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.
$4,955Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of French Biedermeier Armchairs Mahogany c. 1820
Located in Münster, DE
Pair of bergères, France, c. 1820, mahogany, upholstered seat in gondola form, backrests with stylized dolphins, newly upholstered and covered, shellac hand polish Height: 85.5 cm, ...
Mahogany
19th Century Fine Pair of Biedermeier Walnut Bergeres. Vienna, c. 1825.
Located in Vienna, AT
This exceptional and highly attractive pair of Viennese Biedermeier bergères, dating to circa 1820–1825, represents the finest qualities of early 19th-century Austrian craftsmanship....
Upholstery, Walnut
Pair of South German Biedermeier Armchairs or Bergères in Walnut, circa 1830
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A very beautiful pair of South German Biedermeier armchairs or bergères in fine walnut each with shaped, fan-carved crest rail above scrolled armrests terminating in out-scrolled fee...
Upholstery, Walnut
Biedermeier Bergere Chair, Walnut, Creme Velvet, Austria, circa 1840
Located in Regensburg, DE
Elegant Biedermeier Bergere chair from Austria around 1840. Walnut veneer on softwood. Newly upholstered with light, cream-white velvet fabric and double keder. Very good seat comfor...
Velvet, Walnut
19th Century Fine Viennese Biedermeier Bergere. Vienna, c. 1825.
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare and Exquisite Early Viennese Biedermeier Bergère – Circa 1825 We are delighted to present an exceptionally elegant and rare early Viennese Biedermeier bergère, crafted in Vienn...
Upholstery, Birdseye Maple
$3,500
Swedish Birch Club Chair
Located in Lyndhurst, NJ
The Swedish burled birch club chair with a "molded" frame. Recently restored and upholstered.
Birch
Vintage Pair Of Biedermeier Style Walnut Veneered Gold And Black Upholstered Be
Located in Fort Washington, MD
Elevate your interior with this stunning pair of Biedermeier-style bergères, a blend of vintage charm and timeless elegance. These chairs feature exquisite walnut veneers paired with...
Fabric, Wood
Biedermeier Armchair, South West Germany, 1820
Located in Belmont, MA
Biedermeier armchair, South West Germany, 1820. This very comfortable original Biedermeier armchair or bergère comes from south west Germany. It shows the influence from the French Restoration Style...
Walnut
Biedermeier Square Back Birch Bergere Armchair with Woven Upholstery
Located in Queens, NY
Swedish Biedermeier square back birch bergere armchair, having a woven upholstery of blues, browns and beiges and covered arm rests with a matching pillow.
Birch
$4,169 / set
H 36.23 in W 24.41 in D 22.05 in
Pair of Mahogany Bergère Armchairs, Classical / Empire Style, Early 19th Century
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Pair of Mahogany Bergère Armchairs, Classical / Empire Style, Early 19th Century A refined pair of bergère armchairs crafted from solid mahogany, representing fine European cabinetm...
Mahogany
Large French Directoire Style Armchair
Located in Buchanan, NY
An exceptional 19th century French Directoire style armchair. This large Directoire style fauteuil is a timeless piece of French design. Featuring a beautiful white-distressed wooden...
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of bergere armchairs
Located in Torino, IT
Pair of classic bergere armchairs. Elegant armchairs with a classic and refined style. French production from the 1940s. Classically structured armchair with large ears typical of...
Velvet, Wood
$2,873Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 33.67 in W 30.12 in D 21.46 in
Antique Pair of Napoleon III circa 1870 Gold Giltwood Bergere Armchairs Louis
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer this stunning pair of original circa 1860-1870 Napoleon III Louis XVI style bergère armchairs which are part of a suite These chairs come with a matchin...
Giltwood
19th Century French Louis XV Bergère Armchair
Located in Munich, DE
19th century French Louis XV Bergère armchairs in their original patina still very comfortable, perfect for deco or your next project...
Wood
$2,495 / set
H 29 in W 28.5 in D 25 in
Pair of Early 20th Century French Art Deco Period Mahogany Bergere Armchairs
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This pair of French Art Deco period mahogany barrel back bergeres or armchairs features lemonwood and sycamore inlay. Newly upholstered in France in a cream colored fabric with a di...
Upholstery, Fruitwood, Mahogany, Sycamore
Art Deco Club Chair, Black Motorcycle Leather, Sweden, 1935
Located in New York, NY
An oversized club chair with a strong masculine frame, crafted of solid and bent birch and upholstered in tough, black motorcycle leather.
Leather, Birch
$2,950 / set
H 38.5 in W 28.5 in D 27 in
Pair of Antique French Bergère Chairs, Upholstered, 19th Century
Located in Houston, TX
A pair of French Louis XV style bergeres, featuring expertly hand-carved giltwood frames. The frames boast a rich, aged gold leaf finish with wonderful patina. The arched crest rai...
Giltwood
Pair of 19th Century French Painted Gondola Bergère Chairs
Located in Charleston, SC
recant pair of 19th century Louis XVI style Gondola bergères with most original paint. Arched backs with floral carving, serpentine shaped down swept arms, resting on turned fluted ...
Linen, Oak, Paint
$900Sale Price|60% Off
H 36 in W 27.25 in D 30.5 in
19th Century French Louis XV Bergere Arm Chair in a Fine Floral Upholstery
Located in Plainview, NY
An elegant 19th century French Louis XV bergere armchair featuring a high quality floral upholstery in the style of Schumacher betty chintz fabric in vivi...
Upholstery, Wood
$1,592Sale Price|20% Off
H 33.5 in W 26.25 in D 27.5 in
19th Century French Bergere Rosewood Arm Chair
Located in Nashville, TN
Featured is an exquisite Louis XVI Rosewood Bergère Chair, a true masterpiece of craftsmanship and style. This chair is not just a piece of furniture; it's a work of art that will el...
Rosewood
$9,530 / set
H 32.29 in W 29.93 in D 31.5 in
Pair of Swedish Art Deco Club Chairs in Birch Bentwood, 1930s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Elegant and sculptural pair of Swedish Art Deco club chairs from the 1930s, distinguished by their striking curved birch bentwood armrests and generous proportions. The sweeping arms...
Bentwood, Birch, Fabric
Pair of Biedermeier Armchairs Nutwood c. 1820
Located in Münster, DE
Pair of armchairs Baden around 1825 Solid walnut, end scrolled armrests and rounded front frames, newly upholstered and covered, shellac polish Reference: Rainer Haaff; Bieder...
Walnut
Sold
H 36.23 in W 26.78 in D 25.6 in
Pair of Biedermeier Bergere Chairs, Cherry Wood, Gray Boucle, Austria circa 1830
Located in Regensburg, DE
Elegant Pair of Biedermeier Bergere chairs from Austria around 1830. Cherry wood veneered and solid. Square tapered legs. Newly upholstered and covered with dark gray, slightly bluei...
Bouclé, Cherry, Softwood
Early 19th Century Viennese Biedermeier Walnut Bergere
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Elegant original Biedermeier Bergere chair from Vienna around 1825 in walnut veneer. Very classicist design and great workmanship, the chair is newly upholstered and covered with new...
Walnut, Pine
Sold
H 33.86 in W 25.99 in D 22.45 in
Pair of Biedermeier Bergere Chairs, Cherrywood, Boucle, Austria circa 1830
Located in Regensburg, DE
Beautiful pair of original Biedermeier Bergere chairs in cherry wood from Austria around 1830. Cherry veneer and solid, hand-polished with shellac (french polished). Solid cherry sto...
Fabric, Cherry, Softwood
Sold
H 34.85 in W 24.81 in D 24.41 in
Pair of Biedermeier Bergere Chairs, Walnut, Black Boucle, Austria circa 1850
Located in Regensburg, DE
Elegant Pair of neoclassical Biedermeier Bergere chairs from Austria, Vienna circa 1850. Walnut veneered on softwood and solid walnut wood. Conical square-tapered legs. Restored cond...
Fabric, Walnut
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H 33.07 in W 24.8 in D 25.59 in
Pair of 19th Century Biedermeier Walnut Bergere Armchairs, Austria circa 1830
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Absolute stunnning pair of 19th century nutwood Bergere chairs from the famous Biedermeier period in Vienna/ Austria around 1830. This remarkable set of rare Biedermeier armchairs ha...
Velvet, Walnut, Spruce
Sold
H 38 in W 22.25 in D 27 in
Pair of Austrian Biedermeier Period 19th Century Walnut Armchairs with Loop Arms
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Austrian Biedermeier period bergère armchairs from the 19th century, with carved looping arms, saber legs and new upholstery. Created in Austria during the Biedermeier peri...
Fabric, Linen, Upholstery, Walnut
Sold
H 33.86 in W 25.2 in D 25.2 in
Pair of Biedermeier Bergere Chairs, Walnut, Bouclé, Austria, Vienna, Circa 1860
Located in Regensburg, DE
Beautiful pair of Biedermeier Bergeres or Bergere chairs from Austria around 1860. Walnut veneered and solid wood. Restored and hand poli...
Bouclé, Walnut
Sold
H 40.95 in W 26.78 in D 30.32 in
Biedermeier Revolving Chair, Cherry Wood, Black Velvet, South Germany circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Very rare original Biedermeier Swivel or Revolving Bergere Chair from South Germany about 1820. Cherry veneered on softwood and solid wood. Base on four solid legs with veneered fra...
Velvet, Cherry, Paint
Sold
H 33.08 in W 24.41 in D 24.81 in
Pair of Biedermeier Bergere Chairs, Walnut Veneer, Vienna/Austria, 19th Century
Located in Regensburg, DE
Pair of Biedermeier Bergere chairs, walnut veneer, black fabric, Vienna/Austria, 19th century Pair of beautiful Biedermeier Bergeres /...
Chenille, Walnut, Softwood
Pair Biedermeier Barrel Back Chairs
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is an unusual form of Biedermeier Barrel Back chairs in walnut. The barrel back is configured of open bars with three profiles of abstracted pineapple* silhouettes spaced betwee...
Walnut
19th Century Fine Biedermeier Walnut Bergeres. Vienna, c. 1825-30.
Located in Vienna, AT
Hello, This fine and elegant pair of Viennese Biedermeier bergeres were made circa 1825-30. Viennese Biedermeier is distinguished by their sophisticated proportions, rare and refine...
Upholstery, Walnut