Secretary Cabinets
Antique Early 1900s American Victorian Secretaires
Oak
Vintage 1970s American Rococo Revival Secretaires
Walnut
Antique Early 18th Century Italian Louis XIV Secretaires
Fir
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Wood, Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Secretaires
Rosewood
Antique 18th Century English George III Bookcases
Bronze
Antique 19th Century English Bookcases
Wood
Vintage 1980s Louis XVI Secretaires
Antique 18th Century American Chippendale Secretaires
Maple
Late 20th Century Unknown Regency Secretaires
Glass, Laminate
Vintage 1980s American Georgian Bookcases
Brass
20th Century Unknown Georgian Bookcases
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Louis Philippe Secretaires
Walnut
Antique 1780s French French Provincial Secretaires
Walnut
Vintage 1950s Italian Secretaires
Brass
Antique Late 18th Century English Sheraton Bookcases
Mahogany, Satinwood
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Pine
Antique 1780s English Chippendale Secretaires
Brass
Antique Late 18th Century Dutch Louis XVI Secretaires
Satinwood
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Wood, Ash, Lacquer
Vintage 1940s French Louis XVI Secretaires
Marble, Bronze
Antique Mid-18th Century Danish Rococo Secretaires
Bronze
Antique Late 19th Century American Chippendale Desks
Brass
Mid-20th Century Art Deco Wardrobes and Armoires
Mirror, Oak, Walnut
Antique 1880s French Napoleon III Secretaires
Bronze
Antique 1880s French Louis XVI Secretaires
Bronze
Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Secretaires
Burl
Antique Early 1900s Italian Neoclassical Secretaires
Brass
Vintage 1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Rosewood
Antique 18th Century Swedish Secretaires
Wood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Louis XV Secretaires
Cherry
Antique Early 1800s French Louis XVI Secretaires
Carrara Marble
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Wood
Antique 19th Century German Secretaires
Burl
Antique Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Secretaires
Brass
Antique 1770s English Chippendale Secretaires
Brass
Antique 18th Century English George III Secretaires
Brass
20th Century American Federal Secretaires
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century European Secretaires
Brass
Early 20th Century American Federal Desks
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Unknown French Provincial Secretaires
Wood
Antique 1770s English Chippendale Secretaires
Brass
Antique 18th Century Italian Louis XV Desks
Brass
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Secretaires
Bronze
Antique 1860s Italian Moorish Secretaires
Wood
Early 20th Century Swedish Regency Secretaires
Brass
Early 20th Century Spanish Colonial Secretaires
Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Empire Secretaires
Birch
Antique Early 18th Century English George I Secretaires
Walnut
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Desks
Teak
Antique Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Birch, Pine, Walnut
20th Century American Federal Secretaires
Brass
Early 20th Century Italian Futurist Shelves
Elm, Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Brass, Ormolu
2010s French Neoclassical Secretaires
Leather, Wood, Cherry, Lacquer
Antique 1780s English Chippendale Secretaires
Brass
Antique Mid-18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Metal, Bronze
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Secretary Cabinets For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Secretary Cabinets?
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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