Biedermeier furniture represents 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 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 pieces offered on 1stDibs, that is now an amusing irony.
$1,850Sale Price|61% Off
Biedermeier Period Wood and Gilt Clock
Located in Montreal, QC
Austrian Biedermeier period gilt and polychromed wood clock. Chiseled gold Swiss movement, signed: P.Francois a' Nion.
Ormolu
Austrian Biedermeier Bookcase
Located in Hudson, NY
This very fine bookcase is in excellent condition and has great color and style. The book case has four shelves and can work for books or as pictured hear as a display cabinet for ob...
Walnut
Swedish Drop-Leaf Table in Flame and Burl Birch, Karl Johan Biedermeier Style
Located in Atlanta, GA
Karl Johan style center table of flame birch and masurbjork, birch root burl from Sweden with drop-leaf table top on gracefully shaped pedestal base. The Swedish Karl Johan style is ...
Burl, Birch
$5,100Sale Price|40% Off
Biedermeier Sofa
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
South German Birchwood and ebonized settee
Birch
Austrian 19th century Aesthetic Movement 'Swan' Library Armchair
Located in Troy, NY
Unique Library or Lounge armchair, the padded armrests supported by decorative sculpted and ebonized swans., the back ending in a backwards scroll, the...
Pearwood, Upholstery
$5,720
Biedermeier Cabinet
Located in New York, NY
Crafted of solid birch and fir with select Nordic birch veneers and recessed bookmatched figured birch panels, on compressed ball feet.
Birch
$13,500Sale Price|58% Off
Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier Secretaire made of walnut and rootwood with brass hardware. Fall front writing surface with interior drawers above three large exterior drawers.
$8,500 / set
Pair of Period Biedermeier Armchairs
Located in Dallas, TX
pr of beautiful period Austrian mahogany Charles X open armchairs.
Wood
Biedermeier Vitrine Cabinet in Fruitwood & Ebonized Detail, Germany, circa 1825
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th century German Biedermeier vitrine on cabinet base in fruitwood with ebonized and gilt accents. The display case with architectural pediment, fronted by glass panels with flanki...
Fruitwood
Biedermeier Sideboard, Sweden 1840
Located in New York, NY
This classically designed cabinet exemplifies the simple Swedish interpretation of Biedermeier, otherwise named after the Swedish King Karl-Johan who reigned during this period. Four locking upper drawers with original bone hardware sit atop four symmetrical, locking doors. The interior section, designed for china and silver storage...
Fir
$6,850Sale Price|38% Off
Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier Secretaire- Dark walnut with fall front writing surface, interior drawers, secret compartments and exterior drawers.
$6,809Sale Price|40% Off
Biedermeier Game Table
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Walnut, rootwood and ebonized wood Biedermeier game table and two chairs.
Walnut
$6,914Sale Price|39% Off
Biedermeier Bookcase
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier Bookcase in Walnut and Birdseye with large glass door. Interior shelves above a single drawer.
Birdseye Maple, Walnut
$9,488Sale Price|39% Off
Biedermeier Commode
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier Commode made of cherry commode with ebonized wood. Three large exterior drawers. Austria circa 1850.
Wood
$11,500Sale Price|64% Off
Biedermeier Secretaire Napolean Style
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier Secretaire Napolean Style with fall front writing surface, interior drawers and secret compartments.
Birdseye Maple, Walnut
$10,800Sale Price|60% Off
Biedermeier Credenza
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier Credenza - oak wood, with inlaid cherry and marquetry. Three glass front doors with interior shelves above lower cabinet with two drawers and 2 doors with interior shelves.
$7,500Sale Price|51% Off
Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier secretaire made of walnut, rootwood and ebonized wood. It has a fall front writing surface with interior drawers and a cubby hole. Lower section with exterior drawers.
Wood
$17,500Sale Price|50% Off
Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier secretaire made of walnut and cherry with fall front writing surface, nine interior drawers, mirrored cubby hole and three exterior drawers. Germany circa 1840.
Cherry, Walnut
$7,600
Biedermeier Console
Located in Westport, CT
Handsome 19th century Empire style console in walnut adorned with ebonized column legs and inverted D-shaped base, Vienna, circa 1840.
Walnut, Pine
$8,400 / set
Pair of Biedermeier Chairs
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Pair of Biedermeier chairs; two female walnut chairs with rose colored upholstery.
Walnut
$5,722
Biedermeier Cigar Desk
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier cigar desk made of solid oak with etched glass flip top with interior compartments.
Oak
$10,200Sale Price|59% Off
Biedermeier Cabinet
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Bookcase-Cabinet, Biedermeier. Walnut, birdseye, ebony, intarsia, 2 doors, 2 drawers, 2 glazed doors, shelves.
$11,500Sale Price|57% Off
Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Bureau Secretaire, Biedermeier. Walnut, birdseye, rootwood, intarsia, secret compartments.
$5,761Sale Price|39% Off
Biedermeier Loveseat
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier loveseat in walnut, rootwood and ebony with brass fittings. Navy blue upholstery with silver floral pattern.
Brass
$5,447Sale Price|40% Off
Biedermeier Loveseat
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier loveseat in walnut, rootwood and ebony with medium blue upholstery and a silver floral pattern.
Walnut
$11,000Sale Price|62% Off
Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Biedermeier Secretaire with fall front writing surface, interior drawers and hidden compartments.
Ebony, Walnut
$8,957Sale Price|39% Off
Biedermeier Mirror
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Large Biedermeier adjustable walnut standing mirror with brass fittings.
$5,500Sale Price|63% Off
Large Biedermeier Floor Mirror
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Large Biedermeier adjustable walnut standing mirror with brass fittings.
Walnut
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Wall Clock
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A traditional Austrian Biedermeier wall clock featuring a rectangular carved and gilded wood frame clock face; surmounted by a gilt bronze winged eagle. The decorations on the frame ...
Bronze
$2,817Sale Price|55% Off
H 40.95 in W 90.56 in D 27.56 in
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
$1,144
H 20.48 in W 25.2 in D 16.15 in
Lovely Vintage Flamed Hardwood Extending Drop Leaf Side End Table
Located in Pulborough, GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely Vintage flamed hardwood drop leaf table. A charming and solid piece, the top is slightly discolored on one side of the tabletop, how...
Hardwood
$18,557
H 19.69 in W 23.63 in D 8.27 in
Napoleon III Period Gilt and Patinated Bronze Clock by Delafontaine
Located in London, GB
The acclaimed French bronze foundry, Delafontaine, created this remarkable mantel clock. At the time this piece was crafted, in c.1860, the company was directed by Auguste-Maximilien Delafontaine (1813-1892). The firm was famous for its high-quality artistic bronzes, which can today be viewed in major art collections, such as the Louvre in Paris. Shaped like an upside down ‘T’, this gilt bronze...
Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze
Biedermeier Style Walnut Table
By Modern History
Located in Westwood, NJ
Biedermeier Walnut Table with a warm amber brown walnut finish, the rayed and figured top above a single central hexagonal baluster pedestal base. Dimensions: 36" W x 36" D x 29.5...
Wood
19th Century Pair of Round-back Upholstered Armchairs
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th century pair of round-back upholstered armchairs. Dates from the transition period between square William IV lolling chairs and curvilinear Victorian; the carved embellishment t...
Mahogany
$8,800
H 88.5 in W 101 in D 21.25 in
19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Fruitwood Bibliotheque Bookcase
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Grand important 19th century fruitwood bibliotheque library bookcase purported to be from 18th century Schloss Leopoldskron Palace in Salzburg, Austria. The large bookcase is constru...
Brass
Pair Of 19th C. Neoclassical French Carved Walnut Armchairs
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Labeled Dugard underneath the seats. With carved gadrooned pediment crest rails with center scrolled crests over burled upper backs. The curved arms with carved leafy backs and ribbe...
Fabric, Walnut
Unavailable|$2,898
H 36.62 in W 63.78 in D 26.38 in
Restored Biedermeier Sofa, Walnut, Reupholstered, Austria, 1830s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This stunning Biedermeier sofa from the first half of the 19th century originates from Austria and represents the essence of classic elegance and craftsmanship of its era. The const...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Walnut, Lacquer
$7,080Sale Price|40% Off
H 20.25 in Dm 39.5 in
Finely Crafted Swedish Art Deco Flame Mahogany and Birch Wood Circular Table
Located in San Francisco, CA
A finely crafted Swedish Art Deco circular table with well-figured flame mahogany and satin birchwood; the thick circular top centering a birch...
Wood
Architectural Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Cabinet
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A very rare and elegant Biedermeier cabinet of architectural form. Very simple in design with a fantastic and warm burr-ash veneer, accentuated with ebonized thread inlay, discs and ...
Ash, Fruitwood
Biedermeier Bookcase, circa 1815/20
Located in Greding, DE
Biedermeier bookcase veneered in cherrywood with ebonized columns and moldings. The cabinet stands on slightly curved S-shaped legs and is glazed over approximately three quarters of...
Glass, Cherry, Burl