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.
Ebonized Étagère, Vienna, First Half of the 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Elegant ebonized étagère raised on an octagonal base with a tapered central column. Above rises a four-tiered structure with circular platforms of varying sizes. The tiers are connec...
Wood
C. 1830 German Fiddleback 800 Standard Silver Basting Spoon
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
German fiddleback 800 standard silver basting spoon, circa 1830. Monogram "RS". Very good condition. 2.90 troy oz. 11 3/8" x 1 3/16" w. bowl. We are a family business that has been ...
Silver
Dutch Silver Spoon Box in Biedermeier Style with Tea Spoons, 1958
Located in Delft, NL
Dutch silver spoon box in Biedermeier style with 12 tea spoons Silver spoon box, raised on claw feet with beautiful engraving. The spoon box has a ...
Silver
Dutch Silver mocca Spoons, boxed in silver box in Biedermeier Style, 1958
Located in Delft, NL
Dutch silver spoon box in Biedermeier style with 10 mocca spoons Silver spoon box, raised on claw feet with beautiful engraving. The spoon box has a red ...
Silver
Dutch Silver Spoon Box in Biedermeier Style with Tea Spoons, 1958
Located in Delft, NL
Dutch silver spoon box in Biedermeier style with 6 tea spoons Silver spoon box, raised on claw feet with beautiful engraving. The spoon box has a b...
Silver
$1,015 / set
German Biedermeier Salad Cutlery Set Silver
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Large salad cutlery set in 800 silver with a beautiful detailed rich decor in the period of German Biedermeier. Hallmarks for German silver and 800 stamp...
Silver
19th Century Butter Knife
Located in High Point, NC
Late 19th century bone handled butter knife with a lovely hand carved bone handle, and a shaped and engraved silver plated blade. The blade has engraved designs of leaves and and ge...
Silver Plate
$2,485
H 0.08 in W 0.99 in D 5.12 in
Exclusive Tea COFFEE SPOONS, 12pcs. Sterling Silver & Box Cake Spatula & TONGS.
Located in Wembley, GB
A Rare case set of 12 gilded inside antique valuable floral handle sterling silver Spoons. An elegant Vintage Sterling Silver Tea / Coffee Spoon Set. A cased set of 1915 12 x silver ...
Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
$6,792 / set
H 0.04 in Dm 0.04 in
Christofle - Flatware Cutlery Set Talisman Plated Silver & Black Lacquer 39 Pcs
By Christofle
Located in Boulogne Billancourt, FR
Flatware cutlery set "Talisman" made in plated silver metal and black Chinese lacquer by Christofle. Each piece is signed and stamped. New cutlery, still in its blister packagin...
Silver Plate
12 Japanese Sterling Ice Tea Spoons
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Being offered is a complete set of twelve ice tea / mint julep spoons. Each set of six come in the original case. The case has hinges on the side and...
Sterling Silver
$250
H 0.8 in W 6.75 in D 5.5 in
Vintage Italian Silver-Plated Figural Serving Cutlery Set in Original Presentati
Located in Honolulu, HI
A vintage Italian silver-plated serving cutlery set comprising six assorted serving utensils, each featuring individually cast figural and ornamental handles inspired by Renaissance ...
Silver Plate
Sterling Spring Glory Salad Set
Located in Brooklyn, NY
We are happy to offer this sterling silver salad fork and spoon set in the “Spring Glory” pattern by International Silver Company. The pattern is Art Deco...
Sterling Silver
Old English Silver Plated Tea Caddy / Biscuit Box
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Old English sheffield silver plate covered biscuit box / tea caddy with exterior floral design details & finial top cover. The tea caddy / box is in good condition. Minor wear consis...
Silver Plate, Copper
$2,554 / set
H 9.85 in W 19.69 in D 5.91 in
2 Cutlery Set, Silver Plated Dinner Spoon & Fork in Wooden Boxes Tableware X12
Located in Wembley, GB
Rare Antique 48-Piece Silver-Plated Cutlery Set with Mahogany Case, c.1940 An exceptional and highly collectible antique silver-plated cutlery set, comprising 48 pieces designed to ...
Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
Italian Silver Condiment Dish with Spoon
Located in New York, NY
Italian silver condiment dish with spoon. Vintage oval lidded cheese/condiment dish with matching shell-form spoon both monogrammed with A D B. Markings...
Silver Plate
$552
H 4.73 in W 0.79 in D 0.2 in
Exclusive Silver Tea COFFEE SPOONS, 6 pcs. Sterling Silver & Box, Antique Spoons
Located in Wembley, GB
A scarce cased set of 6 antique valuable silver spoons. An elegant Vintage Silver Tea / Coffee Spoon Set. England 1850s. Length 12.5 cm. Weight 175.5 grams. Condition: Excellent con...
Silver, Silver Plate, Sterling Silver, Silver Leaf
19th Century English Bread Knife
Located in High Point, NC
19th century bread knife from England. The handle is made from bone and is hand carved with a heat pattern. The blade is made from steel, and is engraved with the words bread knif...
Metal
19th Century Chinoserie Tray
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Large serving tray in metal. Golden hand-painted chinoserie details on black colored metal. Backside black colored. Painted with flowers, birds all around and a chinese family in th...
Metal
Sold
H 3.14 in W 4.72 in D 5.11 in
Silver 875 Russian Lidded Caster Founder Saint Petersburg Russian Empire, 1847
By Dimitry Ilyich Tverskoy
Located in Vienna, AT
Most Elegant Lidded Caster / Founder Made Of Silver 875 (84). This lidded caster is round shaded, having a spout and a rod-shaped handle consisting of black stained wood. Additional...
Silver
Sold
H 1.58 in W 27.96 in L 1.58 in
German Large Biedermeier Tôle Peinte Tray, First Half of the 19th Century
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A finely painted German polychrome oval metal tray. Decorated overall with alternating stars and golden dots against a blue background, in the centre a...
Metal
Silver Biedermeier Candleholder, Austria, 1840
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Fantastic silver Biedermeier candleholder from the Biedermeier period in Austria way back in 1840. This great embossed silver candleholder was made out of 13 lot silver (812 silver) ...
Silver
Silver Sugar Bowl with Sugar Tongs Hallmarked, Austria, circa 1840
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Superb silver Biedermeier sugar bowl with matching sugar tongs from Austria, circa 1840. Made out of 13 lot silver (812 silver) this breathtaking embossed silver sugar bowl fascinate...
Silver
Sold
H 1.58 in W 22.05 in D 13.59 in
German Biedermeier Tole Peinte Tray with Romantic Landscape and Allegory of Love
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A very fine and decorative German polychrome painted oval metal tray. Decorated overall with a landscape, with hills and a small village in the distanc...
Metal, Brass
Sold
H 14.4 in Dm 9.8 in
Stunning Silver Biedermeier Samovar Vienna by Mayerhofer & Klinkosch, circa 1855
By Mayerhofer & Klinkosch
Located in Vienna, AT
Most Elegant Silver Samovar of stunning appearance hallmarked (VIENNESE SILVER) FINEST MANUFACTURING QUALITY VIENNA / AUSTRIA, made by MAYERHOFER & KLINKOSCH Biedermeier Pe...
Silver