Secretary in mahogany with brass fittings and Intarsia from the 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
German secretary of patinated elm wood with top and brass fittings decorated with marquetry from
Category
Antique 1840s German Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
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18th Century German Baroque Inlaid Marquetry Secretary Bureau
Located in Round Top, TX
18th-century German secretary or "bureau" crafted from walnut, featuring extensive marquetry. The
Category
Antique Late 18th Century German Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Brass
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
Category
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Pine
Biedermeier Secretary Desk, South German, 1820
$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
Category
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Elm, Walnut
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
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
18th century Rococo Secretary Desk, Germany 1750
Located in Leimen, DE
Exquisite Antique Rococo Secretary Desk, Germany, c. 1750 A true collector’s gem, this Rococo
Category
Antique 1750s German Rococo Secretaires
Materials
Kingwood
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
Category
Antique 1830s German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Brass
South German Biedermeier Secretary in Walnut, circa 1825
$6,598Sale 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
Category
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Baroque Cabinet with Secretary Desk, Germany 1760-70
$9,491Sale Price|20% Off
Baroque Cabinet with Secretary Desk, Germany 1760-70
Located in Leimen, DE
Baroque cabinet with Secretary desk, coming from Southern Germany and dating back to end of the
Category
Antique 1770s German Baroque Cabinets
Materials
Walnut
Baroque Bureau / secretary In Walnut from Northern Germany
Located in Kastrup, DK
An elegant and architecturally refined 18th-century Baroque secretary desk crafted in oak and
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century German Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Louis XVI Secretary Bookcase, South German 1780, Cherry
Located in Belmont, MA
Louis XVI secretary bookcase, South German 1780. Elegant and unique secretary bookcase with
Category
Antique 1780s German Louis XVI Bookcases
Materials
Cherry
solid pine secretary desk by WASA, Germany 1990s
$1,447Sale Price|20% Off
solid pine secretary desk by WASA, Germany 1990s
Located in ECHT, NL
Secretary desk made by German company Wasa in 1992. it is made from solid pine. It has a lid that
Category
Late 20th Century German Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Materials
Pine
Louis XVI Secretary Desk, South German 1770-80, walnut
Located in Leimen, DE
Exquisite Louis XVI Secretary Desk South Germany, 1770-80 Discover a stunning Louis XVI secretary
Category
Antique 1770s German Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Original Antique Baroque Secretary Desk, Germany 18th century, Walnut
$9,201Sale Price|20% Off
Original Antique Baroque Secretary Desk, Germany 18th century, Walnut
Located in Leimen, DE
Original Antique Baroque Secretary Desk, Germany, 1750 This exquisite antique Baroque secretary
Category
Antique 1750s German Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
19th Century German Biedermeier Cherrywood Secretaire - Antique Secretary
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 19th Century, antique German Biedermeier tall secretaire with a writing flap made of hand crafted
Category
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Metal, 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
Category
Antique 18th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Rare North German Altona Empire Secretary, circa 1810-1815
$27,022Sale Price|20% Off
Rare North German Altona Empire Secretary, circa 1810-1815
Located in Handewitt, DE
Beautiful and rare original North German "Altona" Secretary, circa 1810-1820. Fine cuba-mahogany
Category
Antique 1810s German Empire Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
19th Century German Biedermeier Veneered Mahogany Cabinet - Antique Secretary
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An early 19th Century, antique German Biedermeier two-part cabinet with a writing flap made of hand
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Cabinets
Materials
Metal, Brass
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
Category
Antique 1830s German Biedermeier Buffets
Materials
Walnut
Early 19th Century Biedermeier Empire Secretary, Germany, Prussia, C. 1815
Located in Greven, DE
102 x 55 cm Description: Very exclusive secretary from the Prussian North German Biedermeier
Category
Antique Early 19th Century German Empire Secretaires
Materials
Birch, Fruitwood
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
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Pine
Mid-Century Solid Teakwood Bureau with Secretary Desk, Germany, 1950
Located in Madrid, ES
This mid-century bureau was produced in Germany in the 1950s and is crafted entirely from solid
Category
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Desks
Materials
Teak
Biedermeier Walnut and Root Walnut Secretary, South Germany circa 1840
$4,540Sale 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
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
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
Category
Antique 1830s German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Birch
Late 18th Century German Louis XVI Secretary, Walnut, Marquetry, Cylinder Desk
Located in Greven, DE
Louis XVI cylinder desk with marquetry Germany (Westphalia) Walnut etc. Classicism around 1795
Category
Antique Late 18th Century German Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Maple, Oak, Walnut
Antique North German/Danish Empire Cylinder-Top Secretary with Bookcase, c. 1815
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
From the Hamburg/Schleswig-Holstein region of Germany, once part of Denmark, a very handsome Empire
Category
Antique Early 19th Century German Empire Secretaires
Materials
Ash
Louis Phillipe North German Fall-Front Secretary in Flame Mahogany, circa 1855
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A captivating one of a kind Louis Phillip secretary in book-matched, flame mahogany with shaped
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century German Louis Philippe Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
18th Century German Burr Elm and Walnut Secretary, with Ebonized Trim and Inlaid
Located in North Miami, FL
18th Century German burr elm and walnut secretary, adorned with ebonized trim and inlaid
Category
Antique 18th Century German Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Walnut, Burl
Biedermeier Secretary Desk, 1820
Located in Leimen, DE
Biedermeier secretary desk, South west German, 1820. This beautiful drop front desk has three
Category
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Early 19th Century Secretary
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Empire Secretary, Germany, 1820 A magnificent Empire-style secretary crafted in walnut veneer over
Category
Antique Early 19th Century German Empire Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
1960s Bureau, WK Möbel Secretary
By WK Möbel
Located in Neuss, NW
workmanship - High-quality materials - Body with solid wood edges - Made in Germany, Manufacturer: WK Möbel
Category
Vintage 1960s German Secretaires
Materials
Teak
Biedermeier Maple Drop Front Secretary
Located in Bradenton, FL
A very attractive early 19th century Maple and Ebony German Biedermeier drop front secretary. Nice
Category
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Maple
19th Century Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary
$9,394Sale 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
Category
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Early 19th Century Mahogany Secretary
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Early XIX Century Mahogany Secretary Germany, 1800 Mahogany This classicist cylinder bureau made
Category
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
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
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Hand-Painted Baroque Secretary, 18th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Baroque secretary with three drawers and slant-front writing flap decorated with recessed panels
Category
Antique 18th Century German Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Brass, Iron
Baroque Secretary, Dresden, Mid-18th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Impressive Baroque secretary from Dresden, featuring a two-drawer, slightly bombé commode base
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century German Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
Empire or Biedermeier Secretary Mahogany, 1815
$9,237Sale Price|30% Off
Empire or Biedermeier Secretary Mahogany, 1815
Located in Berlin, DE
Very well preserved conical secretary with stepped head Front with multiply mirrored pyramid
Category
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Biedermeier Pyramid Secretary, Berlin circa 1810
Located in Greding, DE
This pyramid-shaped secretary from the early 19th century impresses with its architectural design
Category
Antique 1810s German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
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...
Category
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany, Wood
Biedermeier Lyra Secretary Desk, circa 1830
Located in Greding, DE
Elaborately crafted Biedermeier Lyra secretary featuring an oval upper section with a narrow drawer
Category
Antique 1830s German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Brass
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
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Cherry, Walnut
19th Century Biedermeier Secretary Mahogany, 1835
Located in Berlin, DE
Pyramids mahogany on pine tree. Architecturally arranged inner life. Not long ago, the secretary
Category
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Marquetry Children's Bureau Secretary
Located in Delft, NL
A 19th century marquetry children's bureau secretary A marquetry children's bureau secretary
Category
Antique 19th Century German Children's Furniture
Materials
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
Category
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Lion Secretary Empire Berlin
$40,669Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Lion Secretary Empire Berlin
Located in Berlin, DE
Cuba mahogany on solid oak and softwood partly ebonized. High-rise, architecturally designed corpus. In the front three drawers of different sizes. Straight writing board, behind it ...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century German Empire Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
Biedermeier Secretary, likely Berlin, early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
A representative Biedermeier secretary featuring full column supports with fire-gilt bases and
Category
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
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
Category
Antique 19th Century German Secretaires
Materials
Maple
20th Century Petite Secretary in Biedermeier Style
Located in Berlin, DE
20th century Petite Secretary in Biedermeier style Mahogany partially blackened, on solid
Category
20th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Contemporary 'JULIUS' Secretary by Eichkorn, Black Bronze, Customizable
By Eichkorn
Located in Paris, IDF
JULIUS Console Table by German contemporary design studio Eichkorn. Material: Cast Bronze with
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Brutalist Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
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
Category
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Mahogany, Softwood
Biedermeier Antique Secretary Circa 1840 Veneered With Mahogany
$7,554Sale Price|20% Off
Biedermeier Antique Secretary Circa 1840 Veneered With Mahogany
Located in Opole, PL
, reminiscent of architectural structures, suggests a German workshop. The secretary features three drawers, a
Category
Antique 1840s German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Neoclassical Cylinder Secretary Desk with Clock, circa 1780
Located in Greding, DE
Significant neoclassical cylinder secretary resting on six tapered square legs, canted at the
Category
Antique 1780s German Neoclassical Secretaires
Materials
Brass
White-Painted Secretary Desk with Glazed Cabinet, 18th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Elegant secretary desk with glazed upper cabinet and a gracefully broken arched pediment. The
Category
Antique 18th Century German French Provincial Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Modernist Secretary Showcase, Chrome Plated Steel, Lacquered Wood, Customizable
By GMD Berlin
Located in Berlin, DE
Modernist secretary showcase made of chrome-plated tubular steel, lacquered wood and glass
Category
2010s German Modern Secretaires
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Early 19th Century Secretary, Birch and Birch burl veneered
$9,201Sale Price|20% Off
Early 19th Century Secretary, Birch and Birch burl veneered
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Secretary Desk, circa 1820, Braunschweig An exceptional secretary desk from around 1820, crafted
Category
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Birch
Antique Biedermeier Secretary shelve circa 1810 Cuba Mahogany veneer
$6,008Sale Price|36% Off
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
Category
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
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German Secretary For Sale on 1stDibs
Find many varieties of an authentic German secretary available at 1stDibs. Frequently made of wood, hardwood and walnut, every German secretary was constructed with great care. There are 231 variations of the antique or vintage German secretary you’re looking for, while we also have 34 modern editions of this piece to choose from as well. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer German secretary, there are earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 21st Century. A German secretary is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in modern, Baroque and Empire styles are sought with frequency. GMD Berlin, Biedermeier and Martin Mestmacher each produced at least one beautiful German secretary that is worth considering.
How Much is a German Secretary?
Prices for a German secretary start at $42 and top out at $1,492,810 with the average selling for $8,054.
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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