English Secretary
Vintage 1960s Italian Secretaires
Walnut
Antique Late 18th Century English George III Secretaires
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Secretaires
Walnut, Giltwood
Antique 1750s English Chippendale Secretaires
English Secretaires
Walnut
Antique 19th Century English Secretaires
Wood
Antique 19th Century English Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century English Secretaires
Mahogany, Satinwood, Glass
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Secretaires
Antique Mid-19th Century English Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Mid-18th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires
Lacquer
Antique 1870s English Arts and Crafts Secretaires
Oak
Antique 19th Century English Secretaires
Wood
Antique 19th Century English Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Late 18th Century English George III Secretaires
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century English George II Secretaires
Brass
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Secretaires
Wood
Antique 19th Century English Secretaires
Brass
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century English Secretaires
Wood, Glass
Antique 19th Century Bookcases
Mahogany
20th Century Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
Antique Early 1800s English George III Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century English Bookcases
Wood, Leather, Glass
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Secretaires
Mahogany, Oak
Antique 19th Century English Early Victorian Bookcases
Wood, Glass
Antique 19th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Brass, Bronze, Iron
Antique Late 19th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Secretaires
Burl
Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Secretaires
Antique 18th Century English Secretaires
Oak
Antique 1840s English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires
Metal
Antique 1820s English Secretaires
Mahogany
20th Century English Secretaires
Bamboo
Antique 19th Century English Secretaires
Antique 19th Century English Secretaires
Metal
Antique Late 18th Century English Georgian Bookcases
Brass
Antique Early 1800s English Regency Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Late 18th Century English Chippendale Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 20th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century English Renaissance Secretaires
Brass
Antique Late 18th Century English George III Bookcases
Mahogany, Giltwood
2010s English Georgian Secretaires
Walnut
Antique 19th Century British Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century British Secretaires
Satinwood
Antique Mid-18th Century English George III Secretaires
Pine
Antique Early 19th Century English Regency Secretaires
Mahogany, Oak, Pine
Antique 1760s English Chinese Chippendale Secretaires
Mahogany
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English Secretary For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is an 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.
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