Biedermeier Secretaire Abattant
Antique 1840s Biedermeier Desks and Writing Tables
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Hungarian Biedermeier Secretaires
Walnut, Burl
Antique 1820s Baltic Biedermeier Secretaires
Pewter
Antique Late 19th Century French Biedermeier Secretaires
Oak
Antique Early 19th Century French Biedermeier Secretaires
Bronze
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Wood, Burl
Antique 19th Century English Biedermeier Desks
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Biedermeier Desks
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century French Biedermeier Secretaires
Oak
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Antique 1830s Biedermeier Secretaires
Antique 19th Century Austrian Secretaires
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Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
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Birch, Bone
Antique 19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Wood
Antique 1830s Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Birch
Antique Mid-19th Century European Biedermeier Secretaires
Wood
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Walnut, Pine
Antique 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Wood
Antique 19th Century English Biedermeier Secretaires
Satinwood, Burl
Antique 19th Century North American Biedermeier Secretaires
Antique Late 18th Century Spanish Biedermeier Secretaires
Oak
Antique Early 19th Century French Biedermeier Secretaires
Antique 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Birch
Antique 1820s Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Birch, Ebony
Antique 19th Century German Desks
Early 20th Century Louis XVI Desks
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Unknown Biedermeier Secretaires
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Fruitwood
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Secretaires
Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century European Biedermeier Desks
Walnut
Antique 19th Century English Biedermeier Desks
Marble
Antique Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Antique Early 19th Century Danish Biedermeier Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Birch
Antique 1840s Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Antique 19th Century Austrian Secretaires
Antique 19th Century Unknown Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century Danish Secretaires
Antique 1840s Danish Biedermeier Secretaires
Antique 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Burl, Walnut
Antique 19th Century Desks
Bronze
Antique 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Satinwood
Biedermeier Secretaire Abattant For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Biedermeier Secretaire Abattant?
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.