A Fine Late 19th c. Biedermeier Rival Commode
Located in Hudson, NY
This simple but elegant three drawer chest chest created circa 1890 to 1900 in the biedermeier
Walnut
Sold|$6,174 / set
Pair of Biedermeier's Commodes, 1830-1839
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Pair of Biedermeier's commodes Completely restored. Shellac polish used for the surface. Country
Wood, Walnut, Lacquer
Pair of 19th Century Small Biedermeier Commodes
Located in Belmont, MA
Beautiful pair of small Biedermeier commodes, South German 1810-1820, walnut veneer. Rectangular
Walnut
Biedermeier Writing Commode, Danube Monarchy, circa 1820
Located in Greding, DE
Walnut writing commode with original fittings. It features three drawers and slanted corners. The
Walnut
Sold|$11,200
Single Three Drawer Chest
Located in New York, NY
A fine single Biedermeier chest of drawers. Walnut Burl.
Walnut, Burl
Sold|$24,200 / item
Austrian Empire Biedermeier Commode
Located in Dallas, TX
Outstanding 19th century Austrian Empire Biedermeier commode with French polish, Circa 1820. This
Walnut
Sold|$12,500
German Biedermeier Empire Style Commode
Located in Dallas, TX
Fine period 19th century German Biedermeier walnut and ebony Empire style commode. Circa 1820. Adds
Walnut
Sold|$10,780
18th Century German Biedermeier Commode
Located in Dallas, TX
18th century German Biedermeier walnut and ebony commode. Circa 1780. This handsome commode has
Ebony, Walnut
Sold|$2,137
Antique Chest of Drawers after Renovation
Located in Chorzów, PL
An antique chest of drawers from the end of the 19th century. Furniture in very good condition
Walnut
Eclectic Chest of Drawers, Northern Europe, Around 1870
Located in Chorzów, PL
Eclectic chest of drawers, Northern Europe, around 1870. Very good condition. Wood: walnut
Walnut
Antique Chest of Drawers, Northern Europe, circa 1900
Located in Chorzów, PL
A historic chest of drawers from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. After wood renovation
Walnut
Large Scale Late 19th Century Northern Italian Secretary Chest
Located in Stamford, CT
A large walnut chest with top drawer functioning as a secretary. Sharing many similarities with
Walnut
Chest of drawers - bar, Northern Europe, around 1870.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique chest of drawers - post from around 1870, Northern Europe. Dimensions: height 152 cm
Walnut
Antique Chest of Drawers, Northern Europe, circa 1860, Renovated
Located in Chorzów, PL
An antique chest of drawers from the mid-nineteenth century. The furniture is in very good
Walnut
Antique corner chest of drawers, Northern Europe, circa 1880.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique corner cabinet from the end of the 19th century, Northern Europe. The furniture is in very good condition, after professional renovation. Dimensions: height 161 cm / width ...
Walnut
Antique chest of drawers - post, Northern Europe, late 19th century
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique chest of drawers from around 1880, Northern Europe. Furniture in good condition, currently
Walnut
Antique corner chest of drawers, Northern Europe, year around 1880.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique corner chest of drawers made of mahogany wood, Northern Europe, late 19th century. The
Walnut
Biedermeier Commode, Cherry Veneer, South Germany circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Straightlined, early Biedermeier Commode / Chest of drawers from Southern Germany around 1820
Iron
Antique chest of drawers - post, Northern Europe, around 1870. After renovation
Located in Chorzów, PL
A chest of drawers from the end of the 19th century, imported from Northern Europe. The furniture
Walnut
Antique corner chest of drawers, Northern Europe, around 1880. After renovation.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique corner chest of drawers made of mahogany wood, Northern Europe, late 19th century. The
Walnut
Sold|$4,250
Continental Burl Walnut Commode
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique continental burl walnut three-drawer commode, 19th century.
Wood
20th Century Pair of Italian Bidermeir Style Chests of Drawers Commodes
Located in Madrid, ES
A pair of Italian chests of drawers made in the late 19th or early 20th century, in the Biedermaier
Iron
Antique chest of drawers from the second half of the 19th century, Northern Euro
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique chest of drawers from around 1870, Northern Europe. Furniture in very good condition
Stone
Pair of Chests of Drawers with grey Marble Tops, Italy, 1st Third 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
capitals and bases. The chests of drawers are veneered in walnut and have a beautiful, dynamic veneer
Marble, Bronze
Pair of Early 19th Century Biedermeier Chests or Sideboards, Walnut, c. 1825
Located in Greven, DE
Pair of Biedermeier chests of drawers or sideboards South Germany (Baden) Walnut Biedermeier
Walnut
Large Biedermeier Box or Chest, Walnut Veneer, Brass, South Germany circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Large Biedermeier Box or small chest in walnut veneer from Southern Germany around 1820. Original
Brass
Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, South German, 1820
Located in Belmont, MA
This unique Biedermeier dresser dates back to 1820-30 and comes from southern Germany. It stands
Walnut
Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, Northern Europe, Around 1860
Located in Chorzów, PL
Biedermeier chest of drawers, Northern Europe, around 1860. Very good condition, after
Walnut
Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, Northern Europe, circa 1890
Located in Chorzów, PL
, polished finish. Wood: walnut Dimensions: height 83 cm, width 113 cm, depth 51 cm.
Walnut
Small Biedermeier Pillar Cupboard / Chest, Southwest Germany, circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Beautiful, small and hard to find Biedermeier Pillar Cupboard / Chest, Southwest Germany circa 1820
Walnut
Sold|$1,009
Antique Cabinet Dresser
Located in Chorzów, PL
Historic chest of drawers from the late 19th century. Chest of drawers in very good condition
Walnut
Biedermeier Half-Cabinet, Walnut Veneer, Brass, Southwest Germany circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Neoclassical Biedermeier Half-cabinet or Chest, Walnut Veneer, Brass, Southwest Germany circa 1820
Brass
Very nice German Biedermeier Writing Chest of Drawers from the 1820s.
Located in Greding, DE
Very nice German Biedermeier Writing Chest of Drawers from the 1820s. The secretary stands on four
Walnut
Sold|$2,196
Chest of Drawers from 1880
Located in Chorzów, PL
Elegant chest of drawers, a chiffonier from the end of the 19th century in Biedermeier style after
Walnut
Austro-Hungarian Chest of Drawers with Secretaire
Located in Woodbury, CT
This is an Austro-Hungarian, mid-19th century interpretation of the evolution of Biedermeier style
Walnut, Pine
Sold|$3,900
Biedermeier Walnut Chest of Drawers
Located in Stamford, CT
A Biedermeier three-drawer chest of walnut with ebonized caryatid corners.
Walnut
Sold|$3,750
Swedish Biedermeier Walnut Chest of Drawers
Located in Queens, NY
19th century Swedish Biedermeier light walnut small chest with three drawers having ebonized drawer
Walnut
19th Century Biedermeier Walnut Chest of Drawers. Vienna, c. 1825.
Located in Vienna, AT
Hello, We would like to offer you this fine, early Biedermeier walnut chest of four drawers. The
Brass
19th Century Biedermeier Walnut Chest of Drawers
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
19th Century Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, Walnut, Germany, 1820 We are pleased to offer this
Walnut
19th Century Biedermeier Walnut Chest of Drawer
Located in Darmstadt, DE
The chest of drawers dates from the Biedermeier period. The chest of drawers has a beautiful walnut
Spruce, Walnut
19th Century Biedermeier Walnut Chest of Drawer
Located in Darmstadt, DE
The chest of drawers dates from the Biedermeier period. The chest of drawers has a beautiful walnut
Spruce, Walnut
19th Century, Biedermeier Walnut Chest of Drawer
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Beautiful narrow/not so large Biedermeier chest of drawers from around 1830. The chest of drawers
Walnut, Spruce
Sold|$14,800
Fine Early Biedermeier Walnut Chest of Drawers
Located in Westport, CT
Extraordinary movement to this matchbook walnut veneer graces this finely composed two drawer chest
Walnut
19th Century, Biedermeier Walnut Chest of Drawer
Located in Darmstadt, DE
This stunning Biedermeier-era chest of drawers is made of beautiful walnut and features a simple
Brass
Early 19th Century Biedermeier Walnut Chest of Drawers or Commode
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Very nice big Biedermeier chest of drawers with four drawers. A wonderful walnut veneer picture on
Walnut, Pine
19th Century Fine Biedermeier Walnut Chest. Vienna, c. 1820-25.
Located in Vienna, AT
Hello, We would like to offer you this truly exquisite, early Biedermeier walnut commode. The
Walnut
Pair of Biedermeier Walnut Chests of Drawers, Italy, early 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Italian Biedermeier chests of drawers featuring three drawers each, standing on square
Walnut
Sold|$14,723
Early Biedermeier Walnut Two Drawer Commode
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Biedermeier Walnut Chest of Drawers: Exquisite Elegance and Timeless Beauty! Introducing our
Walnut, Pine
Sold|$4,788
Solid Walnut Biedermeier Chest, circa 1860
By Biedermeier
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Nice antique circa 1860 solid walnut Bidermeirer chest / bank of drawers Please note the delivery
Walnut
19th Century Fine Biedermeier Walnut Commode. Vienna, c. 1830.
Located in Vienna, AT
This exquisite, early Biedermeier walnut chest of drawers was made in Vienna circa 1825. Viennese
Brass
Sold|$6,900
Biedermeier Chest, South German 1820, Walnut
Located in Belmont, MA
This classic Biedermeier chest of drawers dates back to 1820 and comes from Southern Germany. The
Walnut
Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, Walnut, around 1830
Located in Greding, DE
Biedermeier chest of drawers in walnut veneered with square feet and three drawers. The escutcheons
Walnut
Sold|$18,500
Pair of Smaller Biedermeier Style Walnut Chests
Located in Westport, CT
Stunning pair of Biedermeier style bookmatched walnut veneer on pine two drawer chest adorned with
Walnut
Early 19th Century Biedermeier Chest of drawers, Walnut
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Biedermeier Chest of drawers, South Germany, ca. 1820 Early Biedermeier chest of drawers in walnut
Wood, Walnut
Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, South German 1820, Walnut
Located in Belmont, MA
Biedermeier chest of drawers, South German, 1820. The Biedermeier dresser has a vibrant mirrored
Walnut
German Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, Walnut, circa 1825
Located in Greven, DE
Biedermeier Chest of Drawers Southern Germany Walnut Biedermeier around 1825 Dimensions: H x W x
Walnut
Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, South German 1820, Walnut
Located in Belmont, MA
walnut veneer and the escutcheons are made of ebonized wood. The Biedermeier chest of drawers is in
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.
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.