Secretaires
Mid-18th Century Danish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Brass
1930s American Hepplewhite Vintage Secretaires
Glass, Mahogany
Late 19th Century Scottish Gothic Antique Secretaires
Oak
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass
18th Century European Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Iron
Mid-18th Century British Georgian Antique Secretaires
Walnut
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Rosewood
2010s Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
Late 20th Century Renaissance Secretaires
Mahogany
1880s British Antique Secretaires
Brass
1920s British Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Oak
1790s English Georgian Antique Secretaires
Leather, Mahogany
19th Century English Sheraton Antique Secretaires
Brass
2010s American Georgian Secretaires
Wood
2010s American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood, Lacquer
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Brass
Mid-20th Century English Chinese Chippendale Secretaires
Pine
2010s American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
20th Century American George III Secretaires
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1820s Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Ormolu
Early 20th Century Italian Baroque Secretaires
Brass
2010s American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood, Giltwood, Lacquer
Late 18th Century American Sheraton Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1970s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
1860s Antique Secretaires
Walnut
19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Marble, Brass
Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Brass
Early 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Antique Secretaires
Pine
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Secretaires
Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Spanish Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Brass
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Pine
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Kingwood, Satinwood
Late 18th Century Danish Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Bronze
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak, Glass
Early 19th Century Baltic Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Ormolu
1770s German Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Mid-19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Wood, Ash, Lacquer
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Biedermeier Secretaires
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood, Lacquer
18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 19th Century German Empire Antique Secretaires
Birch, Fruitwood
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
Late 18th Century Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Oak
Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 19th Century Scandinavian Empire Antique Secretaires
Ash, Burl
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Marble, Ormolu
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass
Early 20th Century Jacobean Secretaires
Oak, Walnut
Early 1900s Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Burl
1830s American American Empire Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 1900s American Industrial Antique Secretaires
Iron
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.