Secretaires
Mid-20th Century American Rococo Secretaires
Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Ormolu
1790s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Marble, Bronze
1910s French Louis XVI Vintage Secretaires
Carrara Marble, Brass
18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Wood
Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Wood, Paint
1790s German Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Mahogany, Maple
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Marble
Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Glass, Wood, Paint
Mid-19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Marble
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Marble, Ormolu
Late 17th Century Dutch Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Mahogany, Oak
1970s Swedish Rococo Vintage Secretaires
Pine
1790s German Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Bronze
1880s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Marble, Brass
Early 19th Century Spanish Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Hardwood, Kingwood, Mahogany
1960s Dutch Louis XVI Vintage Secretaires
Wood
Late 18th Century Danish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Wrought Iron
Late 18th Century Danish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Oak, Paint
Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 1900s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Brass, Bronze
Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Marble, Bronze
Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Wood
Early 1900s Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Burl
18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Bronze
1910s French Louis XVI Vintage Secretaires
Brass
1780s Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Wood
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Wood, Rosewood, Walnut, Softwood
Early 1800s German Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Wood, Nutwood, Oak
1770s French Rococo Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1870s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Rosewood, Satinwood
20th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Brass, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Marble
1890s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Kingwood
18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Wood
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Stone, Marble, Metal, Brass
18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Bronze
Early 19th Century Danish Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 19th Century German Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Walnut
19th Century Italian Rococo Antique Secretaires
Brass
18th Century Italian Rococo Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Brass, Bronze
1780s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Kingwood, Yew
Mid-19th Century Italian Rococo Antique Secretaires
Glass, Wood
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Ormolu
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Bronze
18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Stone, Marble, Metal, Brass
Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 18th Century German Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Maple, Oak, Walnut
Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Wood
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Brass
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Bronze
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.