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.
19th Century Flow Blue V&B Villeroy Boch Lot of 5 Plates Pheasant Series Decor
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A set of five porcelain flow blue plates, made by Villeroy & Boch, Germany, circa 1890s or older. Images show a hand painted Pheasant pattern. This is...
Porcelain
Set of 12 Austrian Porcelain Plates with Fish
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 12 Austrian (19th Century) white and grey porcelain plates with floral design and fish at center (PRICED AS SET)
19th Century Flow Blue V&B Villeroy Boch Lot of 6 Plates Pheasant Series Decor
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A set of six porcelain flow blue plates, made by Villeroy and Boch, Germany, circa 1890s or older. Images show a hand painted Pheasant pattern....
Porcelain
19th Century Flow Blue V&B Villeroy Boch Lot of 6 Plates Pheasant Series Decor
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A set of six porcelain flow blue plates, made by Villeroy & Boch, Germany, circa 1890s or older. Images show a hand painted Pheasant pattern. This is ...
Porcelain
$2,500 / set
Pair of Dutch Porcelain Landscape Charger Plates
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Dutch blue and white Delft porcelain (19/20th Century) wall plaques with landscape scene of cottages by canal. (signed T. Sonneville). (PRICED AS PAIR).
Delft
Set of 12 German Square Maroon Porcelain Dessert Plates with Floral Design
Located in Queens, NY
SET of 12 German / Bavarian (Tirschenreuth) square-shaped red / maroon-colored porcelain dessert plates with floral design (PRICED AS SET)
Contemporary Charger Plate Gold Hand Painted Porcelain Tableware
Located in Roma, RM
Handcrafted in Italy from the finest porcelain, this Blue Marble charger plate has an original golden crackled rim emphasizing the blue yellow and green decor...
Porcelain
Ikat Porcelain Dessert Plates - Set of 6, Made in Italy
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
Ikat patterns are an integral part of our colorful world, celebrating the beauty of this timeless design. Inspired by its rich heritage, we’ve transformed some of our most iconic Ika...
Porcelain
Set of 12 English Raised Gilt Porcelain Dinner Service Plates
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A regal set of 12 elaborately gild service plates, by Royal Worcester. The set with delicate broad gilt borders with a white porcelain background. The mark on the back from 1950.
Porcelain
Set of 12 Minton Gold Rimmed Porcelain Ball Dinner Plates
By Minton
Located in Great Barrington, MA
One of Minton's most popular patterns is named "Porcelain Ball” which features a large diameter plate bordered by a gold and white floral decoratio...
Porcelain
Set of 12 English Porcelain Botanical Plates, Spode, circa 1900
By Spode
Located in New York, NY
Set of 12 English porcelain botanical plates, Spode, circa 1900.
Corteo Porcelain Set of 12 Dinner Plates Made in Italy
By Vito Nesta
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
The triunphant entrance of a Sultan into a conquered city is the theme of these collection in which all the plates are part of the same image, connected amongst them and telling one ...
Porcelain
$220Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 0.79 in Dm 12.21 in
Contemporary Charger Plate Gold Hand Painted Porcelain Tableware
Located in Roma, RM
Handcrafted in Italy from the finest porcelain, this Apollo Bianco charger leads us into a magic world. Shades of blue lapis lazuli evoke the magic of oriental novellas. A fairytale ...
Porcelain
Capo Di Monte Armorial Porcelain Cabinet Plates, Set of 12
Located in Hixson, TN
An exquisite set of 12 Capo di Monte Armorial porcelain cabinet plates from the late 19th century. Each is painted with a unique familial crest in the center with a gilt border, scr...
Porcelain
$287Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 0.4 in Dm 8.27 in
Black Dragon, Six Contemporary Porcelain Dessert Plates with Decorative Design
By Vito Nesta
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Black Dragon pool is a collection of plates and vases inspired by the famous Chinese pond of the same name, located in the scenic Jade Spring Park. The de...
Porcelain
$287Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 0.4 in Dm 8.27 in
Lebanon, Six Contemporary Porcelain Dessert Plates with Decorative Design
By Vito Nesta
Located in Milano, Lombardia
A striking collection of six designs that will enrich both a Classic and a modern home with the unique combination of vintage images and strikingly warm...
Porcelain
$287Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 0.4 in Dm 8.27 in
Las Palmas, Six Contemporary Porcelain Dessert Plates with Decorative Design
By Vito Nesta
Located in Milano, Lombardia
The Las Palmas Porcelain Collection owes its name to the city of Palmas, in Brazil. It is a true tribute to palm trees, whether it is their leaves, the whole plant, or even the lands...
Porcelain
$287Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 0.4 in Dm 8.27 in
Roma, Six Contemporary Porcelain Dessert Plates with Decorative Design
By Vito Nesta
Located in Milano, Lombardia
La collezione Roma è un'ode alla magnificenza della città eterna. Sullo sfondo dei piatti che raffigurano serigrafie di alcuni dei luoghi più iconici della città - come il Pantheon e...
Porcelain
Sold
H 1.58 in Dm 9.85 in
Royal Copenhagen Saxon Flower, Twelve Dinner Plates, Decoration Number 4/1621
Located in København, Copenhagen
Royal Copenhagen Saxon Flower. Twelve dinner plates. Decoration number 4/1621. 1st factory quality. Measures: 25.5 cm. In very good condition.
Porcelain
23 Royal Copenhagen Henriette, Hand-Painted Porcelain, 23 Dinner Plates
Located in København, Copenhagen
23 Royal Copenhagen Henriette. Hand painted porcelain. Henriette 23 dinner plates no. 444/8549. Measures: Diameter 25 cm. In perfect condition. 1st. factory quality.
12 Royal Copenhagen Henriette, Henriette Large Soup Plates
Located in København, Copenhagen
12 Royal Copenhagen Henriette. Hand-painted porcelain. Henriette large soup plates no. 444/8546. Measures: Diameter 24.5 cm, 5 cm deep. I...
Sold
H 0.79 in Dm 8.67 in
12 Royal Copenhagen Henriette, Hand-Painted Porcelain Henriette Lunch Plates
Located in København, Copenhagen
12 Royal Copenhagen Henriette. Hand-painted porcelain. Henriette lunch plates no. 444/8550. Measures: Diameter 22 cm. In perfect condit...