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Biedermeier Seating

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
Thonet Gebruder Vienna Gmbh No.56 Bentwood and Vienna Straw Chair
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest you read the whole description, because with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects. For t...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Beech

Biedermeier Shovel Chair, Cherry Veneer, South Germany circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Single Biedermeier Shovel Chair, Cherry Veneer, South Germany circa 1820. Cherry veneered and solid. Book-matched veneer on large shovel. Ebonized intermediate bar in the back. New...
Category

1820s German Antique Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Bouclé, Cherry

Biedermeier Side Chair, Cherry Wood, South Germany circa 1830
Located in Regensburg, DE
Biedermeier Side Chair, Cherry Wood, South Germany circa 1830 Solid cherry wood. Restored and hand polished with shellac. Back decoration of three ebonized leaves. New upholstered ...
Category

1820s German Antique Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Fabric, Cherry, Paint

19th Century German Biedermeier Polished Mahogany Armchair - Antique Side Chair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A dark-brown, antique German Biedermeier single armchair made of hand shellac polished Mahogany, in good condition. The detailed side chair has a half round, arched backrest with sli...
Category

Early 19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Fabric, Velvet, Mahogany

Biedermeier Chair, Cherry Wood and Ink, South Germany, circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Elegant and rare Biedermeier chair from South Germany around 1820. Cherry wood veneered and solid. Curved back board. Beautiful original tush /ink ...
Category

1820s French Antique Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Paint, Cherry

Set of Six Northern Italian Fruitwood Dining Chairs, Great Scale For Comfort.
Located in Buchanan, MI
Set of Six Northern Italian Fruitwood Dining Chairs, Great Scale For Comfort. Fully Restored but would need to be reupholstered as a few of the springs have come loose. Could possib...
Category

19th Century Austrian Antique Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Fruitwood

Biedermeier Piano Bench
Located in New York, NY
Lovely antique piano bench with internal compartment for music sheet storage. The perfect accompaniment to a beautiful piano, this piece is suitabl...
Category

1840s Swedish Antique Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Birch

20th Century Set of 4 Biedermeier/Art Deco Chairs, Birch
Located in Berlin, DE
20th century set of 4 Biedermeier/Art Deco chairs, birch Slightly arched backrest with straight top and 2 middle bridge. Newly upholstered seat and covered with a high quality fab...
Category

20th Century German Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Birch

Set of Four Biedermeier Chairs, Germany, 1820
Located in Belmont, MA
This set of four Biedermeier Chairs is a very pretty example of the elegance of Biedermeier chair design. The walnut veneered chairs have a a classic back decor with ebonized details. The come fully refinished with a newly added...
Category

1820s German Antique Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Biedermeier Bench with Neoclassical Legs
Located in Charleston, SC
Lovely little 19th century Biedermeier bench or loveseat with neoclassical legs. Made of cherry and/or pear wood with crotch walnut veneers, this ben...
Category

19th Century Austrian Antique Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Fruitwood, Walnut

Set of 6 Biedermeier Chairs, South Germany 1820, Walnut
Located in Belmont, MA
This exquisite set of 6 original Biedermeier chairs is a rare find. The so called original Biedermeier Ochsenkopf-Stuehle (ox-head chairs) get their name from their beautifully desi...
Category

1820s German Antique Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Walnut

Set of 4 Biedermeier Chairs, South Germany 1820-30, Walnut
Located in Belmont, MA
This exquisite set of 4 original Biedermeier chairs is a rare find. The so called original Biedermeier Ochsenkopf-Stuehle (ox-head chairs) get their name from their beautifully designed back. They date back to around 1820 and come from Southern Germany. The chairs are embellished with a gorgeous walnut veneer. They come refinished with a shellack finish and have a new upholstery and elegant black fabric. The chairs can be matched with a set of 6 identical Biedermeier chairs which are offered separately. This would be the perfect set of a total of 10 original Biedermeier dining chairs for a larger dining room setting...
Category

1820s German Antique Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Walnut

20th Century Set of 2 Biedermeier/Art Deco Chairs, birch
Located in Berlin, DE
20th Century Set of 2 Biedermeier/Art Deco Chairs, birch Slightly arched backrest with straight top and 2 middle bridge. Newly upholstered seat and covered with a high quality fabri...
Category

20th Century German Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Birch

19th Century Fine Biedermeier Walnut Chair, Vienna, c. 1825.
Located in Vienna, AT
Hello, This fine Biedermeier side chair was made in Vienna circa 1825. Viennese Biedermeier pieces are distinguished by their sophisticated proportions, rare and refined design, exc...
Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Vintage Italian Biedermeier Saber Leg Accent Side Chair with Needlepoint Seat
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Italian Biedermeier Saber Leg Accent Side Chair with Needlepoint Seat. Item features needlepoint upholstered seat, solid wood frame, nicely carved details, shapely saber legs...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Fabric, Mahogany

19th Century, Fine Biedermeier Walnut Chair. Vienna, C. 1825.
Located in Vienna, AT
Hello, This fine walnut Viennese Biedermeier chairs was made circa 1825. Viennese Biedermeier is distinguished by their sophisticated proportions, rare and refined design and excell...
Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Swedish Biedermeier Sofa Empire Couch Honey Color, 4-5 Seat, 19th Century
Located in LONDON, GB
Swedish Biedermeier 4-5 seat sofa couch in classic light honey color French polish finish with curved arm detailing and ormolu style decorative ends and central motifs in the highest...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Birch

Biedermeier Armchair, Black and With Light Fabric
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant Biedermeier armchair in black painted wood, with a natural beautiful patina. Upholstered with linen. Denmark 1820 - 1830.
Category

Early 19th Century Danish Antique Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Biedermeier Revolving Chair, Cherry Veneer, Black Velvet, South Germany, c.1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Rare original Biedermeier swivel or revolving chair or bergere chair, armchair or club chair from South Germany about 1820. Cherry veneered and solid. Newly upholstered with blac...
Category

1820s German Antique Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Velvet, Cherry, Paint

Set of 8 Biedermeier Style Dining Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Set of 8 Biedermeier style dining chairs. The chairs are cherry and have walnut burlwood backs.
Category

1980s Vintage Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Cherry, Walnut

Swedish Biedermeier Sofa Empire Couch Honey Color, 2-3 Seat, 19th Century Ormolu
Located in LONDON, GB
Rare Swedish Biedermeier 2-3 seat sofa couch in classic light honey color French polish finish with wonderful curved arm detailing and ormolu style decorative ends and motifs in the ...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Birch

19th Century Fine Biedermeier Walnut Sofa. Vienna, c. 1825-30.
Located in Vienna, AT
Hello, We are pleased to offer you this elegant and truly exceptional Viennese Biedermeier sofa made circa 1825-30. Viennese Biedermeier pieces are distinguished by their sophistica...
Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Pair of Danish Biedermeier Grass Green Upholstered Side Chairs
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A set of Two Danish Biedermeier side chairs with beautiful carved wood design. This pair of chairs has been newly reupholstered with grass green Knoll fabric. The chairs are as comfo...
Category

1830s Danish Antique Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Birch

Pair of Biedermeier Armchairs, Germany 1820, Cherry
Located in Belmont, MA
This pair of Biedermeier Armchairs dates back to around 1820 and comes from southern Germany. It has a very pretty plain design. The s-shaped armrests end in a volute. The armchairs ...
Category

1820s German Antique Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Cherry

Biedermeier Fruitwood Bench
Located in Essex, MA
With tall scrolled sides with turned rails, upholstered seat raised on curule form legs.
Category

1830s European Antique Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Fruitwood

1960´S, Walnut Arm Chair Bierdemeir Style with Bordeaux Leather Upholstery
Located in BILBAO, ES
Walnut arm chair bierdemeir style with in bordeaux leather upholstery. Dimensions chair Height: 86cm seat 33.85cm. Width: 22.83 in. (58cm). Depth: 19.29 in. (49cm). PRADERA is a...
Category

1940s Spanish Vintage Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Walnut, Wood

19th Century Fine Pair of Biedermeier Chairs. Vienna, c. 1825.
Located in Vienna, AT
Hello, This elegant walnut Viennese Biedermeier chairs were made circa 1825. Viennese Biedermeier is distinguished by their sophisticated proportions, rare and refined design and ex...
Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Cherry

19th Century Set of Three Biedermeier Walnut Chairs. Vienna, c. 1825.
Located in Vienna, AT
Hello, This fine walnut Viennese Biedermeier chairs were made circa 1825-30. Viennese Biedermeier is distinguished by their sophisticated proportions, rare and refined design and ex...
Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

19th Century Fine Biedermeier Walnut Side Chairs. Vienna, c. 1825.
Located in Vienna, AT
Hello, This elegant, early Biedermeier chairs were made in Vienna circa 1825. Viennese Biedermeier is distinguished by their sophisticated pro...
Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

19th Century Fine Pair of Biedermeier Cherry Chairs. Vienna, c. 1825.
Located in Vienna, AT
Hello, This fine cherry Viennese Biedermeier chairs were made circa 1825. Viennese Biedermeier is distinguished by their sophisticated proportions, rare and refined design and excel...
Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Cherry

Pair of Austrian Biedermeier 19th Century Side Chairs with Carved Open Backs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Austrian Biedermeier period side chairs from the 19th century, with unusual carved open backs, curving legs, carved gadroon motifs and leaf themed upholstery. Created in Au...
Category

19th Century Austrian Antique Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

19th Century Fine Pair of Walnut Biedermeier Chairs. Vienna, c. 1825.
Located in Vienna, AT
Hello, This fine walnut Viennese Biedermeier chairs were made circa 1825. Viennese Biedermeier is distinguished by their sophisticated proportions, rare and refined design and excel...
Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Biedermeier Style Armchair by Villa Garnelo International of Spain
Located in Lake Worth, FL
Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A Rare Villa Garnelo International of Spain Biedermeier Style Armchair Featuring ebonized lion heads and p...
Category

1970s American Vintage Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Cotton, Wood

Biedermeier Burl Walnut Armchair
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Biedermeier burl walnut armchair, circa 1835. With a nicely figuered burl walnut crest rail, ebonized wheat sheath back splat, s shaped arms resting on c scrolled arm supports on squ...
Category

1830s Austrian Antique Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut, Paint

Rare and Original Antique Bentwood Thonet Child's Chair 19th Century Furniture
Located in Lisse, NL
Marked and original children's chair, the 'Kindersessel nr 1.' This 19th century Thonet chair for a child dates from circa 1860-1880 and the name Thonet needs no further introduction. This rare piece is in excellent and original condition. It is as stable as the day it was hand-crafted and the undamaged upholstery is almost certainly original too. The stunning seat with its beautiful pattern and colors is either filled with straw or with horse's hair. This small and rare Thonet chair...
Category

19th Century Austrian Antique Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Fabric, Bentwood

6 Original Biedermeier Chairs Caféhaus Seat Weave circa 1850-1860 Solid Mahogany
Located in Berlin, DE
A rare set of 6 antique Biedermeier chairs / café house chairs / bistro chairs made of solid mahogany wood. The seats of the chairs are made...
Category

19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Fine Set of Three Ebonized Biedermeier Chairs. Vienna, c. 1825.
Located in Vienna, AT
Hello, This fine set of three ebonized Viennese Biedermeier chairs were made circa 1825. Ebonized Biedermeier pieces were mostly made in Vienna, Austria and account for only 1-2 % o...
Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Pearwood

Pair Biedermeier Barrel Back Chairs
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is an unusual form of Biedermeier Barrel Back chairs in walnut. The barrel back is configured of open bars with three profiles of abstracted pineapple* silhouettes spaced betwee...
Category

Early 19th Century European Antique Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Walnut

Set of Six Biedermeier Chairs, Cherry, Gold-Plate, South Germany circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Wonderful set of six early Biedermeier, late Empire dining room chairs from South Germany around 1820. Very special are the golden ornament faces, which are carved-out of side o...
Category

Early 19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Gold Plate

Pair of Biedermeier Chairs
Located in Halle, DE
Pair of rural Biedermeier chairs, Germany ca. mid 19 century. The chairs are definitely in need of restoration, but still charming. The chairs appear quite small, but they are no kid...
Category

Mid-19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Wood

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 Seating

Materials

Walnut

Venetian Six Asolane Biedermeier Chairs in Walnut, Lyre-Shaped Back, Hand-Carved
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Set of 6 Asolane Biedermeier chairs from the second half of the 19th century in walnut with lyre-shaped backrest, hand-carved. Fixing with wooden nails; spring seat covered in antique pink fabric in good condition. Design of the chairs attributable to the Vincenzo Cadorin Atelier About Asolo Between '800 and' 900 Asolo seems to affirm its character as a place of beauty, privileged residence and cultural tradition, attracting illustrious personalities, intellectuals and artists, Italian and foreign: among them Eugene Benson, Henry James and Carlo Scarpa, Marius Pictor, Filippo De Pisis, Igor Strawinsky, Hernest Hemingway. Above all, three women Caterina Cornaro, Eleonora Duse...
Category

Early 1900s Italian Antique Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Biedermeier Two Walnut Chairs. Vienna, c. 1830.
Located in Vienna, AT
Hello, This fine and elegant pair of Viennese Biedermeier chairs were made circa 1825-30. Viennese Biedermeier is distinguished by their sophisticated proportions, rare and refined ...
Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Biedermeier Sofa Couch Honey Color, 3-4 Seat, 19th Century Empire Swedish
Located in LONDON, GB
Swedish Biedermeier 3-4 seat sofa couch in beautiful light honey color French polish finish with curved arm detailing and carved applique decorative motifs in the highest quality qui...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Birch

19th Century Fine Biedermeier Set of Two Armchairs and Table. Vienna, c. 1825.
Located in Vienna, AT
Hello, This exceptional, early Biedermeier set was made in Vienna circa 1825. Viennese Biedermeier is distinguished by their sophisticated proportions, rare and refined design and e...
Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Cherry, Walnut

Biedermeier Recamier
Located in Westport, CT
Newly reupholstered in Robert Kime fabric.
Category

Mid-19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Biedermeier Walnut Wood and Velvet Austrian Chair, 1820
Located in Rome, IT
Elegant single chair, of the early Austrian Biedermeier period. All veneered in walnut wood, with inlays in lighter woods. As you can see from the photos, the back legs and the back...
Category

1820s Austrian Antique Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Walnut, Velvet

19th Century Fine Biedermeier Cherry Sofa. Vienna, c. 1820-25.
Located in Vienna, AT
Hello, This very rare and elegant Biedermeier cherry sofa was made in Vienna circa 1820-25. Viennese Biedermeier pieces are distinguished by their sophisticated proportions, rare an...
Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Cherry, Upholstery

Biedermeier Squared Walnut and Geometric Green Velvet Austrian Chairs, 1850
Located in Rome, IT
Four beautiful Biedermeier chairs with an unmistakable design, Walnut wood for the structure and a beautiful geometric green velvet for the seat, note the particular design of the ba...
Category

1850s Austrian Antique Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Velvet, Cherry

19th Century Fine Viennese Biedermeier Walnut Armchair. Vienna, c. 1825.
Located in Vienna, AT
Hello, This elegant and truly exceptional early Viennese Biedermeier armchair was made in circa 1825. Viennese Biedermeier pieces are distinguished by their sophisticated proportion...
Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Fine Ebonized Biedermeier Chairs. Vienna, c. 1825-30.
Located in Vienna, AT
Hello, This fine two ebonized Viennese Biedermeier chairs were made circa 1825-30. Ebonized Biedermeier pieces were mostly made in Vienna, Austria and account for only 1-2 % of all ...
Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Pearwood

19th Century Fine Biedermeier Walnut Chair. Vienna, c. 1825.
Located in Vienna, AT
Hello, This fine Biedermeier side chair was made in Vienna circa 1825. Viennese Biedermeier pieces are distinguished by their sophisticated proportions, rare and refined design, exc...
Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Walnut

Swedish Biedermeier Antique Sofa Couch Empire 19th C 3-4 Seat Lion Feet
Located in LONDON, GB
Antique Swedish Biedermeier Empire sofa in top grade quilted figured veneers in the sort after mid oak French polish finish. The sofa is approx 200cm long. ...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Birch

19th Century Fine Biedermeier Ebonized Sofa. Vienna, c. 1820-25.
Located in Vienna, AT
Hello, This exceptional, ebonized Biedermeier sofa was made in Vienna circa 1820-25. Viennese Biedermeier is distinguished by their sophisticated proportions, rare and refined desig...
Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Pearwood

Biedermeier Period 19th Century Walnut Stool with Gilt Rosettes and Upholstery
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Austrian Biedermeier period walnut stool from the 19th century, with upholstered seat and gilt rosettes. Created in Austria during the Biedermeier period, this walnut veneered sto...
Category

19th Century Austrian Antique Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Pair of Wingback Chairs, c. 1830
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of Biedermeier wingback armchairs in cherry with upholstered backs, armrests and seats. The armchairs have been newly upholstered and restored.
Category

Early 19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Textile, Cherry

Biedermeier 19th Century X-Form Stool with Out-Scrolling Arms and Cushion
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Austrian Biedermeier period X-form walnut stool from the 19th century, with out-scrolling arms and upholstery. Created in Austria during the 19th century, this Biedermeier walnut ...
Category

19th Century Austrian Antique Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Early 19th Century Biedermeier Walnut Sofa from Germany
Located in Darmstadt, DE
The Biedermeier sofa, dating back to around 1825, is a true classic piece of furniture. Made from beautiful walnut wood, it has been hand polished with shellac to achieve a stunning finish. Recently reupholstered with new Biedermeier fabric...
Category

Early 19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Seating

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Spruce, Walnut

Biedermeier seating for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Biedermeier seating for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage seating created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, tables, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Biedermeier seating made in a specific country, there are Europe, Germany, and Austria pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original seating, popular names associated with this style include Biedermeier, Josef Danhauser, Mastercraft, and Thonet. 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 seating differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $355 and tops out at $48,000 while the average work can sell for $4,200.

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