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.
Biedermeier Inlaid Mirror with Parquetry, Sweden, circa 1830
Located in Atlanta, GA
A slender Biedermeier mirror, with parquetry-inlaid frieze, and architectural pediment. The mirror composed of two plates with beveled edges, and situated between two columns. Th...
Maple, Mirror
Biedermeier Mirror, South Germany, 1820
Located in Belmont, MA
This Biedermeier mirror dates back to 1820 and comes from southern Germany. It features a pretty cherry veneer and has two ebonized half columns with gilt wood carved capitals and ba...
Cherry, Giltwood
$2,093Sale Price|20% Off
Biedermeier Wall Mirror, Cherry Veneer, South Germany, circa 1830
Located in Regensburg, DE
Beautiful book-matched cherry veneer ans cherry solid wood. Refinished and hand polished with shellac. Dimensions: H 146 cm x B 68 cm x T 10.5 cm.
Mirror, Softwood, Cherry
$1,237Sale Price|20% Off
Small Biedermeier Wall Mirror, Cherry Veneer, South Germany, circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Small Biedermeier mirror in cherry veneer and solid wood from South Germany about 1820. Lightly curved cornice. Original mirror glass (clearly visible). Dimensions: H 91 cm / 35....
Metal
$1,808Sale Price|20% Off
Biedermeier Mirror, Mahogany, Birch and Thuja Roots Wood, Austria, circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Biedermeier Wall Mirror, Mahogany, Birch and Thuja Roots Wood, Austria circa 1820 Mahogany solid wood. Birch root wood (round arch). Dyed thuja roots wood. Very good patinated and ...
Mirror, Birch, Mahogany
Late Gustavian or Early Biedermeier Painted Wall Mirror
Located in Atlanta, GA
Antique painted mirror with gilded accents and beveled mercury mirror. The painted finish has been distressed over time, but we will be happ...
Mirror
Unavailable|$650
H 37.5 in W 24 in D 5 in
Early 19th Century American Hand Carved and Gilded Mirror, circa 1820s
Located in San Francisco, CA
Early 19th century American hand carved and gilded mirror, circa 1820s Wonderful early American antique mirror. Beautifully carved and gilded. ...
Wood, Giltwood
$2,379Sale Price|20% Off
H 35.04 in W 22.84 in D 2.37 in
Early 19th Century Biedermeier Walnut Wall Mirror, Germany circa 1830
Located in Darmstadt, DE
This elegant wall mirror dates from the German Biedermeier period around 1830 and is a fine example of early 19th century craftsmanship. The mirror is veneered in walnut over a softw...
Mirror, Walnut, Spruce
German Biedermeier Classical Pier Mirror
Located in Hudson, NY
A very fine German pier mirror having a good color and finish. The frame made of walnut finished in a rich warm brown has mellowed to a very nice color. The carving though space is v...
Glass, Wood
$2,800Sale Price|49% Off
H 78.625 in W 28.875 in D 1.375 in
19th Century Northern European Neoclassical Style Pier Mirror
Located in Plainview, NY
A early to mid-19th century Northern European walnut pier mirror of rectangular form with a recessed ebonized frieze of applied neoclassical figures with a two plate mirror, the top ...
Walnut, Mirror
$2,900
H 38.78 in W 27.56 in D 3.35 in
Stunning early wall mirror, original Biedermeier, 1820, Austria
Located in Wien, AT
Stunning wall mirror, from 1820, early from the Biedermeier era, made in Austria. The base structure is made of spruce, veneered with walnut. The frame has a particularly wide gold...
Walnut, Spruce
$4,750
H 83 in W 1.5 in D 43.5 in
Mid 19th Century Louis XVI Style Trumeau Mirror in Painted and Gilded Wood
Located in Round Top, TX
French antique Louis XVI style trumeau mirror in painted and gilded wood from the mid 19th century. This beautiful mirror features a painted scene of a pair of young lovers in a past...
Wood
French Victorian Green Painted Chinoiserie Scene Trumeau Wall Mirror
Located in Queens, NY
French Victorian trumeau wall mirror with painted chinoiserie scene within an ornate carved giltwood frame on a green painted wooden back frame.
Giltwood
$4,200
H 32.5 in W 17 in D 3.25 in
American Federal Mahogany Églomisé Barley Twist and Acorn Wall Mirror, C. 1815
Located in Charleston, SC
American federal mahogany églomisé wall mirror with decorative carved acorn and barley twist motif. Mirror retains the original looking glass and wood backing, Early 19th century.
Mirror, Mahogany, Pine, Paint
Austrian Biedermeier Mahogany Pier Mirror, c. 1820
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Biedermeier mahogany and crotch mahogany veneered pier mirror with cornice above a paneled and arched entablature. The entablature is supported by mahogany half columns which flank a looking glass above an architectural plinth...
Mirror, Mahogany
Swedish Karl Johan, Biedermeier Crotch Mahogany Mirror
Located in Atlanta, GA
Period Karl Johan (Biedermeier) mirror of gorgeous crotch mahogany. Silvered mirror is old and shows some age, but may not be original. Mahogany is showing lighter in ...
Mahogany, Mirror
Giltwood Framed / Decorated Top Hanging Wall Mirror
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Giltwood framed with nicely decorated top with ebonized classical crown & chariot hanging wall mirror. The mirror is in good antique condition with appropriate wear consistent with a...
Mirror, Giltwood
Sold
H 87.01 in W 24.81 in D 13.39 in
19th Century Biedermeier Mirror, Console, Trumeau, Cherry, Germany, circa 1830
Located in Greven, DE
Dimensions: H x W x D: 221 x 63 x 34 cm, Console height: 83 cm. Console wide: 58 cm. Description Antique console with attached mirror. Both elements are mounted separately on the...
Cherry
Biedermeier Wall Mirror, Walnut, Maple, Brass, Germany circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Original, restored Biedermeier wall mirror from Central Germany about 1820. Walnut veneered and solid wood frame. Two half columns in solid walnut with lovely original brass bases and capitals. At the top middle there is an imposing burnt fan shape decor work on maple wood. Beautiful neoclassical cornice with slanted edges. Old mirror glass...
Brass
Dutch 19th Century Biedermeier Trumeau
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A fantastic tall and narrow satinwood Biedermeier style trumeau from 19th century Netherlands. The smart mirror has a clean, linear design with ebonized a...
Mirror, Sandalwood
Sold
H 39.77 in W 17.13 in D 1.19 in
Biedermeier Wall Mirror, Cherry Veneer, Ebony, Gold, South Germany circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Very nice, small Biedermeier mirror from South Germany circa 1820. Cherry veneered on softwood with ebony band inlays on the edges. Bottom and top with bright floral painting on ...
Gold Plate
Danish 19th Century Biedermeier Trumeau
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This petite Danish trumeau is constructed classically in the Biedermeier style with an emphasis on sophisticated functionality. Concave carved wooden pieces flank the sides of the mo...
Brass
Sold
H 35.83 in W 15.75 in D 1.19 in
Biedermeier Wall Mirror, Cherry Veneer and Brass, South Germany circa 1830
Located in Regensburg, DE
Elegant neoclassical Biedermeier wall or pier mirror in cherry Veneer and Brass from South Germany circa 1830. Cherry veneer on softwood and cherry solid wood. Ebonized parts and...
Brass
Mirror, Biedermeir Period, circa 1820
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Mirror, Biedermeir period, circa 1820, Austrian Empire Measures: Height: 115 cm / Width: 70 cm.
Wood
Sold
H 27.56 in W 13.39 in L 27.56 in
Small Biedermeier Wall Mirror, Cherry Solid Wood, South Germany, circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Elegant, small neoclassical Biedermeier wall mirror in cherry solid wood from South Germany, circa 1820. Solid cherrywood, partly ebonized; all ha...
Mirror, Wood, Cherry
Sold
H 27.76 in W 29.53 in D 1.97 in
Neoclassical Biedermeier Mirror, Cherry, Walnut Roots, South Germany, circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Beautiful neoclassical, strict and early Biedermeier wall mirror from South Germany, circa 1820. Cherry solid wood, partly ebonized and dark walnut roots. All the wood has been hand polished with shellac (French polished). Lovely stirct architecture with (neo)classicist / Greek pediment...
Mirror, Wood, Cherry, Walnut
19th Century Biedermeier Wall/ Trumeau Mirror, Austria, circa 1825
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Remarkable 19th century gilt wall mirror or trumeau mirror from the early Biedermeier period in Austria, circa 1825. In absolute rare original condition - no former restorations has ...
Gold Leaf
British 19th Century Biedermeier Mirror
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This beautiful Biedermeier tiger maple trumeau-style wall mirror, circa 1820s, was found in England. Although the mirror plate has been replaced, the small proportions make it perfec...
Maple
Sold
H 65.36 in W 18.51 in D 0.79 in
Biedermeier Wall Mirror, Cherrywood, Golden Decor, South Germany, circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Beautiful, neoclassical, early Biedermeier Wall, Pier or Trumeau mirror from South Germany, circa 1815/1820. The cherry veneered frame has several ebonized parts and is hand polishe...
Concrete, Gold Plate