Secretaires
Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Wood, Paint
1840s French Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Glass, Wood, Paint
1970s Swedish Rococo Vintage Secretaires
Pine
Late 18th Century Danish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Oak, Paint
Late 18th Century Danish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Wrought Iron
Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Wood
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Secretaires
Olive, Burl
1790s English Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Brass
1770s French Rococo Antique Secretaires
Brass
1780s Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Wood
Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Brass
18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Iron
18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Wood
Early 2000s French American Classical Secretaires
Palisander
18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Bronze
20th Century American American Classical Secretaires
Maple
Late 18th Century French Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Wood
1820s French Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Ormolu
18th Century Italian Rococo Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass
2010s Italian Neoclassical Secretaires
Wood
Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Wood
19th Century Italian Rococo Antique Secretaires
Brass
2010s French Neoclassical Secretaires
Leather, Wood, Cherry, Lacquer
18th Century Italian Rococo Antique Secretaires
Mirror, Walnut
2010s French Neoclassical Secretaires
Leather, Wood, Cherry, Lacquer
Early 1800s German Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Brass
Mid-19th Century Italian Rococo Antique Secretaires
Wood, Glass
Mid-20th Century Italian Rococo Secretaires
Wood
Mid-18th Century Italian Rococo Antique Secretaires
Lacquer, Wood
Early 19th Century American American Classical Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Rococo Secretaires
Early 19th Century English Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Oak
Early 20th Century Italian Rococo Secretaires
Bronze
Early 1800s Austrian Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Cherry
19th Century Dutch Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Ormolu
Mid-18th Century Dutch Rococo Antique Secretaires
Mahogany, Satinwood, Kingwood, Tulipwood
Early 1900s Italian Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Brass
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Secretaires
Burl
Early 19th Century European Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1830s American American Classical Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Secretaires
Cherry
19th Century Russian Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Marble, Ormolu
Early 19th Century American Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Fir
Early 19th Century Russian Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Ormolu
18th Century European Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Bronze
Mid-18th Century French Rococo Antique Secretaires
Walnut
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Bronze
18th Century Italian Rococo Antique Secretaires
Paper, Mirror, Wood
18th Century Italian Rococo Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo 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.