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.
$590Sale Price|24% Off
19th Century Biedermeier Footstool
Located in Darmstadt, DE
We present an authentic small Biedermeier footstool from around 1830. The piece features a solid walnut top resting on oak legs, displaying the w...
Oak, Walnut
Carved Walnut Italian Biedermeier Style Carved Bench C. 1930's
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Introduce timeless European elegance into your home with this exquisite Italian Biedermeier style hand-carved walnut bench or stool, a beautifully balanced piece that combines refine...
Walnut
Small Biedermeier Walnut Footstool, South Germany circa 1830, Solid Walnut
Located in Darmstadt, DE
This small Biedermeier footstool is a charming example of early 19th century craftsmanship from South Germany. The piece is made entirely of soli...
Walnut
$3,500 / set
H 20 in W 19 in D 17 in
Antique Italian Biedermeier Regency Carved Walnut Curule X-Bench Stool - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Italian Biedermeier Regency Carved Walnut Curule X-Bench Stools - a Pair. Stools feature beautiful hand carved details, turn carved stretcher base, and remarkable authentic p...
Wood
$1,036
H 19.77 in W 21.26 in D 13 in
Art Deco Figured Walnut Dressing Table Stool, English, circa 1930
Located in Devon, England
Very stylish Art Deco dressing stool dating to the 1930s, can be used for dressing table or footstool. Newly reupholstered in an Art Deco style fabric, beautifully figured walnut ven...
Walnut
Mid-Century Plastic Stool or Footstool, 1970, Hungary
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good original condition. - New fabric. - Cleaned.
Fabric, Plastic
Footstool Schumacher Flamestitch Upholstery
By Missoni
Located in New York, NY
A footstool with rich brown bun feet, upholstered in (possibly) a Schumacher flame-stitch fabric, with brass nail-head design around, circa mid-20th century. Great as a footstool or low bench seat...
Brass
Exceptional and Rare 19th Century Irish X Framed Stool
Located in Dublin, IE
An exceptional and rare 19th century Irish oak stool, with beautifully rich patination and grain. The padded brass studded seat is of rectangular form ...
Brass
$1,728 / set
H 18.31 in W 16.54 in D 16.54 in
Pair of Antique Victorian Hand Carved 19th Century Asethetic Movement Stools
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of Victorian late 19th century hand carved pine stools in the Aesthetic movement taste This stools are very decorative and we...
Pine
19th Century Oriental Carved Wood Stool
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A wonderfully stylish 19th century Oriental style stool, with pierced fretwork decoration to the frieze, stuff over upholstered seat, raised on classical carved cabriole legs with my...
Mahogany
$600Sale Price|20% Off
H 18 in W 23 in D 21.5 in
Antique French Style Carved Walnut & Upholstered Foot Stool, C1920
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique French style footstool offers upholstered seat over walnut base having carved skirt and cabriole legs, C1920. Measures- 18'' H x 23'' W x 21.5'' D. A French style walnut f...
Walnut, Upholstery
Classic Antique Style Bench
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Elegant Empire style bench in walnut. Canes seat and sides, generous size-44" wide. Practical and sturdy.
Walnut
$2,073
H 20.08 in W 29.14 in D 29.14 in
Fully Restored George III Style Hand Carved Bench Stool with Lion Hairy Paw Feet
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this fully restored absolutely sublime George III style vintage hand carved mahogany bench stool A very well presented hand carved stool, each leg starts at the top with a lions main then flows downwards with elegant cabriolet legs and finishes with Lions hairy paw feet The timber has all been stripped back, stained and French polished, its in perfect order This piece is designed as a large dressing table...
Upholstery, Hardwood
Victorian Hand Carved Walnut and Upholstered Foot Stool
Located in Germantown, MD
A Victorian Hand Carved Walnut and Upholstered Foot Stool Measures 20" in width, 14.75" in depth and 16.5" in height.
Upholstery, Walnut
Vintage Neo-classical Style Needlepoint Upholstered Curule Bench
Located in Sheffield, MA
Vintage neoclassical style curule bench covered in multi toned floral needlepoint upholstery and nailheads. Bench, needlepoint bench, ottoman, footstool, floral bench...
Upholstery, Walnut
Sold
H 7.88 in W 16.54 in D 11.03 in
Small Biedermeier Walnut Footstool, South Germany circa 1825, Newly Upholstered
Located in Darmstadt, DE
This small Biedermeier footstool from South Germany dates to around 1825 and reflects the early phase of the period with its elegant simplicity a...
Walnut, Fabric
Sold
H 17.33 in W 23.04 in D 13.39 in
Small Biedermeier Stool, Beech Wood, Austria / Vienna, circa 1850
Located in Regensburg, DE
Small Biedermeier stool from Vienna, Austria circa 1850. Beech solid wood, shellac hand polished. Newly upholstered with black textured fabric. Dimension...
Fabric, Beech
Sold
H 17.72 in W 16.54 in D 13.39 in
Biedermeier Stool, Stained Beech, Black Fabric, France, circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Biedermeier stool, stained beech, black fabric, France circa 1820 Small stool, ottoman or tabouret from the restoration / Biedermeier period. Solid beech, stained in walnut tone. N...
Fabric, Beech
Sold
H 18.51 in W 18.31 in D 13.19 in
Pair of Early 19th Century Stools, Cherry Wood, France circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Pair of early 19th century stools, cherry wood, France circa 1820 A beautiful pair of small neoclassical Biedermeier scissors stools or tabourets. Solid cherry wood, hand polished...
Brass
Biedermeier Nightstand, Cherry Veneer, South Germany, circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Biedermeier nightstand, cherry veneer, South Germany circa 1820 Small cambered Biedermeier nightstand / bedside table or pillar cabinet. Che...
Brass
Sold
H 20.08 in W 23.63 in D 18.12 in
Large Biedermeier Stool, Walnut Veneer and Solid, South Germany, circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Large Biedermeier stool, walnut veneer and solid, South Germany circa 1820 Walnut veneered frame. Walnut solid legs and intermediate bar. Newly upholstered and covered with black...
Fabric, Walnut
Biedermeier Footstool, 1830ca
Located in Praha, CZ
Nice original condition.
Wood
Sold
H 24.02 in W 25.2 in D 14.18 in
Biedermeier Gondola Tabouret / Stool, Mahogany and Maple, Austria, circa 1835
Located in Regensburg, DE
Magnificent neoclassical Biedermeier Tabouret or Gondola- / Basket stool from Austria, circa 1830-1840. Wonderful classic and elegant design. ...
Fabric, Mahogany, Maple
Pair of Upholstered Stools in the Biedermeier Style from England
Located in Austin, TX
An elegant pair of 19th century stools from the Biedermeier period - each stool featuring gently splayed legs of mahogany. Great color and patina, the slightly domed seats are upho...
Metal, Brass
Pair of Biedermeier Carved Footstools with Fortuny Upholstery
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Remarkable pair of hand-carved footstools made in the Biedermeier taste of 19th century Europe. Featuring a Fortuny upholstered cushion in a square case. Constructed with exposed dov...
Fabric, Wood
Biedermeier Foot Stool, circa 1820
Located in Kinderhook, NY
Biedermeier foot stool of oval form having burled walnut frame with splayed legs, circa 1820.
Walnut, Upholstery
Sold
H 18.5 in W 15.5 in D 15.5 in
French Biedermeier Mid 19th Century Stool with Upholstered seat and Saber Legs
Located in Atlanta, GA
This French Biedermeier style stool features a square seat with new muslin upholstery. The neutral color of the upholstery allows the warmth of the four saber legs and simple skirt t...
Wood, Muslin, Upholstery