Biedermeier Period Collection
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.
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Antique Biedermeier Period Collection
Walnut
20th Century Swedish Karl Johan Biedermeier Period Collection
Burl, Birch
20th Century Austrian Biedermeier Period Collection
Walnut
19th Century Austrian Antique Biedermeier Period Collection
Walnut, Pine
19th Century Antique Biedermeier Period Collection
Oak
Mid-20th Century Biedermeier Biedermeier Period Collection
Marble, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Modern Biedermeier Period Collection
Metal
1930s American Sheraton Vintage Biedermeier Period Collection
Leather, Mahogany
Late 18th Century Swedish Biedermeier Antique Biedermeier Period Collection
Birch
1820s German Biedermeier Antique Biedermeier Period Collection
Maple, Walnut
Mid-20th Century German Scandinavian Modern Biedermeier Period Collection
Metal
1810s English Regency Antique Biedermeier Period Collection
Brass
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Biedermeier Period Collection
Aluminum, Steel, Chrome
Mid-19th Century Unknown Biedermeier Antique Biedermeier Period Collection
Bentwood, Burl
21st Century and Contemporary Biedermeier Period Collection
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Biedermeier Period Collection
Walnut
1930s American Machine Age Vintage Biedermeier Period Collection
Aluminum
Read More
The Ultimate Guide to Types of Tables for the Home
Whether you’re just moving in or ready to give your home a makeover, our guide will give you pointers on tables that are fitting for every room, nook and hallway.
Riotous Shapes and Colors Have Made Uchronia’s Designs the Toast of Paris
Julien Sebban’s energetic design collective is radically reshaping the look of 21st-century European furniture and interiors.
Is Lionel Jadot the Willy Wonka of Upcycled Belgian Design?
From his massive collaborative workshop in a former paper factory, the designer concocts funky furniture from disused materials, as well as luxe hotel interiors like the new Mix Brussels.
Inspired by the Cosmos, Sandra Nunnerley’s Nova Table Has a Futuristic Feel
The designer’s innovative use of an unexpected material gives this console a lift.
This 19th-Century Gilded Desk Displays a Fanciful Kingdom in Marquetry
The stately piece brings both gravitas and whimsy to any work space.
In Guadalajara, These Luscious Side Tables Are Chiseled from Volcanic Rock
Use them as tables or stools, indoors or out.
How to Arrange Furniture + Layout Ideas
Here, we give design advice and show layout examples to help you create the perfect living room setup.
Why Hollywood A-Listers Can’t Get Enough of James De Wulf’s Concrete Furniture
Starting with a 900-pound Ping-Pong table, the Los Angeles designer has built a sturdy furniture-making career out of concrete.