Secretaires
Early 18th Century English George I Antique Secretaires
Metal
1870s American Federal Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Late 18th Century Rococo Antique Secretaires
Brass
20th Century Hollywood Regency Secretaires
Malachite, Brass
Late 19th Century Italian Louis XIV Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1810s Scandinavian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
1940s Italian Rococo Revival Vintage Secretaires
Brass
Early 18th Century English George I Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1960s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Secretaires
Metal, Brass
Mid-19th Century Dutch Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Oak, Bone
Mid-20th Century American Country Secretaires
Brass
2010s American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood, Lacquer
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Bronze
1940s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Secretaires
Brass
19th Century English Georgian Antique Secretaires
Brass
1920s Italian Neoclassical Revival Vintage Secretaires
Walnut
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Brass, Iron
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Mid-19th Century American Victorian Antique Secretaires
Birdseye Maple, Walnut
19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Maple
Late 19th Century Renaissance Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Marble, Brass
Early 1900s Danish Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Brass, Bronze, Ormolu
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
1950s Italian Rococo Revival Vintage Secretaires
Walnut
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood
Late 19th Century Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Mid-18th Century Danish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass
Mid-18th Century Danish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Bronze
Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Secretaires
Wood
Mid-19th Century European Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Baize, Mahogany
Early 20th Century Late Victorian Secretaires
Glass, Oak
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Marble, Bronze
17th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1970s American Chinoiserie Vintage Secretaires
Brass
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Cherry
1960s Italian Vintage Secretaires
Walnut
Mid-18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Metal, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Other Secretaires
Wood
Early 19th Century Federal Antique Secretaires
Glass, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese George II Secretaires
Wood
Late 19th Century Austrian Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 18th Century English Sheraton Antique Secretaires
Mahogany, Satinwood
19th Century French Antique Secretaires
Wood, Paint
Mid-18th Century German Baroque Antique Secretaires
Brass
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
Early 19th Century Antique Secretaires
Brass, Copper
18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Secretaires
Brass, Iron
Mid-20th Century Rustic Secretaires
Pine
18th Century British George II Antique Secretaires
Walnut, Burl
19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires
Pine
Early 1900s Italian Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass
Early 19th Century English William and Mary Antique Secretaires
Wood
Mid-19th Century Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Bronze
Early 19th Century European Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique 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.





