Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, France, 19th Century
Located in Wrocław, Poland
Biedermeier chest of drawers from first half of 19th century, approximately 1830 - 1850. This piece
Walnut
Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, France, 19th Century
Located in Wrocław, Poland
Biedermeier chest of drawers from first half of 19th century. This piece of furniture comes from
Walnut
Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, France, circa 1830s
Located in Wrocław, Poland
Biedermeier chest of drawers from 19th century, circa 1830s. This piece of furniture comes from
Walnut
Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, France, 19th Century
Located in Wrocław, Poland
Biedermeier chest of drawers from 19th century, circa 1830s. This piece of furniture comes from
Walnut
Pair of Biedermeier Chests of Drawers, Germany, 1820s
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of three-drawered Biedermeier Chests of Drawers on tapered feet. The chests show a beautiful
Walnut
Outstanding Biedermeier Trumeau Chest, Austria, circa 1835
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Fresh out of our restoration workshops, this absolute outstanding Biedermeier Trumeau Chest was
Brass
Sold|$2,300
Early Biedermeier chest of drawers
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Biedermeier chest of drawers, 1820 Austria Chest of drawers from the Biedermeier period, top plate
Walnut
Biedermeier Commode, Walnut, Austria, circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Strict, unadorned Biedermeier Commode / Chest of two drawers from around 1820. Beautiful
Wood, Walnut
Sold|$7,400
Bleached Biedermeier Walnut Commode
Located in Dallas, TX
Period German Biedermeier bleached walnut commode. Circa 1780. A favorite of top designers!
Walnut
Biedermeier High Chest of Drawers, German Around 1830
Located in Greding, DE
Biedermeier high chest or semainiere with seven drawers. The top drawer is slightly narrower and
Walnut
Small Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, around 1820, South Germany
Located in Greding, DE
Small walnut veneered Biedermeier chest of drawers with five drawers. The chest of drawers rests on
Walnut
19th Century German Biedermeier Inlaid Walnut Commode
Located in Dallas, TX
Outstanding early 19th century German Biedermeier inlaid walnut commode. The craftsmanship and wood
Walnut
19th Century Biedermeier Walnut Half Cabinet / Commode
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Beautiful Biedermeier half cabinet from the time of the late Biedermeier around 1830. The furniture
Spruce, Walnut
Early 19th Century Biedermeier Walnut Half Cabinet
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Beautiful Biedermeier half cabinet from the time of the Biedermeier, circa 1830. The furniture is
Spruce, Walnut
Early 19th Century Biedermeier Walnut Half Cabinet
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Beautiful Biedermeier half cabinet from the time of the Biedermeier, around 1825. The furniture is
Spruce, Walnut
Early 19th Century Biedermeier Walnut Half Cabinet
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Very nice Biedermeier half cabinet with one drawer an two doors. A wonderful walnut veneer picture
Walnut, Pine
19th Century Biedermeier Walnut Half Cabinet / Commode
Located in Darmstadt, DE
This charming half cabinet dates back to the late Biedermeier period around 1830 and showcases
Walnut, Spruce
Early 19th Century Biedermeier Walnut Half Cabinet
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Very nice Biedermeier half cabinet with one drawer an two-doors from the time, circa 1830. A
Walnut, Pine
Biedermeier Nut Wood Conversion Chest, Austria around 1830
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
This outstanding Biedermeier conversion or writing desk has travelled through time from Austria in
Brass
Walnut Biedermeier Three-Drawer Commode, Austrian, circa 1840
Located in San Francisco, CA
A Biedermeier style walnut three-drawer commode standing on square block legs. Austria, mid-19th
Walnut
Early 19th Century Walnut Biedermeier Two-Drawer Commode
Located in Atlanta, GA
The Biedermeier walnut commode with 2 drawers and tapered legs. 2 keys provided to function as
Walnut
19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Black Walnut Veneer Commode
Located in Dallas, TX
Exquisite 19th century Austrian Biedermeier black walnut veneer commode. Exceptional finish on this
Walnut
Biedermeier Half-Cabinet, Walnut Veneer, Germany circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Very rare Biedermeier Cabinet / Chest / Credenza in wonderful book-matched and continuous walnut
Walnut
Sold|$3,195
19th Century Walnut Chest of Drawers
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
19th Century Walnut Chest of Drawers Germany, 1820 Walnut Fine Biedermeier chest of drawers made
Walnut
19th Century Biedermeier Walnut Half Cabinet or Commode
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Beautiful Biedermeier half cabinet from the time of the Biedermeier around 1825. The furniture is
Walnut, Spruce
19th Century Biedermeier Walnut Half Cabinet or Commode
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Beautiful Biedermeier half cupboard from the Biedermeier period around 1830. The furniture is
Walnut, Spruce
Pair of large Biedermeier Chests of Drawers, Italy 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of large Biedermeier chests of drawers with three drawers and elegantly indicated volute
Walnut
Biedermeier Commode Walnut, Austria, circa 1820
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Fresh out of our restoration workshops, we proudly present this absolute fantastic Biedermeier
Brass
Late Louis XVI or Early Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, Walnut, circa 1800-1810
Located in Greven, DE
Late Classicist chest of drawers Southern Germany Walnut Early 19th century Dimensions: H x W x D
Walnut
Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, First Half of the 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Chest of drawers with brass fittings, a rectangular corpus and slightly tapered feet. Very
Walnut
19th Century Biedermeier Walnut Commode. Austria, c 1825-30.
Located in Vienna, AT
This elegant Biedermeier walnut commode was made in Austria circa 1825-30. Austrian Biedermeier is
Walnut
19th Century Nutwood Biedermeier Chest Of Drawers, Austria ca. 1830
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
remarkable 19th century Austrian Biedermeier chest of drawers, coming in great old restored, cleaned
Brass
19th Century South German Biedermeier Chiffoniere or Chest of Drawers
Located in Berlin, DE
Unique walnut veneer in the form of the interior of a cathedral on softwood. High-rectangular, six
Walnut
Early 19th Century Biedermeier Walnut Commode with Ebonized Detail
Located in Atlanta, GA
The early 19th century Biedermeier walnut commode featuring ebonized detail on the sides, 3 drawers
Brass
19th Century, Austrian Biedermeier Chest of Drawers country in solid wood
Located in Vigonza, Padua
19th Century Austrian Biedermeier chest of drawers in solid walnut ebonized with front lacquered
Walnut
Petite Austrian 1840s Biedermeier Period Walnut Commode with Two-Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A petite Austrian Biedermeier period walnut commode from the mid-19th century, with two drawers and
Walnut
Late 19th Century Italian Biedermeier Commode in Solid Brown Walnut
Located in Berlin, DE
This late 19th-century Italian Biedermeier commode, made from solid brown walnut, is a beautiful
Walnut
Biedermeier Commode, Walnut, Full-Columns, South Germany, circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Elegant, early Biedermeier commode in walnut veneered and French polished. 3 drawers, ebonized
Wood, Walnut
19th Century Biedermeier Nutwood Chest of Drawers/ Commode, Austria ca. 1840
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Remarkable 19th century nutwood chest of drawers coming from the capital city of traditional
Brass
Biedermeier Satin Birch and Walnut Commode, Austria c1825
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
BIEDERMEIER COMMODE This exquisite three-drawer commode chest of drawers originates from Austria
Birch
Early 19th Century Biedermeier Walnut Half Cabinet or Sideboard
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Very nice Biedermeier half cabinet or sideboard with two drawer an two-doors from the time, circa
Oak, Walnut, Pine
19th Century Fine Biedermeier Semainier Seven Drawer Chest. Vienna, c. 1825.
Located in Vienna, AT
outstanding and rare early Biedermeier semainier—a tall, seven-drawer chest—crafted in Vienna around 1825
Brass
Biedermeier Commode, Walnut and Ash Burl Veneer, Austria, circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Wonderful neoclassical Biedermeier Commode / Chest of 3 Drawers from Austria around 1820. Walnut
Walnut
Early 19th Century Biedermeier Walnut Half Cabinet with Ebonized Columns
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Very nice early Biedermeier half cabinet with one-drawer an two-doors flanked by ebonized columns
Spruce, Walnut
Early 19th Century Biedermeier Walnut Half Cabinet with Solid Columns
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Very nice early Biedermeier half cabinet with one-drawer an two-doors flanked by ebonized columns
Spruce, Walnut
Sold|$13,017
Walnut Chests of Drawers, Italy, circa 1820
Located in Greding, DE
Pair of three-drawered Italian chest of drawers on tapered feet with grey-white marble tops and a
Marble
Biedermeier Austrian 1870s Walnut Four-Drawer Commode with Ebonized Columns
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Austrian Biedermeier walnut veneered four-drawer commode from the late 19th century, with
Wood, Walnut
Austrian Biedermeier 1840s Walnut Two-Drawer Commode with Doric Semi-Columns
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Austrian Biedermeier period walnut commode from the mid-19th century, with two drawers and semi
Walnut
Pair of Austrian Biedermeier Style 1860s Walnut Commodes with Butterfly Veneer
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Austrian Biedermeier style butterfly veneer walnut commodes from the mid 19th century
Walnut
French 1840s Biedermeier Chest of Drawers with Three Drawers
Located in Santa Monica, CA
This is a fine example of a mid 19th Century France Biedermeier 3 drawer chest of drawers
Walnut
Pair of 1840s Biedermeier Walnut Stands with Drawer, Door and Semi-Columns
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of period Biedermeier walnut stands from the mid-19th century, with single drawer and door
Bronze
Sold|$14,800
Single Biedermeier Two Drawer Commode
Located in New York, NY
A fine Biedermeier single two drawer commode. Walnut with fruitwood inlay details.
Fruitwood, Walnut
Sold|$4,733
Exquisite Biedermeier Commode, Circa 1820
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
, exemplifies the refined elegance of the Biedermeier period. Its most striking feature is the stunning walnut
Walnut
Sold|$5,450
19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Commode
Located in Winter Park, FL
A fine 19th century Biedermeier commode from Austria made of book matched veneers of walnut over
Brass
19th Century French Tall Chest with Drop front Desk in Burl Walnut
Located in Houston, TX
Immerse yourself in the allure of this 19th Century French Tall Chest. Crafted in Burl Walnut, with
Walnut, Burl
Biedermeier Commode, Bern 'Switzerland', 1810-1820
Located in Belmont, MA
Unique Biedermeier commode, Bern 1810-1820, exquisite walnut veneer. Very elegant small commode in
Walnut
Early 19th Century French Chest of Drawers Commode in Brown Walnut, Around 1820
Located in Berlin, DE
This Early 19th Century French Chest of Drawers was made around 1820. It is made out of solid
Brass
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.