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.
Restored Biedermeier Jewelry Box, Spruce, Plum-Tree, Germany, 1830s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This exquisite Biedermeier jewelry box is a fine example of master craftsmanship from the first half of the 19th century in Germany. Its design resembles a miniature version of a lar...
Lacquer, Wood, Spruce
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....
Ash
Biedermeier Box, Walnut on Oak, Inlays, South Germany circa 1850
Located in Regensburg, DE
Large, high-quality late Biedermeier casket box in walnut with precious wood inlay and inlaid lid motif. Walnut veneered on maple and solid with numerous inlays in precious woods, m...
Ebony, Maple, Oak, Walnut
$2,390Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Antique Biedermeier Jewelry Box, Wood & Silver Plated
Located in Greding, DE
White lidded box standing on small spherical feet with trapezoidal body and lid with a groove. The fittings are silver plated. Key available. Interior veneered in cherry.
Wood
Early 19th Century Miniature Writing Desk Jewelry Box
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This vintage miniature wood box has six drawers and lots of character and patina. Some of the drawers are lined in faux marbleized paper. We see this wonderful piece being used to st...
Metal, Brass
$3,320Sale Price|20% Off
H 6.25 in W 10 in D 6 in
Antique English Burr Walnut & Hand Painted Porcelain Stationery Box, circa 1850
Located in Bath, GB
A quite wonderful and romantic stationery box, ready to grace the finest of desk-tops. Made from burr walnut the wedge shaped box is smothered in fine quality polished brass mount...
Brass
19th Century Tramp Art Jewelry Box
Located in High Point, NC
19th century tramp art jewelry box from England. The box has a domed top with layers upon layers of molded edges, leading up to a graceful formed...
Fruitwood
$180
H 4.75 in W 4.13 in D 3 in
Gorgeous Cathedral Cologne Souvenir Trinket Jewelry Box Antique, German, 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful souvenir trinket box made of metal. A beautiful nice addition to your vanity room or your collection of Grand Tour items.
Metal
$165
H 5 in W 4.5 in D 2.25 in
Cologne Cathedral Jewelry Trinket Box Metal, Antique German Souvenir, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Gorgeous vintage metal jewelry box. A beautiful decorative item in metal inside covered with cloth. Made in Germany, circa 1930s. Nice addi...
Metal
19th Century French Repousse Silver Plated on Copper Jewelry Box
Located in Dallas, TX
Place this elegant, antique Napoleon III copper box in your master bath to keep your jewelry safe and organized. Crafted in France circa 1880, the ornate ...
Silver Plate, Copper
Biedermeier Petit Point Box
Located in Tampa, FL
1830 to1840s German Biedermeier box with very fine petit point insert with glass. The petit point scene is of water, trees and two houses. The box has a black base at the bottom. Has...
Textile, Wood
19th Century, Silver Plated Box with Royal Crest
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dramatic, richly embellished, silver-plated, hinge-top box featuring the ancient Coat of Arms for the Spanish kingdom of Castile and Leon. The whole atop lion-form feet.
Silver Plate, Metal
19th Century Oak and Fruitwood Intarsia Jewelry Box
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A 19th Century Biedermeier Swedish Jewelry box in oak with an ornamental inlay decoration. The fine intarsia work, featuring a floral pattern, is...
Wood, Oak, Paper, Fruitwood
$1,547
H 4.93 in W 11.82 in D 6.7 in
Marvelous 19th Century French Antique Jewelry Box Napoleon III in Burl Wood
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Marvelous Napoleon III 19th century antique Jewelry box in Burl wood from France. Impressive wood grain with slight curved edge on t...
Wood, Burl
Large Decorative or Jewelry Box, in Wood, England, 19th Century
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This large box is a jewelry box or a decorative box. It was made in the 19th century, in England, Period. Its lid is made in wood, brown in color. Holding several compartments.
Brass
German Porcelain Jewelry Box
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful German oval porcelain jewelry box, in the Regency design style, circa mid-20th century, Germany. Boxes' lid features outdoor nature scene with couple in a park sounded by...
Porcelain
Late Biedermeier Jewelry Box, Printed beech, Germany circa 1840
Located in Regensburg, DE
Late Biedermeier Jewelry Box, Printed beech wood, from Germany circa 1840. Restored and hand-polished with shellac. Dimensions: H 9 cm / 3.54 in W 27 cm / 10.63 in D 19 cm / 7.48 in
Beech, Paint
Sold
H 6.7 in W 11.42 in D 9.06 in
Biedermeier Jewelry Box, Flamed Birch, Maple, Ebony, Austria circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Beautiful Biedermeier Jewelry Box in Birch Wood from Austria circa 1820 Flamed birch veneer. Ebony inlay. Inside in bright Maple wood. Mirror inserted into the top of the lid. Brass ...
Mirror, Birch, Ebony, Maple
Sold
H 4.34 in W 13 in D 10.24 in
Biedermeier Jewelry Box, Walnut Veneer, Ink painting, Austria circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Rare Biedermeier Jewelry Box, Walnut Veneer, Ink painting, Austria circa 1820 Walnut and maple veneered on hardwood. Original old Ink painting on maple (Winged Cupid with chalice and...
Maple, Walnut, Paint
19th Century Biedermeier Jewelry Box in Burl Walnut, around 1820
Located in Berlin, DE
This beautiful 19th Century Biedermeier Jewelry Box was made in burl walnut around 1820. It is made out of pine and veneered in burl walnut and the inside is covered in blue velvet. ...
Brass
19th Century Biedermeier Jewelry Box in Burl Walnut, around 1820
Located in Berlin, DE
This beautiful 19th Century Biedermeier Jewelry Box was made in Burl walnut around 1820. It has still got its original paper inside. The box is in fantastic vintage condition. A uniq...
Walnut, Burl
Biedermeier Jewelry Box, Flamed Maple, Mirror, Austria circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Original, restored neoclassical Biedermeier Jewelry box in flamed maple with interior from Austria, Vienna around 1820. Mirror-shaped veneer on the outside. On the edges with inlay ...
Mirror, Maple
Cubic Biedermeier Box, Walnut with Inlays, Austria, circa 1830
Located in Regensburg, DE
Cube-shaped, elaborately crafted Biedermeier casket. Walnut veneered. Inlay work with branch slices and mahogany veneer. Several band inlays in maple and ebony. Top center with inl...
Ebony, Maple, Walnut
Antique Soft Jade Green Opaline Glass Box, Cendese Glass, Murano Glass
Located in Hamburg, DE
Antique soft jade green opaline glass boxe. Luxurious and rare antique opal glass box. This kind of jewelry boxes was mainly made in France, Italy and f...
Opaline Glass
Swedish Miniature Birch Secretary Writing Desk, 19th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A Swedish 19th Century Biedermeier 3-drawer chest and writing desk with drop down top and a series of small drawers inside. Original antique wooden handles...
Birch
Set of 2 Antique Jade Green Opaline Glass Boxes
Located in Hamburg, DE
Set of 2 antique jade green opaline glass boxes. Luxurious and rare antique opal glass box. This kind of jewelry boxes was mainly made in France, Italy ...
Opaline Glass
Antique white opaline glass box with blue floral enamel decoration
Located in Hamburg, DE
Luxurious and rare antique opal glass box. This kind of jewelry boxes was mainly made in France, Italy and formerly Bohemia. They were made from the ear...
Bronze
Sold
H 2.37 in W 3.82 in D 3.82 in
Antique white opaline glass box with beautiful decorated gilt hinge
Located in Hamburg, DE
Luxurious and rare antique opal glass box. This kind of jewelry boxes was mainly made in France, Italy and formerly Bohemia. They were made from the ear...
Bronze