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.
Italian Neoclassical Walnut Curule Stool With Ebonized Accents, Circa 1950's
Located in Stamford, CT
Neoclassical style walnut stool with ebonized accents. Italian circa 1950's. What a great looking stool with a beautiful profile and lovely color. The back ebonized details, especial...
Walnut
$2,881Sale Price|55% Off
Decorative and Architectural Biedermeier Sofa in Birch
Located in Kastrup, DK
Decorative and architectural Biedermeier sofa in birch, Copenhagen Denmark , 1820-1830. Upholstered with black fabric.
Birch, Fabric
19th Century Fine Biedermeier Cherry Bench. Vienna, c. 1825.
Located in Vienna, AT
This magnificent Biedermeier bench, crafted in Vienna around 1825, is a rare and masterful example of early 19th-century design at its finest. Made of solid cherrywood—a material hig...
Upholstery, Cherry
19th Century Fine Biedermeier Walnut Bench. Vienna, c. 1825.
Located in Vienna, AT
This outstanding Biedermeier bench, crafted in Vienna around 1825, is a remarkable example of early 19th-century design—timeless, refined, and full of quiet character. Made from sol...
Wicker, Walnut
Outdoor Concrete Scroll Bench
Located in Queens, NY
Outdoor concrete 3 section bench with scroll design on the pedestal bases. Several deep surface cracks near the center of the bench
Concrete
Antique Italian Biedermeier Regency Carved Walnut Curule X-Bench Stool - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Italian Biedermeier Regency Carved Walnut Curule X-Bench Stools - a Pair. Stools feature beautiful hand carved details, turn carved stretcher base, and remarkable authentic p...
Wood
$5,996Sale Price|21% Off
19th Century Biedermeier Large Cherry Farmhouse Seat Bench
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Extremely rare seat bench from the time of the late Biedermeier. Made of solid cherrywood. The bench is unbelievable 243 cm wide! In very good restored...
Cherry
Biedermeier Bench in Solid Cherrywood, South Germany, circa 1830
Located in Darmstadt, DE
This Biedermeier bench was crafted in Southern Germany around 1830 and is made entirely of solid cherrywood with a warm, honey-toned surface and lively natural grain. The long seat r...
Cherry
Outdoor Painted Wooden Garden Bench
Located in Queens, NY
Outdoor painted wood backless garden bench with carved scroll side base
Wood
$3,500
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...
Birch
Petite Austrian Biedermeier Maple Bench with Out-Scrolled Arms from the 1840s
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Austrian Biedermeier petite maple wood upholstered window seat without-scrolled arms and cross stretcher from the mid-19th century. Born during the Biedermeier period that animate...
Maple
Swedish Biedermeier Style Black and Gold Star Bench
Located in Queens, NY
Swedish Biedermeier style (20th Century) black lacquered bench with side arms and black upholstered seat with gold star design. Condition consistent with the age of piece
Upholstery, Wood
Biedermeier Fruitwood and Ebonized Window Bench
Located in Dallas, TX
The Biedermeier Fruitwood and Ebonized Window Bench is a lovely antique piece of furniture that adds a touch of historical charm to any room. With its intricate design and craftsmans...
Fruitwood
$1,650 / item
Contemporary Green Metal Outdoor Benches
Located in Queens, NY
2 Contemporary green painted metal train platform / park outdoor benches with slat backs and seats (PRICED EACH)
Metal
$6,500 / set
Pair of 19th c. Biedermeier Fruitwood Benches
Located in Dallas, TX
This product is a pair of 19th century Biedermeier fruitwood benches. These antique benches are classic pieces of furniture that would add a touch of antique charm to any room. Made ...
Upholstery, Fruitwood
$22,500 / set
Pair of South German Biedermeier Walnut Benches
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of South German Biedermeier (1820s) walnut benches with splayed form legs and upholstered seat with spool design side arms (PRICED AS Pair).
Walnut, Fabric
19th Century German Walnut Biedermeier Bench
Located in Dallas, TX
The 19th Century German Walnut Biedermeier Bench is a stunning antique piece of furniture that exudes elegance and charm. Crafted from walnut wood in the Biedermeier style, this benc...
Upholstery, Walnut
Biedermeier Sofa, Cherry Veneer, Horsehair, South Germany circa 1830
Located in Regensburg, DE
Beautiful straightened neoclassical Biedermeier Sofa or Bench from South Germany about 1830. Cherry veneered and solid. Solid „Stollen“ feet. Ebonized round bars on the armrests. Bla...
Cherry, Softwood
$1,950
H 24 in W 25 in D 13.25 in
Petite Austrian Biedermeier Maple Bench with Out-Scrolled Arms from the 1840s
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Austrian Biedermeier petite maple wood upholstered window seat without-scrolled arms and cross stretcher from the mid-19th century. Born during the Biedermeier period that animate...
Maple
$2,500 / set
H 18 in W 22.25 in D 15 in
Neoclassical Steel & Brass Folding Campaign Stools, Italy, 1960s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of steel and brass Neoclassical X base folding Campaign stools attributed to Maison Jansen.
Brass, Steel
19th Century Mahogany Bench
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant 19th century mahogany bench from England covered with charming fabric in the chesterfield buttoned style lovely unusual bench since it is smal...
Mahogany
Rustic Bench, 19th Century, Spain
Located in Girona, Spain
DESCRIPTION: Late 19th Century Rustic Spanish Pyreneese Mountains Wooden Bench. Made with wood. Very decorative piece. CONDITION: Very good vintage condition. DIMENSIONS: Height: ...
Wood
Ico Parisi Sculptural Ebonized Bench circa 1950
Located in CA, CA
A striking Italian bench by Ico Parisi standing on six black ebonized legs of sculptural tapering form.
Wood
19th Century Swedish Storage Bench
Located in Nijlen, BE
A 19th-century Swedish bench, originally used as a sofa bed. Over the years, it has been secured so that the lid can be opened, but the sofa itself remains permanently assembled. In ...
Pine
Curule Iron Bench
Located in Houston, TX
Iron curule stool with boxed linen seat cushion. Also available C.O.M.
Iron
$5,400 / item
H 18 in W 60 in D 13 in
Large Exterior Outdoor Bench with Modern Concrete Wood and Stainless Steel
Located in Middle Grove, NY
This is an outdoor version of the larger 60" long Jupiter bench by Peter Harrison. It is constructed of concrete, stainless steel, and mahogany and specifically intended for exterior use. Its design has nautical references. The hole through the top centers over the crossing point of the gently curved stainless...
Concrete, Stainless Steel
French Neoclassical Style Iron Curule Bench with Mace Finials
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Weathered French wrought iron garden bench featuring large mace head finials. Constructed in the neoclassical taste with a curule leg design. The seat is newly upholstered with a sof...
Iron
Leather and Teak Midcentury Danish Modern Floating Sofa
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Sharp Danish Mid-Century Modern teak and leather floating low profile sofa.
Leather, Teak
Spanish Gilt Iron Bench with Scrolled Feet
Located in Buchanan, NY
This elegant Spanish gilt iron bench was recently hand crafted by skilled European artisans using traditional iron-working techniques and materials. The hand forged iron base feature...
Iron
Neoclassical Ebonized and Gilded Bench by Baker, USA, Circa 1970s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Striking vintage Neoclassical style ebonized and gilded bench by Baker Furniture Company. Beautiful newly upholstered seat cushion.
Fabric, Giltwood
Antique French Biedermeier Scissors Stool, Bench or Small Ottoman
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Elegant French Biedermeier Scissors bench, stool or ottoman, solid mahogany, with a beautiful cross pattern on each side. Will add additional seating options as well as classic Frenc...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Swedish Circa 1900 Pair of Carved Birch Benches
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Delightful pair of Swedish late 19th century/early 20th century carved birch benches with upholstered seats. The style would best be described as Biedermeier, hence the beautiful blo...
Textile, Birch
Sold
H 37.01 in W 57.49 in D 12.6 in
Coppia di Panchette in Stile Biedermeier Austria Prima Metà XX Secolo
By Non-Standard Furniture and Lighting
Located in Milano, IT
Coppia di panchette in stile Biedermeier realizzate nel XX secolo. In ciliegio presentano cinque montanti , con braccioli curvi verso l'esterno, schienale a barca con piccolo bracci...
Cherry
Antique Italian Biedermeier Mahogany Saber Leg Vanity Bench
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Italian Biedermeier Mahogany Saber Leg Vanity Bench. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 18" H x 19" W x 12.5" D.
Fabric, Mahogany
Pair of Biedermeier Style Maple Veneer Window Benches
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Handsome pair of Biedermeier style window bench seats or stools crafted from rich maple veneers. Late 19th century benches feature gracefully curved ends with decorative stretchers h...
Fabric, Maple
Late 20th century vintage Biedermeier style newly upholstered bench
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a late 20th century Biedermeier style upholstered bench. This bench has been newly upholstered in a black cotton duck. This bench has a blonde satin wood frame with a black l...
Wood
19th Century Fine Biedermeier Walnut Bench. Vienna, c. 1825.
Located in Vienna, AT
Hello, This elegant Viennese Biedermeier bench was made in circa 1825. Viennese Biedermeier pieces are distinguished by their sophisticated proportions, rare and refined design, exc...
Upholstery, Walnut
Sold
H 19.5 in W 19 in D 15 in
Vintage Biedermeier Style Stool Upholstered in Scalamandré style Leopard Print
By Scalamandre
Located in Morristown, NJ
An early/mid 20th C. Biedermeier-style stool featuring a classic design with a contemporary twist. This beautifully crafted piece showcases the elegance and simplicity of early 19th-...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Sold
H 36.23 in W 59.06 in D 22.45 in
Original Sofa Canape Nr. 56 by Gebrüder Thonet Vienna Austria 1930s
By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
This beautifully preserved triple bench, crafted from steam-bent beech, originates from Austria and was manufactured by Gebrüder Thonet Vienna in the 1930s. It exudes the timeless ch...
Wood
19th Century Russian Biedermeier Bench, Burlwood, circa 1835
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Biedermeier bench Baltic States / Russia Burl wood Biedermeier circa 1835 Dimensions: H x W x D: 96 x 125 x 53 cm, seat height: 50 cm Description: Antique bench for two pe...
Burl
Sold
H 17.33 in W 22.84 in D 15.75 in
Thonet Michael Vienna Pair Of Biedermeier Style Benches In Wood And Velvet
By Thonet
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest that you read the entire description, as with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to ensure the authenticity of our objects. Rare an...
Beech
Sold
H 24.5 in W 39.75 in D 14.75 in
Biedermeier Partial Gilt And Ebonized Inlaid Wood and Upholstered Storage Bench
Located in Germantown, MD
Early 20th Century Biedermeier style Partial Gilt, Ebonized and Satinwood Inlaid Wood and Upholstered Storage Bench. Measuring 39.75" in widt...
Upholstery, Hardwood