Secretaires
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
1870s Scandinavian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Walnut
19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Maple, Oak
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Brass
1950s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Wood, Beech, Plywood
20th Century Biedermeier Secretaires
Pine, Wood, Birdseye Maple
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Brass
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass
1960s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Rosewood
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
19th Century European Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Marble, Brass
1870s Norwegian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
1960s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Metal
1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1820s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Ash, Ebony
1960s Austrian Biedermeier Vintage Secretaires
Wood
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Bronze
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Burl, Bog Wood, Oak, Maple, Boxwood, Birch, Glass, Palisander
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Ash
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Softwood
1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Birch
1970s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Wood, Burl
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Aluminum
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Fir
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Rosewood
1980s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood, Fruitwood
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Birch
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Walnut
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Chrome
18th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Wood
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Birch
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Wood
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 19th Century Baltic Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Ormolu
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Oak
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Wood, Teak
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Wood, Ash
1970s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
Late 19th Century Italian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Fruitwood, Walnut, Wood
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.