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.
Antique German Biedermeier Mahogany Fauteuil Wingback Library Arm Chair
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique mid to early 19th century German Biedermeier library / lounge armchair. Made of mahogany featuring traditional form with fauteuil padded arms and flared ear / wing back with...
Upholstery, Mahogany
19th Century Fine Biedermeier Walnut Wing Armchair. Vienna, c. 1825.
Located in Vienna, AT
Hello, This elegant Viennese Biedermeier upholstered wing armchair from c. 1825 is distinguished by sophisticated proportions, rare and refined design and excellent craftsmanship an...
Upholstery, Walnut
Austrian Biedermeier Swivel Armchair of Unusual Form, circa 1830
Located in Kinderhook, NY
An unusual circa 1830 Austrian Biedermeier fauteuil de bureau or Schreibtischstuhl (desk chair) of large scale and bergère à oreilles (wingback) for...
Upholstery, Walnut
$3,200Sale Price|20% Off
Biedermeier Wingback Armchair, South German, 1840
Located in Belmont, MA
This stunning Biedermeier wingback armchair, crafted in South Germany around 1860, is a timeless example of 19th-century design. Made from beautifully grained yew wood, the chair sho...
Yew
Vintage French Country Biedermeier Style Armchairs Newly Reupholstered, Pair
By Biedermeier
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage French Country Biedermeier Style Tufted Back Wingback Armchairs Newly Reupholstered in "French-Blu" Mohair - Pair This exquisite pair of Vintage French Country Biedermeier S...
Mohair
German Biedermeier Mahogany Wing Chair
By Karl Friedrich Schinkel
Located in Queens, NY
German Biedermeier (2nd qtr.,19th Cent) mahogany sleigh back wing chair with open scroll design arms with padded arm rests. (designed attr: to KARL FRIEDRICH SCHINKEL)
Mahogany, Upholstery
Antique Biedermeier Fruitwood Wingback Chair c. Mid 19th Century
Located in Westfield, MA
This elegant mid-19th century Biedermeier wingback chair is a fine example of the restrained yet sophisticated style that defined the period. Crafted in fruitwood, the frame highligh...
Fruitwood
19th Century Biedermeier Wing Chair Reimagined in Bleached White Cotton Textile
Located in Wainscott, NY
Elegant 19th century Biedermeier-style armchair crafted from richly figured burl wood. The graceful lines and sculpted arms exemplify the refined simplicity of the Biedermeier period...
Wood, Burl
Antique 19th Century Biedermeier Fruitwood Wing Back Chair Probably German
Located in Westfield, MA
This elegant wing back chair reflects the restrained beauty of the Biedermeier period, likely crafted in Germany or Austria in the mid to late 19th century. Made of warm, honey-toned...
Fruitwood
$5,193
H 42.13 in W 30.71 in D 30.71 in
Fully Restored Vintage Chesterfield Porters Wingback Armchair Brown Leather
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning vintage Porters barrel back armchair in whisky brown leather This chair a real tour de force, is has absolutely everything going ...
Leather
Swivel Wing Chair in Red, 1980s
Located in Praha, CZ
Very good original condition Very sturdy construction. Two items available. Czechoslovakia, 1980s Price for one item.
Steel
$3,650
H 43 in W 29 in D 34 in
Danish 1930-40s Midcentury Country Style Wingback Armchair in Solid Oak
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Great example of early Danish midcentury design, circa 1930s wingback chair in hand carved solid oak with exposed sides and brass nails. Sturdy and strong construction of generous pr...
Wool, Oak
Biedermeier Wingback Armchair, circa 1830
Located in Greding, DE
Biedermeier wingback armchair featuring a polished walnut frame on brass casters. The armrests rest on curved supports with stylized volute decoration. The armchair has been newly up...
Brass
Otto Schulz 1940s Sheepskin Swedish Wing Chair
By Otto Schulz
Located in London, England
Otto Schulz Wing chair, c1940s An imposing and impressive wing chair from Swedish master designer Otto Schulz, produced by hiss own company Boet in Gothenburg Sweden in the 1940s....
Sheepskin, Elm
$9,694 / set
H 48.43 in W 33.47 in D 33.86 in
Pair of Vintage Black Velvet Upholstered George Hepplewhite Wingback Armchairs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale absolutely stunning pair of vintage oversized George Hepplewhite wingback armchairs with the Philadelphia oversized wings These are a showstoppi...
Velvet, Beech
$9,694
H 53.94 in W 30.12 in D 32.29 in
Antique 1840 Museum Quality Claw & Ball Carved Feet Wingback Very Large Armchair
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely sublime, museum quality extra large Wingback armchair with ornately carved Claw & Ball legs What a chair, you will never see ano...
Upholstery, Hardwood
Pair of Antique Carved Mahogany Upholstered Fireside Arm Chairs
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Black Lacquer Marble Top Goatskin Drawers & Double Doors Liquor Silver Cabinet
Mahogany
Early 19th Century George III Wing Chair
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Early 19th century George III mahogany upholstered wing chair, the shaped back with outscrolled wings raised above padded arms with reeded terminals with flower head motif raised ove...
Mahogany
$3,570 / set
H 45 in W 32 in D 32 in
Pair of Hickory c1960s Very fine Mahogany Queen Ann Bases Arm Wingback Chairs
By Hickory Chair Furniture Company
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of Hickory c1960s Very fine Mahogany Queen Ann Bases Arm Wingback Chairs
Mahogany
19th Century Louis XV Style Wingback Fauteuil or Armchair
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French provincial Fauteuil à La Reine avec Oreilles or "queen's wingback armchair with ears". This is a large size chair-and-a-half with solid walnut frame and distinc...
Upholstery, Walnut
Antique Blue Leather Wingback Chair
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Generously proportioned antique wingchair with Mahogany frame and original blue leather upholstery. Serpentine top above a deep back, upholstered scroll arms with nail head detail th...
Metal
Sold
H 43.31 in W 24.81 in D 31.5 in
Biedermeier Wing Chair, Adjustable, Walnut, South Germany, circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Wonderful so called 'Wing Chair' (German: "Ohrenbackensessel") from early Biedermeier time around 1820. Walnut solid wood, hand polished with shellac (French polish). Backrest is a...
Brass
Biedermeier Wingback Chair, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Large wingback armchair on slightly tapered feet. The chair is made from walnut and is newly upholstered with a high quality fabric.
Fabric, Walnut
Sold
H 49.21 in W 26.77 in D 29.13 in
Biedermeier Vintage Cherrywood Wingback Chair, circa 1830 Austria
Located in Vienna, AT
The Biedermeier wingback chair is made of solid cherrywood carefully cleaned and newly hand-polished. Furthermore the renewed upholstery is covered with cognac leather and decorated ...
Leather, Upholstery, Cherry
Antique Biedermeier Reclining Wingback Chair
Located in New York, NY
Antique, Biedermeier reclining wingback chair with a walnut frame. Has a down cushioned seat and casters. Reclining, iron, mechanism is in working...
Iron