Empire Secretary
Antique Mid-19th Century American American Empire Desks
Mahogany, Glass
Antique 19th Century Swedish Empire Secretaires
Marble, Brass
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Desks
Bronze
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Secretaires
Glass, Mahogany
Antique Early 1800s Danish Empire Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Desks
Brass, Bronze
Antique Mid-19th Century Greco Roman Secretaires
Mahogany, Glass
Antique 1820s Danish Empire Secretaires
Mother-of-Pearl, Mahogany, Satinwood
Antique 19th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Marble
Antique Mid-19th Century French Empire Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 1820s Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Birch, Cherry
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Elm, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Swedish Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century Secretaires
Brass
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars
Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century Danish Empire Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 1820s German Empire Secretaires
Birch, Mahogany
Antique Early 1800s Swedish Empire Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Secretaires
Antique 19th Century French Secretaires
Antique Early 1800s French Empire Secretaires
Bronze
Antique 19th Century French Empire Secretaires
Marble, Ormolu
Antique Early 1800s French Empire Desks
Mahogany, Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Secretaires
Antique 19th Century American Secretaires
Wood, Glass
Antique 1810s French Empire Dressers
Brass
Antique 19th Century Italian Secretaires
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Empire Desks and Writing Tables
Early 20th Century Secretaires
Wood
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Secretaires
Mahogany
20th Century American Empire Secretaires
Brass
Antique 1820s Austrian Biedermeier Secretaires
Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century Secretaires
Antique Early 1800s German Empire Desks
Mahogany
Antique 1850s American Secretaires
Early 20th Century Desks
Antique Late 19th Century Desks
Antique 19th Century German Empire Secretaires
Birch, Burl
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Empire Secretary For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Empire 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.
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