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.
19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Style Walnut Settee
Located in Houston, TX
A stunning 19th Century settee featuring the clean lines and warm wood tones characteristic of Swedish Biedermeier design, with a silhouette influenced by French Neoclassical forms. ...
Walnut
Biedermeier Settee, Solid Maple, Hand-Carved, Bavaria, Circa 1857
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A fabulous Biedermeier style settee from 19th century Bavaria made from exceptionally beautiful, solid maple in a sheltering design like a banquette to enclose the upholstery. Some a...
Upholstery, Maple
Early 19th Biedermeier Settee with Scroll Arms and Curved Back in Birch Wood
Located in Atlanta, GA
The Biedermeier settee with modern velvet upholstery, curved back, scrolled arms terminating in tapered splayed legs.
Upholstery, Birch
Rare Pair Swedish Biedermeier Style Sofas Couch Empire 20th C 172cm 3-4 Seat A
Located in Lewes, England
Rare pair of Swedish Biedermeier Empire style sofas from latter part of 20th Century in top grade birch in a light oak French polish finish. Its very unusual indeed to find a mat...
Birch
Austrian Biedermeier Settee, walnut - Josef Dannhauser, Vienna 1820 - 2 Seater
Located in Göttingen, NI
2-Seater Burl Walnut veneered. Flat frame on profiled volute feet, bowed armrests. Seat, armrests and back newly upholstered with yellow gold-colored moirée height 95 cm, seat hei...
Walnut
Biedermeier Sofa Couch Empire Settle Swedish 19th Century 3-4 Seat Loveseat
Located in Lewes, England
Antique Swedish Biedermeier Empire sofa in top grade quilted figured veneers in a rich deep French polish finish. Lovely curved legs, arms and back with a fully sprung seat and web...
Birch
Swedish Biedermeier Sofa Empire Couch Honey Color, 3 Seat, 19th Century Ormolu A
By Biedermeier
Located in Lewes, England
Rare Swedish Biedermeier 2-3 seat sofa couch in classic light honey color French polish finish with wonderful curved arm detailing and ormolu style decorative ends and motifs in the ...
Birch
Swedish Biedermeier Antique Sofa Couch Empire 19th C 3-4 Seat Lion Feet
Located in Lewes, England
Antique Swedish Biedermeier Empire sofa in top grade quilted birch figured veneers in the sort after mid oak French polish finish. The sofa is approx 200cm long. It has swooping l...
Birch
Biedermeier Settee, Germany, circa 1830
Located in Greding, DE
Biedermeier settee veneered in mahogany and accented with fine string inlay along the frame. The multi-curved backrest is decorated with inlaid foliate scroll motifs. The armrests re...
Fabric, Mahogany
Swedish Biedermeier Sofa Couch Honey Color, 3-4 Seat, 19th Century Empire Rare A
By Biedermeier
Located in Lewes, England
Swedish Biedermeier 3-4 seat sofa couch in beautiful light honey color French polish finish with curved arm detailing and carved applique decorative motifs in the highest quality qui...
Birch
Biedermeier Settle Sofa Quilted Golden Birch Swedish, 19th Century Couch Settle
Located in Lewes, England
Beautiful and very unusual 19th century Swedish antique Biedermeier settle sofa in top grade quilted golden birch in a deep French polish finish with lovely carved detail. It has de...
Mahogany
Antique Swedish Maple Biedermeier Settee with Ebonized Accents, 1830
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This wonderful 19th century Swedish maple settee features classic Biedermeier design elements adapted to Scandinavian tastes for lightness and simplicity, using only the finest quali...
Maple
Antique Biedermeier Sofa Couch 4-5 Seat, 19th/20th Century Swedish
By Biedermeier
Located in Lewes, England
Swedish Biedermeier 4-5 seat sofa couch in classic light honey color French polish finish with curved arm detailing and ormolu style decorative ends and central motifs in the highest...
Birch
Swedish Biedermeier Sofa Settee Couch 3-4 Seat Carved Arms Art Deco Late 1800s
Located in Lewes, England
Antique Swedish Biedermeier carved three-four-seat sofa in Classic darker honey French polish finish that brings out the figure in the top grade golden birch quilted veneers. It fea...
Birch
German Biedermeier Satinwood Settee W/ Gilt Foliage Wreaths & Silk Seat, C. 1815
By Biedermeier
Located in Charleston, SC
German Biedermeier satinwood settee with a gilt carved shaped back, flanking scrolled arms, central gilt carved foliage wreaths, reticulated carved gilt X panels, gilt corner circula...
Silk, Satinwood, Giltwood
Austrian Biedermeier Walnut Settee, Upholstered, Circa 1825
Located in Queens, NY
Austrian Biedermeier walnut veneered settee with open double scroll design arms resting on a fluted ½ round shaped base with upholstered seat & sleigh back (Circa 1825)
Upholstery, Walnut
$5,200Sale Price|20% Off
Austrian Biedermeier Settee Sofa, Walnut, Reupholstered, 1820
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Austrian Biedermeier solid walnut setteee sofa, 57” long. Original condition with shellack polish. Reupholstered in Biedermeier style fabric. Elegant piece of guy.
Nutwood
19th Century Louis XVI Style Settee
Located in Belmont, MA
Elaborate Louis XVI style settee, finely carved pearwood. Straight back crowned with wreath, upholstered seat and back, ending on round tapered baluster legs. Originally the settee b...
Pearwood
$7,437Sale Price|30% Off
H 42 in W 102 in D 60 in
Rare Antique Victorian Walnut Tufted Serpentine Parlor Corner Sofa Settee Couch
Located in Dayton, OH
Monumental Victorian corner parlor sofa featuring serpentine walnut frame with S scroll carved and padded arms. Features queen anne legs and tufted upholst...
Velvet, Walnut
$4,950
H 40 in W 54 in D 27 in
French Louis XVI Style Wingback Settee with Original Gilding and New Fabric
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Louis XVI style settee from the early 19th century, with original gilding and new upholstery. Born in France during the early years of the 19th century, this settee features...
Upholstery, Wood
$13,043Sale Price|30% Off
H 35.44 in W 72.84 in D 41.34 in
Vintage George Smith Kilim Upholstered Three Seat Couch or Sofa Feather Cushions
By George Smith
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning original George Smith three seat sofa with the period Kilim upholstery and feather filled cushions A stunning sofa which is one of G...
Upholstery
19th Century French Louis XVI Style Settee
Located in Chicago, IL
A 19th century French Louis XVI style giltwood settee with a floral cartouche at the top of the back, and circled in a carved ribbon motif, with fluted and tapered legs. The back and...
Wool, Upholstery
19th century French Louis XVI Style Settee
Located in Charleston, SC
Rare, 19th century French Louis XVI style double oval back settee with richly carved motifs, scrolling arms and uphostered in linen.
Linen, Wood, Paint
Rare 19th Century Napoleon III Brocade Sofa
Located in Puglia, Puglia
French sofa from the 19th century, Napoleon III period. The sofa has been restored and the upholstery replaced with a beautiful Italian Brocade. France...
Brocade, Beech
French Louis XV Style Carved-Wood & Upholstered Settee
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Louis XV style sofa from the mid-19th century. This antique settee from France upholstered features a gently arched top rail at back, carved acanthus leaves decorated the sk...
Upholstery, Wood
Swedish Empire Karl Johan Wood Sofa 19th Century Sweden
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish Empire Karl Johan style sofa dating c. 1830
Upholstery, Wood, Birch
$24,500
H 29 in W 59.25 in D 29.25 in
Pair of French Louis XVI Style Carved-Wood Cream-Lacquered Settees, Jansen Attr.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Fine Pair of French Louis XVI Style Carved-wood Cream-Lacquered Settees, probably by Maison Jansen. The rectangular shaped Love Seats, each with scr...
Fabric, Satin, Silk, Wood
$75,000 / set
H 38.5 in W 67.5 in D 29 in
Pair of French Hand Carved & Painted Silk Sofas. Signed Carpentier. Circa 1780
By Louis-Charles Carpentier
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of French carved wood and painted sofas with floral silk upholstery, carved floral skirt, and terminating on cabriole legs. Signed by Carpentier. Makers Stamp is located on s...
Paint, Silk, Upholstery, Wood
$1,485Sale Price|61% Off
H 38.5 in W 59 in D 39 in
French Louis XV Style Settee or Canape with Floral Upholstery in Red & White
Located in Plainview, NY
A lovely French Provincial Louis XV style settee or canapé recently upholstered in a gorgeous floral red and white fabric with 4 matching pillows two square and two tufted round pill...
Upholstery, Wood
Sold
H 39.38 in W 84.65 in D 25.2 in
Swedish Biedermeier Carved Sofa Quilted Golden Birch 19th Century Antique A
Located in Lewes, England
Antique Swedish Biedermeier Empire sofa settle couch in the country style with a wealth of appliqué decoration on the front panels, arms and legs. Measure: 215cm. It is finished in ...
Birch
Sold
H 37.41 in W 90.56 in D 29.93 in
Swedish Biedermeier Sofa Empire Couch Honey Color, 4-5 Seat, 19th/20th Century A
By Biedermeier
Located in Lewes, England
Swedish Biedermeier 4-5 seat sofa couch in classic light honey color French polish finish with curved arm detailing and ormolu style decorative ends and central motifs in the highest...
Birch
Sold
H 37.41 in W 78.75 in D 27.56 in
Swedish Biedermeier Antique Sofa Couch Empire 19th C 3-4 Seat Lion Feet
Located in Lewes, England
Antique Swedish Biedermeier Empire sofa in top grade quilted birch figured veneers in the sort after mid oak French polish finish. The sofa is approx 200cm long. It has swooping l...
Birch
Sold
H 37.41 in W 74.81 in D 27.96 in
Swedish Biedermeier Sofa Empire Couch Honey Color, 3 Seat, 19th Century Ormolu A
By Biedermeier
Located in Lewes, England
Rare Swedish Biedermeier 2-3 seat sofa couch in classic light honey color French polish finish with wonderful curved arm detailing and ormolu style decorative ends and motifs in the ...
Birch
Sold
H 37.41 in W 86.62 in D 27.56 in
Biedermeier Sofa Couch Empire Settle Swedish 19th Century 3-4 Seat Loveseat
Located in Lewes, England
Antique Swedish Biedermeier Empire sofa in top grade quilted figured veneers in a rich deep French polish finish. Lovely curved legs, arms and back with a fully sprung seat and web...
Birch
Sold
H 39.38 in W 84.65 in D 25.2 in
Swedish Biedermeier Carved Sofa Quilted Golden Birch 19th Century Antique A
Located in Lewes, England
Antique Swedish Biedermeier Empire sofa settle couch in the country style with a wealth of appliqué decoration on the front panels, arms and legs. Measure: 215cm. It is finished in ...
Birch
Sold
H 39.38 in W 86.62 in D 27.56 in
Swedish Biedermeier Sofa Settee Couch 3-4 Seat Carved Arms Art Deco Late 1800s
Located in Lewes, England
Antique Swedish Biedermeier carved three-four-seat sofa in Classic darker honey French polish finish that brings out the figure in the top grade golden birch quilted veneers. It fea...
Birch
Sold
H 31.89 in W 67.72 in D 29.14 in
Rare Pair Swedish Biedermeier Style Sofas Couch Empire 20th C 172cm 3-4 Seat A
Located in Lewes, England
Rare pair of Swedish Biedermeier Empire style sofas from latter part of 20th Century in top grade birch in a light oak French polish finish. Its very unusual indeed to find a mat...
Birch
Sold
H 31.11 in W 78.75 in D 25.6 in
Biedermeier Settle Sofa Quilted Golden Birch Swedish, 19th Century Couch Settle
Located in Lewes, England
Beautiful and very unusual 19th century Swedish antique Biedermeier settle sofa in top grade quilted golden birch in a deep French polish finish with lovely carved detail. It has de...
Mahogany
Sold
H 37.41 in W 90.56 in D 29.93 in
Swedish Biedermeier Sofa Empire Couch Honey Color, 4-5 Seat, 19th/20th Century A
By Biedermeier
Located in Lewes, England
Swedish Biedermeier 4-5 seat sofa couch in classic light honey color French polish finish with curved arm detailing and ormolu style decorative ends and central motifs in the highest...
Birch
Sold
H 37.41 in W 86.62 in D 27.56 in
Biedermeier Sofa Couch Empire Settle Swedish 19th Century 3-4 Seat Loveseat
Located in Lewes, England
Antique Swedish Biedermeier Empire sofa in top grade quilted figured veneers in a rich deep French polish finish. Lovely curved legs, arms and back with a fully sprung seat and web...
Birch
Sold
H 37.41 in W 78.75 in D 27.56 in
Swedish Biedermeier Antique Sofa Couch Empire 19th C 3-4 Seat Lion Feet
Located in Lewes, England
Antique Swedish Biedermeier Empire sofa in top grade quilted birch figured veneers in the sort after mid oak French polish finish. The sofa is approx 200cm long. It has swooping l...
Birch