$7,889
H 58.67 in W 39.77 in D 20.48 in
19th Century Southern German Secretaire, Cherry, Biedermeier circa 1830
Located in Greven, DE
Plain Biedermeier Secretaire South-West Germany Cherry Biedermeier circa 1830 Dimensions: H x W x
Cherry
$8,905Sale Price|20% Off
H 59.06 in W 37.8 in D 18.9 in
Biedermeier Secretaire, Cherry Veneer, Mahogany, South Germany circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Elegant early Biedermeier Secretaire or Drop Front Secretary Desk from South Germany around 1820
Cherry, Softwood
Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier secretaire made of walnut and cherry with fall front writing surface, nine interior
Cherry, Walnut
$11,841Sale Price|33% Off
H 68.12 in W 39.38 in D 17.33 in
Biedermeier Secretaire, Cherry Veneer, Ebonized, Brass, South Germany circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Fine early Biedermeier Secretaire or Drop-Front Secretary in cherry wood from South Germany around
Brass, Iron
$11,368Sale Price|20% Off
H 72.45 in W 46.86 in D 25.4 in
Biedermeier Secretaire, Cherry Veneer, Inlays, Brass, South Germany circa 1830
Located in Regensburg, DE
Large, original Biedermeier Secretaire from South Germany around 1840. Cherry veneered on softwood
Iron, Tin
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
1820’s Biedermeier Fall Top Desk, Cherry
Located in Belmont, MA
1820’s Biedermeier Fall Top Desk in Cherry Veneer The 1820’s Biedermeier fall top desk features
Leather, Birch, Cherry
$56,800
H 64.5 in W 41.75 in D 20.25 in
Antique German Biedermeier Secretaire, Cherrywood & Burlwood, c. 1820
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 19th Century, antique German Biedermeier tall secretaire with a writing flap made of hand crafted
Metal, Brass
$33,157
H 70.48 in W 50.4 in D 24.81 in
Biedermeier Secretaire With Hidden Compartements And Rare Mechanism, circa 1815
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Biedermeier secretary with rare mechanism Middle German Cherry Biedermeier circa 1815
Cherry
$11,092
H 65.75 in W 37.01 in D 20.08 in
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
$10,344Sale Price|20% Off
H 51.58 in W 45.67 in D 23.63 in
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
Brass
Early 19th Century Cherrywood Secretaire
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Early 19th Century Cherrywood Secretaire An elegant early 19th-century secretaire crafted from
Cherry
Austrian Biedermeier Cherrywood Secretary
Located in Queens, NY
Austrian Biedermeier (Circa 1835) cherry veneer drop front secretary with 2 ebonized and gilt
Birch, Cherry
$8,778
H 73.43 in W 43.71 in D 20.87 in
Biedermeier Secretary Desk with Upper Cabinet, Central Germany, circa 1820
Located in Greding, DE
Biedermeier secretary desk featuring a three-drawer lower case, a fall-front writing surface, and a
Cherry
$6,394Sale Price|38% Off
H 50.4 in W 43.31 in D 23.63 in
19th Century Biedermeier Cherry Fall Front Desk / Secretaire
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Introducing a stunning late Biedermeier Slant-Front Secretary, crafted from solid cherry wood in
Spruce, Cherry
$5,920
H 35.44 in W 44.89 in D 22.05 in
Early 19th Century Biedermeier Writing Chest Of Drawers, Secretaire, circa 1820
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Munich writing chest in cherry from the Biedermeier period circa 1820 Bavaria Cherry
Cherry
1850s Biedermeier Cherry Wood Secretaire
Located in Senden, NRW
Original antique Biedermeier secretaire or bureau with beautifully ebonized framing columns. This
Cherry
German Biedermeier Secretaire in Cherry, circa 1820
Located in Chicago, IL
German Biedermeier secretaire in cherry, circa 1820. Elegant cherry secretaire from south Germany
Cherry
Antique Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in Bielsko Biala, slaskie
Antique Biedermeier Secretaire.
Cherry
German Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in Chicago, IL
This fine German Biedermeier secretaire in cherry veneer with ebonized accents signifies a step
1820s Biedermeier Marquetry Secretaire
Located in Long Island City, NY
Biedermeier secretaire in cherry wood on oak. Fall front, frieze drawer and book match veneered
Unavailable
H 46.86 in W 48.04 in D 23.63 in
Late Biedermeier Walnut Wood Secretaire with Hidden Compartment
Located in Senden, NRW
Wonderful 1870s late Biedermeier walnut wood secretaire with a large folding door and an interior
Cherry, Walnut
Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in Roma, Lazio
Biederemeier Secretaire with 5 drawers, a secret drawer, and lots of little internal drawers. to
Cherry
Sold
H 50.01 in W 46.46 in D 25.6 in
Biedermeier Cylinder Secretaire, Cherry Veneer, South Germany circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Very elegant neoclassical early Biedermeier Cylinder secretaire or roll-out office from Southern
Cherry, Softwood
Sold
H 57.49 in W 34.65 in D 16.54 in
Biedermeier Secretaire, Cherry Veneer, South Germany/Munich, circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Very elegant and unadorned Biedermeier secretaire/ bureau/ escritoire from Munich, circa 1820. It
Bone, Wood, Cherry, Walnut
Sold
H 61.03 in W 31.5 in D 16.15 in
19th Century Narrow Biedermeier Secretaire, Walnut, Cherry, Austria circa 1820
Located in Greven, DE
Narrow Biedermeier writing cabinet, Secretaire Austria (Vienna) Walnut, cherry tree
Cherry, Walnut
Sold
H 59.45 in W 40.95 in D 16.93 in
German Biedermeier Secretaire with Columns, Cherry, Maple Burl, circa 1820
Located in Greven, DE
Biedermeier writing cabinet in cherry veneer with columns Southwest Germany Cherry tree
Cherry, Maple
Sold
H 65.75 in W 38.19 in D 19.69 in
19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaire, Secretary in Cherry and Walnut
Located in Greven, DE
Biedermeier secretary Southern Germany cherry tree, walnut tree Biedermeier circa 1820-1830
Walnut, Cherry
Sold
H 62.21 in W 38.78 in D 18.12 in
Biedermeier Secretaire, Walnut Veneer, Cherry, Brass, Austria, Vienna circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Beautiful original, neoclassical early Biedermeier Secretaire from Austria, Vienna around 1820
Brass, Iron
Sold
H 57.88 in W 36.23 in D 16.54 in
Biedermeier Secretaire, Walnut Veneer, Cherry, Ebony, South Germany circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Very elegant, neoclassical early Biedermeier Secretaire from Southwest Germany, circa 1820
Metal
Sold
H 62.21 in W 38.78 in D 18.12 in
Biedermeier Secretaire, Walnut Veneer, Cherry, Brass, Austria, Vienna circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Beautiful original, neoclassical early Biedermeier Secretaire from Austria, Vienna around 1820
Brass, Iron
Biedermeier Secretaire, Franconia Around 1825
Located in Greding, DE
Franconian Biedermeier secretaire with two-door base cabinet and writing flap. The top consists of
Cherry, Burl
19th Century Biedermeier Secretaire Cherrywood
Located in Darmstadt, DE
A beautiful Secretaire made of solid cherrywood, from the time of the late Biedermeier. In the eye
Cherry, Pine
Biedermeier Secretaire, South German, circa 1820
Located in Greding, DE
Biedermeier secretaire in cherry veneer with a two-door lower part, a flat writing flap and a wide
Cherry
Biedermeier Secretaire, Central Germany, circa 1820
Located in Greding, DE
A secretaire with writing flap and an architectural top with partially gilded columns and half-dome
Cherry
Biedermeier Cherrywood Secretaire, Southern Germany circa 1820
Located in Greding, DE
Biedermeier secretaire with writing flap, two-door lower part and top drawer. The interior consists
Cherry
Biedermeier Secretaire, Southern Germany/Munich, circa 1820
Located in Greding, DE
Biedermeier cherry secretaire with a two-door base and top drawer. The interior behind the writing
Cherry
Antique 19th Century French Biedermeier Cherrywood Secretaire
Located in Darmstadt, DE
A beautiful small delicate rare secretary from the Biedermeier period. The French secretaire is
Cherry, Spruce
Biedermeier Roll-Top Secretaire, Central Germany, circa 1820
Located in Greding, DE
A Biedermeier roll-top secretaire with two drawers at the bottom and three drawers at the top. The
Cherry
Sold
H 61.03 in W 37.8 in D 18.51 in
Biedermeier Secretaire, Walnut Veneer, Southwest Germany circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Architecturally interesting classicist Biedermeier secretaire from Southwest Germany about 1820
Ash, Cherry, Ebony, Mahogany, Walnut
Biedermeier Secretary, Cherry Veneer, Germany circa 1825
Located in Regensburg, DE
Plain and elegant early Biedermeier secretary with a wonderful book-matched cherry veneer. The drop
Cherry
Sold
H 60.24 in W 38.98 in D 19.69 in
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretary, Cherry, circa 1820-1830
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Biedermeier secretary South Germany Cherry tree Biedermeier around 1820-1830 Dimensions
Cherry
Sold
H 66.15 in W 41.34 in D 20.08 in
19th Century German Secretary, Birch, Cherry, Walnut, Biedermeier, c. 1835
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Biedermeier birch and cherry secretaire Central Germany birch, cherry, burr walnut
Birch, Cherry, Walnut
Sold
H 66.54 in W 39.38 in D 19.69 in
Biedermeier Secretary Desk in Cherry Wood Veneer, Germany, 19th Century
Located in Wrocław, Poland
wood, veneered with cherry wood veneer. When opening the main section the doors transform into a
Cherry, Pine
Sold
H 64.97 in W 42.92 in D 17.72 in
19th Century Red-Brown Biedermeier Secretary in Cherry and Maple, circa 1835
Located in Berlin, DE
This beautiful 19th century Biedermeier Secretary is made out of Pine and veneered in Cherry wood
Cherry, Maple
Cylinder Secretaire, Walnut, South Germany, circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Elegant, classicist Biedermeier cylinder Secretaire from South Germany, circa 1820. Wonderful
Cherry, Mahogany, Maple, Walnut
Biedermeier Secretary Desk, Vienna, 1810
Located in Greding, DE
Secretaire of the early Biedermeier, circa 1810, with a two-doored base and a smooth exterior with
Wood, Cherry, Burl
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
Cherry, Walnut
Biedermeier Secretary Desk, Germany, 19th Century
Located in Wrocław, Poland
This Biedermeier secretary comes from Germany and was constructed in 19th century. It is made of
Cherry
Biedermeier Secretary Desk, Thuringia, circa 1825
Located in Greding, DE
Elegant secretary desk on square feet and a body with three drawers and a beautiful interior with several drawers and a bigger compartment in its centre. Profiled cornice.
Cherry
Sold
H 61.82 in W 42.92 in D 18.9 in
German Biedermeier Secretary, Cherrywood, Beautiful Patina, Circa 1835
Located in Greven, DE
Antique cherry wood secretary Rhineland Cherry tree Biedermeier around 1835 Dimensions: H x
Cherry
German Cherrywood Biedermeier Secretary from the 1820s
Located in Greding, DE
Imposant German Cherrywood Biedermeier Secretary from the 1820's. The hinged lid reveals a
Cherry
Sold
H 62.6 in W 41.34 in D 22.05 in
19th Century Biedermeier Secretary with Architectural Design, circa 1835
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Biedermeier secretary in cherry Central Germany Cherry Biedermeier circa 1835 Dimensions
Cherry
Sold
H 49.22 in W 44.49 in D 24.41 in
Early 19th Century Biedermeier Secretary with Hidden Mechanism, circa 1815
Located in Greven, DE
Biedermeier secretary in cherry wood Mainz Cherry tree Biedermeier around 1815 Dimensions: H x W
Cherry
Sold
H 46.86 in W 31.11 in D 31.11 in
19th Century German Biedermeier Corner Cupboard, Secrétaire, Cherrywood
Located in Greven, DE
19th century corner cupboard / secretary Germany (Rhineland) Cherry tree Biedermeier, circa
Cherry
Sold
H 58.67 in W 37.01 in D 16.54 in
German Biedermeier Secretaire, Cherry, Beautiful Patina, circa 1820
Located in Greven, DE
Antique cherry wood secretary South Germany Cherry wood Biedermeier around 1820 Dimensions
Cherry
Sold
H 49.22 in W 42.92 in D 24.41 in
Biedermeier Roll-Top Secretaire, Cherry Veneer, South Germany, circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Biedermeier cylindric secretary or roll-top secretaire from southern Germany, Munich, around 1820
Brass, Iron
Biedermeier Secretaire, circa 1830
Located in Greding, DE
Cherrywood Biedermeier Secretaire with a three-drawer chests of drawers base and a lockable top
Cherry
19th Century Biedermeier Walnut Secretaire
Located in Darmstadt, DE
A beautiful small Secretaire made of walnut veneer from the time of Biedermeier. The Secretaire is
Pine, Cherry, Walnut
Biedermeier Secretaire, Central Germany, circa 1820
Located in Greding, DE
Biedermeier secretaire with three drawers and flat writing flap. The body is veneered in cherry and
Cherry
Biedermeier Secretaire, Probably Franconian, circa 1820
Located in Greding, DE
A cherry veneered secretaire standing on low ebonized S-legs, with a two-drawer chest of drawers
Cherry
Biedermeier Commode-Secretaire, Southern Germany, circa 1820
Located in Greding, DE
Biedermeier slanted flap secretaire on square tapered feet with two drawers and recessed writing
Cherry
Sold
H 38.59 in W 45.67 in D 22.45 in
19th Century German Writing Chest, Biedermeier Secretaire, circa 1825
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Biedermeier Chest of Drawers / Secretary Southern Germany (Franconia) Walnut Biedermeier
Cherry, Walnut
Biedermeier Style Cherry Wood Secretaires
Located in Roma, Lazio
Biedermeier Style secrétaire All veneered in cherry wood very veined, with wooden details polished
Gold Leaf
Swedish Biedermeier Secretary, Cherrywood Veneer, French Polished
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
Original Biedermeier secretary from Sweden, circa 1830-1840. Cherrywood veneer. Expertly hand
Birch, Pine, Cherry
Sold
H 53.5 in W 42 in D 19 in
Antique Biedermeier or Swedish Empire Fall-Front Secretary in Birch, circa 1830
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
Biedermeier Fall Front Secretary, circa 1830 is a wonderful example of form meeting function. It features a
Birch, Cherry
Neoclassical Drop Front Desk, Switzerland, 1810-1820
Located in Belmont, MA
Exquisite drop front desk, Switzerland 1810-20, beautiful cherry veneer with ebonized details. The
Cherry
Secretary Desk, Germany, 19th Century
Located in Wrocław, Poland
This Biedermeier secretary comes from Germany and was constructed, circa 1825. It is made of
Cherry
Sold
H 49.22 in W 39.77 in D 21.66 in
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Bureau, Secretaire, Desk, circa 1820
Located in Greven, DE
Antique cylinder bureau from the southern German Biedermeier period circa 1820 Dimensions: H x W x
Cherry
Cherrywood Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in Senden, NRW
A Biedermeier Secretaire made of cherrywood. The corpus is made of softwood veneered with
Cherry
Antique Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in Bielsko Biala, slaskie
Antique Biedermeier secretaire.
Cherry
Exemplary German Biedermeier Fall-Front Secretaire
Located in Long Island City, NY
Cubical body on block feet with 3 lower and 1 upper drawer. Cornice with Schinkel pediment. Cherry
Cherry, Maple, Ebony
Sold
H 66.15 in W 44.49 in D 20.48 in
Early 19th Century Biedermeier Secretary, Cherry Tree Veneered, Shingle Roof
Located in Muenster, NRW
Biedermeier secretary, circa 1820-1825. Cherry tree veneered. Rare shingle roof. One head push
Cherry
19th Century Biedermeier Blond Cherrywood Chest of Drawers
Located in San Francisco, CA
A 19th century blond cherrywood Biedermeier three drawer chest with black lacquer accent. Excellent hand made quality. Has an Art Deco Modern looking appeal. The Art Deco period was...
Cherry, Fruitwood
$4,900 / item
H 34 in W 86 in D 42 in
Custom Made Modern English Arm Sofa in Performance Linen Velvet - 86"
By Bloom Home Inc
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
This beautiful english arm sofa has a modern twist, with its single bench cushion, and beautiful curved apron sides. It’s upholstered in a Linen Velvet Performance fabric. Shown in...
Linen, Velvet
$7,117Sale 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
Georgian 18th Century Mahogany Secretaire Cupboard
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A superb quality late 18th century Georgian mahogany secretaire cupboard having well figured and banded top over one secretaire drawer to frieze, enclosing attractive satinwood in...
Mahogany
$2,500 / item
H 29 in Dm 19 in
Organic Modern Small Table Lamp Natural Wood Handmade Ivory Fluted Shade
By Isabel Moncada
Located in San Antonio, TX
PATA DE ELEFANTE SMALL table lamp was designed for the Atomic collection by Mexican artist Isabel Moncada. Named Pata de Elefante –Elephant's Foot– for the prominent shape at its ba...
Wood, Fabric, Linen, Fiberglass
Certified Maison Bagues Ship Chandelier - iron and crystal
By Maison Baguès
Located in Paris, FR
Certified Maison Baguès Chandelier - iron and crystal Finish: Gold or Silver gilding Re-edition of its old model "Le Bateau". UL listing available for an additional charge.
Crystal, Iron
$7,402Sale Price|20% Off
H 67.13 in W 42.13 in D 22.64 in
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, made of soft wood veneered with mahogany, dated around 1840. The monumental shape...
Mahogany
Chinese Qing Dynasty Cabinet with Original Décor
Located in Kastrup, DK
Rare Qing dynasty cabinet with original well preserved decorations. Red base lacquer with polychrome decorations, black lacquer on the sides. Top section with pair of panel doors la...
Elm
$9,378Sale Price|31% Off
H 59.45 in W 39.38 in D 18.31 in
Empire Secretaire, Walnut, Maple, Paw Feet, Austria circa 1815
Located in Regensburg, DE
Fine Early Biedermeier or late Empire Secretaire / Drop-Front /Secretary Desk from Austria around 1815-20. Walnut veneered on hardwood (walnut and mahogany). Partly ebonized and deta...
Brass, Gold Leaf
$1,975
H 15.75 in Dm 10 in
Austrian Biedermeier Wooden Compote with Classical Column Stand, circa 1840
Located in Atlanta, GA
This Austrian Biedermeier compote from the mid-19th century features a circular wooden bowl over an exquisite stand made of three elegant columns with ebonized wood capitals and base...
Wood
Austro-German 19th Century Biedermeier Sofa
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A fabulous Biedermeier style settee from 19th century Bavaria made from exceptionally beautiful, solid maple in a sheltering design like a banquette to enclose the upholstery. Some a...
Upholstery, Maple
$5,450
H 55.71 in W 35.24 in D 14.97 in
19th Century Empire Drop-Front Oak Secretary Desk or Abattant, Chest France
Located in Miami, FL
Secretaire a abattant, France circa 1820, Biedermeier period. The outside with fall front and two drawers flanked by two ebonized columns shows a beautiful oak veneer design. The woo...
Bronze
$75,000
H 74.13 in W 122 in D 0.75 in
Early 19th Century Chinese Coromandel Eight-Panel Screen with Palace Attendants
Located in Miami, FL
Early 19th Century Chinese Coromandel Eight-Panel Screen — Provenance: Perret Vibert, Paris Early 19th Century Chinese Coromandel Eight-Panel Screen with Palace Attendants and Schola...
Paint, Wood
$8,431Sale Price|20% Off
H 74.02 in W 55.52 in D 24.41 in
Biedermeier Armoire, Walnut Veneer and Full Columns, Austria, circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Beautiful early Biedermeier Armoire from Austria, circa 1820. This two-door neoclassical armoire or wardrobe has a beautifully selected, book-matched walnut veneer and ebonized full ...
Iron
Antique French Secretary
Located in Malibu, CA
This early 19th-century drop-leaf secretaire features the traditional Biedermeier ebony accents, columns, and matched woodgrain pattern. Unlike the high gloss finish of many pieces f...
Brass, Other
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
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.