Fall Front Secretaire
Antique Late 19th Century Irish Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Ormolu, Bronze
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Antique 19th Century North American Federal Secretaires
Mahogany, Satin
Early 20th Century British Georgian Bookcases
Paint
Antique Early 19th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Marble, Brass
Antique 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Brass
Antique 1810s French Louis Philippe Secretaires
Marble, Brass
Antique 1860s European Louis Philippe Secretaires
Brass
Antique Mid-19th Century Swedish Louis Philippe Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century German Louis Philippe Secretaires
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Secretaires
Oak
Antique Early 19th Century English British Colonial Secretaires
Brass
Mid-20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Secretaires
Oak
Mid-20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Secretaires
Walnut
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Metal, Iron
Antique 1790s American Hepplewhite Secretaires
Brass
Antique 1780s English Chippendale Secretaires
Brass
Mid-20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Secretaires
Oak
Antique 19th Century Secretaires
Ebony, Walnut
Antique 19th Century Austrian Secretaires
Ebony, Walnut
Antique 19th Century French Secretaires
Antique 19th Century Secretaires
Antique 19th Century Secretaires
Wood
Antique 19th Century Secretaires
Ebony
Antique 19th Century Secretaires
Antique 19th Century Secretaires
Wood
Antique 19th Century Secretaires
Cherry, Walnut
Antique 19th Century Austrian Secretaires
Antique Mid-19th Century German Louis Philippe Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 1850s Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Ash
Antique 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretaires
Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century Secretaires
Antique 1830s Danish Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Russian Secretaires
Antique 19th Century Secretaires
Antique 19th Century Austrian Secretaires
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Austrian Secretaires
Antique 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Birch, Fir
Antique 19th Century Secretaires
Birdseye Maple, Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century Russian Neoclassical Secretaires
Ormolu
Antique Mid-17th Century Italian Secretaires
Walnut
Antique 19th Century American Victorian Secretaires
Mahogany, Maple
Antique Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Secretaires
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Secretaires
Wood, Lacquer
Antique Early 1800s Irish George III Bookcases
Glass, Mahogany
Antique 1830s English William IV Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Cabinets
Porcelain, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Secretaires
Marble, Bronze
Antique 19th Century English Regency Secretaires
Marble
Antique Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century European Regency Secretaires
Other
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Secretaires
Marble, Bronze
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Secretaires
Ormolu
Antique Late 19th Century French Secretaires
Satinwood
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Louis XVI Secretaires
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Secretaires
Vintage 1910s French Louis XVI Secretaires
Brass
Antique 1750s German Baroque Secretaires
Walnut
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Fall Front Secretaire For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Fall Front Secretaire?
Finding the Right secretaires for You
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.
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