Secretaires
1810s Italian Empire Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 19th Century Swedish Empire Antique Secretaires
Birch
Early 1800s European Empire Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Swedish Art Deco Secretaires
Metal, Brass
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Wood
Mid-20th Century Czech Art Deco Secretaires
Wood, Beech, Plywood
19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Marble, Brass
Late 19th Century Danish Empire Antique Secretaires
Metal
1820s Danish Empire Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 19th Century European Empire Antique Secretaires
Wood
1940s Italian Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Metal
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Bronze
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Walnut
Mid-19th Century American Empire Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1810s Austrian Empire Antique Secretaires
Bronze
19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Marble, Brass
Early 1900s Art Deco Antique Secretaires
Oak
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Leather, Mahogany, Maple
19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Bronze
1920s Dutch Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Cut Glass, Ebony, Burl
1930s Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Bronze
1810s French Empire Antique Secretaires
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Secretaires
Wood, Lacquer, Mirror
Early 19th Century Russian Empire Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass
Mid-20th Century Thai Art Deco Secretaires
Bone, Teak
1940s Italian Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Gold Leaf
1810s German Empire Antique Secretaires
Bronze
20th Century French Art Deco Secretaires
Metal
Mid-20th Century English Art Deco Secretaires
Walnut, Bakelite
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1810s French Empire Antique Secretaires
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Marble
1940s European Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Walnut
Early 19th Century German Empire Antique Secretaires
Bronze
Early 1800s Belgian Empire Antique Secretaires
Brass
1870s Norwegian Empire Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Late 19th Century Empire Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Nutwood
Early 1900s Art Deco Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Early 19th Century Scandinavian Empire Antique Secretaires
Ash, Burl
Early 19th Century German Empire Antique Secretaires
Birch, Fruitwood
Late 18th Century Italian Empire Antique Secretaires
Wood, Walnut
20th Century Empire Secretaires
Bronze
20th Century Italian Art Deco Secretaires
Marble, Chrome
Early 19th Century Danish Empire Antique Secretaires
Bone, Mahogany, Satinwood, Walnut
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Chrome
1810s French Empire Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Early 19th Century Empire Antique Secretaires
Walnut, Fir
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Secretaires
Rosewood
20th Century French Art Deco Secretaires
Rosewood
1920s Czech Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Oak, Walnut
1810s French Empire Antique Secretaires
Brass
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Sycamore, Walnut
20th Century Empire Secretaires
Bronze
1920s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Birch
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Secretaires
Wood, Birdseye Maple, Lacquer
1810s French Empire Antique Secretaires
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.