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
Ormolu
Antique Austrian Flame Mahogany Biedermeier Secretary Desk Cabinet Chest 1860
Located in Portland, OR
A fine antique Austrian Biedermeier flame mahogany secretary chest, circa 1860. The cabinet having
Mahogany
Biedermeier Burl Wood Secretary Cabinet
By Biedermeier
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A shaped cabinet with a scrolled bonnet, a centre compartment with door opening to two shaped
Burl
$6,315Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Biedermeier-Style Drop-Front Mahogany Secretary Chest
By Biedermeier
Located in Milano, IT
This marvelous Biedermeier-style drop-front secretary chest, dating back to around 1830 and crafted
Metal
19th Century Biedermeier Secretary Desk in Maple Burl
By Biedermeier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A refined 19th-century Biedermeier secretary desk, exquisitely crafted in maple burl and veneers
Maple
19th Century Biedermeier Secretary Desk in Maple Burl with Ebonized Details
By Biedermeier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A refined 19th-century Biedermeier secretary desk, crafted in maple burl and veneers, showcasing
Burl
Biedermeier Secretary Desk, 1820
Located in Leimen, DE
Biedermeier secretary desk, South west German, 1820. This beautiful drop front desk has three
Walnut
Austrian Biedermeier Cherrywood Secretary
Located in Queens, NY
Austrian Biedermeier (Circa 1835) cherry veneer drop front secretary with 2 ebonized and gilt
Birch, Cherry
Italian Biedermeier Style Mixed Fruitwood Two-Part Secretary Bookcase Cabinet
Located in Germantown, MD
Late 19th Century Italian Biedermeier Style Walnut Mixed Fruitwood Two-Part Secretary Bookcase
Fruitwood, Walnut, Wood
Biedermeier Chest, Secretary or Cabinet, Walnut, Southern Germany, circa 1830
Located in Greven, DE
Biedermeier chest of drawers with writing drawer and raised compartment Southern Germany Walnut
Walnut
$4,663Sale Price|20% Off
Biedermeier Secretary, Austria, 19th Century
Located in Wrocław, Poland
This Biedermeier secretary comes from Austria and was made in 19th century. It is made of
Maple
$9,424Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
19th Century Conical Shape Secretary, Germany, 1820 This fine Biedermeier secretary made of
Mahogany
Biedermeier Maple Drop Front Secretary
Located in Bradenton, FL
A very attractive early 19th century Maple and Ebony German Biedermeier drop front secretary. Nice
Maple
Biedermeier Secretary Desk, Germany, 19th Century
Located in Wrocław, Poland
This beautiful Secretary comes from Germany and was made around 1820–1840. The piece is made of
Pine
Biedermeier secretary, Western Europe, around 1840.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Biedermeier secretary, Western Europe, around 1840. Furniture in very good condition, after
Walnut
Antique 19th Century Biedermeier Secretary Desk
Located in Halle, DE
Secretary from the late Biedermeier period, approx. 1845-1860. With 4 lockable drawers and a
Wood
Biedermeier secretary, Northern Europe, circa 1860.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Biedermeier secretary, Northern Europe, circa 1860. Very good condition, after professional
Walnut
19th Century Biedermeier Column Secretary
Located in Berlin, DE
Cuba mahogany on pine tree. Architecturally arranged front. High-right body on padfoot feet. Fitted with three drawers of different sizes, the base drawer is curved. Straight writing...
Mahogany, Wood
Empire or Biedermeier Secretary Mahogany, 1815
Located in Berlin, DE
Very well preserved conical secretary with stepped head Front with multiply mirrored pyramid
Mahogany
Biedermeier Secretary, Bookcase, Cherry, Walnut, 1840s
Located in Greven, DE
Antique cabinet secretary from the biedermeier period around 1845. Body in cherry, parts of the
Cherry, Walnut
$12,000Sale Price|20% Off
Biedermeier Secretary Desk, South German, 1820
Located in Belmont, MA
Biedermeier secretary desk, South German 1820. This unique and very beautiful secretary desk dates
Elm, Walnut
Biedermeier Lyra Secretary Desk, circa 1830
Located in Greding, DE
Elaborately crafted Biedermeier Lyra secretary featuring an oval upper section with a narrow drawer
Brass
Biedermeier Pyramid Secretary, Berlin circa 1810
Located in Greding, DE
This pyramid-shaped secretary from the early 19th century impresses with its architectural design
Bronze
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
Bronze
19th Century Biedermeier Bureau Secretary Desk
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This early 19th century mahogany Biedermeier secretary bureau was made in two sections, circa 1830
Mahogany
19th Century Biedermeier Secretary Mahogany, 1835
Located in Berlin, DE
Pyramids mahogany on pine tree. Architecturally arranged inner life. Not long ago, the secretary
Mahogany
19th Century German Mahogany Biedermeier Secretary Bureau
Located in Round Top, TX
19th century German mahogany secretary or "bureau" in the Biedermeier style, featuring refined
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century Danish Biedermeier Secretary Bureau
Located in Round Top, TX
Mid-19th-century Danish Biedermeier secretary or "bureau" crafted in birch with a beautifully
Leather, Birch
19th Century Danish Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary Bureau
Located in Round Top, TX
19th century Danish Biedermeier-style secretary or "bureau" crafted in mahogany veneer. This short
Brass
Biedermeier Secretary, likely Berlin, early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
A representative Biedermeier secretary featuring full column supports with fire-gilt bases and
Mahogany
Italian Inlaid Satinwood Cylinder Top Secretary Desk Chest Drawers Dresser Mint!
By Biedermeier
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Italian Inlaid satinwood cylinder top secretary desk chest drawers dresser mint!
Brass
20th Century Petite Secretary in Biedermeier Style
Located in Berlin, DE
20th century Petite Secretary in Biedermeier style Mahogany partially blackened, on solid
Wood
19th Century Danish Biedermeier Bleached Mahogany Secretary
Located in Viterbo, VT
Biedermeier Secretary chest of drawers hand-made in Denmark in the early 1800s using mahogany. The
Mahogany
Biedermeier Secretary Desk in Birch, Germany, circa 1830
Located in Greding, DE
Biedermeier secretary desk in birch veneer featuring a three-drawer base, flat fall-front writing
Brass
19th Century Biedermeier Style Cuba-Mahogany Secretary
Located in Berlin, DE
Classicist secretary, circa 1800-1810. Cuba mahogany on solid softwood partly ebonized. High-right
Wood, Mahogany, Softwood
$7,578Sale Price|20% Off
Biedermeier Antique Secretary Circa 1840 Veneered With Mahogany
Located in Opole, PL
Biedermeier Antique Secretary Circa 1840 Veneered With Mahogany Furniture in the Biedermeier style
Mahogany
$3,011Sale Price|20% Off
Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary Desk, circa 1860, after Renovation
Located in Opole, PL
exquisite Biedermeier secretary desk circa 1860. The secretary desk was manufactured in Northern Europe
Mahogany
$6,619Sale Price|21% Off
South German Biedermeier Secretary in Walnut, circa 1825
Located in Darmstadt, DE
This South German Biedermeier secretary from around 1825 displays a particularly striking walnut
Brass
German Biedermeier Olivewood Inlaid and Parcel Gilt Secretary / Bookcase
Located in Queens, NY
German Biedermeier (18th Century) olivewood secretary / bookcase in shaped rectangular with the top
Wood
19th Century German Biedermeier Cherrywood Secretaire - Antique Secretary
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
detailed secretary is composed with two doors that open to two interior shelves. The cabinet is standing on
Metal, Brass
Antique Biedermeier Secretary shelve circa 1810 Cuba Mahogany veneer
Located in Berlin, DE
attachment with profiled cornice. Beautiful patina, with shellac hand polish. The secretary was completely
Mahogany
$7,287Sale Price|20% Off
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
Baize, Mahogany
Antique Danish Biedermeier Pine Secretary Desk With Blue Leather
Located in Centennial, CO
A stately antique circa 1900 Danish Biedermeier style secretary desk crafted out of gorgeous
Brass
$4,640Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Biedermeier Austrian Country Secretary Bookcase Desk, Early 19th Century
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique Early 19th Century Biedermeier Austrian Country secretary bookcase desk Additional
Fruitwood
A fine 19th century Biedermeier satinwood birch and ebony secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
A very fine 19th century Biedermeier satinwood and Birch secretary . Ebony and fine quality inlayed
Birch, Ebony, Satinwood
19th Century German Biedermeier Two Part Pine Bureau - Antique Secretary
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique German Biedermeier two part bureau, secretary with a two door glass display made of hand
Glass, Pine
Museum Biedermeier Secretary Signed by Adolph Friedrich Voigt, circa 1825
Located in Berlin, DE
Museum Biedermeier secretary signed by Adolph Friedrich Voigt, circa 1825 Fire-gilt fittings. High
Wood, Mahogany
Biedermeier Cylinder Secretary Desk, von Arnim/Boitzenburg Provenance, ca. 1810
Located in Berlin, DE
Dieses Biedermeier Zylinderbureau, entstanden am Anfang des 19. Jahrhunderts, stellt ein
Oak, Walnut
19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Secretary, Cherry and Hungarian Ash, c. 1830
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Biedermeier secretary in cherry Austria Cherry and others Biedermeier around 1830
Ash, Cherry
$4,554Sale Price|29% Off
Biedermeier Walnut and Root Walnut Secretary, South Germany circa 1840
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Charming small Biedermeier Secretary from Southern Germany, crafted around 1840. The piece
Birch, Pine, Walnut
19th Century German Biedermeier Secretary, Light Birch Wood, circa 1830-1840
Located in Greven, DE
Antique top secretary from the Biedermeier period around 1830/1835. Birch veneer with very subtle
Birch
Antique mid 19th century Dutch honey color oak Biedermeier Secretary Desk
Located in Casteren, NL
Offered here is a stunning Dutch secretary desk in the Biedermeier style, crafted in the mid-19th
Oak, Bone
19th Century Biedermeier Nutwood Secretary Desk/ Secretaire, Austria ca. 1820/25
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Splendid early 19th century Biedermeier secretaire/ secretary desk from the renowed period in
Brass
Antique 19th Century Danish Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary Desk
Located in Round Top, TX
This stunning Biedermeier secretary was crafted in Denmark during a peak era known for high quality
Wood, Mahogany
Biedermeier Secretary w. Transfer Decoration, J. G. Hiltl (1771–1845), Mun. 1825
By Johann Georg Hiltl
Located in Greding, DE
Biedermeier secretary veneered in mahogany with thuja burl and green-patinated surfaces, adorned
Bronze
A fine Biedermeier period walnut and inlayed roll top secretary. Circa 1830
Located in Dallas, TX
A very fine and rare Biedermeier walnut roll top secretary . Fine satinwood inlay . French polished
Satinwood, Walnut
A fine 19th c Biedermeier birch secretary. Ebonized details and gilt bronze
Located in Dallas, TX
A very fine Biedermeier period drop front secretary. Fine Empire gilt bronze details . Ebonized
Bronze
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.
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.