Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Biedermeier Style
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.
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Style: Biedermeier
Biedermeier Jewelry Box, Walnut, Mahogany, Maple, South Germany circa 1830
Located in Regensburg, DE
Antique Biedermeier Jewelry Box from South Germany circa 1830
Walnut and mahogany wood. Inlays in maple and walnut and putty. Ebonized base.
Interior stained in black. Brass lock and...
Category
1830s German Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Mahogany, Maple, Walnut
Biedermeier Jewelry Box, Walnut, Ebony, Maple, South Germany circa 1830
Located in Regensburg, DE
Beautiful Biedermeier Jewelry or Make-up box from South Germany circa 1830.
Inside with hinged mirror. A long drawer at the bottom front.
Restored and hand-polished with shellac.
Category
1830s Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Biedermeier Box, Walnut Veneer, South Germany, circa 1860
Located in Regensburg, DE
Biedermeier Box, Walnut Veneer, South Germany, circa 1860.
Walnut and walnut root veneer. Inlay trims in maple and ebony.
Refinished condition, hand polished with shellac.
Dimensions...
Category
1860s Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Ebony, Maple, Walnut, Softwood
Switzerland Mahogany Ebonized Hinged Music Box with Three Cylinders, C. 1880
Located in Charleston, SC
Rare Switzerland mahogany & ebonized hinged music box with the original crank, three interior paper labels, and cylinders. Music box is stamped by maker and is In working condition, ...
Category
1880s Swiss Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Steel
Biedermeier Jewelry Box, Walnut, Mahogany, Maple, South Germany circa 1830
Located in Regensburg, DE
Antique Biedermeier Jewelry Box from South Germany circa 1830
Walnut and mahogany wood. Inlays in maple and walnut and putty. Ebonized base.
Interior stained in black. Brass lock and...
Category
1830s German Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Mahogany, Maple, Walnut
Biedermeier Jewelry Box, Walnut, Ebony, Maple, South Germany circa 1830
Located in Regensburg, DE
Beautiful Biedermeier Jewelry or Make-up box from South Germany circa 1830.
Inside with hinged mirror. A long drawer at the bottom front.
Restored and hand-polished with shellac.
Category
1830s Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Biedermeier Box, Walnut Veneer, South Germany, circa 1860
Located in Regensburg, DE
Biedermeier Box, Walnut Veneer, South Germany, circa 1860.
Walnut and walnut root veneer. Inlay trims in maple and ebony.
Refinished condition, hand polished with shellac.
Dimensions...
Category
1860s Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Ebony, Maple, Walnut, Softwood
Biedermeier Sewing Box, Walnut Veneer, Austria circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Beautiful original antique Biedermeier Sewing Box in Walnut Veneer from Austria circa 1820.
Walnut veneered. Ebony inlays. Brass button. Inside with complete original sewing equipmen...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
19th Century Walnut Biedermeier Casket
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Very beautiful box from the Biedermeier period, made of walnut veneer on a spruce body, the bottom of the box is solid walnut. In the box there is a mirror in the lid and the upper p...
Category
19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Mirror, Walnut, Spruce
Exquisite Antique Cherrywood Jewelry Casket
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Exquisite Antique Cherrywood Jewelry Casket – Finely Ebonized & Intricately Inlaid
This distinguished antique jewelry casket is a true testamen...
Category
1850s German Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Cherry
Swedish Biedermeier Karelian Birch Hat Box
Located in Queens, NY
Swedish Biedermeier-style (20th Century) Karelian birch round shaped hat box with leather strap.
Category
20th Century Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Leather, Birch
19th Century Cherrywood Biedermeier Casket
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Very beautiful small box from the time of Biedermeier, made of cherrywood. In the box is in the lid a mirror and the upper part is as an insert to take out. In very good restored con...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Cherry
Austrian Biedermeier Jeweled Silver Gilt Casket with Cameos, 1846
Located in New York, NY
Austrian Biedermeier silver gilt casket, 1846. Bellied, lobed, and rectangular. Hinged cover same and concave with raised center and swing-mounted scroll bracket cast handle with flowers. Hardstone mounts including porphyry and lapis lazuli as well as cabochon jewels. On front two turquoise cabochon...
Category
1840s Austrian Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Silver
Cubic Biedermeier Box, Mahogany and Maple, Austria, circa 1840
By Biedermeier
Located in Regensburg, DE
Cubic Biedermeier box, mahogany and maple, Austria circa 1840
Rare cubic shaped decorative box form the Biedermeier period.
Mahogany veneered with maple inlays. Oak base. Restored a...
Category
1840s Austrian Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Mahogany, Maple, Oak
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 handle. Ebonized key escutcheon and edges. Restored and hand-polished with she...
Category
1820s German Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Biedermeier Beadwork, Pens Casket, Case, Box
Located in Hamburg, DE
Beautifully crafted Biedermeier pencil box from Germany mid - late 19th century. The casket is leather wrapped, embossed and has a push button closure. From the inside the box is lac...
Category
1870s German Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Leather, Beads
Biedermeier Jewelry Box, Cherry Wood, Ash, Brass, Southern Germany circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Restored Biedermeier Jewelry Box from South Germany around 1820
Cherry veneered on softwood with inlays in ash veneer. Brass fittings, hinges and working lock.
Restored and hand-poli...
Category
1820s German Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Very Fine Biedermeier Period Tea Caddy of Bombe Form in Exotic Woods, circa 1830
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very fine and visually striking Biedermeier Period tea caddy of exceptional quality, demonstrating a highly elevated form and a most complex application of exotic woods. The hinged...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Zebra Wood, Yew, Amboyna, Satinwood
Golden 750 Biedermeier Box Painting Portrait of Little Girl Vienna Made 1828
Located in Vienna, AT
Golden biedermeier round box with lovely portrait of a little girl.
Vienna / Austria, made 1828
Finest golden item of best manufacturing quality!
Specifications:
The lid of round golden box...
Category
1820s Austrian Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Gold
Mint C. and Large Antique Display Shell Box w. Beveled Glass Top & Silver Spoons
Located in Lisse, NL
Fine quality and condition, 1860s box with perfect working silver lock and key.
This handcrafted spoon box is another one of our recent great finds. It comes with beautifully shaped...
Category
Mid-19th Century Dutch Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Silver
French Brown Hat Box for Cylinders, Early 19th Century
Located in Hamburg, DE
French brown hat box for cylinders, early 19th century. Rare old leather hat box for top hats. This old hat box in the shape of a cylinder is an original fro...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Leather, Fabric
Biedermeier Walnut Miniature Blanket Chest
Located in Darmstadt, DE
The miniature chest was made of walnut and dates back to the early Biedermeier period at the beginning of the 19th century. A very nice small rare furniture...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Spruce, Walnut
R & Y Augousti Style Jewelry Decorative Box Tobacco Leaves Hardwood Bronze Ibex
Located in Miami, FL
Lovely R & Y Augousti attributed Jewelry, Watch or decorative Box in Tobacco Leaves over Hardwood with black Velvet inlay.
In Clover shape with Bronze Ibex Knob in the Biedermeier Pe...
Category
Late 20th Century French Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Bronze
Biedermeier Box, Ash Veneer, South Germany, circa 1830
Located in Regensburg, DE
Biedermeier Box, Ash Veneer, South Germany circa 1830
Ash veneered on softwood.
Original brass handle and pressed brass fitting
Restored and shellac hand-polished
Dimensions: H 12....
Category
1830s Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Ash
Red Biedermeier Lidded Box in Overlay Glass
Located in Hamburg, DE
Immerse yourself in the elegance of the Biedermeier era with this exquisite lidded box made of overlay glass. This piece stands out due to its masterful ...
Category
1850s French Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Small Money Box "Magdalena" in the Style of Stobwasser Braunschweig
Located in Hamburg, DE
Small money box " Magadalena" in the style of Stobwasser Braunschweig. The piggy bank is made of painted tin and is reminiscent of the tin boxes finely painted by Stobwasser Braunschweig. The painting of the money tin...
Category
1840s German Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
Materials
Tin
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...
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Previously Available Items
Antique European Biedermeier Silver Keepsake Casket Box
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19th Century Danish Box Circa 1880
Located in Atlanta, GA
This elegant 19th-century Danish box, circa 1880, is a beautiful example of late 19th-century craftsmanship. Made from richly grained walnut wood, its exterior is polished to a warm,...
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Biedermeier Casket, around 1820
Located in Greding, DE
Biedermeier casket with a veneered and shellac-polished case. The top edge is inlaid with a circumferential rod pattern. Inside, there are three smaller compartments on the right-han...
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1820s Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
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Wood
Biedermeier Box, Birch, Brass, South Germany circa 1830
Located in Regensburg, DE
Birch veneered on softwood and oak.
Partly ebonized and inlaid with ebony around the edges.
Brass knob, hinges. Iron lock and key.
Restored and hand-polished with shellac.
Dimension...
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1830s German Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
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Brass
Biedermeier Box, Walnut, Horn, South Germany circa 1825
Located in Regensburg, DE
Biedermeier Box, Walnut, Horn, South Germany circa 1825.
Walnut Veneered, Inside edge ebonized. Key escutcheon in horn.
Working old lock. Restored and hand-polished with shellac.
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1820s German Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
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Horn, Walnut
Biedermeier Box, Birds Eye Maple, Oak, Ebony, Germany circa 1850
Located in Regensburg, DE
Biedermeier Box, Birds Eye Maple, Oak, Ebony, Germany circa 1850.
Birdseye maple on the top. Oak on the side.
Inlayband around the edge of the plate. Square inlays in the middle of t...
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Biedermeier Jewelry Box, Walnut, Mahogany, Maple, South Germany circa 1830
Located in Regensburg, DE
Antique Biedermeier Jewelry Box from South Germany circa 1830
Walnut and mahogany wood. Inlays in maple and walnut and putty. Ebonized base.
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Vintage Italian Amber Wood Rectangular Lidded Box
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer an Italian vintage box made from beautiful wood that showcases a rich, swirly amber wood grain. The lidded top opens to reveal a spacious interior, it i...
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Biedermeier Box, Walnut Veneer, South Germany circa 1830
Located in Regensburg, DE
Beautiful straightened neoclassical Biedermeier Box from South Germany circa 1830.
Walnut veneered on maple wood. Brass hinges. Restored and hand polished with shellac.
Dimensions: H...
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Early 19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Decorative Boxes
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Maple, Walnut
Biedermeier Box, Cherry Wood with Inlays, Austria circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Gorgeous antique Biedermeier Box, Cherry Wood with Inlays, Austria circa 1820.
Cherrywood veneered. Inlays in maple, pearwood and walnut on the top lid.
Inside with mirror and 1 draw...
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Cherry, Maple, Pearwood, Walnut
19th Century Biedermeier Box in brown Walnut, around 1820
Located in Berlin, DE
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Biedermeier decorative boxes for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Biedermeier decorative boxes for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage decorative boxes created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Biedermeier decorative boxes made in a specific country, there are Europe, Germany, and Austria pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for decorative boxes differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $207 and tops out at $22,500 while the average work can sell for $1,064.