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.
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
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
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 12 tea spoons Silver spoon box, raised on claw feet with beautiful engraving. The spoon box has a ...
Silver
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
$1,694Sale Price|30% Off
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
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
$3,560 / set
H 0.38 in W 0.88 in D 4.13 in
Christofle Art Nouveau Silver Spoons, French Sterling Silver Spoons Set of 12
Located in Miami, FL
A very fine quality set of 12 antique sterling silver tea, coffee or dessert spoons attributed to Christofle, circa 1890-1930. Stunning design and craftsmanship. The handles have sophisticated Art Nouveau Pattern different decor, flowers, vine leaves, bunch of grapes, foliage, decor dahlias. The mark “925” on the bowl confirms that it’s sterling silver (.925 purity). The handle shows ornate floral and foliate engraving, typical of early 20th-century American or European silver flatware. The pattern style — squared edges with raised floral decoration — closely resembles Art Nouveau to early Art Deco transitional designs (roughly 1890s–1930s). The spoon shape (slightly deep oval bowl, short handle relative to bowl size) suggests a bouillon or cream soup spoon, not a teaspoon. Presented in its original box by Prestigious silversmith: A La Gerbe...
Sterling Silver
$1,741Sale Price / set|30% Off
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
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
$734Sale Price|30% Off
H 0.08 in W 0.99 in D 5.12 in
Exclusive Tea COFFEE SPOONS, 7 pcs. Sterling Silver & Box TEASPOONS & TONGS.
Located in Wembley, GB
A Rare case set of 7 antique valuable sterling silver Spoons. An elegant Vintage Sterling Silver Tea / Coffee Spoon Set. Cased set of 1915 6 x silver trefid teaspoons & tongs by Cooper Brothers & Sons Ltd - 84g. Length 13 cm. Weight 84 grams...
Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
$2,240Sale Price|30% Off
H 9.75 in W 10.5 in D 7.75 in
Rare 19th Century Set of Staffordshire Swan Tureens
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
A rare and charming graduated pair of Staffordshire covered boxes, each modeled as a graceful swan resting amid a stylized coral-inspired base. These late 19th-century ceramic boxes ...
Ceramic
$376Sale Price|30% Off
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 Board
Located in High Point, NC
19th century sycamore bread board from England with hand carved wheat decoration around the edges, surrounding the central cutting board. It has a routed edge and retains a lovely p...
Sycamore
19th Century Copper Pan
Located in New York, NY
Hand-picked by buyers at Ann Morris Inc.
Copper
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
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