Secretaires
Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Ormolu
1870s American Federal Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Early 1900s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Griotte Marble, Bronze
Early 1900s Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Paint
1840s French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
1870s Scandinavian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Late 19th Century Renaissance Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1790s German Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Brass
19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Maple, Oak
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 19th Century Dutch Antique Secretaires
Satinwood
1940s French French Provincial Vintage Secretaires
Brass, Wire
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
1990s French Provincial Secretaires
Wood
19th Century German Baroque Antique Secretaires
Brass
19th Century Edwardian Antique Secretaires
Leather, Mahogany
1840s French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Early 1800s Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century American Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Wood, Maple
1790s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
20th Century Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
19th Century Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Wood
Early 2000s Philippine Adam Style Secretaires
Satinwood
19th Century English Aesthetic Movement Antique Secretaires
Bamboo
Mid-20th Century Czech Art Deco Secretaires
Wood, Beech, Plywood
1950s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Secretaires
Brass
1910s French Louis XVI Vintage Secretaires
Carrara Marble, Brass
1780s English Georgian Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Mid-18th Century British Georgian Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1960s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1850s Antique Secretaires
Marble
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Rosewood
20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wool
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Country Secretaires
Wood
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Marble, Bronze
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Mahogany
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass
1950s Italian Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Rosewood
19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Marble, Brass
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
1960s French Vintage Secretaires
Wood, Maple, Nutwood
1780s English Georgian Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Secretaires
Brass
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Rosewood
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Brass
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Ash
Late 19th Century Danish Empire Antique Secretaires
Metal
1960s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Palisander
1790s German Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Mahogany, Maple
Mid-18th Century English Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Brass
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Wood, Beech, Plywood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
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.