Antique English Secretary
1910s English Arts and Crafts Antique English Secretary
Copper
18th Century English Queen Anne Antique English Secretary
Walnut
Early 18th Century English George I Antique English Secretary
Brass
18th Century English Antique English Secretary
Wood
19th Century English Campaign Antique English Secretary
Brass
Early 19th Century English Antique English Secretary
Wood
19th Century English Antique English Secretary
Wood
18th Century English Antique English Secretary
Wood
1790s British Antique English Secretary
Walnut
18th Century British George III Antique English Secretary
Mahogany
Early 18th Century English George I Antique English Secretary
Mahogany, Satinwood, Walnut
19th Century Sheraton Antique English Secretary
Glass, Satinwood
19th Century English Georgian Antique English Secretary
Mahogany
19th Century English Antique English Secretary
Glass, Oak
18th Century English Georgian Antique English Secretary
Wood
19th Century British Georgian Antique English Secretary
Brass
19th Century English Sheraton Antique English Secretary
Brass
Early 19th Century English Antique English Secretary
Bronze
19th Century British Antique English Secretary
Mahogany
19th Century English Antique English Secretary
Mahogany
1780s English George III Antique English Secretary
Walnut
Mid-18th Century English Georgian Antique English Secretary
Wood
19th Century English George III Antique English Secretary
Brass
Late 18th Century English Regency Antique English Secretary
Brass
Late 19th Century British Edwardian Antique English Secretary
Mahogany
1890s English Sheraton Antique English Secretary
Brass
19th Century Chinese Chippendale Antique English Secretary
Mahogany, Giltwood
19th Century American Antique English Secretary
Brass
1820s English George IV Antique English Secretary
Walnut
Early 19th Century British George III Antique English Secretary
Brass
Early 19th Century British Georgian Antique English Secretary
Mahogany
Late 19th Century English Regency Antique English Secretary
Glass, Mahogany
1820s English Regency Antique English Secretary
Mahogany
1780s English George III Antique English Secretary
Mahogany
Mid-18th Century English Georgian Antique English Secretary
Leather, Walnut
Mid-18th Century English George II Antique English Secretary
Walnut
Late 19th Century English Aesthetic Movement Antique English Secretary
Brass
Early 20th Century American Chippendale Antique English Secretary
Hardwood, Paint
19th Century English Antique English Secretary
Mahogany
1770s English Chippendale Antique English Secretary
1790s English George III Antique English Secretary
Brass
Mid-19th Century English Early Victorian Antique English Secretary
Bronze
Early 20th Century English Campaign Antique English Secretary
Mahogany
Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique English Secretary
Mahogany, Satinwood
1790s English Neoclassical Antique English Secretary
Brass
19th Century English Antique English Secretary
Mahogany
Early 1900s English Adam Style Antique English Secretary
Satinwood
1860s English Antique English Secretary
Brass
1890s English Adam Style Antique English Secretary
Satinwood
Late 19th Century English Antique English Secretary
Walnut, Glass
1790s English George III Antique English Secretary
Mahogany
Late 19th Century Sheraton Antique English Secretary
Wood
Early 20th Century American Jacobean Antique English Secretary
Brass
1780s English Campaign Antique English Secretary
Brass
1770s English Chippendale Antique English Secretary
Brass
1770s English Chippendale Antique English Secretary
Brass
Early 20th Century Unknown Other Antique English Secretary
Mahogany
- 1
Antique English Secretary For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Antique English Secretary?
Finding the Right Secretaires for You
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.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To date an antique secretary desk, start by determining the type of hinge used to secure the writing surface. Consult an authoritative resource to find out which furniture makers worked with that type of hinge. You can also look for the name of the manufacturer on the back or bottom of the piece. Find a range of expertly vetted antique secretaries on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021An antique secretary desk will range in value depending on its authenticity and condition. The price can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. On 1stDibs find the antique secretary desk you’re looking for today.
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