Secretaires
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Secretaires
Ebony, Mahogany, Rosewood, Satinwood
1860s French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Carrara Marble, Brass, Bronze
1720s English George I Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1960s Slovak Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood, Oak
Mid-20th Century Industrial Secretaires
Metal
Late 18th Century French Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Wood
Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Wood
18th Century German Baroque Antique Secretaires
Nutwood, Walnut, Pine
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Teak
18th Century English George I Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1770s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Kingwood, Satinwood
19th Century British Victorian Antique Secretaires
Brass
1770s German Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 19th Century Empire Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Ormolu
19th Century French Directoire Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Secretaires
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
19th Century Czech Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Late 18th Century French Baroque Antique Secretaires
Cherry
1790s Danish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 1800s Austrian Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Cherry
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 19th Century Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
20th Century English Campaign Secretaires
Brass
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Wood, Paint
Early 1800s French Regency Antique Secretaires
Metal
Late 17th Century Dutch Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Mahogany, Oak
18th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Wood
1780s German Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Maple, Rosewood, Walnut
1780s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Kingwood, Yew
Late 19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Brass, Ormolu
1840s Danish Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Wood, Rosewood, Walnut, Softwood
Early 18th Century European Louis XIV Antique Secretaires
Bronze
18th Century British Georgian Antique Secretaires
Oak
Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Metal
1780s German Empire Antique Secretaires
Wood, Nutwood
19th Century English Victorian Antique Secretaires
Ormolu
19th Century English Regency Antique Secretaires
Brass
1850s French Antique Secretaires
Ash, Elm, Walnut
Mid-20th Century French French Provincial Secretaires
Brass
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Bronze
Mid-20th Century American Rococo Secretaires
1840s German Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 19th Century French Antique Secretaires
Marble
1750s German Baroque Antique Secretaires
Walnut
19th Century German Baroque Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 18th Century Dutch Neoclassical Revival Antique Secretaires
Brass
20th Century Empire Secretaires
Bronze
2010s Egyptian Secretaires
Brass
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
Late 20th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires
Metal
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Oak
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires
Wood, Paint
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Palisander
1950s European Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Maple
2010s Indian Other Secretaires
Metal, Sheet Metal
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.





