Biedermeier Secretaires
Biedermeier Style
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.
Style: Biedermeier
Color: Brown
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 h...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Brass, Other
Burlwood Drop-Front Secretary, One of Four Produced; Båstad, Sweden, c. 1880
Located in Norwalk, CT
Dating from around 1880, this exceptional "secrétaire à abattant" is one of four identical chests, produced by a master Swedish cabinetmaker in the city of Båstad, commissioned as wedding gifts for the four daughters of a prominent local family. This remarkable piece was sourced by Atypical Find...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Burl
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...
Category
Mid-19th Century European Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany, Baize
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...
Category
1840s German Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary Desk, circa 1860, after Renovation
Located in Opole, PL
We present you another incredible piece of furniture in our collection -- this elegant and highly exquisite Biedermeier secretary desk circa 1860.
The secretary desk was manufactu...
Category
1860s Scandinavian Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
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
19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Mahogany
20th Century Vienna Biedermeier Style Secretaire after Johann Härle
By Johann Härle
Located in Berlin, DE
Aristocratic secretaire of Vienna Biedermeier after Johann Härle, 1813.
Highly valuable bird’s-eye maple root veneer on solid pinewood, partially ebonized, crested with classicist m...
Category
20th Century Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Pine, Wood, Birdseye Maple
Biedermeier Maple Drop Front Secretary
Located in Bradenton, FL
A very attractive early 19th century Maple and Ebony German Biedermeier drop front secretary. Nice deep rich color and patina to the Maple surfac...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Maple
Unique Mahogany Antique Secretary Desk, Northern Europe, circa 1870
Located in Chorzów, PL
Historic secretary from the second half of the 19th century.
Very good condition, after professional renovation.
Wood: Mahogany
Dimensions: he...
Category
1870s Swedish Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
20th Century Vienna Biedermeier Style Lyre Secretaire
Located in Berlin, DE
Highly valuable bird’s-eye maple root veneer on solid pinewood. Framed with maple root inlays. Two base-drawers, above an oval corpus with two half-round drawers, between a down-folding writing-plate. This so called Lyre Secretaire...
Category
20th Century Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
Original Antique Biedermeier Secretaire Desk Mahogany Veneer, circa 1845-1850
Located in Berlin, DE
Mahogany on solid pinewood. High-right body on padfoot feet. In the articulated front four drawers of different sizes. Straight writing plate with a medaillion-shaped depression. Beh...
Category
20th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Wood
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 the 1840s. This exquisite piece of furniture features three drawers spanning the enti...
Category
19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Spruce, Cherry
Antique Biedermeier Secretary, 20th Century
Located in Kerepes, HU
We present to you this special piece of furniture in the Biedermeier style.
The presented piece is appropriate for its age is in condition.
Materials and techniques:
Wood walnut v...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Early 20th-Century Biedermeier Brown Oak Secretary Desk
Located in Opole, PL
Early 20th-Century Biedermeier Brown Oak Secretary Desk
We present you this piece of furniture composed of a three-drawer dresser with a sliding de...
Category
Early 20th Century European Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Oak
20th Century antique Biedermeier style secretire birdseye maple veneer
Located in Berlin, DE
Exotic maple root veneer on solid softwood. Straight, two-drawer body above short, conical square legs, above an inclined writing flap and staggered office division of drawers and co...
Category
20th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Antique Biedermeier Table, Secretaire, 19th Century
Located in Kerepes, HU
We present to you this special small secretaire table in Biedermeier style.
This piece of furniture is richly decorated with fine marquetry.
With its elegant silhouette and beautif...
Category
19th Century European Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Biedermeier Writing Desk Chiffonier Secrétaire Cabinet Swedish Ormolu Detail
Located in LONDON, GB
Swedish antique Biedermeier writing desk chiffonier secrétaire cabinet in highly quilted golden birch veneers and finished in the Classic light h...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Birch
Conical Secrétaire, 19th Century Biedermeier Secretary in Birch, Germany
Located in Greven, DE
Conical secretary
North-East Germany
birch,
19th century, Biedermeier, circa 1820
Dimensions: H x W x D 150 x 102 (94) x 52 cm
Description:
Rare conically tapering secret...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Birch
Classicist Vienna Secretary, circa 1790
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Richly inlaid classicist secretary circa 1790-1800 original from Vienna. Some repairs in the past. Very good original condition with sigs of usage.
Category
18th Century Austrian Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Rare Cabinet Chest of Drawers with Marble in the antique Biedermeier Style
Located in Berlin, DE
Maple root on solid conifers. Single-door cabinet in cylindrical shape. Corpus on corresponding frame. Gering marble top surface with light-grey grain. Partially ebonised. Interior s...
Category
19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Birdseye Maple
20th Century Vienna Biedermeier Style Secretaire
Located in Berlin, DE
Sensational Vienna secretaire in Biedermeier style.
Tulip veneer on solid pinewood, partially ebonized. Round, bowed body on profiled clump-feet. In the structured front, there are ...
Category
20th Century Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Maple, Wood
Antique German Mahogany Biedermeier Secretary Desk
Located in Round Top, TX
Outstanding early 19th century German Biedermeier secretary desk, circa 1830, with exceptional book matched mahogany drawer and desk front. ...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Swedish Karl Johan Biedermeier Chest of Drawers with Pull Out Secretary in Birch
Located in Miami, FL
A very handsome birch Karl Johan Biedermeier chest of drawers with a drawer front fold down secretary. The drawer-front opens to an ample and beautiful ebonized and faux mahogany interior offering two letter drawers...
Category
1820s Swedish Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Birch
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...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Biedermeier Chest of Drawers/ Writing Commode, Austria, ca. 1830
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Remarkable 19th century nutwood chest of drawers/ writing commode from the early Biedermeier era in Austria around 1830. Impressing with an absolute outstanding looking grain which r...
Category
Mid-19th Century Austrian Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Brass
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 Biedermeie...
Category
1820s German Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Elm, Walnut
Antique High Gloss Secretary Desk, Scandinavia, circa 1950s, Restored
Located in Chorzów, PL
ANTIQUE-UNIQUE. Impressive secretary from the mid-19th century in Biedermeier style. Antique furniture with a more beautiful form will add elegance to any interior. A representative ...
Category
1850s Scandinavian Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Biedermeier Walnut Secretaire. Vienna, c. 1825.
Located in Vienna, AT
Hello,
This elegant and truly exceptional walnut Viennese Biedermeier Secretaire was made in Vienna circa 1825.
The Secretaire is an example of beautiful, rare and refined design an...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Maple, Walnut
Biedermeier Secretary, Northern Europe, circa 1850
Located in Chorzów, PL
Secretary Biedermeier, Northern Europe, circa 1850.
Currently under renovation.
Wood: Mahogany
Dimensions: height 214 cm width 123 cm depth 57 cm.
Category
1850s Scandinavian Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Late 18th Century Narrow Antique Swedish Biedermeier Secretaire in Pine
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Beautiful and in fully original condition Swedish pine secretaire features rounded corners with a curved drawer on top and beneath a key-locked fall front, which opens to reveal a wr...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Pine
19th Century French Drop-Front Marquetry Oak Secretary Desk or Abattant
Located in Miami, FL
Secretaire a abattant, Spain circa 1900. The outside with fall front and one low door with compartment, beautiful marquetry oakwood. The wood inside opens to a central compartment fl...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Antique Early 20th Century Mahogany Biedermeier Drop Front Secretary Desk from G
Located in Round Top, TX
Rich dark wood and stately lines define this handsome Biedermeier drop front secretary from Germany. Note the concave curve of the upper cabinet door and beautiful mahogany grain pat...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Mahogany
Antique Biedermeier Secretary shelve circa 1810 Cuba Mahogany veneer
Located in Berlin, DE
High-quality Cuba mahogany on solid oak . Rectangular body on pointed legs. Provided with three drawers . Straight writing tablet, behind it architectur...
Category
19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Fine Biedermeier Walnut Secretaire. Vienna, c. 1820-25.
Located in Vienna, AT
Hello,
This elegant and truly exceptional early Viennese Biedermeier Secretaire was made in Vienna circa 1820-25.
The Secretaire is an example of beautiful, rare and refined design ...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Biedermeier Secretary Desk, South West German, 1820
Located in Belmont, MA
Biedermeier secretary desk, South west German, 1820.
This beautiful drop front desk has three drawers in the lower part, they are embellish...
Category
1810s German Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
20th Century Vienna Biedermeier Lyre Secretaire
Located in Berlin, DE
Imposing lyre secrétaire in the manner of Vienna Biedermeier.
Ebonized partially bird’s-eye maple veneer on solid pinewood. Inframed with maple root c...
Category
20th Century Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Biedermeier Walnut Secretaire. Austria, c. 1825-30.
Located in Vienna, AT
Hello,
This elegant and early Austrian Biedermeier secretaire was made circa 1825-30.
The Secretaire is an example of beautiful, rare ...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Brass
19th Century Biedermeier Birchwood Sweden Secretaire and Armoires , 1830s
Located in Roma, RM
Rare Biedermeier furniture, seeing it looks like a small cabinet, opening the doors we are on the right side a small, elegant, Secretaire, while on the left side a small wardrobe. Sm...
Category
1830s Swedish Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Birch
Unique Mahogany Antique Secretary Desk, Sweden, circa 1880
Located in Chorzów, PL
An antique secretary from the end of the 19th century. Furniture in very good condition, after professional renovation. Finished in gloss polish. Unique restored piece by our renovat...
Category
1880s Swedish Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Intarsia Secretary
Located in New York, NY
Handcrafted, this piece has been obviously been designed and created with love. Elegant intarsia inlays adorn the outside of this case piece. Inside hides a whimsical array of storag...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Birch
20th Century antique Biedermeier Style Slope-Flap Secretaire mahogany veneer
Located in Berlin, DE
Mahogany on solid softwood. Straight, two-drawer body above short, conical square legs, above an inclined writing flap and staggered office division of drawers and compartments. Clas...
Category
20th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Wood
19th Century Empire Mahogany Bureau Secretary with Bookcase
Located in Miami, FL
A very fine Empire secretary in West Indies mahogany, also known as Cuban mahogany, considered to be among the finest mahoganies because of its beautiful grain and color, Denmark, circa 1820.
Cylinder top opens to a pull-out desk which offers an adjustable baize-lined lectern or writing surface flanked by sliding storage compartments, as well as a series of small interior drawers around a central cabinet. Above the desk, are three cupboards with bowed doors, the central one featuring a pediment top. Below the pull-out desk drawer, there are three long storage...
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
20th Century Biedermeier Style Secretaire
Located in Berlin, DE
Delicate secretaire in Biedermeier style.
Maple root on solid pinewood. Interior, blackened full-columns, plastic shown in squared form.
(L-Sam-41).
Category
20th Century Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Maple, Pine
Unique Mahogany Antique Secretary Desk, Northern Europe, circa 1860
Located in Chorzów, PL
Historic secretary from the second half of the 19th century.
Very good condition, after professional renovation.
Wood: Mahogany
Dimensions: he...
Category
1860s Swedish Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
20th Century Vienna Biedermeier Style Secretaire antique after Johann Härle
Located in Berlin, DE
The highest artist work.
Aristocratic secretaire of Vienna Biedermeier after Johann Härle, 1813. Highly valuable bird’s-eye maple root veneer on solid pinewood, partially ebonized, ...
Category
20th Century Austrian Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Birdseye Maple
20th Century Petite Secretary in Biedermeier Style
Located in Berlin, DE
20th century Petite Secretary in Biedermeier style
Mahogany partially blackened, on solid softwood. Rectangular body on flattened ball feet. In the...
Category
20th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Wood
20th Century Biedermeier Style Secretaire
Located in Berlin, DE
20th century Biedermeier style secretaire
Delicate secretaire in Biedermeier style. Tulip veneer, partially blackened, on solid pinewood....
Category
20th Century Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Pine
Empire or Biedermeier Secretary Mahogany, 1815
Located in Berlin, DE
Very well preserved conical secretary with stepped head
Front with multiply mirrored pyramid mahogany
entire surface with original shellac hand polish
high-quality cabinet part with thread intarsia and leg buttons
very elaborate workmanship and rare furniture...
Category
19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
20th Century Biedermeier Style Secretaire
Located in Berlin, DE
Delicate secretaire in Biedermeier style.
Maple roots on solid pinewood. Natrual leather covered and gold-embossing.
(L-Mhs-42).
Category
20th Century Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Leather, Wood, Maple
19th Century Biedermeier Secretary Mahogany, 1835
Located in Berlin, DE
Pyramids mahogany on pine tree. Architecturally arranged inner life. Not long ago, the secretary was grounded. Several drawers from inside as well as from outside. With secret compar...
Category
19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
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 shelves, flanked by curved side compartments (one shelf inside at the left). Below is a ...
Category
19th Century European Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Burl
Biedermeier Fall Top Desk, South German, 1820
Located in Belmont, MA
Classic Biedermeier fall top desk, South German, 1820, walnut veneer on the outside and mahogany veneer on the inside. It has a beautiful veneer grain. T...
Category
1820s German Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany, Walnut
Neoclassical Biedermeier Secretaire, Cherry Veneer, South Germany circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Very fine, neoclassical early Biedermeier Secretaire from South Germany around 1820.
Beautiful classicist design with gable cornice, well ...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Iron, 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, architecturally designed body on conical legs. In the front three drawers. Straig...
Category
19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Softwood, Wood, Mahogany
Antique Solid Oak Biedermeier Secretary in Honey Color
Located in Casteren, NL
A beautiful secretaire abbatant or standing secretary.
Made in the finest European oak, this secretary was made in The Netherlands circa 1840. It stands on turned feet and features 3 drawers at the lower part. The writing plate has a recessed panel with the typical Dutch Biedermeier...
Category
Mid-19th Century Dutch Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Birch Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in New York, NY
Constructed of solid birch and fir and veneered with hand-cut Nordic birch veneers, the secretary features an upper locking drawer which rests upon a fitted desk area hiding behind a...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Birch, Fir
19th Century Biedermeier Walnut Small Secretaire
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Beautiful little Secretaire from the time of the late Biedermeier, circa 1840. The Secretaire is covered outside with walnut and root walnut veneer on a pine body. The inner part is...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Birch, Pine, Walnut
Austro-Hungarian Secrétaire à Abattant
Located in Woodbury, CT
Wearing a layer of Austrian walnut root veneer, this secrétaire has a unique grain that one does not often see; it swirls and undulates across the surface drawing the eye along in a ...
Category
19th Century Hungarian Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Walnut, Burl
Biedermeier secretaires for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Biedermeier secretaires for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage secretaires created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, hardwood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Biedermeier secretaires made in a specific country, there are Europe, Germany, and Scandinavia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original secretaires, popular names associated with this style include Biedermeier, Europa Antiques, and Karl Johan. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for secretaires differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,607 and tops out at $56,800 while the average work can sell for $7,258.
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