Secretaires
Mid-20th Century American Edwardian Secretaires
Walnut
1890s English Moorish Antique Secretaires
Walnut
20th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Wood
18th Century English George I Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Teak
1780s English George III Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 18th Century European Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Oak
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Carrara Marble, Bronze
Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Maple
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Wood, Ash, Lacquer
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass, Steel
20th Century Biedermeier Secretaires
Wood, Maple
Mid-20th Century Dutch Louis XVI Secretaires
Wood
1780s English Campaign Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Metal
Late 19th Century Italian Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Brass
Mid-19th Century American George III Antique Secretaires
Glass, Walnut
1810s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Late 18th Century Danish Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Bronze
1960s Danish Vintage Secretaires
Wood
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Walnut, Spruce
19th Century Unknown Empire Antique Secretaires
Bronze, Ormolu
1810s French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Marble, Brass
Mid-18th Century Dutch Rococo Antique Secretaires
Mahogany, Satinwood, Kingwood, Tulipwood
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century Russian Antique Secretaires
1890s English Adam Style Antique Secretaires
Satinwood
19th Century Antique Secretaires
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Wood, Ash, Lacquer
19th Century German Antique Secretaires
Burl
1720s European Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Brass
19th Century European Regency Antique Secretaires
Other
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Secretaires
Satinwood, Walnut
1960s American French Provincial Vintage Secretaires
Brass
1920s Italian Vintage Secretaires
Wood
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Pine
Early 20th Century European Sheraton Secretaires
Walnut
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Ormolu, Bronze
1780s English Georgian Antique Secretaires
Oak
18th Century and Earlier American Chippendale Antique Secretaires
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Bronze
1770s American Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 19th Century Swedish Renaissance Revival Antique Secretaires
Pewter
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Kingwood
1960s Italian Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1960s English Vintage Secretaires
Wood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
Late 19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 19th Century English Sheraton Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 18th Century French Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Bronze
1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Steel
Late 19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1940s American Vintage Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 18th Century Danish Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Mahogany, Fruitwood
Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Secretaires
Wood, Walnut
1980s Philippine Greek Revival Vintage Secretaires
Marble, Brass
1850s Swedish Renaissance Revival Antique Secretaires
Walnut
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.





