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.
Restored Biedermeier Dressing Mirror, Cherry Wood, Repolished, Czech, 1860s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This tasteful vanity table dates back to the 1860s and was manufactured in Czechoslovakia, where it represents a highly representative and craft-wise valuable example of Biedermeier ...
Mirror, Cherry, Lacquer, Wood
19th Century German Biedermeier Make-Up-Mirror, so called Psyche, Dated: 1832
Located in Greven, DE
Biedermeier make-up mirror - so-called Psyche Northern Germany (Hamburg) Mahogany, maple Dated: 1832 Dimensions: H x W x D: 53 x 37 x 23 cm Description: Elegant and exceptionally ...
Mahogany, Maple
Antique Biedermeier Vanity Table Mirror in Burlwood, 19th Century, Germany
Located in Antwerp, BE
Beautiful 19th century Biedermeier vanity table mirror from the second period in Austria, circa 1850. The lovely vanity mirror was veneered in...
Mirror, Wood, Burl
Biedermeier Table Mirror with Eagle, Vienna, Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Biedermeier table mirror with a drawer and a tilting oval mirror plate supported by a carved, partially gilt eagle. The piece is veneered in walnut and has been restored and hand-po...
Glass, Walnut
$1,335Sale Price|37% Off
19th Century Biedermeier Cherry Psyche / Table Mirror
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Beautiful Biedermeier psyche / table mirror from around 1830. The psyche is made of cherrywood (solid and veneer). The mirror is rotatable and there is a drawer in the base. In very ...
Cherry
Mid 19th Century Northern German Biedermeier Mirror, circa 1840
Located in Greven, DE
Antique table or make-up mirror, made in northern Germany circa 1840. Dimensions: H x W x D: 55 x 35 x 20 cm Description: Two-legged, semi-circular base on a blackened plinth. The ...
Mahogany
Mahogany tilting mirror with pull-out drawer, Denmark. Approximately 1900.
Located in København, Copenhagen
Mahogany tilting mirror with pull-out drawer, Denmark. Approximately 1900. Excellent condition. Dimensions: H 73.0 cm x W 48.0 cm.
Mirror, Mahogany
Swedish Karelian Burl Dressing Mirror, 19th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
A unique Swedish karelian burl dressing mirror with bone accents, 19th Century. 11 inches wide by 13 inches deep by 17 inches tall
Burl
$2,720Sale Price|20% Off
Austrian Biedermeier Table Mirror, Carved Wood & Gilt, Circa 1850
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A very handsome and unusual table top dressing mirror likely made in Austria in the early to mid 19thC. The shield shaped mirror has a gilded...
Wood
$2,000Sale Price|20% Off
Biedermeier Table Mirror, Ebony & Fruitwood, Shield Frame, Circa 1840
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A rare Biedermeier standing table mirror in ebony and fruitwood. The shield shaped frame is supporting an oval mirror surmounted by two facing ebonized Egyptian sphynx...
Fruitwood
Italian Rococo Giltwood Mirror, Hand-Carved, Mid-19th Century
Located in Stamford, CT
Venetian Rococo style wall mirror. Exuberantly carved with a double layer of acanthus leaf decoration, a tour de force of carving. Mid 19th century. 16 inches high 14 wide
Wood, Giltwood
$2,400
H 16.25 in W 14 in D 10.25 in
19th Century English Brass Equestrian Vanity Mirror in the Form of a Horseshoe
Located in Atlanta, GA
A whimsical yet finely crafted 19th century English table mirror, cast in brass in the shape of a stylized horseshoe, complete with studded nail heads and topped with a sculptural ar...
Metal, Brass
Late 19th Century French Vanity Bronze Mirror
Located in Plainview, NY
An exquisite late 19th century French Louis XV vanity mirror. The bronze carved mirror features impressive details with two cherubs. The mirror ...
Bronze
$6,450Sale Price|40% Off
H 26.5 in W 21.5 in D 11 in
19th Century Antique Chinese Turtle Shell Vanity Mirror
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Here is a rare and unusual antique, Chinese vanity mirror presented in a turtle shell. The mirror is in a mahogany frame, expertly carved with lo...
Marine turtle
Personal Vanity Lighted Make Up Mirror
By Karl Springer, Charles Hollis Jones
Located in New York, NY
High Style Art Deco Revival make up mirror, table top, vanity mirror. This example features light up bulbs mounted on a canted lucite and chrome frame, which surround the rectangular mirror. Clean, original, and working condition, total glam style...
Chrome
$700Sale Price|20% Off
H 22 in W 15 in D 7.5 in
Early 19th Century Mahogany Shaving Mirror, Circa 1810
Located in Nashville, TN
Early 19th century Mahogany shaving mirror, Circa 1810 Two drawer box veneered in flamed Mahogany, Original brass hardware and original mirro...
Brass
Round American 1930's Burlwood Vanity Table Mirror
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
American Burlwood vanity table mirror with round mirror glass and brass hardware, Circa 1930's.
Brass
Murano Glass Dressing Mirror, 1950s
Located in Palermo, IT
Murano glass dressing mirror, 1950s Intact and in good condition. It also has a hook on the back for wall mounting. Height 34 cm, width 18 cm, depth 3 cm.
Murano Glass
Victorian Table Mirror, Make-Up in Cast Iron, circa 1900
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Late Victorian vanity/table mirror/ make-up mirror in cast iron. It has been painted a long time ago in a color that mimics patinated bronze. Possibly an original paint job. It has a...
Iron
Elegant Brass Wall or Table Make Up Vanity Mirror, France, 1950s
Located in Den Haag, NL
Brass table make up vanity mirror, France 1950s. You can put it on a table, vanity or wall and you can hang it around your neck to do your make up. Th...
Brass
$1,484
H 10.24 in W 9.06 in D 1.58 in
Victorian Standing or Wall Mounted Vanity Mirror in Pewter, 19th Century
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Victorian table or wall mounted vanity mirror composed of richly detailed pewter. It was manufactured in either France or England during the...
Pewter
Silver Dressing Mirror
By Birmingham
Located in New York, NY
Classic silver dressing table mirror in bowed oval shape with beveled glass, reed wrapped edge and large silver bow on top. Hallmarked: B...
Silver
19th century Swedish birch vanity mirror
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century Swedish birch vanity mirror circa 1880. Good quality table top vanity mirror made in birch. Rectangular mirror with carved cornice, allowed to pivot between between a ...
Birch
Sold
H 26.78 in W 20.08 in D 10.63 in
Biedermeier Bow Front Three Drawer Dressing Table Mirror, 1820-30
Located in Belmont, MA
This Biedermeier bow front dressing table mirror has three drawers. It is embellished with mahogany veneer and ash inlays. The mirror has its ori...
Mahogany
Sold
H 17.72 in W 11.82 in D 8.67 in
19th Century Antique Make-Up Mirror, Table Mirror, Walnut, Biedermeier
Located in Greven, DE
Antique make-up mirror Southern Germany walnut, maple 19th century Dimensions: ca: H x W x D 45 x 30 x 22 cm Swiveling make-up mirror, or table mirror. Solid walnut and ...
Walnut
Golden Biedermeier Wall or Table Mirror, France, circa 1860
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Beautiful golden Biedermeier wall or table mirror from the late Biedermeier period in France, circa 1860. This lovely small mirror or table mirror comes in absolute great original co...
Stucco, Softwood
Walnut Dutch Biedermeier Table Mirror or Vanity, 1830s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Wonderful Dutch Biedermeier table mirror or vanity. Walnut with gilt lining and original brass knobs. The drawer has its original lock, see image. Th...
Brass
Sold
H 16.93 in W 16.15 in D 9.06 in
19th Century German Birch Biedermeier Toilet Mirror with Drawer, circa 1820
Located in Berlin, DE
This beautiful 19th century German birch Biedermeier toilet mirror. It has got one drawer and was made circa 1820. It is in great condition. A unique piece which is a great eyecatc...
Mirror, Birch, Pine
Sold
H 24.6 in W 14.5 in D 7.2 in
Vanity Table Mirror Bird's-Eye Maple Late Biedermeier, Austria, circa 1860
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Charming Biedermeier vanity table mirror from circa 1860 in Vienna/ Austria, the epicenter of the well-known "Biedermeier" era. Elaborately pr...
Brass
Sold
H 20.5 in W 16 in D 9 in
Swedish Biedermeier Period Dressing Table Mirror in Burl Birch, circa 1810
Located in Atlanta, GA
Biedermeier dressing mirror in burled birch, Sweden circa 1810. Table mirror with one (1) drawer.
Birch
Sold
H 63 in W 22.75 in D 24 in
19th Century Biedermeier Birdseye Maple and Ebonized Mahogany Shaving Stand
Located in Milford, NH
A 19th century Biedermeier two drawer shaving stand, with bird’s-eye maple veneer highlighted by ebonized mahogany, and an oval mirror in a carved mahogany frame. Supported by a colu...
Birch, Birdseye Maple, Mahogany