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Biedermeier Sofas

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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61
7
68
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61
2
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4,223
3,816
1,010
270
117
79
66
54
51
47
38
38
36
31
26
24
13
3
57
11
2
4
2
1
1
67
49
26
24
15
60
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15
8
68
68
68
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Style: Biedermeier
Unique Museum Prague Biedermeier Sofa, Cherry Wood, Fully Restored, Czech, 1820s
Unique Museum Prague Biedermeier Sofa, Cherry Wood, Fully Restored, Czech, 1820s

Unique Museum Prague Biedermeier Sofa, Cherry Wood, Fully Restored, Czech, 1820s

$11,748

Unique Museum Prague Biedermeier Sofa, Cherry Wood, Fully Restored, Czech, 1820s

Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj

Hassle-free US shipping: We provide all necessary 100+ year-old certifications to ensure a flat 15% customs rate for our US clients. This sofa represents the absolute pinnacle of craftsmanship and artistic production from the Prague Biedermeier period in the early 19th century. It is a unique museum-quality piece that embodies the best of Czech furniture-making through its purity, lightness, and precision. A characteristic and very rare feature is the removable armrests...

Category

Early 19th Century Czech Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Lacquer, Cherry

19th Century Fine Biedermeier Cherry Sofa. Vienna, c. 1825.
19th Century Fine Biedermeier Cherry Sofa. Vienna, c. 1825.

19th Century Fine Biedermeier Cherry Sofa. Vienna, c. 1825.

$8,900

19th Century Fine Biedermeier Cherry Sofa. Vienna, c. 1825.

Located in Vienna, AT

Hello, This very rare and elegant Biedermeier cherry sofa was made in Vienna circa 1820-25. Viennese Biedermeier pieces are distinguished by their sophisticated proportions, rare an...

Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Cherry

Swedish Biedermeier Sofa Settee Couch 3-4 Seat Carved Arms Art Deco Late 1800s
Swedish Biedermeier Sofa Settee Couch 3-4 Seat Carved Arms Art Deco Late 1800s

Swedish Biedermeier Sofa Settee Couch 3-4 Seat Carved Arms Art Deco Late 1800s

$3,186Sale Price|20% Off

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...

Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Birch

Sofa, Northern Europe, circa 1900.
Sofa, Northern Europe, circa 1900.

Sofa, Northern Europe, circa 1900.

$3,896

Sofa, Northern Europe, circa 1900.

Located in Chorzów, PL

Sofa, Northern Europe, circa 1900. Very good condition, after professional renovation and replacement of upholstery. Wood: mahogany dimensions: height 125 cm seat height 46 cm len...

Category

Early 1900s Swedish Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Walnut, Fabric

Seating Set Biedermeier, 1930s
Seating Set Biedermeier, 1930s

Seating Set Biedermeier, 1930s

$5,816 / set

Seating Set Biedermeier, 1930s

Located in Budapest, HU

Sofa, two chairs, two armchairs and table, fine seating set.

Category

Mid-20th Century Hungarian Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Wood

Early Biedermeier Walnut Sofa, circa 1820
Early Biedermeier Walnut Sofa, circa 1820

Early Biedermeier Walnut Sofa, circa 1820

$5,955Sale Price|20% Off

Early Biedermeier Walnut Sofa, circa 1820

Located in Lucenec, SK

The sofa dates from the early Biedermeier period at the beginning of the 19th century. The body of the sofa is made of spruce wood and was covered with a very beautiful thick walnut ...

Category

Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Walnut

20th Century antique Empire Style Palisander Swan Sofa Mahogany veneer
20th Century antique Empire Style Palisander Swan Sofa Mahogany veneer

20th Century antique Empire Style Palisander Swan Sofa Mahogany veneer

$4,536

20th Century antique Empire Style Palisander Swan Sofa Mahogany veneer

Located in Berlin, DE

Empire Swan canapé in the style of Classicism, (1810). Exotic palisander on solid beechwood. Partially ebonized and gilded. On each side a carved swan's head. Very high quality sat...

Category

20th Century French Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Mahogany

Danhauser Sofa in Viennese Biedermeier Style, Mahogany Veneer on Beechwood
Danhauser Sofa in Viennese Biedermeier Style, Mahogany Veneer on Beechwood

Danhauser Sofa in Viennese Biedermeier Style, Mahogany Veneer on Beechwood

$3,373

Danhauser Sofa in Viennese Biedermeier Style, Mahogany Veneer on Beechwood

By Josef Danhauser

Located in Berlin, DE

Fine canapé / template by Josef Danhauser / Vienna in a Biedermeier style Exotic mahogany on solid beechwood. Intermediate circular sides, star-veneered straight frame. Armrests c...

Category

20th Century Austrian Biedermeier Sofas

Materials

Mahogany

Biedermeier sofas for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Biedermeier sofas for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage sofas created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Biedermeier sofas made in a specific country, there are Europe, Austria, and Scandinavia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original sofas, popular names associated with this style include and Biedermeier. 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 sofas differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $850 and tops out at $24,500 while the average work can sell for $5,742.

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