What era are secretary desks from?

Secretary desks originated in the early 18th century. They were typically used by secretaries and clerks and featured plenty of compacted drawers for stationary storage. On 1stDibs, find a collection of secretary desks from some of the world’s top sellers.

How much is my antique secretary desk worth?

An antique secretary desk will range in value depending on its authenticity and condition. The price can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. On 1stDibs find the antique secretary desk you’re looking for today.

Why are secretary desks called that?

A secretary desk is called by its name because of its original function. When the desks first emerged in 19th-century France, the secretaries of estates used them to conduct business. Once they finished paying bills and reconciling accounts, they could raise the hinged writing surface and close the desk. Secretary desks are the workstations of choice in many busy households, especially those with spaces pulling double duty as offices by day and living rooms, dining rooms or bedrooms at night. On 1stDibs, shop an array of secretary desks.

How does a secretary desk work?

A secretary desk works with the help of hinges that secure the writing surface to the rest of the piece. To use one, you simply pull down on the wooden door to open the hinge and lower the writing surface. Return the desk to its closed position by lifting the writing surface up. You'll find a selection of secretary desks on 1stDibs.

How do I date an antique secretary?

To date an antique secretary desk, start by determining the type of hinge used to secure the writing surface. Consult an authoritative resource to find out which furniture makers worked with that type of hinge. You can also look for the name of the manufacturer on the back or bottom of the piece. Find a range of expertly vetted antique secretaries on 1stDibs.

What is an antique Davenport desk?

An antique Davenport desk is a small writing desk, usually with four drawers on one side. The desk would have elaborately decorated supports and a recessed space for adequate legroom. Shop a collection of Davenport desks from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

What are antique desks called?

What antique desks are called depends on their design. A desk with chair cutouts on both sides is a partner desk, while one with a pull-down writing surface is a secretary. On a Davenport desk, the desktop lifts to reveal a storage area. Find a variety of antique, vintage and contemporary desks on 1stDibs.

What's the difference between an antique desk and a vintage desk?

Antique desks are generally 100 years or older, while vintage desks are at least 20 years old and often reflect a specific design era.

How do I know if my roll top desk is antique?

To tell if a roll-top desk is an antique, look closely at the materials. Real antiques feature hardwoods like cherry, mahogany and black walnut. If you detect the use of engineered woods, the desk is a reproduction. Also, early pieces show off irregular dovetail joints. Joints that appear perfectly uniform indicate that a roll-top desk is a more recent mass-produced piece. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of expertly vetted antique roll-top desks.

How do I know if my antique roll top desk?

A variety of factors can determine the exact age of an antique roll top desk. Some things to look for is the type of wood and craftsmanship used to create the desk. Typically, older desks will be made from heavier wood. You can also check for a maker’s marks to determine the age. When in doubt, work with a certified appraiser to determine the authenticity of your roll top desk. You’ll find a variety of expertly vetted roll top desks on 1stDibs.

What's the difference between a general antique desk and a mid-century modern desk?

Any desk at least 20 years old falls under this broader category, while a mid-century modern desk specifically features the tapered legs and clean lines of 1940s-1960s design.

Antique Secretary Desks

Wood Secretaries Desk

19th Century Mahogany Secretary

Louis Xv Secretary

Painted Secretary

Biedermeier Secretary

English Secretary

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Secretary Desks

Materials

Copper

Baker Furniture Style Hepplewhite Mahogany Secretary Desk, Circa 1920s

$3,295

Baker Furniture Style Hepplewhite Mahogany Secretary Desk, Circa 1920s

By Baker Furniture Company

Located in South Bend, IN

An exceptional Hepplewhite or Federal style tambour door secretary desk with bookcase hutch In the manner of Baker Furniture By The Maddox Table Company USA, Circa 1920s Mahogany...

Category

1920s American Hepplewhite Antique Secretary Desks

Materials

Brass

Stickley Brothers Style Antique Mission Arts & Crafts Mahogany Secretary Desk

$2,995

$1,995

$2,995

Stickley Brothers Style Antique Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Secretary Desk

By Stickley Brothers

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous antique Mission or Arts & Crafts period drop front secretary desk or writing desk with bookcase hutch top In the manner of Stickley Brothers USA, Circa 1910 Carved quar...

Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Secretary Desks

Materials

Brass

$12,793Sale Price|20% Off

18th century Rococo Secretary Desk, Germany 1750

Located in Leimen, DE

Exquisite Antique Rococo Secretary Desk, Germany, c. 1750 A true collector’s gem, this Rococo secretary desk from Germany, circa 1750, embodies 18th-century elegance and craftsmanship.

Category

1750s German Rococo Antique Secretary Desks

Materials

Kingwood

Louis XVI Secretary Desk, France, 1780-1800

$8,800

Louis XVI Secretary Desk, France, 1780-1800

Located in Belmont, MA

Exquisite Louis XVI Secretary Desk – France, c. 1780-1800 This stunning Louis XVI secretary desk, crafted in France between 1780 and 1800, is a masterpiece of 18th-century craftsman...

Category

1780s French Louis XVI Antique Secretary Desks

Materials

Kingwood, Rosewood

Early Gustav Stickley Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Secretary Desk, Circa 1902

$3,995

Early Gustav Stickley Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Secretary Desk, Circa 1902

By Gustav Stickley

Located in South Bend, IN

A rare and exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts period quarter sawn oak drop front secretary desk By Gustav Stickley USA, Circa 1902 Measures: 25.75"W x 15"D x 47"H.

Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Secretary Desks

Materials

Oak

$5,500

Gustav Stickley Antique Mission Oak Arts & Crafts Secretary Desk, Circa 1902

By Gustav Stickley

Located in South Bend, IN

A rare and exceptional antique Mission or Arts & Crafts period "Chalet" drop front secretary desk By Gustav Stickley USA, Circa 1902 Gorgeous quarter sawn oak, with brass studded...

Category

Early 1900s American Arts and Crafts Antique Secretary Desks

Materials

Materials

Mahogany

Chippendale Secretary/Desk

Unavailable

Unavailable

H 54.53 in W 30.71 in D 14.77 in

French Secretary Desk, Jean-Georges SCHLICHTIG, Master from 1765

By Jean-Georges Schlichtig

Located in Wien, AT

Louis XVI period, c. 1780, oakwood body, veneered with rosewood and amaranth, and with various, with marquetry panels, ornamental motifs and lattice pattern with partly dyed precious...

Category

1780s French Louis XVI Antique Secretary Desks

Materials

Marble

Biedermeier Secretary Desk from the First Half XIX Century Veneered Flame Birch

Unavailable

Unavailable

Unavailable

H 53 in W 37.5 in D 19.5 in

19th Century French Empire Secretary

Located in Washington, DC

French Empire secretary in cherry with architectural interior and ebonized columns with bronze doré fittings.

Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Secretary Desks

Secretary of Louis XV, Stamped by Jean Baptiste Saunier, 18th Century

Unavailable

Unavailable

H 46 in W 53.5 in D 27.25 in

Neoclassical Mahogany Pedestal Base Secretary or Desk by Stephen Smith, Boston

By Stephen Smith

Located in Andover, MA

It serves as a standing or sitting desk having a secretary drawer opening to a fitted interior.

Category

1830s American American Empire Antique Secretary Desks

Materials

Ash, Baize, Mahogany, Poplar

18th century Italian Secretary

Unavailable

H 96 in W 44.75 in D 26 in

18th century Italian Secretary

Located in Atlanta, GA

Painted and gilded Italian Secretary, drop leaf desk over 3 drawers with 2door upper cabinet

Category

18th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Secretary Desks

Near Pair of Secretary Bookcases

Unavailable

H 93 in W 41 in D 20.25 in

Near Pair of Secretary Bookcases

Located in Stamford, CT

A near pair of English Regency secretary bookcases with rosewood, ebony, mahogany and satinwood inlays having glass doors above and secretary fall front desk with two doors revealing...

Category

19th Century English Antique Secretary Desks

Materials

Rosewood, Ebony, Mahogany, Satinwood

Antique English Mahogany Secretary Bookcase

Unavailable

H 74 in W 29 in D 16.25 in

Antique English Mahogany Secretary Bookcase

Located in Charleston, SC

English Mahogany Secretary Bookcase with slant front desk and leather writing surface and fitted interior.

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Late 18th Century English Oak Joint Stool

$1,595

H 22.25 in W 18.5 in D 12 in

Late 18th Century English Oak Joint Stool

Located in High Point, NC

Late 18th century George III period oak joint stool from England. The top is made from a single board and has a beveled edge. This follows down to carved decorated aprons on the fr...

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Late 18th Century English George III Antique Secretary Desks

Materials

Oak

French Sconces Wall Lamps with Brass & Clear Holophane Glass

$257 / item

H 8.67 in W 5.52 in D 9.45 in

French Sconces Wall Lamps with Brass & Clear Holophane Glass

Located in Amsterdam, NL

French sconce, wall lamp Heavy clear reeded Holophane glass. Brass wall piece and arm diameter brass wall mount: 10 cm / 3.93” 3 holes to secure E14 bulb holder Weight: 1.20 kg / ...

Category

Mid-20th Century French Industrial Antique Secretary Desks

Materials

Brass

$959 / item

Sold|~~$3,655~~

H 19.3 in W 20.87 in D 19.3 in L 31.5 in

square Lothar Klute design forged bronze coffee table with cast glass

By Lothar Klute

Located in Saarbrücken, SL

beautiful Lothar Klute design table with thick cast glass. excellent condition reference:GD3

Category

1980s German Brutalist Antique Secretary Desks

Materials

Bronze

Antique French Beauvais Tapestry from the Late 17th Century

$8,200

$3,600

H 29.5 in W 22 in D 16.5 in

1907 Viennese Josef Hoffmann for Thonet Fledermaus Chair

By Josef Hoffmann

Located in Brooklyn, NY

1907, Vienna. A bent beech chair designed in 1907 by illustrious Viennese architect Josef Hoffmann for the Fledermaus Cabaret in Vienna. This design, a bold and radical departure fro...

Category

Early 1900s Austrian Antique Secretary Desks

Materials

Mohair, Beech

Antique Victorian French Inlaid Rosewood Freestanding Bureau/Desk

$2,176

H 35.83 in W 25.6 in D 17.72 in

Antique Victorian French Inlaid Rosewood Freestanding Bureau/Desk

Located in Suffolk, GB

Antique Victorian French inlaid rosewood freestanding bureau/desk having the original gilt metal gallery above a devine shaped inlaid marquetry fall opening to reveal a fitted interi...

Category

19th Century French Victorian Antique Secretary Desks

Materials

Rosewood

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New, Vintage and Antique Secretary Desks for Sale on 1stDibs

Traditionally, vintage and antique secretary desks were composed of two parts — a chest of drawers on the bottom and a hutch or cupboard with shelves on the top. It’s a practical piece of furniture with a secret. At first glance, this tall, bureau-esque specimen looks like any other cabinet. But cleverly built into the design is a hinged panel that folds open or drops down to become a sturdy writing surface.

When the leaf is folded out, a delightful collection of inner storage compartments is revealed. For centuries, secretary owners have used these pigeonholes, cubbies, recesses or drawers to store their office supplies and desk accessories — from quills, ink and sealing wax to Uniball roller pens, paper clips and external drives — as well as small valuables and curiosities.

It’s not surprising that secretary desks have surged in popularity, with more people than ever now working from home. Handsome and versatile, they’re the workstations of choice in many busy households, especially those with spaces pulling double duty as offices by day and living rooms, dining rooms or bedrooms at night.

The English terms secretary desk and secretaire originate from secrétaire à abattant, the French name for a writing desk (secrétaire) with a drop leaf (abattant). The first secrétaire à abattant was most likely masterminded by German-born craftsman Jean-François Oeben (1715–63), a talented marquetry artist and mechanical genius who arrived in France in the 1740s. In 1751, he joined the workshop of Charles-Joseph Boulle, the son of famed cabinetmaker André-Charles Boulle. It’s no surprise that over the centuries, Oeben’s Louis XV-era secrétaire à abbatant gave rise to innumerable variations with countless combinations of features, sizes, colors, styles and adornments.

The star features of the secretary are its drop leaf and hidden cache of small drawers, shelves, cubbies and other compartments — that’s a given. From the 1700s through the later half of the 19th century, the highest-quality secretary desks were constructed from exotic woods, including rosewood, tulipwood, satinwood and kingwood; later, hardwoods like cherry, maple, oak and mahogany were more common.

No matter if your home is cozy or palatial, or your design ethos minimalist or maximalist, there’s a secretary desk that will fit right in. And whether you use it as a workstation, a display case, a safe of sorts or all of the above, you’ll be hard-pressed to find an object that’s more functional — or more charming — than this timeless piece.

Browse a range of new, vintage and antique secretary desks on 1stDibs, including Chippendale secretaires, mid-century modern secretaires, Georgian secretaires and others.

Finding the Right Storage-case-pieces for You

Of all the vintage storage cabinets and antique case pieces that have become popular in modern interiors over the years, dressers, credenzas and cabinets have long been home staples, perfect for routine storage or protection of personal items.

In the mid-19th century, cabinetmakers would mimic styles originating in the Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI eras for their dressers, bookshelves and other structures, and, later, simpler, streamlined wood designs allowed these “case pieces” or “case goods” — any furnishing that is unupholstered and has some semblance of a storage component — to blend into the background of any interior.

Mid-century modern furniture enthusiasts will cite the tall modular wall units crafted in teak and other sought-after woods of the era by the likes of George Nelson, Poul Cadovius and Finn Juhl. For these highly customizable furnishings, designers of the day delivered an alternative to big, heavy bookcases by considering the use of space — and, in particular, walls — in new and innovative ways. Mid-century modern credenzas, which, long and low, evolved from tables that were built as early as the 14th century in Italy, typically have no legs or very short legs and have grown in popularity as an alluring storage option over time.

Although the name immediately invokes images of clothing, dressers were initially created in Europe for a much different purpose. This furnishing was initially a flat-surfaced, low-profile side table equipped with a few drawers — a common fixture used to dress and prepare meats in English kitchens throughout the Tudor period. The drawers served as perfect utensil storage. It wasn’t until the design made its way to North America that it became enlarged and equipped with enough space to hold clothing and cosmetics. The very history of case pieces is a testament to their versatility and well-earned place in any room.

In the spirit of positioning your case goods center stage, decluttering can now be design-minded.

A contemporary case piece with open shelving and painted wood details can prove functional as a storage unit as easily as it can a room divider. Alternatively, apothecary cabinets are charming case goods similar in size to early dressers or commodes but with uniquely sized shelving and (often numerous) drawers.

Whether you’re seeking a playful sideboard that features colored glass and metal details, an antique Italian hand-carved storage cabinet or a glass-door vitrine to store and show off your collectibles, there are options for you on 1stDibs.

Questions About Antique Secretary Desks

What era are secretary desks from?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Secretary desks originated in the early 18th century. They were typically used by secretaries and clerks and featured plenty of compacted drawers for stationary storage. On 1stDibs, find a collection of secretary desks from some of the world’s top sellers.
How much is my antique secretary desk worth?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021
An antique secretary desk will range in value depending on its authenticity and condition. The price can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. On 1stDibs find the antique secretary desk you’re looking for today.
Why are secretary desks called that?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023
A secretary desk is called by its name because of its original function. When the desks first emerged in 19th-century France, the secretaries of estates used them to conduct business. Once they finished paying bills and reconciling accounts, they could raise the hinged writing surface and close the desk. Secretary desks are the workstations of choice in many busy households, especially those with spaces pulling double duty as offices by day and living rooms, dining rooms or bedrooms at night. On 1stDibs, shop an array of secretary desks.
How does a secretary desk work?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
A secretary desk works with the help of hinges that secure the writing surface to the rest of the piece. To use one, you simply pull down on the wooden door to open the hinge and lower the writing surface. Return the desk to its closed position by lifting the writing surface up. You'll find a selection of secretary desks on 1stDibs.
How do I date an antique secretary?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
To date an antique secretary desk, start by determining the type of hinge used to secure the writing surface. Consult an authoritative resource to find out which furniture makers worked with that type of hinge. You can also look for the name of the manufacturer on the back or bottom of the piece. Find a range of expertly vetted antique secretaries on 1stDibs.
What is an antique Davenport desk?
2 Answers
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
An antique Davenport desk is a small writing desk, usually with four drawers on one side. The desk would have elaborately decorated supports and a recessed space for adequate legroom. Shop a collection of Davenport desks from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
A Davenport desk is a type of small desk with a distinct inclined desktop. The desktop covers a large storage compartment meant for keeping paper and other writing materials. Popular in the 19th century, Davenport desks are still sought after today. On 1stDibs, you’ll find a collection of antique Davenport desks from some of the world’s top sellers.
What are antique desks called?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023
What antique desks are called depends on their design. A desk with chair cutouts on both sides is a partner desk, while one with a pull-down writing surface is a secretary. On a Davenport desk, the desktop lifts to reveal a storage area. Find a variety of antique, vintage and contemporary desks on 1stDibs.
What's the difference between an antique desk and a vintage desk?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 16, 2026
Antique desks are generally 100 years or older, while vintage desks are at least 20 years old and often reflect a specific design era.
How do I know if my roll top desk is antique?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
To tell if a roll-top desk is an antique, look closely at the materials. Real antiques feature hardwoods like cherry, mahogany and black walnut. If you detect the use of engineered woods, the desk is a reproduction. Also, early pieces show off irregular dovetail joints. Joints that appear perfectly uniform indicate that a roll-top desk is a more recent mass-produced piece. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of expertly vetted antique roll-top desks.
How do I know if my antique roll top desk?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
A variety of factors can determine the exact age of an antique roll top desk. Some things to look for is the type of wood and craftsmanship used to create the desk. Typically, older desks will be made from heavier wood. You can also check for a maker’s marks to determine the age. When in doubt, work with a certified appraiser to determine the authenticity of your roll top desk. You’ll find a variety of expertly vetted roll top desks on 1stDibs.
What's the difference between a general antique desk and a mid-century modern desk?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 16, 2026
Any desk at least 20 years old falls under this broader category, while a mid-century modern desk specifically features the tapered legs and clean lines of 1940s-1960s design.

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