1700s Secretary Desk
Antique 18th Century Dutch Desks
Wood, Walnut
Antique Late 18th Century British George III Secretaires
Brass
Antique 1730s Indonesian Dutch Colonial Secretaires
Brass
Antique 18th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Wrought Iron, Metal, Metallic Thread
Antique 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Wood, Paint
Antique Late 18th Century Dutch Dutch Colonial Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century French Louis XVI Console Tables
Marble, Ormolu
Antique 18th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Bronze
People Also Browsed
Antique Late 17th Century Italian Rococo Pedestals and Columns
Wood
Antique 17th Century Dutch Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Vintage 1920s English Art Deco Glass
Crystal
Vintage 1980s English Neoclassical Porcelain
Porcelain
20th Century American Art Nouveau Glass
Glass
Vintage 1980s American Georgian Bookcases
Brass
Vintage 1910s English Arts and Crafts Secretaires
Copper
Antique 18th Century Dutch Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak
Antique Late 19th Century Czech Chinoiserie Delft and Faience
Porcelain
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Jewelry Boxes
Velvet, Glass, Wood
Antique Late 18th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century German Rococo Wine Coolers
Tin
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Centerpieces
Ormolu
1990s American Chippendale Desks
Brass
1990s English Decorative Boxes
Gold
Antique 18th Century Prints
Paper
Recent Sales
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Country Desks and Writing Tables
Pine
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Baroque Secretaires
Pine
Antique 18th Century and Earlier German Baroque Secretaires
Oak, Paint
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Wood, Paint
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Secretaires
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Secretaires
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Pine
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Desks
Leather, Burl
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Swedish Secretaires
Finding the Right secretaires for You
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.
- How does a secretary desk work?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A secretary desk works with the help of hinges that secure the writing surface to the rest of the piece. To use one, you simply pull down on the wooden door to open the hinge and lower the writing surface. Return the desk to its closed position by lifting the writing surface up. You'll find a selection of secretary desks on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Secretary desks originated in the early 18th century. They were typically used by secretaries and clerks and featured plenty of compacted drawers for stationary storage. On 1stDibs, find a collection of secretary desks from some of the world’s top sellers.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023A secretary desk is called by its name because of its original function. When the desks first emerged in 19th-century France, the secretaries of estates used them to conduct business. Once they finished paying bills and reconciling accounts, they could raise the hinged writing surface and close the desk. Secretary desks are the workstations of choice in many busy households, especially those with spaces pulling double duty as offices by day and living rooms, dining rooms or bedrooms at night. On 1stDibs, shop an array of secretary desks.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021An antique secretary desk will range in value depending on its authenticity and condition. The price can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. On 1stDibs find the antique secretary desk you’re looking for today.
Read More
The Ultimate Guide to Types of Tables for the Home
Whether you’re just moving in or ready to give your home a makeover, our guide will give you pointers on tables that are fitting for every room, nook and hallway.
What Exactly Is a Secretary Desk, and What Is It Used For?
The furniture equivalent of a Swiss Army knife, it's the multifunctional piece you didn't know you needed.
This Shelving System with Oxidized Brass Tubes Is Retro and Futuristic at Once
Italian studio DimoreMilano mustered great ingenuity when crafting these sculptural shelves, which are built without any screws.
28 Cheerful Home Bars, Where Everybody (Literally) Knows Your Name
Simple or sophisticated, equipped with console, cart or custom cabinetry, these stylish bar areas deserve a toast.
Ask an Interior Designer: Work-from-Home Edition
Leaping into a design project, whether it's refreshing the bedroom or redoing the whole house, can be overwhelming. Luckily, we know more than a few interior designers. You asked questions on Instagram, and now they're answering.
Collected and Eclectic, ‘Wunderkammern’ Are Back in a Big Way
Introduced nearly 500 years ago, curiosity cabinets are finding new fans among today's collectors and designers.
Meet the Incredible Woman Transforming Fallen Trees into Sleek Furniture
In the hands of New York Heartwoods cofounder Megan Offner, unwanted local trees become works of design art.
These New York Architects Love a Complicated Project
From Brooklyn townhouses to Maine campgrounds, Trattie Davies and Jonathan Toews relish a challenge, like transforming a former warehouse space into the new 1stdibs Gallery.