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.
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
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
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
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
$4,669
H 14.57 in W 8.67 in D 6.7 in
19th Century Table Clock with Calendar, Ebonized Wood, France, circa 1840-1860
Located in Greven, DE
Antique mantel clock with calendar in ebonised wood. France Wood, brass Mid 19th century Dimensions: H x W x D: 37 x 22 x 17 cm Description: French mantel clock from around 1840-1860. The case is made of ebonised wood with brass thread inlays. On the front we see behind glass the white dial with black roman numerals and gilded bezel. Also gold-plated are the beautiful original arrow-shaped hands. The hands of the two-part calendar are also in the same design. On the left is the day of the week and on the right the day of the month. On the back is a wooden flap that protects the movement from dust. If we open the flap, we see the high-quality French 14...
Wood
$1,937Sale Price|35% Off
H 9.06 in W 21.26 in D 6.7 in
Guillard Chimney Mantel Art Deco Clock with Site Plates
Located in Vienna, AT
Guillard marble mantel clock with brass applications showing chestnut leaves and nuts, with pendulum, width: 54 cm, height: 32 cm. With two Art Deco marble side plates, with bronze ...
Marble, Brass
Late Victorian Double Weight "Vienna" Wall Clock
Located in Altrincham, GB
Late Victorian Double Weight "Vienna" Wall Clock of Architectural Form Having Carved Eagle Pediment - by Charles Greville & Co of Hatton Gardens, London with full technical drawings ...
Walnut
$5,200Sale Price|35% Off
H 29 in W 12 in D 3.75 in
American Mahogany and Églomisé Banjo Clock, E. Howard, Boston # 5, Circa 1860
Located in Charleston, SC
American mahogany and églomisé banjo clock with original signed and numeral paper dial under glass, decorative painted and gilt throat panel, with a hinged painted and gilt door concealing the brass pendulum. Clock is in working condition with no issues. Signed by E. Howard and Co...
Brass
Rare 1820s Swedish Mora Clock with Original Paint and Mechanism
Located in Atlanta, GA
Unlock the quiet poetry of time with this rare genuine Mora clock from Northern Sweden, crafted circa 1820. Fashioned from solid pine, its curvaceous form showcases the elegance of S...
Wood, Pine
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
Large Baroque Style Austrian Ormolu Mounted Musical Clock
Located in London, GB
Large Baroque style Austrian ormolu mounted musical clock Austrian, early 19th Century Total height: 211cm Clock: Height 135cm, width 86cm, depth 52 Stand: Height 76cm, width 81c...
Ormolu
$1,331Sale Price|20% Off
H 14.38 in W 17.92 in D 6.7 in
Victorian Black Marble Mantel Clock with Rouge Marble Columns c.1860
Located in Worcester, GB
Victorian Black Marble Mantel Clock with Rouge Marble Columns, Attributed to F. Marti, France, c.1860 A handsome mid-19th century French mantel clock housed in a finely constructed E...
Belgian Black Marble
Wall Clock " Atlanta ", Germany, around 1960s
Located in Wien, AT
Wall clock " Atlanta " germany, around 1960s Original condition of the case Battery operated, not mechanical.
Brass
$1,178
H 43 in W 15 in D 6.5 in
Antique Vienna Regulator Wall Clock AG Lenzkirch Walnut Case Vienna 1890
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Elegant antique Vienna regulator wall clock dating to the late 19th century Circa 1890 and 7 day movement on a striking mechanism M...
Walnut
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
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
Sold
H 20.87 in W 13.78 in D 5.52 in
Automaton Clock with Moving Cupid, Vienna, 19th Century, Biedermeier, circa 1820
Located in Greven, DE
Automat clock "blacksmith and grinder" Vienna Wood, alabaster, enamel, brass Biedermeier, circa 1820 Dimensions: H x W 53 x 35 cm Ebonized wood base standing on squeeze ...
Alabaster, Brass, Enamel
Sold
H 15 in W 11 in D 5 in
Biedermeier Mantle Clock with Ebonized Details and Hoof Legs Silk Suspension
By Biedermeier
Located in Stamford, CT
Fine Biedermeier clock with ebonized details and unusual hoof legs with silk suspension. Is in working order at time of listing, having pendulum and ke...
Metal
Sold
H 14.18 in W 9.06 in D 5.52 in
Biedermeier Mantel Clock, Northern Germany Prob. Bremen, circa 1820
Located in Greding, DE
Biedermeier clock in a rounded mahogany case with an enamel ring with Arabic numerals and a bronze depiction of an angel with an anvil while forging. Underneath sun rays in a semi-ci...
Bronze
19th Century Biedermeier Mantel Clock in Cherrywood, circa 1820
Located in Berlin, DE
This beautiful 19th century Biedermeier mantel clock in cherrywood was made circa 1820. The clockwork is still running and it is all original. A fantastic period piece from the 19th...
Cherry, Pine