Slant Top Secretary Desk
Mid-20th Century American American Classical Desks and Writing Tables
Pine
Late 20th Century Philippine Modern Secretaires
Enamel
Antique Mid-18th Century English Georgian Desks and Writing Tables
Leather, Walnut
Antique Mid-19th Century British George III Desks
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century English Queen Anne Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century English Queen Anne Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
2010s Federal Desks
Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century American Chippendale Desks
Brass
20th Century Chippendale Desks
Brass
Vintage 1920s French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Vintage 1920s French Louis XV Desks and Writing Tables
Oak
Antique 19th Century English Chinese Chippendale Secretaires
Leather, Bamboo, Wood, Maple
Antique Mid-19th Century American George III Desks and Writing Tables
Glass, Walnut
Antique 19th Century English Chinese Chippendale Secretaires
Bamboo, Wood
Antique 19th Century French Other Desks and Writing Tables
Walnut
Antique 18th Century American Chippendale Secretaires
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century European Secretaires
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Wood
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Secretaires
Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century Italian Rococo Secretaires
Glass, Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century Belgian Secretaires
Oak
Antique 18th Century European Secretaires
Glass, Wood
2010s Renaissance Secretaires
Glass, Mahogany
Antique 1790s English Chippendale Bookcases
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Wood
Antique Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Brass
Late 20th Century American Georgian Secretaires
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Country Secretaires
Brass
Antique 19th Century American Country Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 1750s French Louis XV Secretaires
Maple, Walnut, Birdseye Maple
Late 20th Century Georgian Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires
Brass
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires
Brass
Early 20th Century French Louis XIV Secretaires
Brass
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Brass
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires
Brass
Antique Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Bronze
Vintage 1950s American Country Secretaires
Glass, Wood
Early 20th Century European Rococo Revival Secretaires
Wood
Early 20th Century American Georgian Secretaires
Brass
Antique Early 18th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Wood
Antique Mid-18th Century Dutch Rococo Secretaires
Kingwood, Tulipwood, Satinwood, Mahogany
Antique 18th Century English George III Secretaires
Metal, Brass
Antique 1720s English Queen Anne Secretaires
Oak
Early 20th Century Italian Rococo Cabinets
Bronze
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Country Secretaires
Pine
Early 20th Century English Hepplewhite Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century European Empire Secretaires
Oak, Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Oak
Early 20th Century Italian Baroque Secretaires
Walnut, Mirror
Antique 1780s English George III Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Wood, Paint
Late 20th Century North American Louis XV Secretaires
Walnut
Antique 1790s English Neoclassical Secretaires
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century Austrian Secretaires
Ebony, Pearwood, Burl, Kingwood
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Pine
Antique Early 1900s Italian Neoclassical Secretaires
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Secretaires
Wood
Antique Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Walnut
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Slant Top Secretary Desk For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Slant Top Secretary Desk?
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.
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