Secretaires
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
1960s Italian Vintage Secretaires
Walnut
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Elm, Walnut
17th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Brass
19th Century French Antique Secretaires
Wood, Paint
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood
Late 18th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Brass, Iron
18th Century German French Provincial Antique Secretaires
Softwood
Mid-18th Century German Baroque Antique Secretaires
Brass
1940s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Secretaires
Brass
Early 19th Century Antique Secretaires
Brass, Copper
19th Century English Campaign Antique Secretaires
Brass
Mid-20th Century Rustic Secretaires
Pine
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Secretaires
Brass
Early 1900s Italian Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Early 20th Century American Jacobean Secretaires
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Rosewood
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires
Pine
18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Secretaires
Brass, Iron
Early 19th Century European Antique Secretaires
Brass
1810s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Birch, Mahogany, Maple
Mid-20th Century Unknown French Provincial Secretaires
Wood
2010s Italian Other Secretaires
Wood
Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Secretaires
Wood, Walnut
19th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires
Wood, Pine
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Brass
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass
Late 20th Century North American Chippendale Secretaires
Burl
1850s French Empire Antique Secretaires
Bronze
1960s Swedish Vintage Secretaires
Brass
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Metal
Early 18th Century English William and Mary Antique Secretaires
Olive
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Pine
19th Century British Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires
Brass
18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass
19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 19th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1790s American Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Late 20th Century American George III Secretaires
Hardwood
1880s British Antique Secretaires
Brass
1780s Italian Rococo Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Mirror, Maple, Walnut
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
Early 19th Century German Empire Antique Secretaires
Ormolu
1780s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Mahogany, Satinwood
Early 19th Century Swedish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Oak, Paint
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass
1760s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Kingwood, Rosewood
Early 19th Century American Federal Antique Secretaires
Glass, Mahogany
Early 20th Century Secretaires
Macassar
1880s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Bronze
2010s French Neoclassical Secretaires
Leather, Wood, Cherry, Lacquer
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Leather, Walnut
2010s Italian Other Secretaires
Wood
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.





