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.
French Baccarat Bicolor Opaline Glass Covered Sugar Bowl with Underplate
Located in London, GB
A charming and highly collectible mid-19th century French opaline glass covered sugar bowl with its matching presentation underplate, traditionally attributed to the revered crystal ...
Opaline Glass
German Porcelain Beer Stein
Located in Queens, NY
German ((late 19th Century-possibly by ADOLF DIESINGER) porcelain beer stein with 2 winter scenes and 3 figures with pewter cover (Estate of Robert Ripley)
Pewter
Biedermeier Early 19th Century Nuremberg 13 Lot Silver Spoon Set of 6 in Case
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This is a 19th C. 1820s Nuremberg, Germany set of six spoons, in a old case (not original, but looks great for the Spoons). All spoons are Hallmarked silver ...
Silver
$1,200Sale Price / set|20% Off
Antique Austrian Silver Flatware Set for Six, Biedermeier Style, 1860
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Antique Austrian silver flatware set for 6 persons. With marks for Austrian Imperial silver and initials . Forks and knives have silver handles, as originally intended.The teaspoons ...
Metal, Silver
1882 German Biedermeier Porcelain Beer Stein with Pewter Top
Located in Queens, NY
2 Similar German porcelain beer stein with cavalry scene and pewter top with knight on horse (1882) (PRICED EACH)
Pewter
20th Century German Biedermeier Porcelain Beer Stein with Pewter Cover
Located in Queens, NY
German (20th Century) porclain beer stein with barber scene and pewter cover with yellow jewel top (with1888 on base)
Pewter
Continental Porcelain Soup Tureen
Located in Queens, NY
Continental (19th Century) (Chinese Export) soup tureen with cover on an associated oval tray, both decorated with birds and a 3-masted ship.
20th Century German Biedermeier Porcelain Beer Stein with Pewter Cover
Located in Queens, NY
German (20th Century) porcelain beer stein with butcher scene and pewter cover with pink jewel top (with 1891 on base)
Pewter
20th Century German Biedermeier Porcelain Beer Stein with Pewter Top
Located in Queens, NY
German (20th Century) porcelain beer stein with military scene and pewter top with cannon (with 1889 on base)
Pewter
20th Century German Biedermeier Porcelain Beer Stein with Pewter Cover
Located in Queens, NY
German (20th Century) porcelain beer stein with mailman on bike and pewter cover with finial top (with 1908 on base)
Pewter
20th Century French Tray
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exquisite early 20th-century painted sheet metal tray is a beautiful example of vintage decorative artistry. Featuring a delicately hand-painted floral design, the centerpiece s...
Sheet Metal
19th Century Set of Mason's Plates
Located in High Point, NC
19th century set of four English ironstone plates, signed Mason's over a crown and banner. The plates are transfer decorated in a pattern of florals ...
Ironstone
$4,800 / set
H 1.5 in Dm 12 in
20th Century Haviland Limoges Porcelain Tableware Set – Soleil Design Underplate
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Elevate your dining experience with this stunning 10-person set of Haviland Limoges porcelain underplates/chargers, crafted in the 20th century. Each piece features an elegant, hand-...
Gold
$2,403 / set
H 7.29 in W 1.38 in D 0.99 in
19th Century French Silver Vermeil Flatware Dessert Set for Six, 18 Pieces
Located in Madrid, ES
This charming 19th century French 18-piece cased dessert silverware / flatware set, with its unique, slightly grotesque satyr mask motif and warm ve...
Vermeil, 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
Antique Germany Lidded Beer Stein glazed Ceramic, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A gorgeous beer stein, made in Germany. This beer stein has been made in Germany, circa 1900s. Absolutely gorgeous piece still in great condition, without damage. Lid works properly....
Pewter
Rosenthal porcelain dinner service "Maria", Germany 1966
By Rosenthal
Located in Delft, NL
Rosenthal porcelain dinner service "Maria", Germany 1966 A white porcelain dinner service set by Rosenthal, Germany Dated with the Rosenthal mark of 1966 The romantic set called " M...
Porcelain
Vintage Ceramic Beer Stein Lidded with Pewter Lid by Gerz, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A finely crafted vintage beer stein by Gerz Ceramic, Germany, dating to the 1960s or earlier. This elegant half-liter stein exemplifies traditional German craftsmanship, featuring a ...
Pewter
$188Sale 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
Two Vintage Germany Miniature Lidded Beer Steins Ceramic, 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Two beer steins, made in Germany. Absolutely gorgeous pieces still in great condition, on with little crack at the lid. Lid works properly. The lids with age-related scratches from u...
Pewter
$117
H 1.19 in W 1.97 in D 8.08 in
Antique Silver Plate Spoon by 1847 Rogers Bros., German, 19th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Silver Plate Spoon by Rogers Bros, realized in 1847. Very good estate condition, with moderate sign of use.
Silver Plate
$1,800
H 5 in W 8 in D 11 in
German Dresden Porcelain Reticulated Footed Bowl with Floral Motifs/Gilt Accents
Located in Tarry Town, NY
An exquisite example of fine German porcelain craftsmanship, this mid-20th century reticulated centerpiece footed bowl was created by the esteemed Dresden Porcelain Company. Elegant ...
Gold
Antique Meissen-Style Chocolate Cup, Mid-19th C
Located in København, Copenhagen
Antique Meissen-style chocolate cup. Hand-painted in pink and with gold decoration, richly ornamented. Presumably Germany. Mid-19th century. In good condition with natural wear o...
Porcelain
Sold
H 2.37 in Dm 3.55 in
Kpm, Berlin, Chocolate Cup Hand Painted with Green Flowers and Gold Decoration
Located in København, Copenhagen
KPM, Berlin. Chocolate cup hand-painted with green flowers and gold decoration. Marked. Mid-19th century. First factory quality. In excellent conditi...
Porcelain
Antique Meissen Coffee Cup, Hand Painted in Pink and Gold Decoration
Located in København, Copenhagen
Antique Meissen coffee cup. Hand-painted in pink and gold decoration. Mid-19th century. In good condition with wear to the gold. Marked. First factory quality. Cup measures: H ...
Porcelain
Five Antique Meissen Porcelain Plates with Hand-Painted Flowers
Located in København, Copenhagen
Five antique Meissen porcelain plates with hand-painted flowers and gold decoration. Late 19th century. Diameter: 19 cm. In excellent conditi...
Porcelain
Meissen, Nine Parts "Pink Rose" Porcelain Service, Mid-20th Century
Located in København, Copenhagen
Meissen. Nine parts "Pink Rose" porcelain service, mid-20th century. In very good condition. 3rd factory quality. Stamped. The lidded jar measures: 9.5 x 7 cm. Largest plate mea...
Porcelain
Silver Sugar Caster, Austria, circa 1838
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Enchanting silver sugar caster from the mid-19th century in Austria. This inventive shaped sugar caster was made out of 13 Lot silver, means Classic 812 silver. The beautiful designe...
Silver
Sold
H 4.2 in W 6 in D 4 in
German Silver Biedermeier Sugar Box with Dog Figurine made in Berlin, circa 1830
Located in Vienna, AT
German gorgeous Silver Sugar Box made second quarter of 19th century Excellently made sugar box / sugar chest of rectangular shape with bulged outer wall of squeezed form...