German Biedermeier Bookcase
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Bookcases
Walnut
Antique Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Bookcases
Mahogany
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Bookcases
Brass
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Bookcases
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Bookcases
Metal, Wire
Antique 1810s German Biedermeier Bookcases
Walnut, Mahogany
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Bookcases
Walnut
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Bookcases
Wood, Cherry
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Bookcases
Mahogany
Antique 18th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Wood
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Vitrines
Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Cherry, Walnut
Recent Sales
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Bookcases
Cherry
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Bookcases
Cherry
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Bookcases
Cherry
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Bookcases
Walnut
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Bookcases
Cherry
Antique Early 19th Century German Bookcases
Walnut
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Bookcases
Walnut
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Shelves
Wood, Ash
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Bookcases
Walnut
Antique 1830s German Biedermeier Bookcases
Birch, Mahogany
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Bookcases
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century German Biedermeier Bookcases
Brass
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Bookcases
Birch
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Bookcases
Glass, Cherry, Ebony, Softwood
Antique 1830s German Biedermeier Bookcases
Cherry
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Bookcases
Cherry
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Bookcases
Brass
Antique Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Bookcases
Walnut
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Bookcases
Walnut
Antique 1830s German Biedermeier Bookcases
Iron
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Bookcases
Wood
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Bookcases
Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Bookcases
Cherry, Glass
Antique 1840s German Biedermeier Bookcases
Cherry, Glass
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Bookcases
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Bookcases
Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century Louis Philippe Bookcases
Pine, Cherry
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Bookcases
Cherry
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Bookcases
Ivory, Maple
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Bookcases
Bronze
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Bookcases
Glass, Cherry
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Bookcases
Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century German Biedermeier Bookcases
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Bookcases
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Bookcases
Walnut
Antique Mid-19th Century German Bookcases
Mahogany
Antique Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Bookcases
Brass
Antique Mid-19th Century German Bookcases
Elm
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Bookcases
Ormolu
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Vitrines
Brass
Antique 1830s German Biedermeier Vitrines
Walnut
Antique 1830s German Biedermeier Vitrines
Glass, Birch
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Vitrines
Cherry
Antique Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Vitrines
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Secretaires
Ash
Antique 1830s Austrian Biedermeier Bookcases
Walnut
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Bookcases
Hardwood, Birch
Antique 1830s German Bookcases
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Bookcases
Walnut
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Bookcases
Walnut
Antique 19th Century German Bookcases
Walnut
Antique 1830s German Biedermeier Bookcases
Walnut
Antique 1830s German Biedermeier Bookcases
Glass, Softwood, Cherry
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Bookcases
Walnut
Antique 19th Century German Bookcases
Birch, Glass
Antique 19th Century German Bookcases
Walnut
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Bookcases
Mahogany
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German Biedermeier Bookcase For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a German Biedermeier Bookcase?
A Close Look at Biedermeier Furniture
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.
Finding the Right Bookcases for You
Whether you proudly shelve your books in regal mahogany or behind glass cabinet doors, an antique bookcase — or perhaps more than one — is essential to creating a cozy nook for any book lover.
As long as curious people have collected stories, we have needed a place to stow them away and preserve them. When auction houses and book dealers proliferated by the late 17th century, the bibliophile was born. And, of course, as with any treasured decorative objects or collectibles, a book lover’s volumes were suddenly worthy of a luxurious display — enter the bookcase.
Americans of means during the 19th century took to amassing art as well as rare books, and bookcases of the era — rife with hand-carved decorative accents and architectural motifs — were ideal for displaying their handsome leather-bound wares.
Although our favorite titles may change over the years, the functionality and beauty of their home within our home is timeless. Even those who don’t covet the perfect home library can benefit from an attractive display case, as bookcases can easily double as charming étagères.
Contemporary and customizable options make it easier for you to find the perfect bookcase for your style and stacks. If you don’t wish to fill your storage piece so that your collection is snug within its confines, incorporate extra space to allow for additional displays and decorative objects. And by introducing a striking dark wood Art Deco bookcase or low-profile mid-century modern design by Paul McCobb into your living room, your signed first editions won’t be the only items making a statement.
Find barrister bookcases, Globe Wernicke bookcases, bookcases with doors and other vintage and antique bookcases on 1stDibs now.













