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 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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
$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
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
$18,316
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
$10,625
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
$13,567
H 31.89 in W 93.71 in D 22.84 in
Restored Hand Dyed Brown Leather Antique Victorian 3-4 Seat Sofa Feather Seats
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to this stunning three to four seat antique hand dyed Victorian brown leather sofa...
Leather
$2,805
H 29.93 in W 66.93 in D 26.38 in
French Restauration Bench Seat Wood Sofa Banquette Fabric of Your Choise 19th C
Located in Labrit, Landes
Antique French Restoration-Period Chaise Longue on wheels, 19th Century Louis Philippe Period, France circa 1840 An elegant French chaise longue dating from the Restoration period, ...
Upholstery, Wood
$20,351
H 41.74 in W 69.1 in D 30.91 in
Victorian Georgian Irish Brown Leather Chesterfield Sofa Lion Hairy Paw Feet
By Georgian House 1
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning Georgian Irish style late Victorian Chesterfield brown leather sofa with hand-carved Lion hairy pa...
Leather, Hardwood
Heywood Wakefield, Settee, Maple, Velvet, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A maple and green velvet fabric settee designed and produced by Heywood Wakefield, USA, 1950s. Seat height 16” All items ship from High Point, North Carolina.
Velvet, Maple
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
Antique French Directoire Style Settee ~ Canape
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Directoire style Settee ~ Canape is ideal for a light and airy look, with a minimal footprint for more cozy seating arran...
Fabric, Sycamore
$8,900
H 36.63 in W 72.44 in D 28.75 in
Antique Swedish Sofa Bench Settee in Original Paint, Gustavian Period, 18th c.
Located in Wichita, KS
A beautiful antique Swedish sofa bench from the Gustavian period dry scraped to its original patina. The sofa frame is adorned with a lovely leaf motif and rests upon tapered and flu...
Linen, Wood, Paint
$5,700
H 46 in W 40 in D 18.5 in
Vienna Secession Bentwood Angel Motif Settee Bench by Jacob & Josef Kohn No. 67
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Late Victorian bentwood settee bench with angel motif by Jacob & Josef Kohn. Crafted with the companies signature steam-bent beechwood frame, the settee features its striking, all-or...
Oak
$5,200
H 36 in W 56 in D 26 in
Vienna Secession Bentwood & Caine No. 08 Settee Bench by Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Late Victorian No. 08 Bent oak settee by Jacob & Josef Kohn featuring an elegant, sculptural frame crafted from warm-toned bentwood. The openwork backrest showcases a prominent c...
Oak
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