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Walter Wirz writing desk secretary in teak Wilhelm Renz Germany 1960
By Walter Wirz, Wilhelm Renz
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Beautiful secretary or writing desk designed by Walter Wirz and manufactured by Wilhelm Renz
Category
Vintage 1960s German Scandinavian Modern Secretaires
Materials
Teak
18th Century Southern German Baroque Tabernacle Secretary, Louis XV, c. 1750
Located in Greven, DE
Baroque tabernacle secretary in walnut with strapwork.
Upper Bavaria
Walnut
Baroque around
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century German Louis XV Secretaires
Materials
Fruitwood, Walnut
German Biedermeier Secretary, Walnut, Made by Wilhelm Kimbel, Mainz, circa 1830
Located in Greven, DE
Biedermeier secretary
Mainz (Kimbel workshop)
Walnut etc.
Biedermeier circa 1830
Dimensions
Category
Antique 1830s German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Maple, Walnut
18th Century German Baroque Secretary with Marquetry and Patina, circa 1750
Located in Greven, DE
Baroque secretary with impressive marquetry
Southwest Germany
Walnut a.o.
around 1750
Dimensions
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century German Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Fruitwood, Maple, Walnut
MCM Teak Veneer German Shrunk Wall Unit Secretary Liquor Cabinet 2-Piece
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome Mid-Century Modern German shrunk, wall unit, secretary, or liquor cabinet in beautiful
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
Materials
Grasscloth, Paint, Teak
periob Biediemeier Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
19th c Important Biediemeier Walnut secretary. Karelian Birch interior with carved gilt recumbant
Category
Antique 19th Century German Secretaires
Materials
Wood
18th Century Secretary
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
18th Century secretary with a decorative carved pediment. Two doors open to six drawers, and
Category
Antique 18th Century German Secretaires
Materials
Wood
$10,281
Secretary Cabinet, 1920s
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
This secretary dates from circa 1925, produced in germany. With four large drawers on the outside
Category
Vintage 1920s German Rustic Secretaires
Materials
Oak, Pine
$2,078
Secretary Cabinet, 1920s
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
This cabinet dates from circa 1920, produced in Germany. With 12 drawers and a door with a shelf
Category
Vintage 1920s German Industrial Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Oak, Pine, Plywood
$1,900
19th Century Biedermeier Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century Biedermeier secretary. Fine detail.
Category
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Satinwood
Empire Secretary Cabinet, 1920
s
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
This Empire secretary dates from circa 1925, produced in Germany. With four large drawers on the
Category
Vintage 1920s German Empire Revival Cabinets
Materials
Pine
Walnut Biedermeier Secretary, C.1860
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Biedermeier secretary, made in Germany C.1860
Beautiful mix of walnut and ebony, flanked with
Category
Antique 1860s German Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Antique Baroque 18th Century Oak Secretary
Located in Round Top, TX
Classic styling is the mark of this handsome secretary from the 1700's. The original painted mural
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier German Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Oak, Paint
Biedermeier Secretary Desk, Thuringia, circa 1825
Located in Greding, DE
Elegant secretary desk on square feet and a body with three drawers and a beautiful interior with
Category
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Cherry
Early 19th Century Mahogany Empire Secretary
Located in Berlin, DE
This Empire secretary was made in Germany, circa 1810. It is mahogany veneer on oak.
The inside
Category
Antique Early 19th Century German Empire Secretaires
Materials
Birch, Mahogany
Continental Baroque Secretary, Mahogany
Parcel-Gilt
Located in Dallas, TX
A very good quality early 20th century Continental mahogany and parcel-gilt rococo style secretary
Category
Early 20th Century German Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Giltwood
18th Century Original Painted Baroque Secretary
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
German provincial Baroque secretary à deux corps from the 2nd half of the 18th century. Solid oak
Category
Antique Late 18th Century German Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Oak
Gray painted Baroque Secretary, 18th century
Located in Greding, DE
Baroque slanted-flap bureau on pressed ball feet with three drawers and curved front. Behind the coffered writing flap is a black interior division with further small drawers and a c...
Category
Antique 18th Century German Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Softwood
Rococo top secretary, Northern Europe 18th century
Located in Greding, DE
Large Dutch bureau with four-drawer chest of drawers and typical multi-profiled corner solution on claw feet with carved frame. Behind the wavy slanted flap are three lockable single...
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century German Baroque Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood
Antique Secretary Desk from circa 1870, After Renovation
Located in Chorzów, PL
A historic secretary from the second half of the 19th century. The furniture is kept in a very good
Category
Antique 1870s German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Fine 19th Century Period Biedermeier Birch and Ebonized Secretary
Located in Bradenton, FL
A very fine 19th century German Biedermeier birch secretary with ebonized accents.
Behind the
Category
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Birch
19th Century Biedermeier Secretary with Architectural Design, circa 1835
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Biedermeier secretary in cherry
Central Germany
Cherry
Biedermeier circa 1835
Dimensions
Category
Antique 1830s German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Cherry
Louis XVI Cylinder Secretary, Writing Desk, Walnut, circa 1800
Located in Greven, DE
Louis XVI cylinder secretary in walnut, writing desk
West Germany
Walnut and others
Louis XVI
Category
Antique Early 19th Century German Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Early 19th Century Flame Mahogany Biedermeier Cylinder Roll Desk Secretary
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A German ‘Biedermeier’ secretary in flame mahogany, the cylinder roll opening to an interior with
Category
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Desks
Materials
Mahogany
Original Vintage WWII Poster The Enemy Is Listening Careless Talk Secretary
Located in London, GB
Original vintage World War Two poster issued in Nazi Germany - Hans schreibt seine Division kommt
Category
Vintage 1940s German Posters
Materials
Paper
19th Century Biedermeier Writing Commode, small Secretary, Birch, circa 1830
Located in Greven, DE
19th century small Biedermeier writing commode
Germany (Brandenburg)
Burl birch
Biedermeier
Category
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Birch
Transformation Secretary circa 1795 by Johann Michael Vetter, Neuwied, Mahogany
Located in Epfach, DE
Transformation secretary circa 1795 by Johann Michael Vetter, Neuwied, Mahogany
Secretary with in
Category
Antique Late 18th Century German Directoire Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Mid-Century Modern Rosewood Fold Out Secretary Office Desk Cabinet
Located in San Jose, CA
Vintage office secretary cabinet desk in rosewood, made in Germany, circa 1960s. This clever piece
Category
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
Materials
Metal
Early 19th Century Biedermeier Secretary with Hidden Mechanism, circa 1815
Located in Greven, DE
Biedermeier secretary in cherry wood
Mainz
Cherry tree
Biedermeier around 1815
Dimensions: H x W
Category
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Cherry
19th Century Narrow Biedermeier Secretary, Padouk, Antique Secretaire circa 1825
Located in Greven, DE
Narrow Biedermeier Secretary
Central/Eastern Germany
Probably Padouk
19th century, Biedermeier
Category
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Padouk
Very Fine 19th C Biedermeier Satinwood Birch and Ebonized Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
A very fine 19th century period Biedermeier secretary. The finest quality satinwood birch with
Category
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Bronze
Late 18th or Early 19th Century Secretary with Hidden Mechanisms, Mahogany
Located in Greven, DE
Antique secretary after designs by Friedrich Gottlob Hoffmann
Central German (Leipzig)
Mahogany
Category
Antique 1790s German Louis XVI Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany, Maple
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
Category
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Mahogany
19th Century Red-Brown Biedermeier Secretary in Cherry and Maple, circa 1835
Located in Berlin, DE
This beautiful 19th century Biedermeier Secretary is made out of Pine and veneered in Cherry wood
Category
Antique 1830s German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Cherry, Maple
Biedermeier Secretary, Early 19th Century, C. 1810-1820
Located in Greven, DE
Biedermeier top secretary
Northern Germany/Denmark
Elm and others
Biedermeier around 1815
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Danish Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Elm
19th Century German Biedermeier Corner Cupboard, Secrétaire, Cherrywood
Located in Greven, DE
19th century corner cupboard / secretary
Germany (Rhineland)
Cherry tree
Biedermeier, circa
Category
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Corner Cupboards
Materials
Cherry
Small Biedermeier Chest with Writing Compartement, Secretaire, German, C. 1825
Located in Greven, DE
Small Biedermeier commode with secretary compartment
Northern Germany
Birch
Biedermeier around
Category
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Birch
18th Ct German Baroque, Louis XV Secretaire, Walnut, Marquetry, Bavarian, 1750
Located in Greven, DE
123 x 62 cm
Description:
Southern German tabernacle secretary in walnut and plum veneer with
Category
Antique Mid-18th Century German Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Chest of Drawers with Writing Compartement, Biedermeier circa 1830
Located in Greven, DE
Biedermeier chest of drawers with secretary compartment
Southern Germany
Walnut
Biedermeier around
Category
Antique 1830s German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Walnut
Extraordinary Lincoln Kerchief w/ His Portrait Plus Fremont
McLellan
Located in York County, PA
Secretary of War, who garnered significant support among German immigrants, and General Henry Wagner Halleck
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century Political and Patriotic Memorabilia
Secretary Desk, Germany, 19th Century
Located in Wrocław, Poland
This secretary desk comes from Germany and was constructed in the second half of 19th Century. It
Category
Antique 19th Century German Secretaires
Materials
Cherry
Secretary Desk, Germany, 19th Century
Located in Wrocław, Poland
This Biedermeier secretary comes from Germany and was constructed, circa 1825. It is made of
Category
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Cherry
Biedermeier Secretary, Germany, 19th Century
Located in Wrocław, Poland
This Biedermeier secretary comes from Germany and was constructed in 19th century. It is made of
Category
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Birch
Biedermeier Secretary, Germany, 19th Century
Located in Wrocław, Poland
This Biedermeier secretary comes from Germany and was constructed in 19th century. It is made of
Category
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Birch
Baroque Secretary Desk, Germany 1750, walnut
Located in Belmont, MA
This beautiful Baroque Secretary Desk comes from Southern Germany and dates back to 1760/70. The
Category
Antique 1760s German Baroque Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
19th Century German Biedermeier Secretary, Birchwood, circa 1830
Located in Greven, DE
Plain Biedermeier secretary
Middle Germany
Birch
Biedermeier around 1830
Dimensions: H x W
Category
Antique 19th Century German 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
Category
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Birch
Antique Miniature German Boule Biedermeier Dollhouse Secretary Desk, 1860-1890s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This rare and exquisite miniature antique German wooden Boule Secretary Desk with fine golden
Category
Antique 1890s German Folk Art Toys and Dolls
Materials
Wood
Late 19th Century Germany Walnut and Parquetry Secretary Bookcase
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a late 19th century continental parquetry inlaid bureau bookcase, with a break arch pediment with two cupboard doors, the fall front enclosing a fitted interior with draw...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century German Bookcases
Materials
Walnut
Antique Miniature German Boule Biedermeier Dollhouse Secretary Desk, 1860-1890s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This rare and exquisite miniature antique German wooden Boule Secretary Desk with fine golden
Category
Antique 1890s German Folk Art Toys and Dolls
Materials
Wood
Biedermeier Secretary Desk, Roll Top, Walnut Marquetry, Germany, 19th Century
Located in Wrocław, Poland
This beautiful Secretary comes from Germany from the beginning of 19th century. The piece is made
Category
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Wood, Walnut
19th Century German Louis Philippe Pine Secretary with Fall Front
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A lovely secretary in pine with four exterior drawers and fall-front opening to a series of smaller
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century German Louis Philippe Secretaires
Materials
Pine
Very Rare German Biedermeier Secretary and Dazzler in Walnut, circa 1830
Located in Greven, DE
A Biedermeier Secretary and Dazzler in Walnut c. 1830
Germany (Pfalz)
Walnut
Biedermeier around
Category
Antique 1830s German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Walnut
Biedermeier Secretary, Maple Veneer, Ink on Wood Decor, Germany, 19th Century
Located in Wrocław, Poland
This beautiful Secretary comes from Germany and was made in 19th century. The piece is made of
Category
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Materials
Maple
North German Biedermeier Ash Chest with Three Drawers and Fold-Down, Secretary
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A handsome small North German Biedermeier chest of drawers with four drawers. Top drawer folds
Category
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Ash
North German Provincial Biedermeier Secretary in Pine with Cylinder Top, c. 1830
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
North German Provincial Biedermeier Secretary in Pine with Cylinder Top. A rare cylinder top pine
Category
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Desks
Materials
Birch, Pine
North German Biedermeier Chest of Drawers with Secretary in Mahogany, circa 1830
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
various depths below a drawer-front that opens to a secretary desk with four interior drawers around an
Category
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Dra...
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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