Secretaires
Early 1900s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Leather, Tulipwood, Walnut
1820s Danish Empire Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 19th Century European Empire Antique Secretaires
Wood
1980s American Empire Vintage Secretaires
Brass
1880s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Marble, Ormolu
Mid-19th Century American Empire Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1810s Austrian Empire Antique Secretaires
Bronze
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Walnut
19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Marble, Brass
1760s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1810s Austrian Empire Antique Secretaires
Brass, Iron, Gold Leaf
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Leather, Mahogany, Maple
1960s Italian Louis XV Vintage Secretaires
Metal, Brass
Early 20th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Brass
1810s French Empire Antique Secretaires
Wood
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Brass, Ormolu
Early 19th Century Russian Empire Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass
1810s German Empire Antique Secretaires
Bronze
1780s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Marble, Bronze
1760s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Bronze
20th Century Empire Secretaires
Bronze
1850s Italian Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Early 1800s Belgian Empire Antique Secretaires
Brass
18th Century European Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Wood
1810s French Empire Antique Secretaires
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary American Louis XV Secretaires
Gold Leaf
Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Marble, Bronze
20th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Bronze
Early 19th Century German Empire Antique Secretaires
Bronze
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Bronze
18th Century Belgian Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Oak
Late 19th Century Empire Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1870s Norwegian Empire Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Early 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Marble, Brass
1920s French Louis XV Vintage Secretaires
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Brass
Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Walnut
20th Century French Empire Secretaires
Bronze
19th Century Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Wood
Early 1900s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Oak
Early 19th Century German Empire Antique Secretaires
Birch, Fruitwood
Mid-19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Marble
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Fruitwood
Late 18th Century Italian Empire Antique Secretaires
Wood, Walnut
Early 19th Century Scandinavian Empire Antique Secretaires
Ash, Burl
1890s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Bronze
20th Century Empire Secretaires
Bronze
Early 19th Century Danish Empire Antique Secretaires
Bone, Mahogany, Satinwood, Walnut
1750s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Iron
Early 19th Century Empire Antique Secretaires
Walnut, Fir
1810s French Empire Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Wood
Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1810s French Empire Antique Secretaires
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.