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.
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Style: Biedermeier
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 Secretaire, Cherry Veneer, Mahogany, South Germany circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Elegant early Biedermeier / neoclassical secretaire from south Germany around 1820, early 19th century. Cherry wood book-matched veneered on softwood and cherry solid wood, partly ebonized. Inside in mahogany veneer with drawers and three open compartments. Above one long drawer under the cornice. Below two long drawers with old box locks. Fully restored and hand-polished with shellac.
Dimensions:
* Metric: H 150 cm x W 96...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Cherry, Softwood
$8,089 Sale Price
27% Off
Ancient secretary, Northern Europe, circa 1850.
Located in Chorzów, PL
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 piece of furnitu...
Category
Mid-19th Century Scandinavian Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Biedermeier Cylinder Roll Top Desk with drawers
By Biedermeier
Located in Pasadena, TX
A fine example of a classic Biedermeier design desk. Clad in fine mahogany veneer and sophisticatedly book matched, the roll top is just the beginning. The interior is done in a beau...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Wood
Biedermeier Secretaire, Walnut, Maple, Paw Feet, Austria circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
High-quality early Biedermeier Secretaire, Drop-Front or Secretary Desk from Austria around 1820.
Walnut veneered on hardwood (walnut and mahogany). Partly ebonized and details ven...
Category
1820s Austrian Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Brass, Gold Leaf
$9,397 Sale Price
31% Off
Antique High Gloss Secretary Desk, Scandinavia, circa 1850s.
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
Walnut
Biedermeier secretary, Northern Europe, circa 1860.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Biedermeier secretary, Northern Europe, circa 1860.
Very good condition, after professional renovation, a piece of furniture finished in polish.
Wood: mahogany
dimensions: height:...
Category
1860s Swedish Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
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
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 and solid cherry. Solid cherry solid columns with carved Corinthian capitals.
Pro...
Category
1830s Austrian Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Iron, Tin
$11,420 Sale Price
20% Off
German Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary
Located in Queens, NY
German Biedermeier (circa 1820) mahogany secretary cabinet with Corinthian columns on top and bottom section and a centered drop front revealing a...
Category
19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Antique secretary from around 1880, Northern Europe.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique secretary from the end of the 19th century, Northern Europe.
Furniture in very good condition, after professional renovation.
Dimensions: height 159 cm / width 112 cm / dep...
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Biedermeier Drawers Writing Desk Secrétaire Cabinet Swedish Ormolu Detail
Located in Lewes, England
Swedish antique Biedermeier writing desk chiffonier secrétaire cabinet in highly quilted golden birch veneers and finished in the Classic light honey color French polish.
It has 2 m...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Birch
$4,353 Sale Price
20% Off
Biedermeier Fall Top Secretaire, Berlin 1820 with Exquisite Interior
Located in Belmont, MA
Outstanding Biedermeier fall top secretaire, Berlin 1820, mahogany veneer with ebonized details. The interior has one central compartment surrounded by 8 s...
Category
1820s German Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
A Viennese secrétaire from the early 19th century, Burl birch
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
A Viennese secrétaire from the early 19th century
Burl birch
A Viennese secrétaire from the early 19th century is a true masterpiece of cabinetmaking. Its body is crafted from softw...
Category
1820s Austrian Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Birch
Elegant Antique Ash Veneer Secretary Desk
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Elegant Antique Ash Veneer Secretary Desk
This exquisite original secretary desk, crafted in fine ash veneer, is a true testament to timeless elegance and expert craftsmanship. Its ...
Category
1830s German Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Ash
$7,613 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique secretary from around 1850, Northern Europe.
Located in Chorzów, PL
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 piece of furnitu...
Category
1850s Scandinavian Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
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
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 t...
Category
20th Century Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Maple
$7,137 Sale Price
20% Off
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
Biedermeier secretary, Northern Europe, mid 19th century.
Located in Chorzów, PL
An impressive secretary from the mid-19th century in the Biedermeier style.
Antique furniture with a more beautiful form will give elegance to any interior. A representative piece ...
Category
1850s Scandinavian Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
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 Germany around 1820.
Very thick cherrywood saw veneer on softwood and solid cherrywood. E...
Category
1820s German Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Brass
$9,397 Sale Price
27% Off
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 woods .
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Birch, Ebony, Satinwood
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 section having a hinged 2-door shelved cabinet with glass windows bordered by parc...
Category
18th Century German Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Wood
German Biedermeier Slant-Front Desk
Located in Hudson, NY
A very good German slant front desk with a lower case of drawers. The writing surface very nicely finished veneers with interior drawers having inlay ...
Category
19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Brass
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
Wood, Pine, Birdseye Maple
A Biedermeier Chest with Secretaire Circa 1850
Located in Flower Mound, TX
A magnificent mid 19th century Biedermeier chest with figured mahogany secretaire cabinet, with a raised serpentine single drawer, a frieze drawer over paneled fall front, and the in...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
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
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
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
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
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
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 details . Beautiful walnut and birch woods
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
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 quality Cuba mahogany on solid linden wood. Architecturally structured front. Rect...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Mahogany
Secretaire Writing Cabinet in Antique Biedermeier Style Mahogany veneer
Located in Berlin, DE
High quality rosewood veneer on solid conifers. Conical body on profile frames. Base in the front, between four drawers, straight flap with shield-shaped filling. Behind it is a richly divided compartmental division of a bent temple-shaped central compartment with mirrored full columns, flanked by star-starved drawers. Over cantilevered profile cornice flat gypsum, stepped with oval cover plate. Front. All drawers and backboard made of solid wood. So-called pyramid 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 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
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
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 in Austria, is a true work of art. Made from precious mahogany wood, it features b...
Category
Mid-19th Century Austrian Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Metal
$6,185 Sale Price
20% Off
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
Mahogany, Wood
Antique Baroque Style Top Desk / Secretary Fully Inlaid
Located in Berlin, DE
With rich marquetry in this version, it is very rare to find such a similar piece of furniture. The cupboard stands on paw feet, high-quality maceteria inlays on all sides, i.e. inla...
Category
20th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Wood
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
Biedermeier Walnut Secretary
Located in Hudson, NY
Biedermeier Walnut Secretary Chest, Biedermeier walnut secretary with cabinet below. Desk has four small drawers and a letter shelf. Cab...
Category
19th Century Czech Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
$10,500
IMPORTANT GERMAN STATIONERY/SECRETAYRE 18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
IMPORTANT GERMAN STATIONERY 18th Century
plated in fruit wood with inlays representing gallant scenes and floral motifs.
Wavy box with three drawers, showing factory interior with d...
Category
18th Century German Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Wood
$8,089 Sale Price
20% Off
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
Wood, Mahogany, Softwood
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
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
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
German Birchroot Biedermeier Abbatant With Architectural Pediment
Located in Charleston, SC
This monumental Berlin Biedermeier Secretaire is one of the finest examples with its Classical Architecture of Doric Pediments, Columns, and Dental Moldings. The main structure of the Secretaire has a majestic architectural superstructural cabinet resting on top, representing a temple. The Biedermeier Abbatant is veneered in Birchroot with a fall front writing desk...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Birch, Burl
Austrian Biedermeier Cherrywood Secretary
Located in Queens, NY
Austrian Biedermeier (Circa 1835) cherry veneer drop front secretary with 2 ebonized and gilt dolphins and birch root interior drawers with inlaid trim.
Category
19th Century Austrian Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Birch, Cherry
20th Century Inlaid Wood Biedermeier Style Austrian Secrétaire Desk, 1960s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Austrian secretaire from the 20th century. Biedermeier style furniture elegantly inlaid, veneered and carved in walnut, maple, beech and fruitwood. Secretaire built in a single body,...
Category
1960s Austrian Vintage Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Wood
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 and ready to place. Several drawers and compartments for storage .
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Satinwood, Walnut
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
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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