Secretaire Desk Antique
18th Century English George III Secretaire Desk Antique
Metal, Brass
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaire Desk Antique
Metal, Brass
Early 19th Century French Biedermeier Secretaire Desk Antique
Bronze
1880s English Campaign Secretaire Desk Antique
Brass
Late 19th Century American Victorian Secretaire Desk Antique
Burl
1780s British George III Secretaire Desk Antique
Metal, Brass
Early 19th Century European Secretaire Desk Antique
Brass
Early 19th Century Federal Secretaire Desk Antique
Glass, Mahogany
Late 19th Century Victorian Secretaire Desk Antique
Mahogany
Early 20th Century European Secretaire Desk Antique
Mirror, Mahogany, Pine
Early 19th Century Spanish Louis XVI Secretaire Desk Antique
Hardwood
19th Century Indonesian Secretaire Desk Antique
Wood
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaire Desk Antique
Wood
Late 19th Century Louis XV Secretaire Desk Antique
Wood
18th Century Dutch Secretaire Desk Antique
Brass, Bronze
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Secretaire Desk Antique
Leather, Glass, Mahogany
Early 19th Century French Biedermeier Secretaire Desk Antique
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Secretaire Desk Antique
Brass, Ormolu
1820s German Biedermeier Secretaire Desk Antique
Brass
18th Century Secretaire Desk Antique
Oak
1890s Empire Secretaire Desk Antique
Wood, Mahogany
19th Century English Secretaire Desk Antique
Brass
1820s Austrian Empire Secretaire Desk Antique
Wood, Lacquer
Early 19th Century Danish Secretaire Desk Antique
Wood
1880s French Napoleon III Secretaire Desk Antique
Brass
Early 20th Century European Sheraton Secretaire Desk Antique
Walnut
Early 19th Century French Biedermeier Secretaire Desk Antique
Bronze
1730s Indonesian Dutch Colonial Secretaire Desk Antique
Brass
Early 19th Century American Federal Secretaire Desk Antique
Glass, Mahogany
1890s Italian Neoclassical Revival Secretaire Desk Antique
Walnut
1920s Czech Art Deco Secretaire Desk Antique
Wood, Lacquer, Rosewood
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaire Desk Antique
Pine
Late 19th Century Italian Baroque Revival Secretaire Desk Antique
Walnut
19th Century English Chinese Chippendale Secretaire Desk Antique
Bamboo, Wood
Early 20th Century Spanish Colonial Secretaire Desk Antique
Walnut
Early 1900s Danish Napoleon III Secretaire Desk Antique
Brass, Bronze, Ormolu
Early 19th Century French Empire Secretaire Desk Antique
Bronze
Early 19th Century Italian Baroque Revival Secretaire Desk Antique
Walnut, Burl
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Secretaire Desk Antique
Bronze
Early 1900s Louis XVI Secretaire Desk Antique
Burl
Late 18th Century German Louis XVI Secretaire Desk Antique
Maple, Oak, Walnut
1920s French Napoleon III Secretaire Desk Antique
Wood
Early 19th Century French French Provincial Secretaire Desk Antique
Fruitwood
Late 18th Century Swedish Baroque Secretaire Desk Antique
Glass, Wood
19th Century English Biedermeier Secretaire Desk Antique
Marble
19th Century English Secretaire Desk Antique
Bronze
Mid-19th Century English Secretaire Desk Antique
Wood
Early 1900s English Late Victorian Secretaire Desk Antique
Hardwood
19th Century French Empire Secretaire Desk Antique
Bronze
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Secretaire Desk Antique
Nickel
1830s French Louis XV Secretaire Desk Antique
Bronze
1790s French Louis XVI Secretaire Desk Antique
Walnut
Mid-19th Century Swedish Secretaire Desk Antique
Wood
1760s English Georgian Secretaire Desk Antique
Leather, Oak
18th Century Spanish Secretaire Desk Antique
Walnut
Mid-18th Century Dutch Rococo Secretaire Desk Antique
Mahogany, Satinwood, Kingwood, Tulipwood
Early 1900s English Edwardian Secretaire Desk Antique
Walnut
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Secretaire Desk Antique For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Secretaire Desk Antique?
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.
- What is an antique Davenport desk?2 Answers1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022An antique Davenport desk is a small writing desk, usually with four drawers on one side. The desk would have elaborately decorated supports and a recessed space for adequate legroom. Shop a collection of Davenport desks from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A Davenport desk is a type of small desk with a distinct inclined desktop. The desktop covers a large storage compartment meant for keeping paper and other writing materials. Popular in the 19th century, Davenport desks are still sought after today. On 1stDibs, you’ll find a collection of antique Davenport desks from some of the world’s top sellers.
- What are antique desks called?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023What antique desks are called depends on their design. A desk with chair cutouts on both sides is a partner desk, while one with a pull-down writing surface is a secretary. On a Davenport desk, the desktop lifts to reveal a storage area. Find a variety of antique, vintage and contemporary desks on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022To tell if a roll-top desk is an antique, look closely at the materials. Real antiques feature hardwoods like cherry, mahogany and black walnut. If you detect the use of engineered woods, the desk is a reproduction. Also, early pieces show off irregular dovetail joints. Joints that appear perfectly uniform indicate that a roll-top desk is a more recent mass-produced piece. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of expertly vetted antique roll-top desks.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A variety of factors can determine the exact age of an antique roll top desk. Some things to look for is the type of wood and craftsmanship used to create the desk. Typically, older desks will be made from heavier wood. You can also check for a maker’s marks to determine the age. When in doubt, work with a certified appraiser to determine the authenticity of your roll top desk. You’ll find a variety of expertly vetted roll top desks 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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