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.
Calamaio Biedermeier in Vetro Smaltato Blu 1810 Judaica Origine Austro Ungarica
Located in Milano, MI
Calamaio in Vetro Biedermeier Judaica di forma rotonda in vetro trasparente incamiciato con uno strato bianco ed uno blu. Sul corpo ci sono degli intagli di forma lineare ed ovale ch...
Brass
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...
Birch
Writing Casket with Steel-Cut Decoration, Biedermeier, early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Small writing casket with thuja root veneer and surrounding steel-cut decoration. The casket is lockable and features an interior compartment for an inkwell, blotting sand, and a qui...
Steel
$1,488Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Biedermeier Paperweight, White Lacquer, Austria, 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.
Paper
3 Antique Silver Money Boxes, Piggy Banks, Austria-Hungary & Germany, 19th Cent.
Located in Vienna, AT
Three silver money boxes, two in tankard form with padlocks, one in cuboid form with built-in lock, hinged lids. Dating: 19th Century Material: Silver 13 Lot ('812....
Silver
$2,720Sale Price|20% Off
Austrian Biedermeier Table Mirror, Carved Wood & Gilt, Circa 1850
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A very handsome and unusual table top dressing mirror likely made in Austria in the early to mid 19thC. The shield shaped mirror has a gilded...
Wood
$863Sale Price|20% Off
H 0.99 in W 14.57 in D 2.37 in
20th Cebtury Italian Big Sterling Silver Letter Opener
Located in VALENZA, IT
Large, completely handmade, sterling silver letter opener. Perfect for a prestigious desk. The blade is smooth while the hand is embossed by hand on both sides with scrolls and fl...
Sterling Silver
$23Sale Price|64% Off
H 4 in W 4.5 in D 1.9 in
In Stock in Los Angeles, Grey Kong Mini Portable Charger
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Kong mini power bank battery charger In stock in Los Angeles Easily transportable, Kong MINI becomes a Stand hugging the mobile phone and a...
Plastic
Golden Hand Carved Wood Mirror
By Loyzaga
Located in Mexico, Ciudad de México
Vendôme Pearl Mirror Hand-Carved Wood With Gold Leaf Finish This collection is inspired in Paris most beautiful square, Place Vendôme. The rich and var...
Wood
Vintage Silver Thermometer, Italy, Early 20th Century
Located in Roma, IT
This vintage silver thermometer is a precious decorative object realized in the 1910s. Silver frame with weather thermometer. Frame with floral decorations. On the back footres...
Silver
$6,859
H 8.27 in W 13.39 in D 8.67 in
20th Century Italian Sterling Silver Inkstand, hHandicraft made in Italy
By Mario Vallè
Located in VALENZA, IT
The inkwell, rectangular in shape, was completely handmade obtained from a silver plate and finely embossed and chiseled with scrolls and flowers, typical of the Italian Baroque of t...
Sterling Silver
$17,416
H 9.45 in W 16.54 in D 13.39 in
20th Century Italian Sterling Silver Inkstand, baroque revival
Located in VALENZA, IT
Faithful copy of the writing service by the silversmith Pietro Rubini, Milan c.1775 The inkstand is composed of a shaped tray supported by 4 rocailles feet, modeled along the entire profile by finely embossed and chiselled volutes, leaves and shells. Above the tray are two ink holders and two pen holders with spiral workmanship and highly embossed vegetable decorations. A bell in the center of the object rests on a FASTIGIO pierced with flowering vines. By Fiorentini, Argenterie di Milano - Italy for ARVAL ARGENTI VALENZA Italian silverware...
Sterling Silver
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
An Italian Grand Tour Specimen Marble Paperweight, Late 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The round paperweight framed in black marble, with porphyry and sienna marble and other marble specimens. The center in sienna marble with carved bea...
Belgian Black Marble
$15,000
H 44 in W 21.5 in D 2 in
English Chippendale Gilt Carved Wood Floral and Shell Motif Mirror. Circa 1770
Located in Charleston, SC
English Chippendale gilt carved wood and gesso mirror with acanthus floral and shell motif. Mirror retains the original glass. Late 18th Century
Glass, Giltwood
Grand Tour Inlaid Specimen Marble Paperweight, Late 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The paperweight inset with a plaster cast of the Coliseum, outlined in 'marmo nero' and marmo giallo.
Marble
$882Sale Price|49% Off
H 6.7 in W 17.72 in D 9.06 in
19th Century French Walnut and Brass Writing Boxe
Located in LEGNY, FR
Beautiful walnut desktop box which opens into a writing slope. Decorated on the outside with 2 decorative inlaid tunbridge ware bands. Box opens out to a beige fabric writing slo...
Brass
Early 20th Century Brass Plaque by Bezalel School Jerusalem
Located in New York, NY
Bezalel brass plaque depicting a Jewish elder next to the Western Wall, made in Jerusalem, circa 1920, bearing a small metal label engraved "Bezalel Jeru...
Brass
19th Century Letter Box Wood Germany
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Letter box in wood with a lot of space to store cards, wrinting paper, pencils. Lock in brass with a matching key but does not close. With a small drawer. Measurements when it is ope...
Wood
Wooden Box, Casket, Biedermeier, circa 1840, Austria
Located in Wien, AT
Very decorative wooden box from the Biedermeier period, circa 1840, made in Austria, central Europe. This high-quality work was made with precious materials - a spruce body was vene...
Walnut, Spruce
19th Century Biedermeier Glass Inkwell Judaica Inkpot
Located in Milano, MI
Early 19th Century Jewish Glass Ink pot dating back to the Biedermeier period, of European Austro-Hungarian origin. Circular shape, this clear jacketed gl...
Brass
19th Century Ladies Wooden Vanity Box
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A 19th century oakwood vanity box with different accessories included. The box has the owner's initials of "Mrs. Dankaerts" inlaid in of mother of pearl. With removable parts.
Silver Plate
Biedermeier Laege Mahogany Wooden Box, Austria, circa 1900s
Located in Verviers, BE
Stunning large Biedermeier Mahogany wooden box, Austria, circa 1890 The original fully functional lock and key. The piece is in excellent condition and a real beauty! We specialise...
Mahogany
Sold
H 10.75 in W 15.75 in D 10.75 in
19th century Biedermeier Walnut Root Slant Top Letter Box Inlaid Bird Motif
Located in Savannah, GA
Large size slant top 19th century Biedermeier veneered walnut root letter box with inlaid bird and vine motif. Beautiful exotic woods with inlay and eb...
Wood
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H 2.3 in W 7.7 in D 6.1 in
Antique & Museum Quality Mother-of-Pearl Jewelry Box with Silver Lock and Hinges
Located in Lisse, NL
Museum quality and condition, 1860s jewelry box with perfect working silver lock and key. This more than excellent condition antique box is the largest...
Silver
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H 1.58 in W 8.27 in D 6.7 in
Early and Rare Royal Copenhagen Writing Set with Two Inkwells, circa 1850s
Located in København, Copenhagen
Early and rare Royal Copenhagen writing set with two inkwells. hand-painted with flowers. Stamped, circa 1850s. 1st. factory quality, in good condition, one lid with small c...
Rare Vintage 19th Century Writing Set, Austria Vienna circa 1840
By Master AB
Located in Vienna, AT
Austrian Silver Rarest 19th Century Writing Set Five Parts Vienna, made circa 1840 during Biedermeier Period Excellently manufactured Writing Set in original casket, consis...
Silver