Secretaires
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Brass
19th Century English Georgian Antique Secretaires
Pine
1780s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1780s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Kingwood, Rosewood
1750s German Baroque Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Mid-18th Century English Georgian Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Oak
1960s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Metal
1870s Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1760s English Georgian Antique Secretaires
Leather, Oak
Mid-19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Rosewood
1810s Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Pine
18th Century American Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Birch
1960s Italian Louis XVI Vintage Secretaires
Wood
19th Century British Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Rosewood
1820s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Ash, Ebony, Burl
Mid-19th Century Greco Roman Antique Secretaires
Mahogany, Glass
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Oak
19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Bronze
1940s Italian Rococo Vintage Secretaires
Walnut
1960s Swedish Vintage Secretaires
Brass
Early 19th Century French Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Bronze
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
1880s German Renaissance Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1960s English Vintage Secretaires
Wood
Mid-20th Century English Chinese Chippendale Secretaires
Pine
Early 1900s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Leather, Tulipwood, Walnut
19th Century English Adam Style Antique Secretaires
Wood, Satinwood
Early 20th Century Swedish Art Deco Secretaires
Metal, Brass
Mid-18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Metal, Bronze
Late 19th Century Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 19th Century French Antique Secretaires
Marble
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Secretaires
Walnut, Glass
1810s Italian Empire Antique Secretaires
Brass
1980s American Georgian Vintage Secretaires
Wood
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Wood
Early 19th Century Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 19th Century English Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Brass
Late 18th Century Dutch Dutch Colonial Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Victorian Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 19th Century Swedish Country Antique Secretaires
Pine
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Wood
Early 20th Century French Louis XIV Secretaires
Brass
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
1950s French Directoire Vintage Secretaires
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Secretaires
Ceramic, Leather, Oak
Early 1900s Italian Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Ormolu
1870s American Federal Antique Secretaires
Walnut
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.