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Biedermeier Paperweights

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
Swedish early 20th century solid burr birch mallet
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 20th century solid burr birch mallet circa 1900. Turned from a solid piece of burr birch this sculptors mallet has little signs of use.  1 piece, handle with feint turned deta...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Biedermeier Paperweights

Materials

Birch

Antique Rare Paperweight Glass Ball with Picture
Located in Vienna, AT
Antique rare paperweight glass ball with picture, alpaca base, good original condition, around 1880.
Category

1880s Austrian Antique Biedermeier Paperweights

Materials

Alpaca, Glass

Paperweight, Probably Vienna, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Rectangular white lacquered paperweight with silver-plated fittings and handle and polychrome city view on cardboard, framed behind glass.
Category

19th Century Austrian Antique Biedermeier Paperweights

Materials

Paper

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Biedermeier paperweights for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Biedermeier paperweights for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage paperweights created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with alpaca, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Biedermeier paperweights made in a specific country, there are Austria, and Europe 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 paperweights differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $324 and tops out at $1,380 while the average work can sell for $852.

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