Secretaires
Mid-19th Century French Louis XIV Antique Secretaires
Brass
1770s English Chippendale Antique Secretaires
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Marble, Bronze
18th Century English George I Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
1940s Italian Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Gold Leaf
1880s British Late Victorian Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Mid-18th Century Swedish Baroque Antique Secretaires
Bronze
2010s French Modern Secretaires
Steel
Early 20th Century French Louis XIV Secretaires
Oak
20th Century Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
1750s English George III Antique Secretaires
Leather, Oak
1790s English Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Brass
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Secretaires
Wood
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Metal
1750s German Baroque Antique Secretaires
Walnut, Softwood
Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Brass
Mid-20th Century Thai Art Deco Secretaires
Bone, Teak
Late 19th Century French Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood
18th Century British Georgian Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 19th Century German Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
20th Century French Art Deco Secretaires
Metal
1840s German Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Mahogany, Teak, Walnut
Late 18th Century Dutch Baroque Antique Secretaires
Nutwood
Late 19th Century Eastlake Antique Secretaires
Cherry
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Wood
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Marble
Mid-18th Century Irish George III Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1930s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Rosewood
Late 19th Century Federal Antique Secretaires
Leather, Glass, Mahogany
19th Century Portuguese Baroque Antique Secretaires
Wood
1790s Danish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1980s Philippine Vintage Secretaires
Wood, Rattan
Mid-20th Century French Country Secretaires
Brass
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Wood, Rosewood, Walnut, Softwood
Late 19th Century English Campaign Antique Secretaires
Brass
19th Century English Campaign Antique Secretaires
Brass
1770s French Rococo Antique Secretaires
Brass
1760s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Rosewood
2010s Chippendale Secretaires
Glass, Wood
19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Wood
Mid-20th Century English Art Deco Secretaires
Walnut, Bakelite
Early 1800s German Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Wood, Nutwood, Oak
Late 19th Century American Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 20th Century Philippine Modern Secretaires
Enamel
1970s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Sycamore
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Marble
18th Century English Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Brass
19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Cherry
Early 20th Century Victorian Secretaires
Hardwood
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.