Biedermeier Pillar Cabinet Nightstand, Austria, circa 1830
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
has all the characteristics of the Biedermeier period. Its clean lines and minimal ornamentation add
Brass
Sold|$16,400
Pair of Sleek Biedemeier Style Chests of Drawers
Located in Westport, CT
Lovely pair of Biedermeier style chest of drawers in a medium walnut shellaced veneer on pine
Walnut
19th Century Pair of Biedermeier Nightstands, Italy
Located in New York, NY
Pair of nightstands with opposite opening doors, finely veneered in walnut and decorated with
Walnut
Sold|$10,500
Biedermeier Walnut Secretary
Located in Hudson, NY
Biedermeier Walnut Secretary Chest, Biedermeier walnut secretary with cabinet below. Desk has four
Walnut
19th Century Swedish Small Chest of Drawers Nightstand
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A small 19th century Biedermeier chest of 4 drawers or nightstand from Sweden.
Brass
19th Century Late Biedermeier or Louis Philippe Half Cabinet
Located in Darmstadt, DE
walnut and from circa 1850. In good condition.
Pine, Walnut
19th Century German Biedermeier Writing Desk, Chest of Drawers, Walnut, 1810
Located in Greven, DE
19th century German Biedermeier writing desk Bavaria Walnut Biedermeier, circa 1810
Walnut
Sold|$4,023
Chest of Drawers Biedermeier from 1860
Located in Kraków, Małopolska
walnut tree. (Biedermeier was a style in the art, literature, music and interior design which
Walnut
Sold|$3,076
Chest of Drawers Biedermeier from 1860-1880
Located in Kraków, Małopolska
Chest of drawers Biedermeier from 1860-1880.
Walnut
Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, Northern Europe, circa 1890
Located in Chorzów, PL
Eclectic chest of drawers, Northern Europe, circa 1890. Very good condition. After renovation
Walnut
19th Century German Writing Chest, Biedermeier Secretaire, circa 1825
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Biedermeier Chest of Drawers / Secretary Southern Germany (Franconia) Walnut Biedermeier
Cherry, Walnut
Sold|$4,400
Antique Hungarian Commode
Located in Hanover, MA
Antique Hungarian chest of drawers from around 1840. Walnut veneer over a pine structure with
Walnut, Pine
Antique Chest of Drawers, Northern Europe, circa 1920
Located in Chorzów, PL
An antique chest of drawers from the beginning of the 20th century. Furniture in very good
Walnut
Sold|$6,800
Biedermeier Walnut Commode
Located in Larkspur, CA
Biedermeier Walnut Commode, second quarter 19th century, the stepped top above four long drawers
Walnut
Biedermeier walnut chest of three long drawers
Located in St. Louis, MO
Biedermeier walnut chest of three long drawers, the top with quarter matched veneers over the
C.1825 Austrian Biedermeier Walnut Chest With Ebonized Detailing
Located in Atlanta, GA
c.1825 AUSTRIAN BIEDERMEIER WALNUT CHEST WITH EBONIZED DETAILING An Atlanta Resource for Fine
19th Century Small Biedermeier Walnut Commode
By Biedermeier
Located in Nashville, TN
This Biedermeir commode features two drawers with book matched walnut and inlayed wood key
Walnut
Sold|$7,500
Walnut Biedermeier chest
Located in Atlanta, GA
walnut Biedermeier chest. Hardware has been added at some date. Walnut is beautifully book
Walnut
Sold|$18,000
Biedermeier Chest
Located in New York, NY
Biedermeier, Walnut and Ebonized Chest, Circa 1820
Walnut
Sold|$7,500
Biedermeier Walnut 3 Drawer Chest
Located in Atlanta, GA
Biedermeier Walnut 3 Drawer Chest with brass flower hardware circa 1820
Brass
Sold|$4,650
Biedermeier Elegant Walnut Chest
Located in New Jersey City, NJ
Burl walnut Wood top Bronze hardwares patinated in black The drawers slide easily
Sold|$9,381
Biedermeier period walnut chest from Germany
Located in Houston, TX
A Biedermeier period walnut chest from Germany c. 1825 having three drawers. This chest has a very
Bronze
Biedermeier Walnut Secretary Chest, Commode, Austria, 1830
Located in San Francisco, CA
Tailored neoclassical figured walnut commode made in central Europe, probably Austria about 1830
Metal
Pair of Biedermeier Style Matched Walnut Chests, Austria circa 1900
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of Biedermeier Style Matched Walnut Chests, Austria c. 1900. These handsome chests are notable
Walnut
Sold|$9,750
Biedermeier chest
Located in Atlanta, GA
Walnut Biedermeier chest. Wonderful small size with ebonized columns.
Walnut
Sold|$4,500
Biedermeier Chest
Located in Hudson, NY
Biedermeier chest. Burl walnut circa 1840. Ebony inlay on drawer fronts.
Walnut, Ebony
Sold|$12,000
GERMAN BIEDERMEIER BURL WALNUT AND OAK CHEST
Located in New York, NY
GERMAN BIEDERMEIER BURL WALNUT AND OAK CHEST WITH PARCEL GILT AND EBONIZED COLUMNS , C 1830
Walnut, Oak
Biedermeier Period Chest of Drawers, circa 1820, Walnut-Tree Veneered
Located in Muenster, NRW
Chest of drawers, circa 1820 Walnut-tree veneered four drawers Nice veneer picture Restored
Walnut
19th Century Original Biedermeier Chest of Drawers in Walnut
Located in Madrid, MD
Elegant 19th century Austrian Biedermeier commode in walnut, with bone keyholes, ebonized columns
Bone, Nutwood, Walnut
Antique 19th Century Burl Walnut German Biedermeier Tall Chest of Drawers
Located in Charlotte, NC
A tall chest of drawers in the Biedermeier style. Made in Germany in the 19th Century. Brought to
Walnut, Pine, Burl
Sold|$7,500
Austrian Biedermeier Chest
Located in Hudson, NY
Austrian Biedermeier chest of drawers.Circa 1830's. Walnut with light wood inlay.
Walnut
Sold|$10,500
Biedermeier Walnut Commode
Located in Kirkland, WA
Biedermeier Walnut Commode with Four Drawers This commode has a quartered walnut veneered top
Sold|$12,800
German Biedermeier Period Chest of Drawers
Located in Hudson, NY
South German chest having three drawers in beautifully bookmatched French walnut with centrally
Walnut
German Biedermeier Period Large Two-Drawers Chest
Located in Hudson, NY
Rare South German large two-drawers chest in walnut, parcel ebonized. Drawers with quadrangle
Walnut
Nice Biedermeier Period Chest of Drawers, Walnut-Tree Veneered, about 1820
Located in Muenster, NRW
• Walnut-tree veneered, circa 1820. • Three large drawers. • Bevelled ebonized side parts
Exemplary Austrian Biedermeier Chest of Drawers
Located in Long Island City, NY
Exemplary architecturally designed Austrian Biedermeier chest of drawers. Walnut on pine on all
Biedermeier walnut semainier with ebonized columns
Located in Hudson, NY
Tall chest of drawers with ebonized details. Austrian 1840's.
Walnut, Wood
Sold|$9,950
Cubical Biedermeier chest of drawers
Located in Long Island City, NY
South German Biedermeier chest of drawers in cherrywood on pine on front and sides in standing
Walnut
A Biedermeier period walnut chest of drawers from Germany c.1830
Located in Houston, TX
A handsome Biedermeier period walnut chest of drawers from Germany c.1830. Please note the
Walnut
Sold|$8,500
Biedermeier Style Chest Butterfly Hardware
Located in Houston, TX
Antique Biedermeier style chest with original figural butterfly hardware possibly German or
Walnut
Antique Biedermeier Commode or Chest of Drawers, 1830s
Located in Senden, NRW
Hand polished 1830s Biedermeier commode made of walnut wood. Luxurious antique piece of furniture
Walnut
Petite Biedermeier Chest Of Drawers Circa 1820
Located in Senden, NRW
Biedermeier chest of drawers - Walnut and walnut veneer, - South German around 1820
Original Three-Drawer Biedermeier Chest from the 1840s
Located in Senden, NRW
Original restored Biedermeier three-drawer dresser. Features and elegant and luxurious design with
Walnut
Restored Empire / Biedermeier Chest of Drawers Original Commode
Located in Senden, NRW
Beautiful restored Empire or Biedermeier four-drawer dresser or commode. Original item from around
Walnut
19th Century Walnut Grain Biedermeier Trumeau Commode
Located in Senden, NRW
walnut veneer picture and a great light brown colored wood. Restored to perfect condition with original
Walnut
Exceptional Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, Germany, 1820
Located in San Francisco, CA
A very nice example of a bookmatched walnut veneered Biedermeier chest or commode made in German
Biedermeier Walnut Wood Commode from circa 1830
Located in Senden, NRW
A Biedermeier commode veneered with walnut wood. 1830 manufactured piece consists of a corpus which
Brass
Biedermeier Period Cherrywood Three-Drawer Chest, Augsburg, Germany, circa 1820
Located in Houston, TX
Biedermeier period cherrywood three-drawer chest, Augsburg, Germany, circa 1820. The superb
Walnut
Biedermeier Commode or Chest of Drawers with Pointing Feet
Located in Senden, NRW
Original restored Biedermeier four-drawer commode. Offers a stunning veneer picture on the fronts
Walnut
Biedermeier Walnut Four Drawer Dresser
Located in New York, NY
Biedermeier Four Drawer Walnut Dresser with Brass Hardware. The term Biedermeier
Brass
Biedermeier Period Pillar Cupboard, circa 1820, Walnut-Tree Veneered
Located in Muenster, NRW
Pillar cupboard, circa 1820 Walnut-tree veneered Nice reflected veneer One concealed push One
Walnut
Sold|$2,800
Architectural Biedermeier Walnut Commode
Located in Asheville, NC
A beautiful architectural figured walnut three drawer Biedermeier commode with shield escutcheon
Pine
Biedermeier early 19th Century Commode in Walnut
Located in Santander, ES
Elegant early 19th century commode in walnut and burl walnut of German origin, with 3 large drawers
Rare Austrian Biedermeier walnut parquet commode.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Rare Austrian Biedermeier walnut parquet commode. Circa 1830.
Walnut
Biedermeier Commode and Bureau Made of Walnut with Brass Handles
Located in Senden, NRW
Walnut veneered four-drawer dresser from the time of the Biedermeier, origin, circa 1845 -1850
Walnut
Sold|$9,800
Austrian Biedermeier Style Walnut Commode
Located in New Orleans, LA
Early 19th century Austrian walnut commode in the Biedermeier taste, with black "gris fonce" marble
Marble
Sold|$8,950
Biedermeier Walnut Commode 19th Century
Located in New Orleans, LA
Two drawers with black accent.
Wood
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.