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.
19th Century Biedermeier Picture Clock, Austria, circa 1830
Located in Greven, DE
Biedermeier picture clock with fountain mechanism Austria Oil on iron sheet circa 1830 Dimensions: H × W × D: 45 × 53 × 14 cm Description: This rare picture clock depicts a villag...
Iron
Antique Mantel Clock under Glass Dome, ca. 1870
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Mantel Clock under Glass Dome, ca. 1870 This is a finely crafted mantel clock from around 1850–1880, housed under a rounded glass dome on a textured base resembling tree bar...
Metal
Baroque Wall Clock in a Biedermeier Case, 18th/19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
A "marriage" combining a Baroque bronze wall clock with a Biedermeier case in the form of a temple. The case, crafted from birch, merges the ornate design of the Baroque period with ...
Bronze
Fine Fruitwood Grand-Sonnerie Striking Vienna Regulator Wall Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
Fine Fruitwood Grand-Sonnerie Striking Vienna Regulator Four pillar, triple train movement of short duration with dead beat escapement incorporating...
Fruitwood
$1,134Sale Price|37% Off
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
A Miniature Two Train Vienna Regulator
Located in Amersham, GB
A rare wedge shaped laterndluhr Vienna regulator with a two train weight driven movement of exceptional quality. The eight day movement strikes the ho...
Brass, Steel
Austrian Biedermeier Wall Clock, Hand-Painted Mahogany, 20th Century
Located in Queens, NY
Austrian wooden wall clock with beige and silver hand-painted face and mahogany case with a steepled top.
Mahogany
$2,014Sale Price|20% Off
Biedermeier Wall Clock, Rosewood Veneer, Antique, Europe, 19th Century
Located in Opole, PL
Wall Clock in the Biedermeier Style, 19th Century Presenting a truly unique and original wall clock from the first half of the 19th century, crafted in the elegant Biedermeier style...
Wood, Rosewood
Portal clock Vienna around 1825 with integrated musical mechanism Signed: A.O.
Located in Wiesbaden, DE
Portal clock Vienna around 1825 with integrated musical mechanism Signed: “A.Olbrich in Wien” and number 215719157. Alabaster columns, blackened wood, gilded carving in the form of...
Alabaster, Metal
Gothic Revival Bronze Cathedral Mantel Clock, 19th Century
By Charles Delaunay
Located in Lisbon, PT
This Gothic Revival mantel clock is a fine example of early 19th-century French decorative arts, attributed to Charles Delaunay (Delaunay Chauvau). Crafted in dark patinated bronz...
Metal, Bronze, Enamel
German Mahogany Figural & Satinwood Inlaid Tall Case Flute Clock, Circa 1780
By A. Belokopytoff
Located in Charleston, SC
German Biedermeier mahogany tall case flute clock with porcelain dial, upper case having four rotating painted soldiers and biblical figures, original blow...
Brass, Wrought Iron
Mantel Clock with Genre Scene, Vienna 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Mantel clock in a gold-patinated wooden case with enameled clock face and octagonal pedestal with paw feet. The clock case rises above it in the shape of a wooden hut with a pointed ...
Wood
Biedermeier Portal Clock, probably Vienna ca. 1820/30
Located in Greding, DE
Biedermeier portal clock in an architecturally structured walnut case with alabaster columns, bronze fittings and mirrored rear wall. The clockwork with date and sound spiral. Pendul...
Brass
Bronze Mantel Clock with Sculpture "Lady Next to Casket", France, 1830s - 1840s
Located in Rīga, LV
Bronze clock with sculpture "Lady next to casket", France, 1830s - 1840s Additional Information: Materials: Bronze, gilding Vintage from the 19th century Place of Origin: Franc...
Bronze
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Library Walnut Alabaster Mantle Clock
Located in Berlin, DE
Early 19th century Austrian Biedermeier library walnut alabaster mantle clock Standing on a rectangular wooden base with concave corners, six sm...
Bronze
Biedermeier Chimney Clock with Inlays, circa 1860
Located in Berlin, DE
Rosewood with tendril and thread inserts. Rectangular base with four columns and the clock hung under the architrave. Dial Email. Gold-plated brass bezel and decorated gold compensat...
Beech
Marble Mantel Clock with Matching Vases, circa 1830
Located in Greding, DE
A refined neoclassical garniture set comprising a marble mantel clock and two matching vases (20 x 13 x 13 cm). The clock features a vase-shaped body crafted in white marble with dar...
Marble
$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
$875Sale Price|30% Off
H 10.44 in W 9.26 in D 9.26 in
Regulator clock in rosewood with silver applications
Located in Porto, PT
Description: Regulator clock in rosewood with silver applications. Metal: Silver. Origin: Portuguese. Brand: Javali II Title. Weight: 1048.83 grams. Dimensions: 26.5x23.5cm. Content:...
Silver
19C Gustav Becker Vienna Wall Clock
Located in Dallas, TX
PRESENTING A GORGEOUS 19C Gustav Becker Vienna Wall Clock. Made by the famous clockmaker, Gustav Becker circa 1880 in Germany. Th...
Brass
$1,648Sale Price|20% Off
H 47.25 in W 12.8 in D 5.71 in
Austria-Hungarian Wall Clock From the Late 19th Century
Located in Opole, PL
Austria-Hungarian Wall Clock From the Late 19th Century We present you this wall clock from the late 19th century (probably 1870) manufactured in Austria-Hungary. The gravity windin...
Wood
Carriage clock with case. 19th century
Located in Madrid, ES
Travel clock with case. Metal, glass, leather, etc. XIX century. Case with lid at the top and front with a transparent glass sheet, upholstered on the inside, containing a travel cl...
Metal, Other
19th Century Musical Picture Clock
Located in Tarzana, CA
A large well-detailed musical picture clock. The oil painting on canvas depicts a village scene in Europe with manor home, mountains at sunset in...
Canvas, Giltwood
Antique French Sevres Mantel Clock
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality French 19th century gilded ormolu and pink Sevres porcelain mantel clock. Having monopodia supports, a putti supporti...
Ormolu
$2,804
H 17.4 in W 12.5 in D 8.1 in
Large Antique Arts & Crafts Nutwood with Inlay Table or Mantel Clock, ca 1900.
Located in Lisse, NL
A rare and beautifully handcrafted Junghans mantel clock from the Arts & Crafts era, combining timeless design with exceptional craftsmanship. If you are looking for a truly excepti...
Brass, Bronze
$1,921
H 51.58 in W 18.9 in D 8.27 in
Fine quality antique Victorian walnut double weight Vienna wall clock
Located in Ipswich, GB
Fine quality antique Victorian walnut double weight Vienna wall clock, having a quality antique Victorian double weight wall clock with a quality carved walnut and ebonised case, hav...
Brass
Antique found time wall clock/regulator from around 1880
Located in Berlin, DE
Antique found time wall clock/regulator from around 1880 Solid wood, richly carved with brass pendulum. Movement needs to be checked.
Nutwood, Oak
$9,000
H 15 in W 11.5 in D 6.5 in
English Brass and Polished Steel Skeleton Clock Under Glass Dome Webber, C. 1870
By Webber
Located in Charleston, SC
English brass skeleton clock under original glass dome with a polished steel roman numeral dial, fuse chain movement, and affixed to an oval carved wood felt base with four bun feet....
Steel, Brass
Wonderful English 18th-19th Century Red Chinoiserie Grandfather Clock
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
English late 18th-early 19th century red chinoiserie grandfathers clock. Brass dial inscribed Jan Chater. Working condition. Beautiful detail and paint. Wonderful condition.
Metal
18th Century English Chinoiserie Decorated Tall Case Clock
Located in Charlottesville, VA
Tall case clock with chinoiserie decoration throughout the case, including figures, pagodas, and flowering trees in gold. The hood has a pagoda top with brass finials and flanking co...
Brass
Antique Viennese Wall Clock in Fruit Wood Case, Late 19th Century
Located in Opole, PL
Antique Viennese Wall Clock, Late 19th Century An elegant wall clock crafted in the late 19th century, designed in the classic Viennese style. The slender and well-balanced form is ...
Fruitwood
Sold
H 97.25 in W 21.26 in D 13.19 in
Large Biedermeier Longcase Clock in Cherrywood, Germany circa 1820
Located in Greding, DE
Elegant, tall Biedermeier longcase clock with a finely veneered cherrywood case. The slender middle section features a door with an octagonal panel. The base is highlighted by a gree...
Cherry
Rare Biedermeier Saw Wall Clock, Denmark, dated 1829
Located in Greven, DE
Rare antique saw clock Denmark Brass, enamel dated: 1829 Dimensions: H x W x D: 46 x 13 x 8 cm Description: Very unusual and extremely rare gravity-driven...
Brass, Enamel
Sold
H 20.08 in W 11.42 in D 6.7 in
Viennese Biedermeier Skeleton Anniversary Clock With Musical Movement, Ca. 1840
Located in Vienna, AT
Finest Viennese Craftmanship: Under the original glass dome the ebonised oval wooden base on four bun feet, with musical mechanism that plays automatically on the hour, wooden body w...
Brass
Sold
H 21.54 in W 12.76 in D 4.53 in
Viennese Column Clock Portal Clock Biedermeier era min flower showcase ar. 1840
Located in Landshut, BY
Biedermeier Portal Clock Vienna circa 1840 spring train day movement, lever escapement, Viennese 4/4 hour strike on tone spirals, 1/4 hour strike on half hour, (both working). repet...
Alabaster, Metal, Brass, Enamel
Sold
H 20.08 in W 11.03 in D 6.7 in
Viennese Biedermeier Anniversary Clock With Musical Movement, Boeck & Olbrich
Located in Vienna, AT
Finest Viennese Craftmanship: Ebonized oval wooden base on four squashed ball feet, inside the music mechanism, marked: A. Olbrich, which strikes automatically on the hour, in additi...
Brass
Sold
H 21.66 in W 14.97 in D 7.49 in
19th Century Biedermeier Mantel Clock with Automated Face, circa 1820-1830
Located in Greven, DE
Biedermeier Fireplace Mantel Clock with Automatic Southern Germany Pear tree first half 19th century Dimensions: H x W x D: 55 x 38 x 19 cm Description: Interesting mante...
Fruitwood
Antique Biedermeier Mantel Clock
Located in Forney, TX
A charming and most unusual late 18th / early 19th century German mantel clock. The antique clock case is of simple form, with a fine, rich wooden f...
Ormolu
1890 Antique Pillars Germany Junghans Clock
Located in Praha, CZ
- in good oroginal condition - from 19century dating around 1890.¨ - Material silver plate, key and pendulum including.
Metal, Silver Plate
Biedermeier Mahogany Mantle Clock
Located in Essex, MA
With rectangular stepped cornice over a case with white enameled dial with glass cover and gilt bronze bezel over a window to view pendulum , plinth base , gilt bronze bun feet. Purc...
Mahogany
Sold
H 80.71 in W 27.17 in D 11.82 in
Antique Biedermeier Grandfather Clock, Longcase, Sweden, Birchwood, circa 1830
Located in Greven, DE
Unusual antique grandfather clock Sweden birch around 1830 Dimensions: Height 205 cm, Wide 69 cm, Deep 30 cm Description: Antique Longcase clock...
Birch
Sold
H 37.41 in W 8.86 in D 4.93 in
Fine Eight Day 19th Century Architectural Vienna Biedermeier Regulator Clock
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
A fine and extremely elegant Vienna regulator of wonderful proportions with a mahogany-veneered and boxwood line inlaid case, c. 1840-50 (German: Dachl-Uhr). The elegant case has a t...
Brass