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.
Meissen Figurine 'Estrella', Russian Ballet 'Carnival', by Paul Scheurich, 20th
Located in Vienna, AT
Finest Meissen Porcelain Figurine: Dancer balancing on her toes, turning her head to the right and bringing her right hand indecisively to her chin, while with her left hand she perf...
Porcelain
$4,500 / set
Pair of German Meissen Porcelain Figures
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of German (19th Cent) Meissen porcelain figures of boy and girl with monkey and bird on a floral and rocky base
Meissen
Meissen Figurine 'Estrella', Russian Ballet 'Carnival', by Paul Scheurich, 20th
Located in Vienna, AT
Finest Meissen Porcelain Figurine: Dancer balancing on her toes, turning her head to the right and bringing her right hand indecisively to her chin, while with her left hand she per...
Porcelain
19th Century Meissen Porcelain Cupid Figure by Heinrich Schwabe
Located in Queens, NY
German Meissen (late 19th Century) porcelain figure of a cupid wearing a gold crown and wrapped in a blue robe and having an owl by its side, standing on a 6-sided round gold dome (m...
Gold
German Porcelain Nude Lady Figure
Located in Queens, NY
German (19/20th Cent) small porcelain torsos of nude lady with hands extended and gold hair piece
Gold
19th Century Biedermeier Bronze Patina Native American Chief Sculpture
Located in Queens, NY
Continental Austrian style bronze multicolored patinaed figure of Native American chief with rifle standing on a travertine base (Kalba style)
Bronze
19th Century Biedermeier Bronze Miner Statuette on Black Marble Base
Located in Queens, NY
Continental 19th / 20th-Century metal statuette with a bronze patina depicting miner on a black marble base. (Companion piece: GRS327).
Bronze
Antique Silver Relief King Ludwig I. von Bayern by Ludwig Leigh
Located in Munich, DE
This miniature relief portrait of King Ludwig I. of Bavaria is made out of chased silver. I has been executed by Ludwig Leigh and is signed L.Leigh. The po...
Silver
19th Century German Pewter Gnome Toothpick Holder, Biedermeier Style
Located in Queens, NY
Continental German (19/20th Cent) pewter small figure of a gnome holding a mushroom with a perferated top (toothpick holder) and standing on a stylized round base (WMF)
Pewter
19th Century Bronze Patinaed Native American Chief Sculpture on Base
Located in Queens, NY
Continental Austrian style bronze multicolored patinaed figure of Native American chief with rifle standing on a travertine base (Kalba style)
Bronze
$5,200Sale Price|20% Off
Austrian Antique Handcarved Wood Sculpture of Praying Angel, 1860
Located in Boca Raton, FL
19 th c Austrian Antique handcarved wood religious sculpture of a praying angel, kneeling on. One knee on a wood base. Remnants of silver paint. Split of wood in the middle due to wo...
Fruitwood
Meissen Figurine 'Chiarina', Russian Ballet 'Carnival', by Paul Scheurich, 20th
Located in Vienna, AT
Finest Meissen Porcelain Figurine: Dancer balancing on the ball of her left foot, lifting her right leg slightly forward with her foot extended downward, leaning her head to the righ...
Porcelain
Pair of Biedermeier Marble Busts, American, Signed Dewey, Circa 1850
Located in London, GB
Two busts of male and female couple carved in marble, Biedemeier style American second half of 19th century, signed on reverse of each carved 'Dewey'. Two Portrait of a well to do couple firmly telling the America they have arrived and are upstanding. The hand carved marble busts are skillfully detailed and take you on a journey of the fruitiness of Middle America...
Carrara Marble
Portrait Bust of a Lady, Dated 1837
Located in Greding, DE
Portrait bust of a lady of the Biedermeier period. The bust was most probably modelled in plaster using the impression of the death mask. Signed on the ...
Plaster
19th Century Bronze Sculpture "The Letter"
Located in Rochester, NY
Antique bronze sculpture of man reading a letter or proclamation. Marble base, 19th century. Unsigned.
Bronze
$2,477 / set
H 4.73 in W 3.55 in D 1.97 in
Meissen Rococo Porcelain Figures of Dancing Children, Circa 1750
Located in Basildon, GB
A Pair of 18th Century Meissen Figures "Children Dancing", modelled in the commedia dell'arte style as a young girl and boy dancing. Raised over simple rococo bases with applied flow...
Porcelain
19th Century Meissen Birdcage Grouping
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th Century Meissen Birdcage Grouping Germany Circa 1880 This enchanting 19th-century Meissen birdcage grouping, made in Germany circa 1880, is a re...
Porcelain
19th Century Fine Porcelain Bird Figure by ENS Germany
Located in Sofia, BG
Hand painted bird figure in beautiful bright colors. Unfortunately half of the right wing is missing. It is handmade by Ens Germany. Ens porcelain is one of the most oldest manufacto...
Porcelain
$3,995Sale Price / set|27% Off
H 8 in W 5 in D 3 in
Pair of Vintage Sculptural Cast Bronze Native American Indian Chief Bookends
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Matched pair of detailed cast bronze bookends depicting a North American Indian Chief bust. There are no maker's marks, initials or signature of eith...
Bronze
19th Century French Bronze Animal Sculptures
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of finely chaste bronze and dore bronze of dog and cat. Very life like.
Bronze
Meissen Porcelain Woman Porcelain Figure, Germany, 20th Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
A hand-painted porcelain figure of a young woman playing a hurdy-gurdy, mounted on an ornate base. Dating from the early 1900s, this piece beautifully captures the rural charm and f...
Porcelain
$2,216Sale Price / set|25% Off
H 7.88 in Dm 2.96 in
Meissen Porcelain Rococo Couple Figurines, Germany, 19th Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
A pair of 19th-century Meissen porcelain figurines in Rococo Revival style, depicting a romantic couple in floral costumes. These finely detailed polychrome porcelain figures captur...
Porcelain
$1,650 / set
H 9 in W 12.5 in D 4.5 in
19th Century Neoclassical Bronze Lion Sculptures with Aged Patina
Located in Bradenton, FL
Elegant Mirror-Image Pair of Continental Bronze Lion Sculptures. Sculptures are finely cast with expressive facial features, richly textured manes, and muscular bodies captured in a ...
Bronze
Bronze Moor Sculpture 19th Century Style
Located in Atlanta, GA
Bronze Moore sculpture, believed to be Italian, in the 19th century style, but probably executed in the mid 20th century.
Bronze
Pair of 18th Century Meissen Porcelain Bouquetiere Figures
By Johann Joachim Kaendler, Meissen Porcelain
Located in Basildon, GB
A pair of Meissen bouquetiere figures Circa 1765, both with 'Christie's East' dealer stamps. Modelled by J.J. Kändler holding oval two-handled baskets, the tops pierced for flowers, ...
Porcelain
19th Century Bronze Sculpture from France
Located in Dallas, TX
This bronze sculpture origins from France, circa 1880.
Bronze
Ginori Porcelain Figurine Trio with Floral Baskets
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
A beautiful set of three vintage porcelain figurines by Ginori, featuring two women carrying baskets of flowers and a man leaning against a tree stump. Each figure is crafted with at...
Porcelain
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H 39.38 in W 39.38 in D 39.38 in
Meissen Ensemble Of 5 Models, Russian Ballet 'Carnival', by Paul Scheurich, 20th
Located in Vienna, AT
Set of finest Meissen Porcelain Figures: 'HARLEKIN & COLUMBINE' Dancing couple depicting the figures of the Harlequin and the Columbine: Dancer balancing on her toes in an elaborate crinoline dress with a plunging neckline, her hair artfully pinned up with floral decorations, her outstretched arms pressed down in front of her and her head tilted to the left with her mouth open, facing her dance partner, the latter dressed in colourfully patterned harlequin trousers with a white shirt and a large black bow, He is dressed in colourful, patterned harlequin trousers with a white shirt and a large black bow, which he presses against his chest with his left hand, and a black cap that reaches down over his eyes like a mask, the batte on his hip, nestling against the dancer's side and burying his right arm around her hips in the ruffles of her dress and suggesting a kiss with his mouth open. The group is supported by a pedestal beneath the dancer's skirt and rests on an oval plinth painted with a diamond pattern and floral decoration. Height: 10.62 in Blue Meissen crossed swords mark of the 20th century Year's sign 1977 Model nr. 73306 (D 287) / Former's nr. 123 'ESTRELLA' Dancer balancing on her toes, turning her head to the right and bringing her right hand indecisively to her chin while making a defensive gesture with her left hand - feigning horror at the stormy courtship of her gallant Eusebius. She is wearing a crinoline dress decorated with flowers and a bonnet. The figure is supported by a pedestal and rests on an oval plinth painted with a diamond pattern. Height: 10.62 in Blue Meissen crossed swords mark 1934-1947 Model nr. D 285 / Former's nr. 48 / Painter's nr. 15 'CHIARINA' Dancer balancing on the ball of her left foot, raising her right leg slightly forwards with her foot stretched downwards, leaning her head to the right and elegantly bringing both arms to her left side, flowers in her hands. She is wearing an elaborate crinoline dress with a flowered top and a bonnet, with a mask, fan and flowers scattered on the floor. The figure is supported by a pedestal and rests on an oval plinth painted with a diamond pattern. Height: 10.43 in Blue Meissen crossed swords mark 1934-1947 Modellnr. D 286 / Former's nr. 51 / Painter's nr. 12 'EUSEBIUS' Dancer in a wide lunge, his upper body turned to the right with his arm stretched backwards, holding his left hand to his heart and adoring his beloved Chiarina. He wears his hair parted in curls, his costume in the style of a dandy with chequered trousers, a tight-fitting blue tailcoat with a flower pinned to the lapel, top hat, mask and riding crop at his feet. The figure is supported by a rock and rests...
Porcelain
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H 10.44 in W 7.09 in D 5.91 in
Meissen Figurine 'Chiarina', Russian Ballet 'Carnival', by Paul Scheurich, 20th
Located in Vienna, AT
Finest Meissen Porcelain Figurine: Dancer balancing on the ball of her left foot, lifting her right leg slightly forward with her foot extended downward, leaning her head to the righ...
Porcelain
Sold
H 10.83 in W 8.67 in D 5.12 in
Meissen Group 'Harlekin & Columbine', Russian Ballet 'Carnival', Scheurich, 20th
Located in Vienna, AT
Finest Meissen Porcelain Group: Dancing couple depicting the figures of Harlequin and Columbine: Dancer balancing on tiptoes in elaborate crinoline dress with low neckline, artfully ...
Porcelain
Antique Sled, Switzerland Mid 19th Century
Located in Belmont, MA
Very rare antique sled coming from Switzerland and dating back to the first half of the 19th century. The wooden sled shows some remaining color and gil...
Oak
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H 9.44 in W 5.11 in D 3.54 in
Meissen Porcelain Figure 'Biedermeier Lady' by Paul Scheurich, 1924-1934
Located in Vienna, AT
Standing female figure with artfully pinned dark brown curls and a white Biedermeier dress leaning against a pedestal. The young lady with bowed head and modest look is the opposite ...
Porcelain
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H 10.82 in W 7.87 in D 4.52 in
Meissen Figure 'Estrella' from the Russian Ballet 'Carnival' by Paul Scheurich
Located in Vienna, AT
Finest Meissen Porcelain from the early 20th century. The dancer balances on her toes, turns her head to the right and hesitantly leads her right hand to her mouth while she makes a...
Porcelain
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H 9.05 in W 5.51 in D 2.95 in
Finest Meissen Porcelain Figure 'Dude' by Paul Scheurich, circa 1920
Located in Vienna, AT
Standing vain Biedermeier beau leaning on a pedestal presents masculine elegance from the necktie to the toes of the shoe, his chest puffed up with ruffles, his head in a heavy velvet collar, he tests his effect. The complacent dude is the opposite of the modest, shy 'Biedermeier Lady...
Porcelain
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H 9.44 in W 5.51 in D 3.74 in
Finest Meissen Porcelain Figure 'Biedermeier Lady' by Paul Scheurich, circa 1920
Located in Vienna, AT
Standing female figure with artfully pinned dark brown curls and a white Biedermeier dress leaning against a pedestal. The young lady with bowed head and modest look is the opposite ...
Porcelain
Sold
H 9.05 in W 5.51 in D 2.95 in
Finest Meissen Porcelain Figurine 'Dude' by Paul Scheurich, circa 1919
Located in Vienna, AT
A rare Meissen figurine of stunning appearance Manufactory: Meissen Germany Manufactured circa 1920 Technique: handmade porcelain, finest handpainting, glossy finish Designer...
Porcelain
Beautiful Mary Joseph Jesus Porcelain Figures Antique, German, 1860s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful porcelain statues or figures handmade in Germany, circa 1860s. A beautiful piece for any room. Measurements given for the Jesus statue. Statues are in the as found conditio...
Porcelain
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Bird Bath in Solid Marble
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Early 19th century handcut bird bath in sold marble. In the middle a heart with a rich garlanded and hearts around the heart in the character of German Biedermeier. Marble in a grey...
Marble