Antique Swedish Karl Johan (Biedermeier) Lyre Pedestal Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
Magnificent period Karl Johan (Biedermeier) lyre shaped pedestal base table. Originally handcrafted as a sewing table, today it makes a wonderful end or side table with drawer.
Birch
Antique Swedish Karl Johan, Biedermeier Lyre Pedestal Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
Magnificent crotch mahogany period Karl Johan (Biedermeier) lyre-shaped pedestal base table. Originally handcrafted as a sewing table, today it makes a wonderful end or side table.
Mahogany
20th Century Vienna Biedermeier Lyre Secretaire
Located in Berlin, DE
Imposing lyre secrétaire in the manner of Vienna Biedermeier.
Bronze
19th Century Fine Biedermeier Walnut Table. Vienna, c. 1825.
Located in Vienna, AT
Exceptional Viennese Biedermeier Lyre Desk, circa 1825 This rare and substantial single-drawer table desk is an outstanding example of early Viennese Biedermeier, created around 182...
Walnut
20th Century Vienna Biedermeier Style Lyre Secretaire
Located in Berlin, DE
Two base-drawers, above an oval corpus with two half-round drawers, between a down-folding writing-plate. This so called Lyre Secretaire is the crowning of all European furniture art...
Bronze
Biedermeier Sewing Table, Walnut Veneer, Lyre Base, Circa 1830
Located in Greding, DE
Biedermeier sewing table veneered in walnut with one drawer and brass fittings.
Brass
19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Birch Lyre End Table, Rectangular
Located in Queens, NY
Swedish Biedermeier (19th Century) birch and black trimmed rectangular end table with platform base and lyre sides
Birch
Austrian Biedermeier Mahogany End Table, 19th Century Lyre Design
Located in Queens, NY
Austrian Biedermeier (19th Century) mahogany end table with a drawer and lyre form pedestal sides connected with a bottom stretcher.
Mahogany
Swedish Biedermeier Birch Arm Chair, Lyre Carved Back, Antique Design
Located in Queens, NY
Swedish Biedermeier style (19/20th Cent) birch arm chair with lyre carved back and blue and red stripe upholstery
Birch
Unique Lyre-shaped Biedermeier Secretarie in walnut veneer, Austria 1840s
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find an exceptional and highly sculptural secrétaire cabinet, executed in richly figured walnut veneer and dating to the first half of the 19th century, Aust...
Brass
Scandinavian Veneered Biedermeier Writing Desk with Lyres
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
The desk is most likely Swedish or Danish Biedermeier.
Brass
19th Century Biedermeier Walnut Work Table with Lyre Supports and Fitted Drawer
Located in Atlanta, GA
A refined 19th-century Biedermeier walnut work table, distinguished by its elegant lyre-form supports and clean architectural lines.
Walnut
Beautiful Lyre Sewing Table in Viennese Biedermeier Style
Located in Berlin, DE
Maple root on solid softwood. Oval, one-piece frame bordered with brass beading on lyre-shaped, openwork cheeks with metal sides. Rectangular pedestal ending in blackened ball feet. ...
Wood
Venetian Six Asolane Biedermeier Chairs in Walnut, Lyre-Shaped Back, Hand-Carved
By Vincenzo Cadorin
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Spring seat. Set of 6 Asolane Biedermeier chairs from the late of the 19th century in walnut with lyre-shaped backrest, hand-carved.
Walnut
Pair of Biedermeier Walnut Consoles with Lyre Supports and Marquetry, Circa 1840
Located in Atlanta, GA
The motif—two stylized swans flanking an overflowing basket with scrolling foliage—is executed in light veneer inlaid into an ebonized ground, creating strong graphic contrast while ...
Walnut
Set of Four Austrian Biedermeier Side Chairs with Lyre Shaped Backs, circa 1850
Located in Atlanta, GA
A set of four Austrian Biedermeier dining chairs from the mid-19th century, with lyre-shaped backs, carved urns and new upholstery.
Upholstery, Wood
Set of Six Austrian Biedermeier Side Chairs with Lyre Shaped Backs, circa 1850
Located in Germantown, MD
Set of SixAustrian Biedermeier Dining Side Chairs with Lyre Shaped Backs, circa 1850.
Upholstery, Hardwood
20th Century Decorative Lyre Sewing Table / Side Table in Biedermeier Style
Located in Berlin, DE
Dark walnut on solid softwood. Straight, two-bay frame base on lyre-shaped, openwork cheeks with metal sides. Four-sided retracted base plate. Upper drawer with compartments. Protrud...
Wood, Walnut
Antique Karl Johan/ Biedermeier Side Table in Mahogany with Lyre Base, Sweden
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A lovely Biedermeier side table in mahogany with lyre pedestal on quatre-form base and resting on scroll feet from the reign of Karl Johan of Sweden, circa 1830.
Mahogany
19th century inlaid birch lyre form occasional table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century inlaid birch lyre form occasional table circa 1890. Elegant piece of late 19th century swedish furniture. Overall rectangular shaped top with canted corners. Made in ...
Birch
20th Century Biedermeier Style Sewing Table
Located in Berlin, DE
20th Century Biedermeier style sewing table Lyre sewing table in Biedermeier style.
Wood, Ash, Pine
Austrian 1840s Biedermeier Round Table with Single Drawer and Veneered Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Austrian Biedermeier period table with lyre shaped legs and round top from the mid-19th century.
Wood
Pair of Biedermeier Lyre Sewing Tables B239
Located in Armadale, Victoria
A rare pair of Karelian birch Swedish Lyre sewing tables. The tables have an exceptionally good grain and color to the timber. They are mounted with brass pateries, the central strin...
Birch
Pair of Biedermeier Lyre Form Side Tables
Located in Toronto, ON
Beautifully carved oval form side tables with galleried top and lower shelf supported by lyre form sides each with a single drawer
Walnut
Important Viennesse Biedermeier, Lyre-Based Side Table
Located in Long Island City, NY
This table's importance is the dominance of one of the Biedermeier main motifs, the lyre, which supports the 2 drawer table-top.
Metal
Three German Biedermeier Period Side Chairs
Located in Hudson, NY
Offered individually: Quintessential Biedermeier period three side chairs featuring backrest design depicting three main motifs of Biedermeier: lyre form, heart form and Empire inspi...
Silk, Mahogany
Important Lyre Base Biedermeier Side Table
Located in Long Island City, NY
Superb quality Viennese Biedermeier tilt-top side table in which the lyre (one of the main motifs in Biedermeier) is the focus of the design.
Mahogany
Pair of Biedermeier Stools with Lyre-Shaped Frames
Located in Long Island City, NY
This pair of double lyre-shaped Biedermeier stools has characteristic details of Anton Bembe (one of the 3 most important Biedermeier cabinetmakers in Mainz), especially it's swollen...
Walnut
Unequally Designed German Biedermeier Table
Located in Long Island City, NY
This classical antiquity - inspired Biedermeier side table with lyre-shaped sides, fluted urns with lid and looped swans in cherry wood (solid and book-match veneered on pine with eb...
Cherry, Pine
Beautiful Biedermeier Armchair in Walnut and Leather
Located in Charleston, SC
Beautiful Biedermeier armchair with lyre-back and waffle-patterned leather seating.
Walnut, Leather
Biedermeier Lyre-Form Side Table
Located in Charlottesville, VA
Small Biedermeier-style side table with a lyre-shaped base and a raised-edge oval top.
Wood
Set of 4 Swedish Biedermeier Lyre Maple Side Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 4 Swedish Biedermeier (19/20th Cent) maple side chairs with green painted and gilt trimmed carved lyre and cross arrow design back and upholstered seat.
Gold Leaf
Sold
H 25.6 in W 22.84 in D 16.54 in
Swedish Biedermeier Antique Lyre Pedestal Table, French Polish, 19th Century A
Located in Lewes, England
Wonderful and unusual 19th century, Swedish Biedermeier lyre pedestal table in a rich deep honey French polish finish.
Pine
Sold
H 25.6 in W 22.84 in D 16.54 in
Swedish Biedermeier Antique Lyre Pedestal Table, French Polish, 19th Century A
Located in Lewes, England
Wonderful and unusual 19th century, Swedish Biedermeier lyre pedestal table in a rich deep honey French polish finish.
Pine
Biedermeier Walnut Bench with Lyre Style Side Arms
Located in Houston, TX
Biedermeier walnut bench on tapered legs with open lyre style side arms.
Upholstery, Wood
Biedermeier Sewing Table with Lyre Base, circa 1830
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
Karl Johan sewing table with lyre base, Sweden, circa 1830. Outstanding lyre base sewing table in French polished mahogany. Top is banded in mahogany with burled birch and line inl...
Birch, Wood
Sold
H 30.52 in W 30.12 in D 20.48 in
Biedermeier Table with Lyre Décor, Walnut Veneer, Germany circa 1820
Located in Greding, DE
Biedermeier work table with lyre-shaped frame and four drawers.
Walnut
Sold
H 29.5 in W 27.5 in D 22 in
Scandinavian Biedermeier Birch Table with Lyre Pedestal and One Drawer, c. 1820
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A lovely Karl Johan Swedish Biedermeier table in birch with ebonized details, with curvilinear top, one drawer and lyre pedestal resting on burl birch quarter-form base.
Burl, Birch
Early 19th C. Biedermeier Sofa Table/Desk With Lyre-Form Trestle Base
By Josef Danhauser
Located in Morristown, NJ
Early 19th c., Biedermeier cherrywood and banded rectangular desk/sofa table.
Wood
Sold
H 23.75 in W 19 in D 13 in
Pair of Walnut Biedermeier Side Tables with Lyre Legs, Austrian, Circa 1840
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Biedermeier walnut veneer side tables from circa 1840 with lyre-shaped legs.
Brass
Austrian Biedermeier Period 1840s Guéridon Table with Tray Top and Lyre Base
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Austrian Biedermeier period guéridon table from the mid 19th century, with tray top, single drawer and lyre shaped base.
Walnut
19th Century Biedermeier Fruit-wood Bench with Lyre Back-Splat.
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Biedermeier bench in fruit-wood with lyre back-splat, upholstered seat and tapered splayed legs.
Fruitwood, Upholstery
Lyre Base Console Table
Located in Stamford, CT
Austrian burled beechwood side table or small console table with inlaid trim and elegant ebonized lyre form base.
19th Century Swedish Birch Lyre Shaped Occasional Table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century Swedish birch lyre shaped occasional table circa 1890. Rectangular top with canted corners. Hinged lid opens to reveal a fitted interior of compartments arranged arou...
Birch
Sold
H 28.75 in W 23.23 in D 16.54 in
Antique Lyre-Shaped Thread Table, Scandinavia, circa 1880s, Restored
Located in Chorzów, PL
An antique thread table from the end of the 19th century. The furniture is in very good condition, after professional renovation. Dimensions: height 73.5 cm / width 59.5 cm / d...
Walnut
Biedermeier Birch Daybed in Green Mohair
Located in Long Island City, NY
Ultra Soft Green Mohair Biedermeier Birch Daybed/Bench with Lyre ends and two matching bolsters, reupholstered by us in Dedar Millano fabric.
Mohair, Wood, Birch
Sold
H 34.3 in W 15.9 in D 13.6 in
Set of Six Antique French Oak Dining Chairs, Biedermeier Style, 1900
Located in High Point, NC
Made in France, the design takes inspiration from the restrained elegance of Biedermeier furniture. Lyre-shaped splats lend a poetic note to the chair back, while the geometric accen...
Oak
19th Century Mahogany Biedermeirer Sofa
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is an exquisite figured German mahogany Biedermeier sofa in lyre-form with straight top rail supported by slightly curved legs with line inlay, circa 1830.
Mahogany
Lyre Secretaire in Vienna Biedermeier Style
Located in Berlin, DE
Moulded Lions Masks with ring handles. This so called Lyre Secretaire is the crowning of all European furniture Art of The Biedermeier period.
Birdseye Maple
Early 19th Century Biedermeier Settee with Lyre Back Splat
Located in Atlanta, GA
The Biedermeier settee with turned back railing with scroll above lyre back splat, upholstered linen seat below and terminating in tapered legs and splayed back legs.
Walnut
Sold
H 33.86 in W 21.86 in D 21.66 in
Biedermeier Armchair, Cherry Wood, Lyre Decor, South Germany, circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Single Biedermeier armchair in cherry wood from South Germany about 1820.
Fabric, Cherry
Biedermeier Games Table with Mahogany Veneered Lyre Base on Scroll Feet
Located in Astoria, NY
Biedermeier games table in blonde burl with a mahogany veneered lyre base atop scroll feet with metal embellishments and a flip top.
Metal
Sold
H 29.13 in W 45.25 in D 29 in
Biedermeier or Classical Style Curly Maple Oval Center Table with Lyre Form Base
Located in Milford, NH
A fine Biedermeier or Classical style oval center table in curly maple with scroll carved lyre form pedestal on a shaped base with four outstretched feet.
Maple
German Adjustable Wooden Lyre Music Stand
Located in Barntrup, DE
An elegant and beautiful wooden music stand with adjustable height on a tripod base. Nicely decorated with two lyres, it will accommodate sheet music or books, Germany, 1930s-1940s. ...
Brass
Mid-19th Century Burr Birch Lyre Form Occasional Table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid-19th century burr birch lyre form occasional table circa 1850. Fine quality Biedermeier birch side or hall table.
Birch
Antique lyre side table/sewing table, root veneer, around 1830
Located in Berlin, DE
Antique lyre side table/sewing table, root veneer, around 1830 Solid wood with root veneer. Unusual shape with lyre legs connected with 2 central bars. Rectangular frame box with tw...
Wood
Set of Six Biedermeier Lyre Chairs, Northern Germany, 1820s
Located in Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein
Set of six Biedermeier lyre chairs, Northern Germany, 1820s. Made of mahogany.
Mahogany
Important Biedermeier Lyre-Based Table
Located in Long Island City, NY
A very large South German Biedermeier table of exceptional quality. This table's importance is 1) the dominance of one of the Biedermeier main motifs, the lyre, which supports the ta...
Maple, Pine, Walnut
Unique, Irreplaceable Biedermeier Lyre Console Table
Located in Long Island City, NY
This unique, irreplaceable lyre-based Biedermeier console table from the owner's private collection of 800 years spanning antiques is offered to the discriminating collector who reco...
Ebony
A Swedish Biedermeier Lyre Table, 1920's
Located in London, GB
A Swedish Biedermeier Lyra Table with a Drawer supported by a Lyre on scroll feet.
Birch
Rare oval German Biedermeier lyre table with a drawer
Located in Long Island City, NY
Rare oval Biedermeier side table in walnut on pine. One drawer.
Set of 8 Swedish Biedermeier- Lyre Back Dining Chairs
Located in Richmond, VA
Set of 8 Swedish Biedermeier/Biedermeier Revival dining chairs in birch and ebonized birch. Four are period Biedermeier ca. 1850 and four are ca. 1920.
A Swedish Biedermeier Lyre Table Signed by Tomas Classon Gamleby 1952
Located in London, GB
A Swedish Biedermeier Lyra Table with a Drawer supported by a Lyre on scroll feet.
Birch
Highly important lyre-shaped secretaire by Sebastyen Vogel
Located in Long Island City, NY
Magnificent neo-classical, early Biedermeier lyre-shaped secretaire by Sebastyen Vogel (1779-1837).
Mahogany
Biedermeier Style Lyre Table
Located in London, GB
Table top with a drawer on a black polished lyre standing on a base with curved black polished feet.
Birch, Lacquer
Biedermeier Style Lyre Table
Located in London, GB
Table top with a drawer on a black polished lyre standing on a base with curved black polished feet.
Birch, Lacquer
Table Biedermeier Elm-Root Lyre Base
Located in San Francisco, CA
Biedermeier, circa 1840 elm-root lyre base Swedish table fine intarsias and bead moulding.
Wood
A Very Rare, Oversized and Lyre-Shaped Biedermeier Bench
Located in Long Island City, NY
The rails of this very rare, oversized Biedermeier bench from South Germany or Austria turn-up into elegantly "S" - shaped sides, forming the lyre (one of the main Biedermeier motifs).
Upholstery
Pair Biedermeier Style Lyre Form Side Tables
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair - Biedermeier Style Rosewood & Mahogany Oval Side Tables on Lyre Shaped Pedestals
Sold
H 31.75 in W 21.5 in D 20 in
Continental 19th Century Cherry Biedermeier Armchair with Carved Lyre Back
Located in Wells, ME
Continental 19th century cherry Biedermeier armchair with carved curved lyre back, ebonized arm accents, tapered legs and black overupholstered seat.
Cherry
Swedish Biedermeier Revival Lyre Table in Karelian Birch
Located in Richmond, VA
Swedish Biedermeier Revival Lyre Table in karelian birch. Lyre composed of nickel and ebonized birch with one locking drawer.
Nickel
Sold
H 29.53 in W 22.84 in D 17.33 in
19th Century Biedermeier Sewing Side Lyre Table of Rare Oyster Walnut Veneer
Located in Santander, ES
Outstanding early 19th century German Biedermeier sewing side table with twin lyre base, the top and aprons adorned with rare oyster walnut veneer.
Walnut
Biedermeier Walnut Pie Veneered Center Table with Lyre Pedestal
Located in Chamblee, GA
Biedermeier Walnut pie veneered center table with hexagonal platform base and an ebonized column surrounded by a lyre shaped walnut support.
Swedish Art Deco Biedermeier Revival Lyre Table, circa 1920
Located in Richmond, VA
Swedish Art Deco Biedermeier revival lyre side table. Rendered in birchwood.
Birch
Viennese Biedermeier Period Settee
Located in Hudson, NY
Fine and highly elegant Biedermeier period settee with lyre form frame, raised on six tapering legs, backrest with curved corners.
Upholstery, Walnut
Set of 6 Neoclassical Style Lyre Back Chairs
Located in Charlottesville, VA
Crafted in the early 1920s, the Biedermeier influenced chairs are timeless and Classic look that is very now and current.
Birch, Oak
19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Sewing Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A beautiful Austrian Biedermeier sewing table with lyre on each side in Cherry wood with Ebony keyhole.
Cherry, Ebony
Austrian Biedermeier Work, Side, End, Center Table Circa 1820-30
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Antique Austrian Biedermeier Work Table with double lyre sides handcrafted in sherrywood with ebony & hinged top with compartments interior Originally $ 5,800.00 In Central Eur...
A Pair of Biedermeier Side Chairs
Located in New York, NY
A fine pair of Biedermeier side chairs Elegant lyre back with single turned splat and book-matched walnut veneer with ebonized detail and schwarzlot ink painted motif.
$3,499Sale Price|24% Off
H 32.49 in W 34.45 in D 17.92 in
Small Biedermeier Walnut Half Cabinet with Drawer, South Germany circa 1830
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Elegant small Biedermeier half cabinet from Southern Germany, circa 1830. The charming piece is veneered in richly grained walnut on a solid spruce body, displaying the warm tones an...
Walnut, Spruce
$409,693
H 86.03 in Dm 51.97 in
Extremely Rare Victorian Chandelier of Exceptional Quality and Size by F&C Osler
By F. & C. Osler
Located in Steyning, West sussex
An extremely rare early Victorian 20-light cut-glass silvered mounted chandelier of exceptional quality the baluster thumb and radial cut shaft with lower shaft canopy and draping pa...
Silver Plate
$2,844Sale Price|20% Off
H 37.41 in W 81.89 in D 29.14 in
Antique sofa from the late 19th century, Northern Europe.
Located in Chorzów, PL
This elegant antique sofa, dating from around 1880, originates from Northern Europe and reflects the refined aesthetics of the Biedermeier style. Crafted from rich walnut wood, it sh...
Walnut, Fabric
$8,848Sale Price|31% Off
H 39.38 in W 80.71 in D 27.96 in
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Walnut Sofa with New Upholstery
Located in Darmstadt, DE
This elegant Biedermeier sofa from Southern Germany, dating from around 1825, represents the very essence of early 19th-century design. Crafted with finely figured walnut veneer laid...
Fabric, Upholstery, Spruce, Walnut
20th Century Italian Rococo Bird Cage, Hand-Painted Metal & Wood
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Venetian style (20th Cent) octagonal shaped painted and decorated metal and wood bird cage with 8 upholstered seat and back cushions around base. (Franco Zefferelli Collection)
Metal
Swedish Biedermeier Mahogany Dressing Table, circa 1820
Located in Kastrup, DK
Swedish biedermeier / late empire mahogany mirrored dressing table. Swing mirror supported by gilt fluted columns, lyre shaped pedestal on brass ball feet. Sweden, circa 1820.
Bronze
$10,486
H 32.68 in W 83.47 in D 32.29 in
Dutch Art Deco Design Sofa by Pander 1930 Walnut Burl Wood with Display Cabinets
By H.Pander & Zonen
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Marvelous high end design Dutch Art Deco sofa designed & produced by Pander 1930 in Burl Walnut. Exquisite Art Deco design lines & both sides of the sofa have display cabinets perf...
Walnut, Burl
Rare Louis XV Ormolu-Mounted Tulipwood and Chinese Lacquer Cabinet
Located in Long Island City, NY, NY
A Rare Louis XV Ormolu-Mounted Tulipwood and Chinese Lacquer cabinet, c. 1750 (Regence Period) A truly magnificent, monumental, and one of a kind cabinet, painted throughout with gi...
Ormolu
$4,596
H 59.85 in W 37.01 in D 18.9 in
20th Century Vienna Biedermeier Style Chiffoniere Commode after Josef Danhauser
By Josef Danhauser
Located in Berlin, DE
20th century Vienna Biedermeier style chiffoniere commode. Maple root veneer on solid spruce. (D-Sam-2).
Wood, Spruce, Maple
$4,651Sale Price|30% Off
H 38 in W 48.43 in D 25.99 in
Biedermeier Half Cabinet, Walnut Veneer, Ebonized Columns, c. 1825
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Discover the timeless elegance of this impressive Biedermeier half-cabinet, crafted from stunning walnut veneer. This exquisite piece features a spacious drawer at the top and two do...
Walnut, Spruce
$52,560Sale Price|20% Off
H 38 in W 52 in D 3 in
Emanuel Oberhauser “Mermaids and Nymphs” An Exceptional Oil on Canvas Painting
By Emanuel Oberhauser
Located in Queens, NY
Emanuel Oberhauser (Austrian 1854 - 1919) “Mermaids, Neptune and Sea Water Nymphs” An Exceptional Oil on Canvas Painting painted circa 1885. Masterfully painted, this artwork dep...
Oil
$525,773 / set
H 114.5 in W 35.5 in D 5 in
19th Century, Monumental Carved Boiserie Panels from Lartington Hall
Located in London, GB
The Lartington hall carved Boiserie panels by Signor Anton Leone Bulletti. A highly important suite of eight carved and patinated wood panels commissioned by Monsignor Thomas Edw...
Wood, Pine
A fine 19th century Biedermeier satinwood birch and ebony secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
A very fine 19th century Biedermeier satinwood and Birch secretary . Ebony and fine quality inlayed woods .
Birch, Ebony, Satinwood
Louis XVI Dressing Table by Paul Sormani
By Paul Sormani
Located in New Orleans, LA
Eloquent marquetry and faithful interpretation of the Louis XVI taste characterize this beautiful 19th century dressing table by Paul Sormani. A graceful oval-shaped vanity mirror to...
Ormolu
20th Century Biedermeier Style Secretaire
Located in Berlin, DE
Delicate secretaire in Biedermeier style. Maple root on solid pinewood. Interior, blackened full-columns, plastic shown in squared form. (L-Sam-41).
Wood, Maple, Pine
Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier secretaire in walnut, root wood and ebony with fall-front writing surface; interior drawers and secret compartments.
Ebony, Walnut
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.