Secretaires
19th Century Antique Secretaires
Mahogany
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Secretaires
Bronze
Early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Teak
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Secretaires
Glass, Wood
1820s Baltic Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Pewter
20th Century American Country Secretaires
Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Wood
1790s American Hepplewhite Antique Secretaires
Brass
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Metal
1780s French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Marble
Late 18th Century Chinoiserie Antique Secretaires
Wood, Glass
1820s French Charles X Antique Secretaires
Leather, Mahogany
19th Century European Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Burl
19th Century French Antique Secretaires
Walnut
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Mahogany, Amboyna
Early 1800s French Directoire Antique Secretaires
Marble, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary North American Louis XV Secretaires
Wood
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Secretaires
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Wood
Mid-19th Century Dutch Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Oak, Bone
1950s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Brass
Late 19th Century French French Provincial Antique Secretaires
Wood
1930s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Rosewood
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
Early 20th Century Italian Victorian Secretaires
Wood, Paint
Mid-19th Century English Regency Antique Secretaires
Mahogany, Rosewood
18th Century Baroque Antique Secretaires
Bronze
1890s Italian Neoclassical Revival Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Secretaires
Metal, Chrome
1840s European Antique Secretaires
Elm
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
Wood
18th Century English Chippendale Antique Secretaires
Brass
18th Century European Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Iron
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Ash, Walnut
Early 19th Century German Empire Antique Secretaires
Walnut
18th Century Spanish Rococo Antique Secretaires
Wood, Walnut
1860s English Gothic Revival Antique Secretaires
Oak
1950s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Secretaires
Teak
1780s French French Provincial Antique Secretaires
Walnut
Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass
2010s American Modern Secretaires
Brass, Steel
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Glass
1950s Danish Rococo Vintage Secretaires
Brass
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Secretaires
Kingwood, Satinwood
Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Secretaires
Wood
1970s American Rococo Revival Vintage Secretaires
Walnut
Late 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Metal, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese George III Secretaires
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century Swedish Rustic Antique Secretaires
Pine, Paint
Early 18th Century English George II Antique Secretaires
Walnut, Cedar
Early 19th Century Russian Neoclassical Antique Secretaires
Ormolu
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Secretaires
Pine
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Ash
1960s Italian Vintage Secretaires
Wood
Early 18th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Pine, Walnut
18th Century Italian Antique Secretaires
Iron
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Secretaires
Carrara Marble, Bronze
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Secretaires
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.





