Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
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
Austrian Biedermeier Jeweled Silver Gilt Casket with Cameos, 1846
Located in New York, NY
Austrian Biedermeier silver gilt casket, 1846. Bellied, lobed, and rectangular. Hinged cover same and concave with raised center and swing-mounted scroll bracket cast handle with flo...
Category
1840s Austrian Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Silver
Biedermeier Sewing Box, Walnut Veneer, Austria circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Beautiful original antique Biedermeier Sewing Box in Walnut Veneer from Austria circa 1820.
Walnut veneered. Ebony inlays. Brass button. Inside with complete original sewing equipmen...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Biedermeier Box, Cherry Wood with Inlays, Austria circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Gorgeous antique Biedermeier Box, Cherry Wood with Inlays, Austria circa 1820.
Cherrywood veneered. Inlays in maple, pearwood and walnut on the top lid.
Inside with mirror and 1 draw...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Cherry, Maple, Pearwood, Walnut
Danish 19th Century Mahogany Spice Box With Glass Containers
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A rare Rectangular Mid 19th Century Spice Box in Mahogany with original brass handles, from Copenhagen in Denmark. This Spice box from "Östergades Materialhandel" from the Danish cap...
Category
Late 19th Century Danish Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Biedermeier Casket Box, Walnut and Ebony, South Germany, circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Walnut veneer with ebony ribbon inlay at the lower edge. An imprint in the top center of the lid.
Refinished condition. Polished with shellac by hand for a beautiful high-gloss surf...
Category
1820s German Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Ebony, Walnut
Biedermeier Box, Walnut Veneer, South Germany, circa 1860
Located in Regensburg, DE
Biedermeier Box, Walnut Veneer, South Germany, circa 1860.
Walnut and walnut root veneer. Inlay trims in maple and ebony.
Refinished condition, hand polished with shellac.
Dimensions...
Category
1860s Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Ebony, Maple, Walnut, Softwood
19th Century Walnut Biedermeier Casket
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Very beautiful box from the Biedermeier period, made of walnut veneer on a spruce body, the bottom of the box is solid walnut. In the box there is a mirror in the lid and the upper p...
Category
19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Mirror, Walnut, Spruce
Antique European Biedermeier Silver Keepsake Casket Box
Located in New York, NY
European Biedermeier silver keepsake casket, ca 1840. Lobed and bombe with hinged and raised cover. Cover top flat and vacant. Chased and engraved...
Category
Mid-19th Century European Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Silver
19th Century Savings Box Biedermeier Period German Silver 13 Lot
Located in Epfach, DE
Beautiful small piggy bank from the Biedermeier period in silver 13 lot.
Decorated with rocailles and leaves, beautifully worked out; in front a finely engraved monogram with the fi...
Category
1850s German Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Silver
Small Money Box "Magdalena" in the Style of Stobwasser Braunschweig
Located in Hamburg, DE
Small money box " Magadalena" in the style of Stobwasser Braunschweig. The piggy bank is made of painted tin and is reminiscent of the tin boxes finely painted by Stobwasser Braunschweig. The painting of the money tin...
Category
1840s German Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Tin
Biedermeier Walnut Miniature Blanket Chest
Located in Darmstadt, DE
The miniature chest was made of walnut and dates back to the early Biedermeier period at the beginning of the 19th century. A very nice small rare furniture...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Spruce, Walnut
Biedermeier Box, Ash Veneer, South Germany, circa 1830
Located in Regensburg, DE
Biedermeier Box, Ash Veneer, South Germany circa 1830
Ash veneered on softwood.
Original brass handle and pressed brass fitting
Restored and shellac hand-polished
Dimensions: H 12....
Category
1830s Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Ash
Biedermeier Beadwork, Pens Casket, Case, Box
Located in Hamburg, DE
Beautifully crafted Biedermeier pencil box from Germany mid - late 19th century. The casket is leather wrapped, embossed and has a push button closure. From the inside the box is lac...
Category
1870s German Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Leather, Beads
Cubic Biedermeier Box, Mahogany and Maple, Austria, circa 1840
Located in Regensburg, DE
Cubic Biedermeier box, mahogany and maple, Austria circa 1840
Rare cubic shaped decorative box form the Biedermeier period.
Mahogany veneered with maple inlays. Oak base. Restore...
Category
1840s Austrian Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Mahogany, Maple, Oak
Swedish Biedermeier Karelian Birch Hat Box
Located in New York, NY
Swedish Biedermeier-style (20th Century) Karelian birch round shaped hat box with leather strap.
Category
20th Century Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Leather, Birch
French Brown Hat Box for Cylinders, Early 19th Century
Located in Hamburg, DE
French brown hat box for cylinders, early 19th century. Rare old leather hat box for top hats. This old hat box in the shape of a cylinder is an original fro...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Leather, Fabric
Switzerland Mahogany Ebonized Hinged Music Box with Three Cylinders, C. 1880
Located in Hollywood, SC
Rare Switzerland mahogany & ebonized hinged music box with the original crank, three interior paper labels, and cylinders. Music box is stamped by maker and is In working condition, ...
Category
1880s Swiss Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Steel
19th century Biedermeier Walnut Root Slant Top Letter Box Inlaid Bird Motif
Located in Savannah, GA
Large size slant top 19th century Biedermeier veneered walnut root letter box with inlaid bird and vine motif. Beautiful exotic woods with inlay and eb...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
19th Century Cherrywood Biedermeier Casket
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Very beautiful small box from the time of Biedermeier, made of cherrywood. In the box is in the lid a mirror and the upper part is as an insert to take out. In very good restored con...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Cherry
Mint C. and Large Antique Display Shell Box w. Beveled Glass Top & Silver Spoons
Located in Lisse, NL
Fine quality and condition, 1860s box with perfect working silver lock and key.
This handcrafted spoon box is another one of our recent great finds. It comes with beautifully shaped...
Category
Mid-19th Century Dutch Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Silver
Golden 750 Biedermeier Box Painting Portrait of Little Girl Vienna Made 1828
Located in Vienna, AT
Golden biedermeier round box with lovely portrait of a little girl.
Vienna / Austria, made 1828
Finest golden item of best manufacturing quality!
Specifications:
The lid of round golden box...
Category
1820s Austrian Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Gold
Very Fine Biedermeier Period Tea Caddy of Bombe Form in Exotic Woods, circa 1830
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very fine and visually striking Biedermeier Period tea caddy of exceptional quality, demonstrating a highly elevated form and a most complex application of exotic woods. The hinged...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Zebra Wood, Satinwood, Amboyna, Yew
Antique Decorative Box, Walnut Veneer and Brass, South Germany, circa 1850
Located in Regensburg, DE
Small Biedermeier decorative box, walnut veneer, southern Germany around 1850.
Brass fitting with handle. Restored and shellac hand polished.
Dimensions: H 10.2cm x W 20cm x D 13.5cm.
Category
1850s German Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Cubic Biedermeier Box, Walnut with Inlays, Austria, circa 1830
Located in Regensburg, DE
Cube-shaped, elaborately crafted Biedermeier casket. Walnut veneered.
Inlay work with branch slices and mahogany veneer. Several band inlays in maple and ebony.
Top center with inl...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Ebony, Walnut, Maple
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Handmade Artisan Oval Cherry Wood Box
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Sturdy & well made in a heavy gauge panels.
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Marquetry Wood Box with Mosaic Bone Inlays, Middle East, circa 1940s
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Marquetry Wood Box with Mosaic Bone Inlays, Middle East. c. 1970's
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
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Wooden Box, Casket, Gründerzeit / Wilhelminian, circa 1890, Austria
Located in Wien, AT
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Located in Nuernberg, DE
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H 1.63 in W 2.38 in D 1.38 in
Previously Available Items
Biedermeier Box, Walnut Veneer, South Germany circa 1830
Located in Regensburg, DE
Beautiful straightened neoclassical Biedermeier Box from South Germany circa 1830.
Walnut veneered on maple wood. Brass hinges. Restored and hand polished with shellac.
Dimensions: H...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Maple, Walnut
19th Century Biedermeier Box in brown Walnut, around 1820
Located in Berlin, DE
This beautiful 19th Century Biedermeier Box was made in brown Walnut around 1820. The box is made out of pine and veneered in walnut.
It is in great vintage condition.
A unique piece...
Category
1920s German Vintage Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Walnut
Antique Decorative Box, Walnut Veneer and Brass, South Germany, circa 1850
Located in Regensburg, DE
Small Biedermeier decorative box, walnut veneer, southern Germany around 1850.
Brass fitting with handle. Restored and shellac hand polished.
Dimensions: H 10.2cm x W 20cm x D 13.5cm.
Category
1850s German Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
H 4.02 in W 7.88 in D 5.32 in
19th Century Biedermeier Walnut Casket
Located in Darmstadt, DE
This stunning Biedermeier casket is crafted from walnut veneer on a spruce body, with a removable oak partition and a maple veneer interior. It has been expertly restored and hand-po...
Category
19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Maple, Oak, Walnut, Spruce
Wooden Box, Casket, Biedermeier, circa 1840, Austria
Located in Wien, AT
Very decorative wooden box from the Biedermeier period, circa 1840, made in Austria, central Europe.
This high-quality work was made with precious materials - a spruce body was vene...
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1830s Austrian Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
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Walnut, Spruce
Biedermeier Box, Walnut Veneer, South Germany, circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Walnut veneer on softwood. Shellac hand polished.
Ebonized, painted trim around the top plate.
Dimensions: H 12cm x W 37cm x D 22cm.
Category
1820s German Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Walnut, Softwood
Cubic Biedermeier Box, Walnut with Inlays, Austria, circa 1830
Located in Regensburg, DE
Cube-shaped, elaborately crafted Biedermeier casket. Walnut veneered.
Inlay work with branch slices and mahogany veneer. Several band inlays in maple and ebony.
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Antique Soft Jade Green Opaline Glass Box, Cendese Glass, Murano Glass
Located in Hamburg, DE
Antique soft jade green opaline glass boxe. Luxurious and rare antique opal glass box. This kind of jewelry boxes was mainly made in France, Italy and f...
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Mid-20th Century Italian Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
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Opaline Glass
Continental Miniature Chest
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Fine fruitwood veneers - quality design and workmanship.
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Early 20th Century European Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
Set of 2 Antique Jade Green Opaline Glass Boxes
Located in Hamburg, DE
Set of 2 antique jade green opaline glass boxes. Luxurious and rare antique opal glass box. This kind of jewelry boxes was mainly made in France, Italy ...
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Mid-19th Century European Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
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Opaline Glass
Antique white opaline glass box with blue floral enamel decoration
Located in Hamburg, DE
Luxurious and rare antique opal glass box. This kind of jewelry boxes was mainly made in France, Italy and formerly Bohemia. They were made from the ear...
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Late 19th Century Italian Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
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Bronze
Antique white opaline glass box with beautiful decorated gilt hinge
Located in Hamburg, DE
Luxurious and rare antique opal glass box. This kind of jewelry boxes was mainly made in France, Italy and formerly Bohemia. They were made from the ear...
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Mid-19th Century French Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
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Bronze
Biedermeier decorative boxes for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Biedermeier decorative boxes for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage decorative boxes created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Biedermeier decorative boxes made in a specific country, there are Europe, Germany, and Austria pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 decorative boxes differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $207 and tops out at $22,500 while the average work can sell for $1,064.
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