Secretaires
Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Brass
2010s Swiss Secretaires
Steel
1970s Italian Space Age Vintage Secretaires
Plastic, Fiberglass
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Wood
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Secretaires
Late 18th Century Danish Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Secretaires
Ebony, Mahogany, Rosewood, Satinwood
1950s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Secretaires
Brass
1820s British Regency Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1780s German Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Late 18th Century British George III Antique Secretaires
Wood
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Wood, Mahogany
Mid-19th Century French Antique Secretaires
Bronze
1910s French Louis XVI Vintage Secretaires
Carrara Marble, Brass
Mid-19th Century German Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 19th Century British Early Victorian Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1970s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires
Wood
20th Century Philippine Modern Secretaires
Iron
Early 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Secretaires
Bamboo
Early 20th Century American Aesthetic Movement Secretaires
Bamboo
Early 20th Century English Baroque Revival Secretaires
Glass, Wood
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Pine
Early 20th Century English Baroque Revival Secretaires
1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Resin
Early 1900s American Late Victorian Antique Secretaires
Bamboo, Organic Material
Mid-19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Wood
19th Century Swedish Rustic Antique Secretaires
Late 18th Century French Directoire 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.