Secretaires
1770s French Rococo Antique Secretaires
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Argentine Art Deco Secretaires
Macassar
Mid-20th Century Czech Art Deco Secretaires
Wood, Beech, Plywood
18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Wood
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Wood
Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Wood, Paint
Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Glass, Wood, Paint
1940s Italian Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Metal
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Bronze
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Walnut
1970s Swedish Rococo Vintage Secretaires
Pine
1930s Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Bronze
Early 1900s Art Deco Antique Secretaires
Oak
Late 18th Century Danish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Oak, Paint
Late 18th Century Danish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Wrought Iron
1920s Dutch Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Cut Glass, Ebony, Burl
Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Secretaires
Wood, Lacquer, Mirror
Mid-20th Century Thai Art Deco Secretaires
Bone, Teak
1940s Italian Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Gold Leaf
20th Century French Art Deco Secretaires
Metal
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Brass
Mid-20th Century English Art Deco Secretaires
Walnut, Bakelite
1780s Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Wood
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1940s European Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Walnut
Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Brass
18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Secretaires
Shagreen Stingray, Palmwood
Mid-20th Century American Rococo Secretaires
Early 1900s Art Deco Antique Secretaires
Walnut
18th Century Italian Rococo Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Nutwood
18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Iron
18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Wood
20th Century Italian Art Deco Secretaires
Marble, Chrome
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Chrome
19th Century Italian Rococo Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Wood
1920s Czech Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Oak, Walnut
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Secretaires
Rosewood
20th Century French Art Deco Secretaires
Rosewood
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Sycamore, Walnut
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Secretaires
Wood, Birdseye Maple, Lacquer
18th Century Italian Rococo Antique Secretaires
Mirror, Walnut
1920s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Birch
1940s American Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Brass
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Brass
1930s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Italian Rococo Secretaires
Wood
1920s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Birch
Mid-19th Century Italian Rococo Antique Secretaires
Wood, Glass
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Secretaires
Metal, Chrome
Early 20th Century Swedish Art Deco Secretaires
Birch
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Deco Secretaires
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Deco Secretaires
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Deco Secretaires
Wood
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Chrome, 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.