Secretary 18th Century Mahogany
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Secretaires
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Secretaires
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century and Earlier British George III Desks
Antique 18th Century and Earlier British Chippendale Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Bookcases
Antique Late 18th Century English George III Secretaires
Antique 18th Century and Earlier American Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Neoclassical Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century and Earlier American Secretaires
Mahogany, Poplar
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Secretaires
Mahogany, Maple
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Bookcases
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Late 18th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century and Earlier English George III Secretaires
Brass
Antique 18th Century and Earlier American Secretaires
Brass
Antique Late 18th Century English George III Secretaires
Brass
Antique 1780s English George III Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Late 18th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Brass
Antique Late 18th Century English Chippendale Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Late 18th Century American Federal Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Late 18th Century English George III Bookcases
Mahogany, Giltwood
Antique 18th Century and Earlier British Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Mid-18th Century English George III Secretaires
Kingwood, Mahogany
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Secretaires
Brass
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
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Secretary 18th Century Mahogany For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Secretary 18th Century Mahogany?
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, 2022Yes, wedding rings have a long history, stretching back to ancient Egypt. The first diamond engagement ring was created in 1477 by Archduke Maximillian of Austria. Browse a wide array of vintage and contemporary wedding rings on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022In the 18th century, art changed in style from Baroque to Rococo and Neoclassicism. Art became more ornamented and idealized during the Rococo period and then shifted toward a style that emulated the artwork of ancient Greece and Rome near the end of the century. You’ll find a variety of fine art on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 13, 2024To identify 18th-century furniture, you can research your piece in the context of the prevailing styles of the period or consult a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer. To identify your item on your own, look over it for maker's marks, such as carvings, stamps, brands and labels. Researching the marking can help you determine the maker of your piece, and from there, you can search further to learn more about your particular item. Without a maker's mark, the best approach is to consider the characteristics of the dominant furniture styles during the 18th century. In England, these included William and Mary, Queen Anne, Georgian, Chippendale, Hepplewhite and Sheraton. Some French furniture styles of the 1700s include Louis XV, Louis XVI and Régence. Find a diverse assortment of 18th-century furniture on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022One way to check if your brass candlesticks are from the 18th century is to look for the two seams running lengthwise on either side. This is from when the candlestick was molded in two halves and then soldered together. You’ll find a variety of candlesticks of all shapes and sizes from some of the top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertJanuary 10, 2025The individuals considered the Big Three of 18th-century cartoons are William Hogarth, James Gillray and George Cruikshank. Although the 18th century saw a widespread increase in illustrations in newspapers, these three illustrators were particularly well-known for their work. Hogarth's work was extremely diverse, ranging from serious, realistic paintings and portraits to satirical and moralistic illustrations filled with symbolism. A British caricaturist, Gillray is remembered today for his artworks representing political and social satires, like his political cartoons against George III of England. Despite being a prolific caricaturist, Cruikshank is now most famous for illustrating the works of Charles Dickens. On 1stDibs, find a wide variety of illustrations.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022At the end of the 17th century, Europe went into a frenzy over porcelain. Asian porcelain was highly sought after, and spurred the foundation of the Meissen factory in France, where hard porcelain went on to be made. You’ll find a large collection of porcelain pieces from many of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
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