander
1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Birch
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1950s Italian Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1940s Italian Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Metal
1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Steel, Nickel
1950s American Vintage Secretaires
Birch
1950s French Vintage Secretaires
Elm
1950s Unknown Chinoiserie Vintage Secretaires
Walnut
1940s American Vintage Secretaires
Mahogany
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass
1940s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass
1940s Italian Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Gold Leaf
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Mahogany, Maple
1940s Rococo Revival Vintage Secretaires
Metal
1950s American Country Vintage Secretaires
Glass, Wood
1950s French Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1940s European Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Walnut
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Beech
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Metal
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass
1950s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Birch
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Metal, Brass, Nickel
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass
1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Metal
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Steel
1950s Vintage Secretaires
Bronze
1940s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Bentwood
1940s French Directoire Vintage Secretaires
Carrara Marble, Bronze
1940s Spanish Vintage Secretaires
Wood, Lacquer
1940s Italian Art Nouveau Vintage Secretaires
Maple, Rosewood, Burl
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass, Steel
1940s American Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Brass
1940s American Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Paldao
1950s French Vintage Secretaires
Brass
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Walnut, Goatskin
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Glass, Birch
1950s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Mahogany, Sycamore
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass
1940s Italian Baroque Vintage Secretaires
Brass
1950s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Mahogany, Sycamore
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Cherry
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass
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.