Biedermeier Roll-Top Desk, Cherry Veneer, Brass, Ink, South Germany circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
High-quality early Biedermeier Roll-top or Cylinder Secretaire or Writing Cabinet from South Germany around 1820. Very thick cherrywood saw veneer on softwood and solid cherrywood. E...
Brass
$3,920Sale Price|20% Off
Biedermeier Cylinder Roll Top Desk with drawers
By Biedermeier
Located in Pasadena, TX
A fine example of a classic Biedermeier design desk. Clad in fine mahogany veneer and sophisticatedly book matched, the roll top is just the beginning.
Wood
Antique Austrian Baroque Biedermeier Marquetry Roll Top Tabernacle Cabinet Desk
Located in Portland, OR
A rare & unusual antique Bohemian inlaid marquetry Elm tabernacle cabinet and desk, Austria, circa 1820. The cabinet in two sections, the top with an arched pediment, the sides of th...
Elm, Fruitwood, Ebony
1820s Modern Design Biedermeier Roll Top Desk
Located in Long Island City, NY
This very piece is illustrated in a reference book from 1991. Only one second roll top desk I came across in 47 years and which I sold 25 years ago in NYC, illustrated in a reference...
Cherry, Ebony, Maple, Pine
Early 19th century roll top desk
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Roll top opening by 4 drawers and 2 little doors ,on cabriolet leggs. Cherry and marquetry of flowers and attributs
Wood, Cherry
Biedermeier Rolled Top Desk
Located in Sheffield, MA
Extremely handsome rolled top desk with 3 sided gallery top, 6 drawers under rolled top and 2 large drawer beneath.
Sold
H 51 in W 33.5 in D 20.5 in
19th century French Walnut Roll Top Secretary Desk Henri II Biedermeier
Located in Choudrant, LA
19th century French Walnut Roll Top Secretary Desk Henri II Biedermeier ~Direct from France~ ~Beautiful antique French walnut secretary with fabulous detailing throughout and hin...
Walnut
Sold
H 21.88 in W 42 in
Austrian Biedermeier Figured-Maple Roll-Top Antique Writing Desk circa 1830-1850
Located in Shippensburg, PA
Biedermeier figured maple roll-top desk Austrian, circa 1830-1850 Item # 007HQP30L With rich and vibrant figured-maple veneers throughout, this fine Biedermeier writing desk feature...
Baize, Maple
19th Century German Biedermeier Roll Top Desk
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
An exceptional Biedermeier roll top desk or secretary from the 19th century.
Wood, Mahogany, Walnut
Sold
H 38 in W 35.25 in D 16 in
Austrian Biedermeier Roll Top Desk in Bird's-Eye Maple with Cabriolet Feet
Located in New York, NY
This elegant Biedermeier roll top desk was realized in Vienna Austria, circa 1860.
Maple
Sold
H 49.61 in W 38.98 in D 20.08 in
Biedermeier Secretary Desk, Roll Top, Walnut Marquetry, Germany, 19th Century
Located in Wrocław, Poland
This beautiful Secretary comes from Germany from the beginning of 19th century. The piece is made of coniferous wood, veneered with extraordinary walnut veneer, with very detailed ma...
Wood, Walnut
Sold
H 52.5 in W 37 in D 25 in
Antique 19th Century Biedermeier Roll Top Walnut Secrétaire, Desk, 1870, B2257
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique 19th century Biedermeier roll top walnut secrétaire, writing desk, continental 1870, B2257 Continental, 1970 Solid walnut and veneer Original finish Three quarter open galle...
Pine
Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, Germany, circa 1820
Located in Greding, DE
Four-drawer Biedermeier chest of drawers veneered in cherrywood, featuring ebonized full columns and key escutcheons. The piece rests on cylindrical front legs and square back legs. ...
Cherry
$6,993Sale Price|20% Off
H 62.21 in W 44.1 in D 23.23 in
19th-Century Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary Desk in Beautiful Graining
Located in Opole, PL
19th-Century Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary Desk in Beautiful Graining We present you this piece of furniture with three drawers at the bottom, a drop front, and a narrow drawer und...
Baize, Mahogany
18th Century French Louis XVI Marquetry Secretaire Desk in Mahogany
Located in Winter Park, FL
An 18th century French Louis XVI marquetry secretaire, or secretary desk with bookcase. Beautifully made with book matched veneer of mahogany and fine inlay of walnut and mahogany. I...
Brass
$5,570
H 66.93 in W 43.31 in D 21.26 in
Biedermeier Walnut Secretary Desk, Veneered, Restored, Circa 1840
Located in Greding, DE
Biedermeier secretary desk veneered in walnut, featuring three lower drawers, a flat fall-front writing surface, and a top drawer. The pilasters are designed as columns with baluste...
Walnut
$20,875
H 80.71 in W 48.04 in D 23.63 in
Austrian Baroque Secretary Cabinet in Walnut with Marquetry, ca. 1700–1730
Located in Kastrup, DK
A highly impressive and architecturally refined Austrian Baroque secretary cabinet from the first half of the 18th century. Crafted to an exceptional standard, veneered with thick, h...
Brass, Iron
$12,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 63.39 in W 38.19 in D 21.66 in
Biedermeier Secretary Desk, South German, 1820
Located in Belmont, MA
Biedermeier secretary desk, South German 1820. This unique and very beautiful secretary desk dates back to the early phase of the Biedermeier style. It has a beautiful walnut veneer ...
Elm, Walnut
19th Century Biedermeier Mahogany Chest of Drawers
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
XIX Century Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, Germany, 1830-1835 Mahogany Biedermeier Chest of Drawers with spectacular mahogany veneer which is laid absolutely symmetrically and runs a...
Mahogany
$6,500
H 77.25 in W 40 in D 19.75 in
Antique Austrian Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary Desk Tabernacle Cabinet 1820
Located in Portland, OR
A fine, elegant, antique Austrian mahogany Biedermeier secretary desk cabinet, circa 1820. The cabinet in two sections, the top with a curved architectural pediment, below is a curve...
Ormolu
$6,044
H 59.85 in W 33.47 in D 17.33 in
19th Century French Rococo Revival Marquetry Secretaire a Abattant
Located in London, GB
Dating from around 1850, this is a wonderful antique French Rococo Revival Secretaire a Abattant featuring ormolu mounted mahogany, gonzalo alves and marquetry. A Secretaire a abatt...
Marble, Ormolu
$25,127
H 94.49 in W 53.55 in D 25.99 in
Antique Walnut Dutch Marquetry Bureau Cabinet Bookcase 18th Century
Located in London, GB
This is an important antique Dutch walnut and marquetry bureau bookcase, circa 1780 in date. It has been made from the finest burr walnut with fabulous marquetry decoration depicti...
Walnut
Biedermeier Secretary Desk, Mid-19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Secretary desk with exquisite ash veneer and a three-drawer commode base. Behind the leather-covered writing surface lies a spacious arched compartment, complemented by six small dra...
Bronze
$3,230
H 38.98 in W 32.68 in D 16.93 in
Antique French Mahogany Drop-Front Secretary Desk with Brass Trim
Located in Miami, FL
Elegant and timeless, this antique French secretary desk is a refined example of classic craftsmanship, combining graceful proportions with exceptional practicality. Crafted in richl...
Oak
$41,669Sale Price|35% Off
H 94.49 in W 51.19 in D 22.05 in
18th Century Italian Walnut Parquetry Important Bureau Cabinet Trumeaux
Located in Rome, IT
An Italian walnut, parquetry bureau cabinet fruitwood inlaid with scrolling foliage, The upper section with a shaped carved cresting, a shaped doors opening to reveal three shelves, ...
Walnut
Antique Italian Marquetry Bureau Desk, Inlaid Secretary Cabinet
Located in BŘECLAV, CZ
Antique Italian marquetry bureau desk, inlaid secretary cabinet, circa 1920, fall-front writing desk define this elegant and highly decorative piece. The exterior showcases finely ex...
Brass
$5,772
H 78.35 in W 44.49 in D 21.26 in
Antique Biedermeier Secretaire Chest Secretaire Abattant 19th Century
Located in London, GB
A truly magnificent antique flame mahogany architectural biedermeier secretaire abattant, circa 1840 in date. The top section with a projecting cornice over an arched panelled door ...
Mahogany
$110,247
H 110.24 in W 47.25 in D 31.5 in
Extraordinary Italian Parquetry Bureau Cabinet Trumeaux Rome
Located in Rome, IT
Outstanding Italian 18th century walnut, parquetry bureau cabinet fruitwood inlaid with scrolling foliage, The upper section with a shaped carved cresting centered by a cartouche-sh...
Wood, Walnut
Rosso Glass Wall Mirror
By Specchi Veneziani
Located in Milan, IT
Crafted in the finest Murano tradition, this exquisite Venetian mirror is a true work of art. Assembled with crystal and gold elements, and adorned with red glass flowers, each piece...
Glass
Organic Modern Table Lamp Sculptural Parota Wood Base
By Isabel Moncada
Located in San Antonio, TX
Pata de Elefante Small Table Lamp — Atomic Collection by Isabel Moncada Named ""Elephant's Foot"" for its bold, bulbous base, the Pata de Elefante Small is one of Isabel Moncada's m...
Wood, Fabric, Linen, Fiberglass
$5,093
H 58.86 in W 31.5 in D 19.69 in
Antique Harrods Green Lacquered Cocktail Cabinet on Stand Mid 20th Century
Located in London, GB
A fabulous polychromed Green lacquered and gilt japanned cocktail cabinet-on-stand, retailed by Harrods and bearing their ivorine label, circa 1940's in date. The two-door cabinet ...
Wood, Giltwood
Small 18th Century Mahogany Secretaire Bookcase
Located in Lymington, GB
A rare, diminutive, late-18th century secretaire bookcase / cabinet. George III-period, circa 1790. Mahogany of very good rich color and well patinated. Inlaid and crossbanded throu...
Mahogany
$4,200
H 36 in W 37 in D 21 in
19th Century French Louis XVI Style Oversized Bergere Marquise Armchair
Located in Charleston, SC
19th century French Louis XVI style bergère marquise upholstered armchair in painted wood frame with neoclassical architecture embellished hand-carved foliates, rosettes and tapered ...
Fabric, Wood, Paint
$2,625Sale Price|30% Off
H 41.5 in W 42.5 in D 21.5 in
Antique Georgian Flame Mahogany Slant Front Secretary Writing Desk Bureau
Located in Dayton, OH
Exquisite antique early 19th century secretary writing storage desk. Made of flame mahogany featuring Georgian styling with three large dovetailed drawers and a drop front that open...
Birdseye Maple, Mahogany
Large Neoclassical Blue John Covered Vase on Marble and Blue John Plinth
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and quite large Regency period neoclassical early 19th century round-shaped blue John Covered vase or urns raised on a Belgian black marble, Carrara marble and blue John ...
Belgian Black Marble, Carrara Marble
Exceptional Mahogany and Ormolu-Mounted Bibliotheque
Located in London, GB
The overhanging foliate cornice above a frieze with reliefs of female and male figures surmounted by ribbon ties and flanked by foliage and laurel leaves, above two pairs of glazed d...
Ormolu
$1,079
H 13.39 in W 17.72 in D 10.24 in
Early 20th Century Italian Gothic style Decorative Boxe or Small Trunk
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
We present this beautiful and rare small trunk made in the early 20th century. Made entirely of iron with brass decorations, this trunk has a Gothic-inspired design. A unique decora...
Iron
$2,500Sale Price|35% Off
H 38 in W 35.5 in D 20 in
Bernhardt Pedersen Danish Mid Century Modern Rosewood Roll Top Desk
By Bernhard Pedersen & Son
Located in Plainview, NY
A rare Bernhardt Pedersen & Son Danish Mid Century Modern roll top writing desk crafted from beautifully grained rosewood, the desk emanates a warm and inviting aura, drawing att...
Rosewood
$56,800
H 64.5 in W 41.75 in D 20.25 in
Antique German Biedermeier Secretaire, Cherrywood & Burlwood, 1820
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 19th Century, antique German Biedermeier tall secretaire with a writing flap made of hand crafted shellac polished, partly veneered Cherrywood and Burlwood, in good condition. The ...
Metal, Brass
1930's Italian Console & Stool
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Incredible 1930's Italian console or entry piece with matching stool. Bentwood with original rope detail on the sides and carved edges in original mahogany patina. Two Pull-out dr...
Bentwood
$3,200
H 10.5 in W 13.75 in D 13.75 in
A French late 19th century Louis XV st. Lunéville Faience Porcelain serving set
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and most decorative French late 19th century Louis XV st. Lunéville Faience Porcelain serving set. This most attractive fifty-four piece dining is painted on over glaze co...
Porcelain
Sold|$18,800
H 15.5 in W 4 in D 5.25 in
Pair of E. F. Caldwell & Co. Dore Bronze Mtd. Carved Rose Quartz & Enamel Lamps
By Edward F. Caldwell & Co.
Located in New York, NY
A fantastic pair of marked E. F. Caldwell and Co. Louis XVI style dore bronze mounted hand-carved rose quartz and enamel table lamps. Mounted on two dore bronze open work bases with ...
Bronze
Antique French Secretaire / Bureau in Mahogany
Located in Leicester, GB
Beautiful Antique French flame Mahogany secretaire/bureau/cabinet. The inside is lined with maple and finished with ebonized black details. The cabinet has got lots of charm and char...
Mahogany
$2,972
H 10.24 in W 15.75 in D 11.03 in
Exquisite openly carved 19th century Swiss Black Forest jewelry box walnut bird
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
A true work of art, this stunning 19th-century Black Forest jewelry box from Switzerland is fully hand-carved and a remarkable example of craftsmanship. Nearly 150 years old, the woo...
Walnut
The authentic Biedermeier furniture on 1stDibs is representative of the first modern European decorative style not dictated by the tastes of the aristocracy. Following the Napoleonic wars, a growing, wealthy urban middle class in the German-speaking states of Central Europe began to demand rights and privileges once granted only to nobles. To avoid trouble, the upwardly striving confined their political discussions to one another’s homes. And so the salon was born.
Cabinetmakers in cities such as Vienna, Berlin and Mainz began to offer goods that reflected the tastes and needs of the new class. The makers of Biedermeier chairs, tables and other furniture used little or no gilding, silver hardware or other lavish ornament. Ebonized trims are common on Biedermeier cabinetry, and neoclassical elements — lyre-shaped chair splats, carved scrollwork, table supports shaped like Greek columns. But the strongest aesthetic statement came from the wood — richly-grained, honey-colored, often book-matched veneers of walnut and fruitwood.
There are two iconic Biedermeier furniture forms, both made to outfit rooms designed for conversation. One is the sofa, deeply upholstered with a strong, architectural wooden frame. The second is the circular pedestal table, which stood at the center of the room, offering a surface on which to place coffee and cake services; or to roll out a map, or sketch out ideas on paper.
“Biedermeier” was originally a derogatory term — it derives from the pen names of two German magazine writers who mocked bourgeois manners. Looking at the elegant and refined antique, new and vintage Biedermeier furniture offered on 1stDibs, that is now an amusing irony.
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.