Secretaires
1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
Late 20th Century American Secretaires
Steel
19th Century English Regency Antique Secretaires
Brass
19th Century French Antique Secretaires
Marble, Bronze
19th Century American Antique Secretaires
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Ormolu
19th Century Antique Secretaires
Ebony, Mahogany
19th Century French Antique Secretaires
Walnut
19th Century Antique Secretaires
18th Century and Earlier French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Cherry, Leather
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires
Brass
Late 19th Century French Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1920s French Louis XV Vintage Secretaires
Bronze
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
Late 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Teak
Mid-19th Century German Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Ebony
19th Century British Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Iron
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Brass
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Stone, Marble, Metal, Brass
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
Early 20th Century American Chinese Chippendale Secretaires
Faux Bamboo
Early 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Early 19th Century Danish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
1940s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Birch, Fir
1840s European Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Birch, Bone
1960s Mexican Vintage Secretaires
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Oak, Teak
Mid-18th Century Swedish Renaissance Antique Secretaires
Oak
1780s American Antique Secretaires
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Leather, Teak
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.