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.
$786Sale Price|39% Off
Biedermeier Walnut Picture Frame with Lindenwood Inlay, Circa 1830
Located in Darmstadt, DE
This refined Biedermeier picture frame dates from around 1830 and showcases the timeless elegance of the era. Crafted from richly grained walnut veneer on softwood, the frame is ador...
Walnut, Glass
Swedish Biedermeier Birch Picture Frame
Located in Queens, NY
Swedish Biedermeier (19th Century) birch easel picture frame with round top
Birch
Antique Biedermeier Picture or Mirror frame in gilt wood, Austria 1830s
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find an elegant Austrian Biedermeier frame dating to the 1830s, distinguished by its refined proportions and restrained ornamentation characteristic of the p...
Wood
Swedish Biedermeier Style Birch Picture Frame
Located in Queens, NY
Swedish Biedermeier-style (19/20th Century) birch easel picture frame with shaped top and bottom.
Birch
$2,625Sale Price|47% Off
H 51 in W 61 in D 3.5 in
Monumental Antique Dutch Baroque Style Carved Picture Art Mirror Frame
Located in Dayton, OH
Monumental antique Dutch Baroque frame. Great for use as a mirror or art frame. Made of walnut featuring geometric form with extended corners and ornate carved gilded accents over a ...
Walnut
French Giltwood Picture Frame
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th Century French giltwood picture frame with incised vine decoration and inner bead border. Warm gilt finish is in good condition with some losses to outer edges, slight corner ...
Giltwood
Octagonal Tortoiseshell Picture Frame
Located in New York, NY
Octagonal tortoiseshell picture frame. Antique octagonal frame in beautiful condition smoothly applied with antique Sicilian tortoiseshell and original brass hook; for favourite phot...
Metal
Antique French 19th Century Gilt Bronze Standing Picture Frame
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Magnificent elaborate gilt bronze picture frame with a guilloche inset matt. The frame with garlands and swags with original oval glass an metal back with easel.
Bronze, Enamel
Giotto Wall Picture Frame
Located in Milan, IT
More than a decorative object, this frame will display cherished memories recorded on a photo to be remembered and admired. This elegant frame is crafted of dark wenge and showcases ...
Metal
$1,434
H 21.74 in W 15.95 in D 0.79 in
Antique Art Deco Forged Iron Forged Copper Flowers Mirror Frame Picture Frame
Located in Munich, DE
This elegant two tone frame was created in France in the beginning of the 1920's. A rectangular forged iron frame with ornamental surface is in the centre of this design. Three coppe...
Iron, Copper
Murano Art Glass Picture Frame with Multicolor Murrine, circa 1990
Located in Atlanta, GA
This superb Murano art glass picture frame was hand-crafted in Italy circa 1990. Murano mosaic Murrine plaques adorn the frame's picture view, which features an L-shaped Plexiglass f...
Glass, Art Glass, Murano Glass, Lucite, Plexiglass
Vintage Italian Picture Frame
Located in Red Lion, PA
Designer Italian Picture Frame Photo is 10.5" x 7"
Brass
1940s Shell Picture Frame (with glass)
Located in Tarrytown, NY
1940s Shell Picture Frame (with glass) Shell with crack in it (as shown) Stand not sold with frame Hinged arm missing from back of frame
Shell
$2,104Sale Price|20% Off
H 61.03 in W 37.41 in D 1.97 in
Antique Giltwood Picture Frame, Hand-Crafted, Aesthetic Style, France
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Large, old, perfect giltwood frame, suitable for painting or mirror. On request I also have an ornamental frieze to place on top. ref. O/8340
Fruitwood
$2,450
H 11 in W 9.25 in D 4 in
Emilia Castillo Monkey Picture Frame with Malachite Inlay, Taxco Mexico
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A whimsical and highly collectible vintage picture frame designed and manufactured in Taxco, Mexico by Emilia Castillo, one of the most celebrated figures associated with the legendary Los Castillo tradition. This sculptural frame is crafted in solid brass with silver plating and showcases Castillo’s unmistakable blend of playful narrative and refined Mexican silversmithing. The design features two charming sculptural monkeys, each playfully holding a picture frame, suspended from a central stem modeled after bamboo—a recurring motif in Castillo’s work. The top of the stem is adorned with leaf forms inlaid with crushed malachite...
Malachite, Silver, Brass
Neoclassical Style Mirror or Picture Frame
Located in Sheffield, MA
A large rectangular 38" x 48" American Classical style carved giltwood frame for mirror or painting, with boldly carved fluting, and raised square and roundel centre. May be hung hor...
Wood
Pair of square walnut veneer frames - Italy, 19th century
Located in London, GB
A finely crafted pair of Italian 19th-century square frames in walnut veneer. Each features clean, geometric lines and a warm, rich patina that highlights the natural grain of the wo...
Walnut
Large Biedermeier arched mirror - Italy, 1830s
Located in London, GB
An imposing arched mirror in the Biedermeier style that flourished in central Europe in the first half of the 19th century. Its restrained ornamentation is typical of the movement, w...
Wood, Cherry, Ebony
Two tone graphic inlaid frame - Italy, 20th century
Located in London, GB
A two-tone wooden frame with attractive geometric detailing. The motif of connected ovals, which feels Deco in execution, offers pleasing contrast with the warm natural grain of the ...
Wood
Large Italian Biedermeier arched frame, 1830s
Located in London, GB
An imposing arched frame in the Biedermeier style that flourished in central Europe in the first half of the 19th century. Its restrained ornamentation is typical of the movement, wh...
Fruitwood
Two Petite Framed Silhouettes, Antique German Biedermeier
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A gorgeous set of two picture frames with hand cut Silhouettes. With minor signs of wear as expected with age and use. One frame with cracks, but thi...
Glass, Paper
Sold
H 44.5 in W 29.3 in D 3.7 in
Gilt Biedermeier Wall Mirror with Bulls Eye Carvings, Austria, circa 1825
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Breathtaking, large Austrian Gilt Biedermeier wall mirror from the early period around 1825. The wide, deeply grooved frame was covered with fine gold leaf and impresses with classical hand carved "Bull´s Eye" motives and additional stripes on the inside. On some spots slight abrasions of the gold leaf brought out the red "bolus" - the primer for gilding - which confers this nearly 200 year old, majestic mirror...
Gold Leaf
Pair of Biedermeier Cherrywood Picture Frames
Located in Darmstadt, DE
A pair of Biedermeier picture frames hand polished in cherrywood with band inlays all around. The glasses are present in both frames. We can also build mirrors into the frames for yo...
Glass, Cherry
Sold
H 15 in W 19.7 in D 0.8 in
Biedermeier Cherrywood Picture Frame with Brass Applications Austria, circa 1820
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Charming Biedermeier cherrywood picture frame with brass applications out of the transition from Empire to Biedermeier in Vienna/ Austria circa 1815-1820. This lovely early 19th cent...
Mirror, Cherry, Fruitwood
Gilt Biedermeier Wall Mirror, Austria, circa 1850
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Gorgeous gilt Biedermeier wall mirror from the second period circa 1850 in Austria. This dreamlike masterpiece shows different kind of gilt techniques. The frame impresses with wonderful stucco applications in the corners and gold leaf covered outer stripes where you partially can see the red "Bolus" (= the priming coat/ color for the gold leaf technique) shining through. A highly decorative antique mirror...
Gold Leaf
19th Century, Gold Biedermeier Frame for Mirror or Picture
By J.P. Schneider Jr.
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Beautiful frame from the time of the late Biedermeier, circa 1850. The frame is wood with stucco and golden finished. The frame comes from a manufactory from Frankfurt am Main, Germa...
Stucco, Pine
Glorious Historism Frame, Austria, circa 1870
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
We present to you this glorious Historism Frame from the later Biedermeier era circa 1870 from Austria. Very large, massive display frame, exterior edge minimal restored - hardly vis...
Stucco, Wood
19th Century Biedermeier Walnut Frame, Austria, circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
This is the second late Biedermeier frame from circa 1880. In combination with the other frame in our gallery (BF-1) it would built a perfect matching pair. The frame shows a wonderf...
Walnut