Secretaires
19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Maple, Oak
1870s Norwegian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Walnut
19th Century European Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Marble, Brass
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Bronze
1960s Austrian Biedermeier Vintage Secretaires
Wood
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Softwood
1820s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Ash, Ebony
Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Wood, Burl
Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Birch
Mid-19th Century European Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany, Baize
1860s Scandinavian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Wood, Mahogany
1840s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
18th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Wood
Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Birch
Early 19th Century Baltic Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Ormolu
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Wood, Ash
Late 19th Century Italian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Fruitwood, Walnut, Wood
Mid-19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Metal
1840s French Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1830s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Pine, Wood
20th Century Biedermeier Secretaires
Pine, Wood, Birdseye Maple
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Maple, Walnut
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Ebony
1870s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mirror, Wood, Walnut
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Cherry, Softwood
1830s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Birch, Cherry, Walnut
1860s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Birch
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Maple
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Satinwood, Walnut
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Cherry
1830s Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Iron, Tin
20th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Wood
Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Birch
Early 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1850s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1820s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Oak
1820s Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Walnut
20th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Wood
Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass
1860s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Walnut
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Spruce, Cherry
Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Cherry, Walnut
1830s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Birch
Mid-20th Century European Biedermeier Secretaires
Wood
Early 20th Century European Biedermeier Secretaires
Oak
19th Century European Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Wood
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Wood
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Birch
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.