Secretaires
20th Century American Country Secretaires
Chestnut, Oak
1930s Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Bronze
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Brass
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Brass
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1760s German Baroque Antique Secretaires
Wood, Nutwood
Early 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Secretaires
Wood
1830s English William IV Antique Secretaires
Brass
20th Century English George I Secretaires
Leather, Walnut
19th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Secretaires
Wood
1950s American Country Vintage Secretaires
Glass, Wood
Early 19th Century British Early Victorian Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1780s Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Leather, Glass, Lacquer
18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century Swedish Country Antique Secretaires
Pine
1970s French Provincial Vintage Secretaires
Hardwood, Paint
1950s French Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1990s American French Provincial Secretaires
Wire
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Wood, Mahogany
Late 19th Century French French Provincial Antique Secretaires
Wood
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Cherry, Softwood
18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 18th Century Scandinavian Antique Secretaires
Wood
1740s English George II Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires
Brass
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Fir
1860s English High Victorian Antique Secretaires
Glass, Walnut
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood
2010s Renaissance Secretaires
Glass, Mahogany
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Ebony
19th Century English Campaign Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass
1840s English Victorian Antique Secretaires
Glass, Hardwood
Early 20th Century French Secretaires
Wood
Early 20th Century Jacobean Secretaires
Oak, Walnut
1870s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Rosewood, Satinwood
1960s Danish Vintage Secretaires
Teak
Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Brass
Mid-19th Century American Victorian Antique Secretaires
Birdseye Maple, Walnut
2010s Renaissance Secretaires
Wood
20th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Bronze
1940s American Vintage Secretaires
Mahogany
18th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires
Wood
Mid-19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Birch
Early 20th Century Chinese Chippendale Secretaires
Brass
2010s Renaissance Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Maple
21st Century and Contemporary American Louis XV Secretaires
Gold Leaf
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
1880s Swedish Victorian Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Early 20th Century French Secretaires
Marble
Early 20th Century Chippendale Secretaires
Walnut
20th Century English Sheraton Secretaires
Leather, Hardwood, Satinwood, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Georgian Secretaires
Brass
2010s Italian Other Secretaires
Wood
1770s Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1940s European Art Deco Vintage 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.