Secretaires
18th Century Italian Rococo Antique Secretaires
Mirror, Walnut
Early 20th Century Unknown Other Secretaires
Mahogany
1880s French Napoleon III Antique Secretaires
Brass
1790s Dutch Baroque Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1780s English George III Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Early 20th Century Victorian Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 18th Century German Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Maple, Oak, Walnut
1950s Danish Rococo Vintage Secretaires
Brass
18th Century British Georgian Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass
1780s English Sheraton Antique Secretaires
Satinwood
Late 18th Century Swedish Baroque Antique Secretaires
Glass, Wood
1950s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Sycamore, Walnut
1960s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Glass, Teak
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Walnut
Late 18th Century Danish Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Oak
1820s Swedish Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Softwood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
1920s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Birch
1940s American Georgian Vintage Secretaires
Mirror, Walnut
1810s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Birch, Mahogany, Maple
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Wood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Secretaires
Glass, Wood
Late 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Teak
Late 19th Century American Victorian Antique Secretaires
Glass, Wood, Walnut
1880s French Art Nouveau Antique Secretaires
Nutwood
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Bronze
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Brass, Chrome
Late 19th Century English Campaign Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 18th Century Austrian Baroque Antique Secretaires
Brass
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Leather, Birch, Cherry
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Cherry
2010s American Chinoiserie Secretaires
Wood, Lacquer
1810s French Empire Antique Secretaires
Marble, Bronze
Early 18th Century Baroque Antique Secretaires
Maple, Olive
Late 19th Century Federal Antique Secretaires
Leather, Glass, Mahogany
2010s French Secretaires
Leather, Walnut
Mid-20th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Bronze
Early 19th Century German Empire Antique Secretaires
Ash
Early 1900s Danish Scandinavian Modern Antique Secretaires
Pine
Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Cherry, Walnut
Late 18th Century Swedish Baroque Antique Secretaires
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chippendale Secretaires
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Wood, Ash, Lacquer
20th Century American Queen Anne Secretaires
Brass
Early 20th Century American Jacobean Secretaires
Brass
1930s Argentine Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Wood
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Teak
Mid-19th Century Unknown George III Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
18th Century Swedish Antique Secretaires
Pine
Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Glass, Pine
19th Century English Campaign Antique Secretaires
Brass
Early 19th Century British Regency Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Wood
1790s American Federal Antique Secretaires
Birch, Mahogany
Early 1900s English Adam Style Antique Secretaires
Satinwood
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Late 18th Century Danish Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Late 19th Century American Federal Antique Secretaires
Cherry
1860s French Directoire Antique Secretaires
Mahogany, Satinwood
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.





