Secretaires
19th Century French Regency Antique Secretaires
Brass, Steel
Late 19th Century English Aesthetic Movement Antique Secretaires
Brass
1810s Danish Empire Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
18th Century European Baroque Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Rosewood
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Pine, Paint
19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Bronze
20th Century French Art Deco Secretaires
Rosewood
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Wood, Ash, Lacquer
Mid-18th Century Danish Baroque Antique Secretaires
Bronze
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Cane, Mahogany
1850s French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Wood, Ash, Lacquer
1950s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass
19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Bronze
Late 19th Century Italian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Fruitwood, Walnut, Wood
Late 18th Century French Antique Secretaires
Marble, Brass
Early 20th Century Scandinavian Secretaires
Brass
Early 2000s American Baroque Secretaires
Glass, Wood
1980s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
19th Century Georgian Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires
Oak
19th Century Sheraton Antique Secretaires
Glass, Satinwood
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Secretaires
Leather, Glass, Mahogany
1750s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Bronze
Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Secretaires
Walnut, Mirror
1810s Austrian Empire Antique Secretaires
Bronze
1880s French Antique Secretaires
Wood
1820s Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Brass, Gold Leaf
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Birch, Rosewood
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Secretaires
Leather, Ash
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Oak
Mid-18th Century German Baroque Antique Secretaires
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Wood, Ash, Lacquer
Late 20th Century American American Craftsman Secretaires
Wood
1920s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1860s European Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Brass
20th Century Biedermeier Secretaires
Wood, Pine
1830s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Bronze
Early 20th Century Italian Baroque Secretaires
Mirror, Walnut
Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Wood
19th Century Russian Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Marble, Ormolu
2010s Portuguese Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Oak
19th Century German Antique Secretaires
Maple
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany, Walnut
19th Century French Antique Secretaires
Bronze
1890s Italian Baroque Revival Antique Secretaires
Wood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Marble
Late 19th Century Swedish Country Antique Secretaires
Pine
19th Century British Antique Secretaires
Hardwood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Sycamore
1910s Italian Louis XV Vintage Secretaires
Walnut
1750s Swiss Baroque Antique Secretaires
Walnut
20th Century Biedermeier Secretaires
Wood, Maple, Pine
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Metal
Early 19th Century English George III Antique Secretaires
Mirror, Wood, Lacquer
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.





