Secretaires
20th Century English George I Secretaires
Leather, Walnut
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Satinwood, Walnut
18th Century Swedish Baroque Antique Secretaires
Wood, Paint
2010s German Modern Secretaires
Steel
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Metal
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
1920s French Louis XV Vintage Secretaires
Bronze
19th Century Dutch Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 20th Century French Secretaires
Marble
1970s Queen Anne Vintage Secretaires
Glass, Cherry
1920s Swedish Chippendale Vintage Secretaires
Oak
Mid-20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Secretaires
Oak
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Oak
20th Century American American Classical Secretaires
Maple
Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Brass
2010s Italian Other Secretaires
Wood
Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Late 20th Century Secretaires
Cherry
2010s Renaissance Secretaires
Wood
1890s Italian Neoclassical Revival Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Marble
Early 19th Century English George IV Antique Secretaires
Brass
1990s Spanish Post-Modern Secretaires
Wood, Cherry
1780s English Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Brass
Mid-19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Marble, Bronze
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Cherry
18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Wood
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Bronze
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Metal
1920s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Birch
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Marble, Bronze
1850s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Walnut
20th Century Biedermeier Secretaires
Bronze
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Leather, Fruitwood
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Brass
1790s American Hepplewhite Antique Secretaires
Brass
19th Century European Georgian Antique Secretaires
Brass
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Brass
1830s Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Iron, Tin
18th Century British Georgian Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Mid-19th Century French Neoclassical Revival Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 19th Century German Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1890s French Louis XIV Antique Secretaires
Marble
Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Antique Secretaires
Walnut
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Bronze
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Secretaires
Mahogany, Maple
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Antique Secretaires
Pine
18th Century Belgian Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Oak
Early 19th Century Danish Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 19th Century German Empire Antique Secretaires
Bronze
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires
Brass
18th Century German Baroque Antique Secretaires
Pine
1820s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Oak
Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass
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.