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Biedermeier Chairs

Biedermeier Style

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.

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Style: Biedermeier
Set of 6 Continental 19th Century Biedermeier - Viennese Walnut Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A most elegant and complete set of six continental 19th century Biedermeier - Viennese burl walnut. Each chair is raised by fine circular tapered front legs with slightly curved sq...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Biedermeier Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Pair of 19th Century Biedermeier Fruitwood Side Chairs
Located in Berlin, DE
A pair of beautifully honey colored fruitwood Biedermeier side chairs, with gently curved rectangular backs, the top and side inlaid with banding, the splat carved with a stylized flower head, on sabre legs. Newly upholstered in black Prussian horse hair fabric...
Category

1810s German Antique Biedermeier Chairs

Materials

Fruitwood

Set of Four Biedermeier Chairs, Switzerland, circa 1820-1830
Located in Belmont, MA
A set of four Biedermeier chairs, Switzerland, 1820-1830, walnut veneer. Beautiful back with a “Pretzel”decor and a beautiful carving on the top of the chair. The chairs are in good ...
Category

1820s Swiss Antique Biedermeier Chairs

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Fine Set of Three Ebonized Biedermeier Chairs. Vienna, c. 1825.
Located in Vienna, AT
Hello, This fine set of three ebonized Viennese Biedermeier chairs were made circa 1825. Ebonized Biedermeier pieces were mostly made in Vienna, Austria and account for only 1-2 % o...
Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Biedermeier Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Pearwood

Chairs, Northern Europe, circa 1900.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Three chairs from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, Northern Europe. The chairs are in very good condition, the seats and backrests are covered with new fabric. Dimensions: ...
Category

Early 1900s Scandinavian Antique Biedermeier Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Pair (2) antique Biedermeier chairs circa 1840, birch
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair (2) antique Biedermeier chairs circa 1840, birch Solid birch wood body. Seat cushion upholstered and covered with fabric. Grand-line frame and legs. Slightly curved backrest wi...
Category

1840s German Antique Biedermeier Chairs

Materials

Birch

Three Biedermeier Chairs, 1820-30, Birchwood Veneer
Located in Leimen, DE
Individual Biedermeier Chairs – Circa 1825, Birch Veneer with Ebonized Back Add timeless elegance to your space with these Biedermeier chairs, dating back to around 1825. Each chair...
Category

1820s German Antique Biedermeier Chairs

Materials

Birch

Antique Low Biedermeier Chair With Hindeloopen Paintwork
Located in Doornspijk, NL
The woodwork of this artistically low type of Biedermeier chair is wonderfully cut. The basic color is oxblood red. On top of this layer flower and leaf motifs have been painted in t...
Category

Early 19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

19th Century antique 4 Biedermeier Saber Legs Chairs Solid Mahogany
Located in Berlin, DE
4 chairs of the German Biedermeier. Solid mahogany. The striking shape with the wide-legged saber legs and the encircling backrest board was rediscovered in classicism, circa 1800. I...
Category

19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

Biedermeier Side Chair, Cherry Wood, South Germany circa 1830
Located in Regensburg, DE
Biedermeier Side Chair, Cherry Wood, South Germany circa 1830 Solid cherry wood. Restored and hand polished with shellac. Back decoration of three ebonized leaves. New upholstered ...
Category

1820s German Antique Biedermeier Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Cherry, Paint

Biedermeier Chairs
Located in Greding, DE
Set of three Biedermeier chairs in cherry wood with fan-shaped backrests and newly upholstered seats.
Category

Early 19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Chairs

Materials

Cherry

Biedermeier Chairs
Biedermeier Chairs
$7,164 / set
Pair of Interesting Biedermeier Chairs antique circa 1840 Cherry Wood veneer
Located in Berlin, DE
A pair of interesting Biedermeier chairs, circa 1840 Cherry tree, straight frame on flared, ball-shaped legs. Rectangular backrest frame with finely curved end and corresponding cen...
Category

19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Chairs

Materials

Cherry

Italian Biedermeier decorated wooden chair and bright green fabric, early 1800s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Biedermeier decorated wooden chair and bright green fabric, early 1800s Biedermeier style wooden chair. The structure follows rounded curved lines, in particular the backrest...
Category

Early 1800s Antique Biedermeier Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

1960´S, Walnut Arm Chair Bierdemeir Style with Bordeaux Leather Upholstery
Located in BILBAO, ES
Walnut arm chair bierdemeir style with in bordeaux leather upholstery. Dimensions chair Height: 86cm seat 33.85cm. Width: 22.83 in. (58cm). Depth: 19.29 in. (49cm). PRADERA is a...
Category

1940s Spanish Vintage Biedermeier Chairs

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Pair of Antique Carved Side Chairs
Located in London, GB
A fantastic pair of antique carved side chairs. They were made in continental Europe, possibly Denmark, or somewhere close and they are quite...
Category

1790s Danish Antique Biedermeier Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Early 19th Century Three Biedermeier Curved Legs Set of Chairs
Located in Berlin, DE
Solid birchwood. Chairs with curved legs. The chairs have been restored and upholstered not so long ago. (C-128).
Category

Early 19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Chairs

Materials

Wood, Birch

19th Century Pair of Walnut Austrian Biedermeier Chairs, Wien, Period 1810-1819
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Set of Biedermeier chairs, two pieces. Completely restored. Source: Austria, Wien Period: 1810-1819 Shellac-polish. We guarantee safe a the cheapest air transport from Europe to the...
Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Biedermeier Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Walnut, Lacquer

4 Original antique Biedermeier Chairs Solid Mahogany, circa 1840
Located in Berlin, DE
4 original Biedermeier chairs solid mahogany with leather seats. the front legs are turned.
Category

20th Century German Biedermeier Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

Set of two Chairs Mahogany antique Late Biedermeier circa 1860 woodwork
Located in Berlin, DE
Solid wood mahogany. Beautiful set of 2 chairs from the late Biedermeier period. Curved legs.
Category

19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

20th Century Vienna Biedermeier Style Chair
Located in Berlin, DE
Vienna Biedermeier chair after Josef Danhauser, 1805-1845. Maple roots on solid beechwood. Classical upholstering. (C-Sam-2).
Category

20th Century Biedermeier Chairs

Materials

Wood, Beech, Maple

19th Century Biedermeier Curving Backrest Chair
Located in Berlin, DE
Biedermeier chair, circa 1845. Solid wood with red cover. Rear legs saber-shaped. Wide curving backrest. (C-127).
Category

19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

20th Century Set of 4 Biedermeier/Art Deco Chairs, Birch
Located in Berlin, DE
20th century set of 4 Biedermeier/Art Deco chairs, birch Slightly arched backrest with straight top and 2 middle bridge. Newly upholstered seat and covered with a high quality fab...
Category

20th Century German Biedermeier Chairs

Materials

Birch

Pair of Early 19th Century Czech Biedermeier Oak Chairs, Czechia, 1800s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Pair of Biedermeier chairs Completely restored, upholstery included. Source: Czechia (Bohemia) Material: Oak and High quality leather. Period: 1800-1809 Shellac-polish. ...
Category

Early 19th Century Czech Antique Biedermeier Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Cherry, Lacquer

Pair of Early 19th Century Czech Biedermeier Chairs, Czechia, Cherry Tree, 1820s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Pair of Biedermeier chairs Completely restored, new fabric and upholstery included. Source: Czechia (Bohemia) Material: Cherry tree Period: 1820-1829 Shellac-polish.  
Category

Early 19th Century Czech Antique Biedermeier Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Cherry, Lacquer

Pair of 19th Century Biedermeier Dining Chairs Made in 1930s Czechia
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
The chairs have been fully restored and are made out of cherry wood.
Category

1830s Czech Antique Biedermeier Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Cherry

Restored Empire Chair, Made in the 19th Century in Austria, Restored Elm, 1830s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Biedermeier chair Completely restored, new fabric and upholstery included. Source: Austria, Wien - Architect Josef Danhauser Period: 1830-1839 Shellac-polish.
Category

1830s Austrian Antique Biedermeier Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Walnut, Lacquer

Pair of two Interesting antique Biedermeier Chairs circa 1840 cherry veneer
Located in Berlin, DE
A pair of interesting Biedermeier chairs, circa 1840 Cherry tree, straight frame on flared, ball-shaped legs. Rectangular backrest frame with finely curved end and corresponding cen...
Category

19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Chairs

Materials

Cherry

19th Century, Set of Six Solid Walnut Biedermeier Chairs
Located in Darmstadt, DE
A set of six chairs, classic original Biedermeier, solid walnut wood. The backrests have a decorative ash wood inlay. Wonderful clear simple Biedermeier design from around 1825. The ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Biedermeier Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Ash, Walnut

Biedermeier chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Biedermeier chairs for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage chairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, asian art and furniture, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Biedermeier chairs made in a specific country, there are Europe, Germany, and Austria pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original chairs, popular names associated with this style include Biedermeier, Malvezzi, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH, and Thonet. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for chairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $355 and tops out at $27,000 while the average work can sell for $3,081.

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