A Late 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Marble Top Chest/Commode
Located in Bellport, NY
A striking two drawer Austrian Biedermeier Chest/Commode. Solid cherry woods Two drawers with
Brass
Austrian Biedermeier Cherry Wood Three Drawer Chest
Located in San Francisco, CA
Neoclassical-style Austrian Biedermeier three drawer commode.
Sold|$7,692
Biedermeier Chest of Drawers
Located in Greding, DE
Three-drawer Biedermeier commode on tapered feet with brass fittings and lateral columns. The
Cherry
Sold|$4,715
19th Century Biedermeier Chest
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Early 19th century cherrywood Biedermeier chest with unusual top section with tambour slide doors
Cherry
Sold|$7,100
Biedermeier Chiffoniere, Germany, c. 1820
Located in Greding, DE
Biedermeier chiffoniere with eight drawers and ebonised columns with brass capitals and bases. The
Brass
Sold|$4,970
Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, 1820s
Located in Greding, DE
A Biedermeier dresser on tall, elegant pointed legs with three drawers and coffered sides. This
Cherry
Sold|$5,798
Biedermeier Chest of Drawes, circa 1820
Located in Greding, DE
Biedermeier chest of drawers with three drawers and bevelled corners. The chest of drawers is
Cherry
Sold|$3,313
Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, circa 1820
Located in Greding, DE
Biedermeier chest of drawers in cherry veneer with two drawers and gilded bronze fittings. The
Cherry
Sold|$4,142
Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, 1820s
Located in Greding, DE
Two-drawer Biedermeier chest of drawers standing on tapered legs. Very beautiful cherrywood veneer
Cherry
Biedermeier Dresser, Germany, circa 1835-1840
Located in Greding, DE
Tall Biedermeier dresser with six drawers on tapered feet. The streamlined body shows a beautiful
Cherry
Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, Munich, circa 1820
Located in Greding, DE
Three-drawered Biedermeier chest of drawers, in cherry wood veneered. The feet are tapered and the
Cherry
Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, Austria, circa 1820
Located in Greding, DE
Biedermeier chest of drawers on elegantly curved legs with two drawers and straight-lined body
Cherry
Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Three-drawer Biedermeier chest of drawers on square pointed feet with ebonised pilasters and an
Cherry
Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, Southern Germany, 1820s
Located in Greding, DE
Three-drawered Biedermeier chest of drawers on square feet. The corners show ebonized half-columns
Cherry
Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, Southern Germany, circa 1820
Located in Greding, DE
Biedermeier dresser with seven drawers and mirrored veneer pattern in cherry and ebonized
Cherry
Sold|$4,142
Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, Saxony, 1830
Located in Greding, DE
Narrow two-drawer chest of drawers on tapered feet. The straight body is decorated with thread inlays, brass fittings and ebonized hemispheres on the partly slanted corners.
Cherry
Sold|$22,000
Fine Biedermeier Three-Drawer Chest
Located in New York, NY
A fine Biedermeier three-drawer chest. Cherrywood with ebonized fruitwood details and patinated
Bronze
Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, South Germany, c. 1820
Located in Greding, DE
Franconian Biedermeier chest on curved legs with three drawers, veneered in cherry. The top-drawer
Cherry
Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, Southern Germany, circa 1820
Located in Greding, DE
Three-drawer Biedermeier chest of drawers with ebonized full columns which support the top drawer
Cherry
Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, Southern Germany circa 1820
Located in Greding, DE
Biedermeier chest of drawers on square tapered legs with a straight-lined body and three drawers
Cherry
Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, Central Germany, circa 1830
Located in Greding, DE
Three-drawer Biedermeier chest of drawers standing on rounded feet with ebonized plinths. The
Cherry
Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, Southern German, c. 1830
Located in Greding, DE
Three-bay Biedermeier chest of drawers on s-legs with ebonised columns and profiles. The corpus is
Wood, Cherry
Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, Southern Germany c. 1820
Located in Greding, DE
Biedermeier chest of drawers in cherry veneered with ebonised and partly gilt columns, supporting
Cherry
19th Century Biedermeier Cherrywood Chest of Drawer
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Very beautiful Biedermeier chest of drawers with four drawers. The commode is made of a pinewood
Cherry, Pine
Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, South Germany, circa 1820
Located in Greding, DE
Three-drawer Biedermeier chest of drawers with flanking columns with brass bases and capitals. The
Brass
Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, Southern Germany / Munich, circa 1820
Located in New York, NY
Fine Biedermeier chest of drawers in cherrywood, featuring ebonized half-columns, diamond-shaped
Cherry
Austrian Biedermeier Fruitwood Three-Drawer Chest with Columnar Details
Located in San Francisco, CA
A good quality Austrian Biedermeier polished fruitwood (probably cherry) commode with figured well
Cherry, Fruitwood
Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, Germany, circa 1820
Located in Greding, DE
Biedermeier chest of drawers veneered in cherrywood, standing on tapered square legs. Its clean
Cherry
Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, Franconia, South Germany, circa 1820
Located in Greding, DE
Elegant Biedermeier commode crafted in cherrywood with three drawers. The front is flanked by
Cherry
Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, Cherrywood, Germany, 19th Century
Located in Wrocław, Poland
This three-drawer chest of drawers from the Biedermeier period dates back to the 19th century in
Cherry
Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, German/Franconian, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Three-drawered chest of drawers on gold-patinated paw feet, with bow front and ebonized columns with gilded capitals. The top drawer rests on the columns and is painted with vines ag...
Cherry
19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Cherrywood and Ebony Chest
Located in Dallas, TX
Superb 19th century Austrian Biedermeier cherrywood chest. The beautiful polished wood and ebonized
Cherry, Wood
Biedermeier Cherrywood Chest of Drawers, four Drawers, Germany, circa 1830
Located in Greding, DE
Biedermeier chest with four drawers and indicated pilasters on the corners. The top drawer
Cherry
19th Century South German Biedermeier Chest of Drawers
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
Biedermeier chest of drawers from southern Germany, circa 1850. Dimensions: 94 cm high / 37
Cherry, Fir
Biedermeier chest of drawers, South Germany around 1820
Located in Greding, DE
Biedermeier chest of drawers crafted from cherry wood and adorned with burl inlays. The key plates
Cherry, Burl
Sold|$13,800
Exquisite early Biedermeier Chest
Located in Westport, CT
A fine and minimilistic early 19th century Biedermeier two-drawer chest with chamfered sides
Cherry, Pine, Ebony
Sold|$10,800
Sleek Biedermeier Chest of Drawers
Located in Westport, CT
Biedermeier cherry wood two-drawer chest on very slightly accentuated and tapering legs, simply
Cherry
19th Century German Biedermeier Cherrywood Chest of Drawers
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a sophisticated example of a fine Biedermeier cherrywood chest of drawers. The plank top is
Cherry
Biedermeier Cherrywood Chest of Drawers, 19th Century, Austria, circa 1825
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
slender legs confer this marvelous piece of a Biedermeier commode a certain kind of lightness and elegance
Brass
French Biedermeier Chest of Drawers in Cherrywood, First Half of 19th Century
Located in Wrocław, Poland
This is an original commode in Biedermeier style from first half of 19th century. The piece of
Cherry
19th Century Biedermeier Chest of Drawers Cherrywood, Austria, circa 1830
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
finish, this straight shaped, timeless Biedermeier commode is additionally adorned by the still original
Brass
Sold|$8,900
19th century Biedermeier Chest of Drawers
Located in Westport, CT
Wonderful streamline Biedermeier blonde cherry wood two-drawer chest with rounded edges finishing
Cherry, Pine
19th Century Biedermeier Chest of Drawers in Cherrywood with Columns, circa 1820
Located in Berlin, DE
An exceptional German Biedermeier chest of drawers, crafted circa 1820 in light brown cherrywood
Cherry, Pine
Sold|$12,000
Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, circa 1820
Located in New York, NY
Biedermeier chest of drawers featuring three drawers and ebonized columns on the sides. The chest
Cherry
19th Century Biedermeier Cherrywood Chest of Drawers
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A good example of a 19th century Biedermeier chest of drawers constructed in veneered and polished
Cherry
19th Century German Biedermeier Cherrywood Chest of Drawers - Antique Cabinet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique German Biedermeier single chest made of hand crafted shellac polished, partly veneered
Metal
Sold|$4,526
Large Early 19th Century Beidermeier Commode
Located in Kent, Dover
A large Austrian Biedermeier commode in cherry veneer, comprising four drawers, with ebonised half
Cherry, Pine
Empire Cabinet, Cherry Veneer, Full Columns with Gold, South Germany, circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Gorgeous, early Biedermeier / Empire Half Cabinet or Chest from Southern Germany around 1820
Iron, Gold Leaf
Biedermeier Chiffonier or Chest of Drawers from South Germany
Located in Greding, DE
Elegant Biedermeier cherrywood Chiffonier or Chest of Drawers from South Germany, circa 1830´s
Cherry
Biedermier, Cherry Wood, Bronze, Ebonized Wood, Cabinet, Germany, 19th c.
Located in Stamford, CT
Biedermeier, Cherry Wood Veneer, Brass, Ebonized Wood, Commode or Dresser, Germany, Early 19th c
Brass
19th Century German Biedermeier Cherrywood Chest of Drawers - Antique Commode
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 19th Century, antique German Biedermeier chest, commode made of handcrafted Cherrywood, shellac
Metal
Antique Architectural Biedemeier Chest of Drawers
Located in Kastrup, DK
Biedermeier chest of drawers in cherry veneered pine. Architectural form with a front adorned with
Cherry
19th Century German Cherrywood Chest of Drawers
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
A German late-biedermeier cherrywood chest of drawers from the 2nd half of the 19th century
Cherry, Pine
Sold|$3,195
Small Chest of Drawers, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Chest of drawers with a bulbous front and two drawers. The chest of drawers stands on square tapered feet and shows pilaster patterns at the corners. The corpus is also decorated wit...
Cherry
Sold|$92,000 / set
Pair of Important Chests With Berlin Cast Iron Details
Located in New York, NY
A pair of Important chests in maple with burl veneer and ebonized details. Extraordinarily crafted Berlin cast iron intricate designs and four caryatids on the front of each chest. R...
Cherry
Biedermeier Commode, Cherry Veneer, Austria circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Wonderful, spacious neoclassical Biedermeier Commode / Chest of Three Drawers. Original brass
Brass
Pair of 1830s Cherrywood Austria Biedermeier Chest of Drawers
By Biedermeier
Located in Roma, Lazio
Pair of Biedermeier commodes with five drawers plus one secretly in head. Completely veneered in
Cherry
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.
Shopping for a commode or a chest of drawers?
Commode is the French term for a low chest of drawers, but it is also sometimes used to denote any case piece with a particularly intricate design. The commode dates to circa 1700 France, where it was used as an alternative to a taller cabinet piece so as to not obscure paneled, mirrored or tapestried walls. Coffers, or chests, which were large wooden boxes with hinged lids and sometimes stood on ball feet, preceded chests of drawers, a fashionable cabinet furnishing that garnered acclaim for its obvious storage potential and versatility. The term commode was also used to refer to a piece of bedroom furniture — a washstand or nightstand that contained a chamber pot.
As time passed, French and British furniture makers led the way in the production of chests of drawers, and features like the integration of bronze and ornamental pulls became commonplace. Antique French commodes in the Louis XV style were sometimes crafted in mahogany or walnut, while an Italian marble top added a sophisticated decorative flourish. This specific type of case piece grew in popularity in the years that followed.
So, what makes a chest of drawers different from a common dresser? Dressers are short, and chests of drawers are overall taller pieces of furniture that typically do not have room on the top for a mirror as most dressers do. Tallboys and highboys are variations of the dresser form. Some chests of drawers have one column of four to six long drawers or three long drawers in their bottom section that are topped by a cluster of small side-by-side drawers on the top. To further complicate things, we sometimes refer to particularly short chests of drawers as nightstands.
Even though chests of drawers are commonly thought of as bedroom furniture to store clothing, these are adaptable pieces. A chest of drawers can house important documents — think of your walnut Art Deco commode as an upgrade to your filing cabinet. Nestle your chest near your home’s front door to store coats and other outerwear, while the top can be a place to drop your handbag. Add some flair to your kitchen, where this lovable case piece can hold pots, pans and even cookbooks.
When shopping for the right chest of drawers for your home, there are a few key things to consider: What will you be storing in it? How big a chest will you need?
Speaking of size, don’t dream too big. If your space is on the smaller side, a more streamlined vintage mid-century modern chest of drawers, perhaps one designed by Paul McCobb or T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, may best suit your needs.
At 1stDibs, we make it easy to add style and storage to your home. Browse our collection of antique and vintage commodes and chests of drawers today.