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.
German Metlack Porcelain and Pewter Beer Stein
Located in Queens, NY
German (19th Century) Metlack beige and blue porcelain beer stein with scene of hunter and wife with pewter cover (Estate of Robert Ripley)
Porcelain
German silver plate chalice with floral relief and bicycle rider finial on lid
Located in Queens, NY
German (late 19th Century) silver plate chalice with floral relief and bicycle rider finial on lid (dated 1896)
German Metlack Porcelain and Pewter Beer Stein
Located in Queens, NY
German (19th Century) Metlack grey and blue porcelain beer stein with scene of 2 lovers with pewter cover (Estate of Robert Ripley)
Porcelain
22 Piece Bavarian White Porcelain Chippendale Tea Set
Located in Queens, NY
22-Piece Continental German (Bavarian) (19/20th Century) white porcelain "Chippendale" pattern tea set with floral detail and gold rim (2 pots & 9 cups & 11 saucers) (PRICED ...
Porcelain
Antique Vienna Biedermeier Silver Sugar Box With Pear Knob, by Thomas Dub, 1863
Located in Vienna, AT
Biedermeier silver sugar bowl in rectangular basic form on four rocaille feet, the walls of the container drawn in towards the top and provided with folds, which run straight on the ...
Silver
Sold|$695 / set
H 4.75 in Dm 3.5 in
Edwardian Sterling Silver-Mounted Etched Honey Jar with Bumblebee Finial on Lid
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian Period, sterling silver-mounted etched honey jar with bumblebee finial on lid, Lebkuecher and Company, Newark, New Jersey, 1896-1909. Measures over...
Sterling Silver
Reed & Barton Hand Chased Tea Set
Located in New York, NY
1940s Reed & Barton hand chased tea set. Set includes: Large coffee pot height 12'' depth 6'' width 11'' Tea pot height 10.5'' depth 6.5'' width 9.5'' ...
Silver Plate
Antique French Continental .800 Silver Tea Strainer
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique tea strainer is hallmarked by an unknown maker, but originated from France and dates to approximately 1890 and done in a period Victo...
Silver
Vintage Italian Pewter Beer Stein with Lion Motifs and Engraved Decor
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a wine cellar or a wet bar with this large beer mug. Crafted in Italy circa 2000 and made of pewter, the tall object stands on three lion shaped f...
Pewter
Mid-Century Modern Faux Bois Tea Set, Vallauris France
Located in London, GB
Complete set of Grandjean-Jourdan’s faux bois tableware. This father and son team of post-WWII regional artists created their hand-painted pottery in the famed town of Vallauris, th...
Ceramic
Four-Piece Antique Copper Mixing Bowl Set
Located in Asheville, NC
Four copper mixing bowls of graduating sizes: 14.5 x 7, 12 x 6, 10 x 5.25, 8.5 x 4.5, with brass loop hanging handles.
Copper
$400Sale Price / set|50% Off
H 2.25 in W 10.5 in D 7.5 in
16-Piece Vintage Japanese Koshida Serving Set
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Koshida sumatsu serving set hand painted in floral pattern / Made in Japan circa 1960s 1 sugar bowl, width 7 inches, height 5 inches, depth 4 inches 1 oval platter, width 10....
Porcelain
Vintage Italian Silver Plate Salt Shaker and Peppermill
Located in Sheffield, MA
Add style to your dining table with these vintage Italian salt shaker and matching pepper grinder are silver plate with wood liners to prevent corrosion. ...
Silver Plate
Antique French Copper Fish Poacher with Lid and Insert
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This elegant antique French copper fish poacher is a beautiful example of traditional culinary craftsmanship. Crafted in heavy gauge hammered copper, it features a long, gently curve...
Copper
$995
H 1.5 in W 28 in D 16.5 in
Antique English Silver Plated Serving Tray with Ornate Accents & Engraving
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This ornate silver plated serving tray was made in England in approximately 1920 in a Victorian style. The tray has ornately decorated handles and outer rim done with a scrolling flo...
Copper
$187Sale Price|20% Off
H 7.68 in Dm 5.52 in
German Stein - Beer Mug - Tankard - Pot - Ceramic - Germany
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Charming German beer stein from the mid-20th century. Ceramic stein decorated with floral designs, houses, and two German figures, a man and a woman, in the Bavarian style. Blue and ...
Ceramic
$1,575
H 7.75 in Dm 3.25 in
Neoclassical Style Dutch Continental Silver (.800) Chocolate Pot With Hinged Lid
Located in New York, NY
Neoclassical-Style, Continental Silver (.800), paw-footed chocolate pot with wood handle and hinged lid, Dutch, year-hallmarked for 1886, Ate deGroot Boersma Sneek - maker. Beautifu...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 13.19 in W 5.12 in D 8.67 in
Antique Vienna Silver Samowar With Burner by Mayerhofer & Klinkosch, Dated 1840
By Mayerhofer & Klinkosch
Located in Vienna, AT
Consisting of a hot water container with a lockable spout, a trivet and a burner. Cylindrical vessel with two drop-ring handles, removable lid with vase-shaped flower bouquet knob, s...
Silver
Sold
H 15.75 in W 9.85 in D 11.03 in
Antique Vienna Biedereier Silver Samovar With Rechaud by Franz Schaffer Mid 19th
By Franz Schiffer
Located in Vienna, AT
Festive silver samovar consisting of a hot water vessel with a lockable spout, rechaud frame and burner. Pear-shaped vessel with four vertical folds, rocaille relief band around the ...
Silver
German Metlack Porcelain and Pewter Beer Stein
Located in Queens, NY
German (19th Century) Metlack blue and grey porcelain beer stein with scene of 4 figures drinking and pewter cover (Estate of Robert Ripley)
Porcelain
Sold
H 6.3 in W 6.89 in D 4.93 in
Late Biedermeier Silver Sugar Box With Chinoiseries And Dog Knob, Germany, 1848
Located in Vienna, AT
Large late Biedermeier silver sugar box on four voluted, leaf-decorated feet, merging into a rectangular body with wide fluting in the middle, walls decorated with fine chinoiserie d...
Silver
Sold
H 12.01 in W 4.73 in D 7.49 in
Antique Vienna 13 Lot Silver Samowar by Mayerhofer & Klinkosch, Dated 1846
By Mayerhofer & Klinkosch
Located in Vienna, AT
Consists of a hot water vessel with a lockable spout, a silver frame and a burner. Cylindrical vessel with two drop ring handles, removable lid with acanthus knob, pouring lever with...
Silver
Sold
H 9.84 in W 4.72 in D 8.66 in
Antique Vienna Silver Biedermeier Sugar Box Andreas Weichesmueller, Made 1844
Located in Vienna, AT
Rectangular basic shape, smooth design of the concave inwardly curved walls, slightly cambered hinged lid with cord strap. Lock present, no key. Finest handwork of simple elegance by...
Silver
Sold
H 9.85 in W 4.73 in D 8.67 in
Antique Vienna 13 Lot Silver Coffee Maker by Mayerhofer & Klinkosch, Dated 1844
Located in Vienna, AT
Consists of a hot water vessel with a lockable spout, two metal sieves, a silver warmer and a burner. Cylindrical vessel with two drop ring handles, remo...
Silver