Secretaires
Mid-20th Century English Chinese Chippendale Secretaires
Pine
1960s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Rosewood
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Fir
1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Birch
1950s French Directoire Vintage Secretaires
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Secretaires
Ceramic, Leather, Oak
1940s French French Provincial Vintage Secretaires
Brass, Wire
1950s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
Mid-20th Century Czech Art Deco Secretaires
Wood, Beech, Plywood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Teak
1930s Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Bronze
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Rosewood
1950s Italian Vintage Secretaires
Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Rosewood
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Wood, Beech, Plywood
1960s French Vintage Secretaires
Wood, Maple, Nutwood
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Brass
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Rosewood
1950s Italian Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1960s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Palisander
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Oak, Teak
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Oak
1960s Italian Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Mahogany
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Rosewood
1960s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Metal
Mid-20th Century Italian Baroque Secretaires
Glass, Wood
1950s English Queen Anne Vintage Secretaires
Walnut
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Burl, Bog Wood, Oak, Maple, Boxwood, Birch, Glass, Palisander
1960s Austrian Biedermeier Vintage Secretaires
Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Secretaires
Mirror, Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Ash
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Rosewood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
1960s French Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1960s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Palisander
1950s Italian Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Birch
1940s Italian Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Metal
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Walnut
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Bronze
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Danish Secretaires
Teak
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.