Secretaires
19th Century Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Secretaires
Metal
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires
Wood
1780s German Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Brass
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass
Early 20th Century Italian Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood
18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires
Oak
Mid-18th Century Swiss Baroque Antique Secretaires
Oak, Yew
Early 20th Century American Edwardian Secretaires
Maple, Oak
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 19th Century French Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Oak
1940s English Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Oak
1920s Dutch Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Cut Glass, Ebony, Burl
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
1840s Danish Mid-Century Modern Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1960s French Vintage Secretaires
Brass
1880s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Marble, Ormolu
1950s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Sycamore, Oak
19th Century Antique Secretaires
Brass
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Marble, Bronze, Gold Leaf
Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Secretaires
Oak
Mid-18th Century French Rococo Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Early 19th Century English Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1870s French Renaissance Revival Antique Secretaires
Oak
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Secretaires
Wood, Lacquer, Mirror
1920s Italian Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Metal
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass
Late 18th Century Swedish Baroque Antique Secretaires
Bronze
18th Century English Queen Anne Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Secretaires
Oak
1960s Austrian Biedermeier Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1760s German Baroque Antique Secretaires
Walnut
18th Century Italian Antique Secretaires
Ash, Walnut
Late 18th Century Classical Roman Antique Secretaires
Wood, Oak, Walnut
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
Early 1800s French Empire Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Metal
18th Century Antique Secretaires
Glass, Wood
Late 19th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1960s Italian Louis XV Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1730s Indonesian Dutch Colonial Antique Secretaires
Brass
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood, Palisander
1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Rosewood
19th Century American Country Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 19th Century English Gothic Revival Antique Secretaires
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Wood, Ash, Lacquer
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Walnut
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Metal
19th Century English Victorian Antique Secretaires
Marble, Brass, Ormolu
19th Century Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
18th Century Danish Antique Secretaires
Pine
20th Century American French Provincial Secretaires
Brass
18th Century British Georgian Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
2010s French Neoclassical Secretaires
Leather, Wood, Cherry, Lacquer
19th Century English Georgian Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century Antique Secretaires
Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Late 20th Century American Secretaires
Steel
Early 20th Century Swedish Regency Secretaires
Brass
Antique, New and Vintage Secretaires
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.





