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.
$7,980 / set
Pair of Neoclassic Fauteuils
Located in Westport, CT
pair of elegant and minimilistic 19th century Biedermeier open armchairs in solid blonde cherry wood, Germany, 1840-1860ca aside from cloth, all original to view additional item...
Cherry
$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
$2,924
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
Large English Oak Haberdashery Cabinet
Located in Staffordshire, GB
circa 1930 Large English Oak Haberdashery Cabinet, divides into two pieces. sku 1254 W182 x D52 x H198cm
Oak
Vintage Meyer, Gunther and Martini Biedermeier Style Sofa
By Meyer Gunther Martini
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Add timeless elegance to your home with this Vintage Meyer, Gunther and Martini Biedermeier Style Sofa. Featuring classic lines and exquisite craftsmanship, this piece merges Biederm...
Upholstery, Wood
Antique American Federal Style Drop Leaf Table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique American federal style cherry wood drop leaf table, 19th century. With a 2 board top, a frieze drawer, square tapered legs and S shaped stretcher bars. Nice old cherry...
Cherry
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
Austro-German 19th Century Biedermeier Sofa
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A fabulous Biedermeier style settee from 19th century Bavaria made from exceptionally beautiful, solid maple in a sheltering design like a banquette to enclose the upholstery. Some a...
Upholstery, Maple
$2,842Sale 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
19th Century Irish Mahogany Library Armchair
Located in Dublin, IE
A very fine early 19th century mahogany framed library armchair, the curved top-rail above button back upholstered in leather, with raised padded arm rests and down scrolled arms whi...
Leather, Mahogany
$8,328Sale Price|20% Off
H 74.02 in W 55.52 in D 24.41 in
Biedermeier Armoire, Walnut Veneer and Full Columns, Austria, circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Beautiful early Biedermeier Armoire from Austria, circa 1820. This two-door neoclassical armoire or wardrobe has a beautifully selected, book-matched walnut veneer and ebonized full columns with carved capitals and bases. It has been fully restored and hand-polished with shellac (French Polished). Underneath the cornice, there is a skirting trim made of walnut roots veneer. Inside it has 5 shelf-plates covered in black fabric. The strict, straight lined design makes it an ideal...
Iron
$1,147
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
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
Biedermeier Sofa in Walnut, Austria, circa 1830
Located in Greding, DE
Large Biedermeier sofa raised on four slightly curved square legs, featuring a rounded backrest that terminates in stylized volutes at armrest height. The piece is veneered in walnut...
Fabric, Walnut