Secretaires
Mid-19th Century French Louis Philippe Antique Secretaires
Leather, Walnut
Late 19th Century British Georgian Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 19th Century European Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 19th Century Austrian Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Brass
18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Secretaires
Brass, Iron
1950s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood, Elm
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Secretaires
Wood, Walnut
Mid-19th Century Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Pine
Late 18th Century Danish Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Oak
1790s American Federal Antique Secretaires
Birch, Mahogany
Early 19th Century American Federal Antique Secretaires
Glass, Mahogany
1780s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Mahogany, Satinwood
1880s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Bronze
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Pine
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass
Mid-18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Metal, Bronze
1960s Italian Vintage Secretaires
Walnut
Early 18th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Pine, Walnut
1930s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
1880s British Antique Secretaires
Brass
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
18th Century British Georgian Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1760s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Kingwood, Rosewood
20th Century American French Provincial Secretaires
Brass
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass
18th Century English Georgian Antique Secretaires
Satin, Mahogany
18th Century English George III Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Teak
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Metal
1770s Italian Directoire Antique Secretaires
Cherry, Maple, Walnut
Early 19th Century Antique Secretaires
Brass, Copper
1920s Italian Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Metal
Mid-19th Century American Victorian Antique Secretaires
Birdseye Maple, Walnut
18th Century European Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Bronze
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Birch
1910s Dutch Dutch Colonial Vintage Secretaires
Wood
18th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires
Pine
18th Century Antique Secretaires
Birch
1750s French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Iron
19th Century Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
Late 19th Century Spanish Baroque Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1770s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Kingwood, Satinwood
19th Century Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 18th Century Danish Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Brass
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Oak
Late 19th Century Dutch Antique Secretaires
Satinwood
1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Steel, Nickel
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Early 20th Century Secretaires
Macassar
Early 19th Century Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Brass
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Wood, Pine, Paint
Late 20th Century North American Chippendale Secretaires
Burl
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.





