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Biedermeier Canapes

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
Antique Large Biedermeier Sofa in Green with brass details, circa 1860
Located in Opole, PL
We present you this massive sofa, typical for the Biedermeier style, with a softly upholstered seat and backrest. This article of furniture has characteri...
Category

19th Century Scandinavian Antique Biedermeier Canapes

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Biedermeier gyogyoru sofa
Located in Kerepes, HU
Ez egy nagyon különleges forma Biedermeier stílusban , korabeli, sofa. Nagyon mutatás es ennyire kényelmes is. Díszítő es hasznos egyaránt bútor darab nappali, haló , előtér vagy ...
Category

Early 19th Century Hungarian Antique Biedermeier Canapes

Materials

Other

19th Century German Biedermeier Polished Cherry Settee - Antique Burlwood Sofa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique German Biedermeier sofa made of hand crafted polished, partly veneered Cherrywood and Burlwood, in good condition. The particularized settee is composed with a slightly inclined backrest with wide, tall curved armrests, standing on four arched wooden...
Category

Early 19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Canapes

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Cherry, Burl

Austrian Biedermeier Settee, walnut - Josef Dannhauser, Vienna 1820 - 2 Seater
Located in Göttingen, NI
2-Seater Burl Walnut veneered. Flat frame on profiled volute feet, bowed armrests. Seat, armrests and back newly upholstered with yellow gold-colored moirée height 95 cm, seat hei...
Category

1820s Austrian Antique Biedermeier Canapes

Materials

Walnut

Biedermeier Walnut and Velvet Cream Color Austrian Sofa, 1820
Located in Rome, IT
Biedermeier two-seat sofa. Sofa all veneered in walnut wood and covered in beige color velvet and combined fabric. The sofa is small in size, and seats two people well. It is mad...
Category

1820s Austrian Antique Biedermeier Canapes

Materials

Velvet, Walnut

19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Mahogany Sofa
Located in Paris, FR
Austrian Biedermeier-period sofa crafted of mahogany veneer, upholstered in beige fabric with geometric motifs. This refined piece of furniture has rolled armrests decorated with twisted patterns and medallions, and large backrest highlighted with scrolls and palmette. The sofa rests on four square fluted legs. The Biedermeier period began in the states of the German Confederation and in the Austrian Empire in 1815 (Congress of Vienna) and ended in 1848 (March Revolution). The Biedermeier style referred mainly to the decorative arts, but also included sculpture and painting. In contrast to the opulence and heroism of Napoleon's Empire, the Biedermeier style promoted calm and simplicity. From 1830 onwards, it embodied a new, comfortable, bourgeois way of life. In furnishing, the emphasis was placed on the structure of the furniture that had robust and geometrical forms, softened by curves. The simplicity of the materials, mainly light woods, was compensated by the variety and exuberance of the forms the backrests of the seats were carved in fan shape, the armrests of the sofas rolled...
Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Biedermeier Canapes

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

Biedermeier Benches, France, 1840
Located in Greding, DE
A pair of Biedermeier benches with intricate carvings, half round armrests and pillars on the sides with acanthus leaves. In the middle of the backre...
Category

1840s French Antique Biedermeier Canapes

Materials

Mahogany

Biedermeier Canape
Located in Hudson, NY
An Austrian Biedermeier style small pedestal sofa in fruitwood represents the high point in this design form. Amazing in its day the style is sleek and dramatic and still is to this ...
Category

1940s Austrian Vintage Biedermeier Canapes

Materials

Wood

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17th Century Walnut Sofa
Located in Vosselaar, BE
A fine 17th century walnut Louis XIII canapé. The original frame was fully restored and newly upholstered by our workshop.
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17th Century French Antique Biedermeier Canapes

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Walnut

17th Century Walnut Sofa
17th Century Walnut Sofa
H 45.67 in W 70.08 in D 31.5 in
French Louis XV Style Cane Back Settee
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Large French Louis XV style cane back settee, also called canapé or sofa. Sofa in a very good state, no damage to the cane, rare find. Double-caned s...
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19th Century French Antique Biedermeier Canapes

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Velvet, Cane, Wood

French Louis XV Style Cane Back Settee
French Louis XV Style Cane Back Settee
H 39.88 in W 68 in D 29 in
Elegant and Large Italian Three-Seat Curved Sofa, New Velvet Upholstery. 1950s
Located in Paris, FR
Elegant and wide Italian three-seat curved sofa. Circa 1950/60. Soft and comfortable seat. Light beech waxed feet. Perfect condition. Original pieces from the 1950s newly re-upholstered in the traditional way by the best French craftsmen, we used a high quality velvet fabric from Kvadrat Raf Simons' collection and new foams. We can particularly appreciate the work and savoir-faire of our team of upholsterers respecting the original design, using the right proportions and lines as it was designed in the 50's. If needed for a project, we also have the pair of armchairs in stock...
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Mid-20th Century Italian Biedermeier Canapes

Materials

Upholstery, Velvet, Beech, Fabric

18th Century French Rococo Painted Sofa
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Magnificent French Rococo or late Baroque painted sofa decorated with a whimsical Rocaille carved frame. Encased in scroll designs reminiscent of Versailles grottos. Newly refurbishe...
Category

18th Century French Antique Biedermeier Canapes

Materials

Mohair, Wood, Linen

Superb Quality Painted French Louis XVI Settee with Wedgwood Plaque, circa 1900
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
For customers that require professional insured delivery we are proud to have teamed up with a nationwide professional delivery company that will assist with coordinating your delivery needs! They offer a reasonable flat-rate fee for delivery and set up to the ground floor of your home. They deliver to the vast majority of the lower 48 states. They offer a flat rate for most of our items with exclusions for the largest or most complex items such as breakfronts or crystal chandeliers or other items of greater complexity. For those items please ask for a shipping quote prior to purchase as these rates are different from our stated pricing. For those items please ask for a shipping quote prior to purchase. Most deliveries to the East Coast will be 295.00, to the mid-west and Southern mid-west 395.00. To the areas west of Kansas 495.00 and the farthest points to the West coast will be 595.00. Again, some areas we can't cover, however we can deliver to most of the lower 48 states so please inquire to be sure! Delivery times range from as fast as 1-4 weeks for the east coast to 5-9 weeks to the farthest areas of the west coast, sometimes longer and sometimes even shorter. If it is a time sensitive purchase, we may be able to accommodate you for a higher price. It is our goal to please each and every one of our customers with the highest standard of service possible. You must realize and accept that we are shipping antique, vintage and quality used furnishings to your home. We cannot control traffic, weather, and acts of God. There will be times when additional patience will be necessary. This is a very special and rare piece of fine antique furniture. The antique white finish...
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Early 1900s French Antique Biedermeier Canapes

Materials

Walnut

Upholstered American Window Settee In Mahogany, circa 1850
Located in Miami, FL
This diminutive American window settee with figured mahogany frame and upholstered back and seat is a perfect small bench at the end of a bed. The back i...
Category

19th Century American Antique Biedermeier Canapes

Materials

Mahogany

18th Century French Sofa
Located in Nashville, TN
Carved frame sofa is upholstered in French gaufrage velvet.
Category

Mid-18th Century French Antique Biedermeier Canapes

Materials

Velvet, Wood

18th Century French Sofa
18th Century French Sofa
H 43 in W 74 in D 34 in
French Louis XV Style Settee or Canape with Floral Upholstery in Red & White
Located in Plainview, NY
A lovely French Provincial Louis XV style settee or canapé recently upholstered in a gorgeous floral red and white fabric with 4 matching pillows two square and two tufted round pill...
Category

20th Century French Biedermeier Canapes

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

French 19th-20th Century Louis XVI Style Giltwood Carved Settee, François Linke
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine french 19th-20th century Louis XVI style giltwood carved settee by François Linke (d. 1946). The finely carved frame, upholstered in a recent cream fabric, topped with an...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Biedermeier Canapes

Materials

Fabric, Giltwood

Paolo Buffa Walnut Sofa, 1950
Located in Rome, IT
Rare curved sofa attributed to Paolo Buffa, circa 1950 walnut, original gold velvet, iron very good original condition Measures: 145.5 x 60 cm height 94 cm height seat. 41 cm.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Biedermeier Canapes

Materials

Iron

Paolo Buffa Walnut Sofa, 1950
Paolo Buffa Walnut Sofa, 1950
H 37.01 in W 57.29 in D 27.56 in
Spanish Sofa in Peach Leather and Brass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa, leather, brass, metal, Spain, 1980s A highly delicate canapé with voluminous shapes and eccentric decorations. The brass frame is composed of curved tubes that are beautifully...
Category

1980s Spanish Vintage Biedermeier Canapes

Materials

Metal, Brass

Spanish Sofa in Peach Leather and Brass
Spanish Sofa in Peach Leather and Brass
H 31.89 in W 66.93 in D 39.38 in
19th Century French Louis XV Giltwood Canape or Sofa
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Louis XV giltwood canape or sofa displays the grandeur and opulence of the Rococo style during one of its revivals of the Napoleon III era. The gracious, naturali...
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1880s French Antique Biedermeier Canapes

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Silk, Giltwood

Previously Available Items
Biedermeier Walnut Wood and Velvet Austrian Sofas, 1820
Located in Rome, IT
Fantastic Biedermeier sofa, all in walnut wood with a fantastic "patina", finished with a precious white fabrics. All the details from which it is made are delicious. The sofa is co...
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1830s Austrian Antique Biedermeier Canapes

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Velvet, Walnut

19th Century Biedermeier Gothic Revival Mahogany Sofa
Located in Dallas, TX
Providing exceptional comfort with a unique style, this 19th century Biedermeier Gothic Revival mahogany sofa is a paragon of fine craftsmanshi...
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1860s German Antique Biedermeier Canapes

Materials

Mahogany

Biedermeier Sofa, Germany, 1830
Located in Belmont, MA
Biedermeier sofa, Germany 1830, walnut, finely carved details on legs, back and front. The sofa is in good condition, the wood surface does not show any fading or damages. A new upho...
Category

1830s German Antique Biedermeier Canapes

Materials

Walnut

Biedermeier Sofa, Germany, 1830
Biedermeier Sofa, Germany, 1830
H 46.25 in W 72.83 in D 27 in
Empire or Biedermeier Sofa in Mahogany, Northern Europe, circa 1825
Located in Miami, FL
Empire or Biedermeier upholstered sofa with a French-polished mahogany frame, Northern Europe (from either North Germany or Denmark), circa 1825. Well-articulated applied carvings of...
Category

19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Canapes

Materials

Mahogany, Upholstery, Muslin

Biedermeier Fruitwood and Walnut Antique Canapé Settee Sofa, circa 1830
Located in Shippensburg, PA
A superbly designed canapé from the second quarter of the 19th century, the thin and dainty profile is most striking. Careful attention was clearly shown in choosing proportions on...
Category

Early 19th Century European Antique Biedermeier Canapes

Materials

Fruitwood, Walnut

Beautiful Biedermeier Sofa
Located in Rome, IT
Beautiful Biedermeier sofa, with a beautiful drawing in the center of the back, all covered with new silk and velvet. Note also the rear covered and finished.
Category

1820s Austrian Antique Biedermeier Canapes

Materials

Velvet, Walnut, Silk

Beautiful Biedermeier Sofa
Beautiful Biedermeier Sofa
H 45.28 in W 74.02 in D 19.69 in L 45.28 in
19th c. Biedermeier Sofa or Canape
Located in Winter Park, FL
A large Biedermeier Sofa or Canape. Crafted in flamed Birch wood and pine, this sofa is expertly constructed with mortise and tenon and sliding dovetailed construction. Finished in a...
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19th Century Austrian Antique Biedermeier Canapes

Materials

Birch, Pine

19th c. Biedermeier Sofa or Canape
19th c. Biedermeier Sofa or Canape
H 38.5 in W 102 in D 22 in
19th century Biedermeier Settee
Located in New Orleans, LA
Simply Elegant Biedermeier Petit Canape
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19th Century Belgian Antique Biedermeier Canapes

19th century Biedermeier Settee
19th century Biedermeier Settee
H 31.5 in W 49 in D 24 in
Mahogany, Golden Birch and Ash Adorned, Classic Biedermeier Settee
Located in New York, NY
This graceful sofa features wide, arched arms which fan out to cuddle a pair of roll pillows, nestled into the self-sprung seating. A gently sloped back provides comfort, while the s...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Biedermeier Canapes

Materials

Birch

Biedermeier canapes for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Biedermeier canapes 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 canapes created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Biedermeier canapes made in a specific country, there are Europe, Austria, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original canapes, popular names associated with this style include and Josef Danhauser. 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 canapes differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $3,245 and tops out at $20,806 while the average work can sell for $9,948.

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