$8,094Sale Price|40% Off
Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier secretaire in walnut, root wood and ebony with fall-front writing surface; interior drawers and secret compartments.
Ebony, Walnut
$17,500Sale Price|50% Off
Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier secretaire made of walnut and cherry with fall front writing surface, nine interior drawers, mirrored cubby hole and three exterior drawers.
Cherry, Walnut
$11,000Sale Price|62% Off
Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier Secretaire with fall front writing surface, interior drawers and hidden compartments.
Ebony, Walnut
19th Century Fine Biedermeier Walnut Secretaire. Austria, c. 1830.
Located in Vienna, AT
Exceptional Austrian Biedermeier Secretaire, Vienna, circa 1825 An elegant and rare Austrian Biedermeier secretaire, crafted in Vienna around 1825, exemplifying the refined proporti...
Brass
19th Century Fine Biedermeier Walnut Secretaire. Vienna, c. 1825
Located in Vienna, AT
Exceptional and Rare Viennese Biedermeier Secretaire – Vienna, circa 1825 A Masterpiece of Design, Craftsmanship, and Timeless Elegance We are proud to present this elegant and rare...
Brass
19th Century Fine Biedermeier Walnut Secretaire. Vienna, c. 1825.
Located in Vienna, AT
Important Viennese Biedermeier Secretaire. Walnut, Vienna, circa 1825 This important and highly refined Viennese Biedermeier secretaire, executed in Vienna circa 1825, represents an...
Mirror, Maple, Walnut
$10,189Sale Price|24% Off
Early 19th Century South German Biedermeier Secretaire in Walnut
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Elegant Biedermeier secretaire crafted in South Germany around 1820.
Brass
$6,538Sale Price|20% Off
Biedermeier Walnut Secretaire, Antique Desk from Germany, Circa 1830
Located in Darmstadt, DE
This stunning Biedermeier secretary desk is an authentic antique piece crafted from walnut wood, both inside and out. Dating back to the early 19th century, this masterpiece showcase...
Pine, Walnut
$11,500Sale Price|57% Off
Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Bureau Secretaire, Biedermeier. Walnut, birdseye, rootwood, intarsia, secret compartments.
$6,850Sale Price|38% Off
Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier Secretaire- Dark walnut with fall front writing surface, interior drawers, secret compartments and exterior drawers.
$11,500Sale Price|64% Off
Biedermeier Secretaire Napolean Style
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier Secretaire Napolean Style with fall front writing surface, interior drawers and secret compartments.
Birdseye Maple, Walnut
19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaire with Hidden Compartement, circa 1835
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Biedermeier secretary desk Rhineland Walnut, etc. Biedermeier, c. 1835 Dimensions: H x W x D: 163 x 108 x 50 cm Description: The tall, rectangular cabinet body rests on ro...
Walnut, Burl
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 Vienna/ Austria around 1820/25. A spectacular, early example of a Biedermeier secretary ...
Brass
$13,800
Secretaire
Located in Vienna, AT
This elegant and truly exceptional early Viennese Biedermeier Secretaire, crafted in Vienna around 1825, embodies the refined proportions, purity of form, and outstanding craftsmansh...
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 front and the wreath veneered in walnut. Handles and fittings made of brass in the sh...
Cherry, Walnut
Biedermeier Secretary in Walnut, Austria, circa 1830
Located in Greding, DE
Exceptional Biedermeier secretary in walnut featuring a striking book-matched veneer pattern across the front. The fall-front writing surface displays a segment-shaped panel above a ...
Carrara Marble, Brass
$4,459Sale Price|29% Off
Biedermeier Walnut and Root Walnut Secretary, South Germany circa 1840
Located in Darmstadt, DE
The writing board sits at a comfortable height of 71.5 cm, and when opened, the total depth extends to 104.5 cm. This secretaire is in very good restored condition and represents an ...
Birch, Pine, Walnut
Biedermeier Walnut Secretary Desk, Veneered, Restored, Circa 1840
Located in Greding, DE
Biedermeier secretary desk veneered in walnut, featuring three lower drawers, a flat fall-front writing surface, and a top drawer. The pilasters are designed as columns with baluste...
Walnut
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.
Brass, Gold Leaf
$7,044Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century German Biedermeier standing secretary desk walnut veneer
Located in Münster, DE
Biedermeier standing secretary desk, walnut veneer, beautifully mirrored veneer, architectural interior with maple and burl maple veneer, mirrored compartment and secret compartment...
Wood, Walnut
$6,456Sale 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 veneer with strong, mirrored patterns across the entire front. The warm, expressive g...
Brass
Biedermeier Walnut Secretary Desk with Brass Fittings, Germany, 1820
Located in Leimen, DE
Biedermeier secretary desk, South west German, 1820. This beautiful drop front desk has three drawers in the lower part, they are embellished with original lion head brass fittings a...
Walnut
Unique Lyre-shaped Biedermeier Secretarie in walnut veneer, Austria 1840s
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find an exceptional and highly sculptural secrétaire cabinet, executed in richly figured walnut veneer and dating to the first half of the 19th century, Aust...
Brass
19th Century Biedermeier Walnut Secretary Desk with Mirror Interior, 1820
Located in Berlin, DE
This elegant 19th century Biedermeier secretary is crafted in beautifully figured walnut veneer and showcases the refined proportions and restrained elegance characteristic of the Bi...
Walnut, Pine
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 ...
Walnut, Burl
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 .
Satinwood, Walnut
Biedermeier secretary, Western Europe, around 1840.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Biedermeier secretary, Western Europe, around 1840. Furniture in very good condition, after professional renovation. Wood: mahogany dimensions height 169 cm width 106 cm depth 59 cm
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 back to the early phase of the Biedermeier style.
Elm, Walnut
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. The desk has been refinished i...
Mahogany, Walnut
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 Cabinet. Veyr light weight. Measures 24" in width, 17" in depth and stands 75" tall.
Fruitwood, Walnut, Wood
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 herausragendes Zeugnis deutscher Ebenistenkunst dar und besticht gleichermaßen durch seine ar...
Oak, Walnut
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
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
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
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
$7,361Sale Price|43% Off
Biedermeier Chiffoniere in Walnut with Secretaire Compartment, South Germany
Located in Darmstadt, DE
The sides are veneered in expressive walnut with cathedral grain. Resting on bun feet and topped with a pronounced cornice, this piece exemplifies the clean elegance of the Biedermei...
Oak, Walnut, Spruce
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...
Walnut
$8,499
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
Brown Biedermeier Secretaire with Walnut Veneer
Located in Senden, NRW
A great Biedermeier Secretaire made of softwood veneered with walnut wood.
Walnut
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 made of cherrywood and with a hidden compartment.
Cherry, Walnut
Spectacularly Detailed Viennese Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in Long Island City, NY
A rare domed Viennese Biedermeier secretaire with spectacularly detailed interior.
Ebony, Giltwood, Walnut
Unavailable
H 58.75 in W 41.75 in D 18.25 in
1880 Biedermeier Walnut Dropfront Marble-Top Secretaire Desk
Located in Birmingham, AL
1880 Biedermeier Dropfront Marble Top Secretary Desk Execellent Condition with original embossed leather surface, two skeleton keys operate all three functioning locks. Beautifully b...
Walnut
Unavailable
H 66.25 in W 40.5 in D 19.75 in
Antique 19th Century Walnut Austrian Biedermeier Abatante Secretary Desk
Located in Charlotte, NC
An antique Biedermeier style abatante secretary desk, unbranded. Walnut with walnut & other wood veneers, decorative overhang to top, wood keyhole escutcheons to doors with brass key...
Mirror, Wood, Walnut
Gaisbauer Biedermeier Secretary Cabinet
By Gaisbauer
Located in Westport, CT
A classic of Biedermeier design, this large Secretary consists of drawers and an integrated fold down writing desk. Curved body and a stepped drawer unit on top containing three draw...
Walnut
Unavailable
H 65.75 in W 41.34 in D 20.87 in
Empire / Biedermeier Secretary, Top Quality, Walnut, Mainz, Around 1820
Located in Volkach, BY
This unique Empire / Biedermeier secretary was created in Mainz around 1820 and is veneered in walnut and partly on oak. Curled maple, pear tree and maple were used in the furnishing...
Maple, Oak, Walnut
Biedermeier Commode
Located in Chicago, IL
This intriguing Biedermeier cabinet with its lively walnut veneer, flanked by ebonized columns, conceals in its upper drawer a writing compartment. The drawer opens to reveal a stunn...
Walnut, Maple
Biedermeier Secretary from Northern Germany, circa 1825
Located in Dallas, TX
This magnificent Secrétaire à Abattant / Secretaire / Secretary is a fine example of period Biedermeier.
Wood, Birch, Walnut, Burl
A fine Biedermeier secretary.
Located in New York, NY
A fine Biedermeier secretary
Walnut with ebonized and giltwood details.
An ebony border with fine scrolled penwork adorns the top drawer.
The interior features a...
Walnut
Early 19th Century Unique Palace Entrance Desk
By Karl Friedrich Schinkel
Located in Santander, ES
Important antique European barguenio type desk, thought to be constructed as an "Entrance Desk" where taxes were paid and important documents kept. These unique desks usually took th...
Walnut
Unavailable
H 64.5 in W 41.5 in D 20 in
Biedermeier Secretaire a Abatant Walnut Veneer, German, circa 1820, Bureau
Located in Seattle, WA
A handsome Biedermeier secretaire a abatant in walnut veneer Elegant minimal design with quality matched veneers.
Walnut
Unavailable
H 71 in W 48 in D 24 in
Exceptional Biedermeier Secretaire a Abatant Baltic Walnut, German, circa 1830
Located in Seattle, WA
An impressive Biedermeier secretaire a abatant in Baltic walnut veneer.
Walnut
SALE! - Viennese Biedermeier Vitrine/ Writing Desk/Secretaire
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Early Vienese Biedermeier Vitrine/Writing Desk/ Secretaire in three parts- four drawers bottom, with a top drawer opening into a writing compartment with baluster sides, and two smal...
Ebony, Pine, Walnut
Sold
H 54.34 in W 48.63 in D 18.9 in
Antique Burr Walnut Biedermeier Secretaire Desk Drop Front Secretaire Drawers
By Biedermeier
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this super quality, antique Swedish Biedermeier Secretaire desk with 35 drawers Please note the delivery fee listed is just a guide, it covers w...
Walnut
Antique Biedermeier Burled Walnut Secretaire
Located in Austin, TX
Antique Biedermeier drop-front secretaire of burled walnut with geometric inlays.
Bronze
Biedermeier Secretaire, Walnut Veneered, circa 1820
Located in Greding, DE
Biedermeier secretaire with four drawers and flat writing flap.
Walnut
Biedermeier Secretaire, circa 1820
Located in Greding, DE
A Biedermeier secretaire, veneered in walnut, with a two-drawer base, a flat writing flap and a head drawer that rests on the ebonised column supports at the sides.
Walnut
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
Sold
H 58.67 in W 37.8 in D 19.3 in
19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaire, Walnut Secretary circa 1825
Located in Greven, DE
19th century Biedermeier secretary with columns Germany / Rhineland Walnut Biedermeier, circa 1825 Dimensions: H x W x D: 149 x 96 x 49 cm Very slim Biedermeier secretai...
Walnut
German Biedermeier Secretaire Desk with Fine Burled Veneered Walnut
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Rich colored finely figured walnut secretary desk with string inlays that terminate into acorns. Fall Front flanked by partially ebonized columns revealing six drawers with central m...
Walnut
Biedermeier Burled Walnut & Bone Secretaire a Abattant
Located in Chicago, IL
Exceptionally crafted and still in wonderful condition, this Biedermeier secretary is constructed of solid woods and beautiful burled walnut veneers. Escutcheons/keyholes are made of...
Walnut, Pine
Burled Walnut & Bone Biedermeier Secretaire a Abattant
Located in Chicago, IL
Biedermeier fourteen drawer secretary constructed of solid woods and beautiful burled walnut veneers. Escutcheons/keyholes are made of bone. With front in horizontal position, birdse...
Walnut, Pine, Bone
Sold
H 58.08 in W 39.38 in D 19.3 in
Neoclassical Biedermeier Secrétaire, Walnut, Yew, Ebonized, Germany, circa 1830
Located in Regensburg, DE
Beautiful straight lined, rectilinear and unadorned neoclassical Biedermeier secrétaire / secretary / writing armoire or desk from Central Germany, circa 1830.
Iron
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 Biedermeier around 1820 Dimensions: H x W x D: 155 x 80 x 41 cm Description: When clos...
Cherry, Walnut
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 Description: Writing furniture standing on solid block feet. Cherrywood veneere...
Walnut, Cherry
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
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.