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 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
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
19th Century Biedermeier Walnut Secretaire
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...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Pine, Walnut
Exquisite Biedermeier Secretaire, Germany, c. 1825–1830
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Exquisite Biedermeier Secretaire, Germany, c. 1825–1830
This exceptional Biedermeier secretaire, crafted in Germany between 1825 and 1830, embodies the elegance and refinement of th...
Category
1820s German Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Mahogany Secretary Desk, Sweden, 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
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
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 Mahogany Secretary
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
19th Century Conical Shape Secretary,
Germany, 1820
This fine Biedermeier secretary made of mahogany is a real gem for every lover of antique furniture. With a height of 194 cm, a width of 106 cm and a length of 52 cm, it offers plenty of storage space with its five spacious drawers. The elegant mahogany finish and conical shape make it a real eye-catcher in any room. This 1820 original is free standing and in excellent condition. Carefully restored and hand-polished with shellac. A real highlight for anyone looking for antique furniture.Frame dimensions at top 95 cm, bottom 103 cm.The attachment with gable, underneath a hidden compartment, is opened with a compression spring. Very nice cabinet with 10 drawers...
Category
1820s German Antique 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 of mahogany dates from 1810 and is an original from the Empire & Biedermeier era. Th...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
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 vene...
Category
1820s Austrian Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Brass, Gold Leaf
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
19th Century Fine 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
Mirror, Maple, 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 was grounded. Several drawers from inside as well as from outside. With secret compar...
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 secretary from around 1880, Northern Europe.
Located in Chorzów, PL
An antique secretary from the end of the 19th century (circa 1880s)
Produced in Scandinavia, in mahogany wood.
Furniture in preserved in very good ...
Category
1880s Swedish 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 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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Biedermeier Secretaire with Hidden Compartement, Walnut, Austria circa 1820
Located in Greven, DE
Secretary with black ink painting
Austria
Walnut
Biedermeier circa 1820
Dimensions: H x W x D: 155 x 85 x 46 cm
Description:
Exceptionally narrow writing desk with a highly intere...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
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
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
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 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
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
Biedermeier secretaire, circa 1830
Located in London, GB
A Biedermeier secre´taire a` abattant of unusual tapered form, goncalo alves with ebonized, inlaid and pewter decoration, and an enclosed fitted interior, Russian/Baltic, circa 1830.
Category
1820s Baltic Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Pewter
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
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.
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Fruitwood, Walnut, Wood
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
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
Biedermeier Pyramid Secretary, Berlin circa 1810
Located in Greding, DE
This pyramid-shaped secretary from the early 19th century impresses with its architectural design and high-quality craftsmanship. The gable-shaped top with segmental filling is accen...
Category
1810s German Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
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
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
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
Category
1840s Unknown Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
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...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.