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 Austrian Biedermeier Fruitwood Bibliotheque Bookcase
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Grand important 19th century fruitwood bibliotheque library bookcase purported to be from 18th century Schloss Leopoldskron Palace in Salzburg, Austria. The large bookcase is constru...
Brass
19th Century German Biedermeier Pair of Mahogany Bookcase, Library Cabinets
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique pair of Northern German early Biedermeier bookcases made of shellac polished, partly veneered Mahogany in good condition. The top part of the tall library...
Metal, Wire
Biedermeier Mahogany Bookcase, Polished Finish, Germany, Circa 1820
Located in Greding, DE
Biedermeier bookcase with two doors with three-quarter glazing and a flat profiled cornice. The cabinet stands on square feet and is veneered in mahogany. The interior is fitted with...
Mahogany
Mahogany Bookcase, First Half of the 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Two-doored mahogany bookcase with a straight base and a slightly protruding top, decorated with a carved female head.
Mahogany
Mid 19th Century Biedermeier Bookcase, Display Cabinet, Bleached Mahogany
Located in Greven, DE
Biedermeier Bookcase or Display Cabinet North Germany Mahogany 1st half of the 19th century Dimensions: H x W x D: 210 x 118 x 38 cm Description: Beautiful bookcase from the North...
Mahogany
Biedermeier Bookcase, 1810-20, walnut
Located in Belmont, MA
This unique antique Biedermeier library cabinet dates back to the early Biedermeier period 1810-20 and comes from Germany. It features a walnut and mahogany veneer on softwood. The t...
Walnut, Mahogany
Biedermeier Bookcase, Germany, circa 1820
Located in Greding, DE
Biedermeier bookcase with two doors, designed as three-quarter glazed panels with diamond-patterned muntins. The case is veneered in mahogany and accented with fine string inlay. It ...
Mahogany
Single Glass Door Solid Cherry Tall Bookcase Cupboard Bottom Compartment MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Single Glass Door Solid Cherry Tall Bookcase Cupboard Vitrine Display Case Bottom Compartment MINT!
Cherry
Biedermeier Open Bookcase or Shelves of Curly Maple
Located in Austin, TX
A fine English open bookcase (or set of shelves) in the Biedermeier style, featuring a moulded cornice top frieze of figured maple over five fitted shelves of curly maple, and restin...
Birdseye Maple, Wood
Free Standing Biedermeier Book Shelf
Located in New York, NY
A fine free standing Biedermeier shelf. Cherrywood with carved details.
Cherry
Austrian Biedermeier Bookcase
Located in Hudson, NY
This very fine bookcase is in excellent condition and has great color and style. The book case has four shelves and can work for books or as pictured hear as a display cabinet for ob...
Walnut
Biedermeier Open Bookcases of Curly Maple with Ebonized Columns - Two Available
Located in Austin, TX
A pair of fine English open bookcases (or sets of shelves) in the Biedermeier style - each cabinet featuring a moulded cornice top frieze of figured curly maple, over four adjustable...
Wood, Birdseye Maple
19th Century Biedermeier Bookcase Display Cabinet Solid Larch , Wax Polished
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Antique Austrian Biedermeier bookcase display cabinet, restored and polished to wax, in solid larch. The glass of the two doors has been removed for the restoration and will be asse...
Wood
Library - antique display case, Northern Europe, around 1890.
Located in Chorzów, PL
A historic site - a library from the end of the 19th century. Furniture in very good condition, after professional renovation. Dimensions: height 182 cm / width 126 cm / depth 38 cm
Walnut
19th Century Cabinet with Glass Door and Iron Key, Rustic Biedermeier
Located in Austin, TX
This handsome piece dates to the 19th century. It is most probably a Biedermeier display cabinet, characterized by its structured simple ge...
Brass, Gold Leaf
$7,396Sale Price|28% Off
Biedermeier Bookcase, Cherry Veneer, South Germany circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Elegant straight-lined Biedermeier Bookcase or Display Cabinet in cherry veneer from South Germany around 1820. Cherrywood veneered on softwood. The edges of the doors and the strip between the doors are set in ebony. Book-matched cherrywood veneer inlay at the bottom front of the doors. Ebonized corner columns and moldings in the cornice and base. Solid cherry wood square tapered legs. 4 old glass windows...
Brass
Antique Biedermeier Austrian Country Secretary Bookcase Desk, Early 19th Century
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique Early 19th Century Biedermeier Austrian Country secretary bookcase desk Additional information: Materials: Fruitwood Color: Sienna Peri...
Fruitwood
Historic vitrin from around 1860
Located in Chorzów, PL
Showcase - a library from the mid-19th century in the Biedermeier style. Antique furniture with a more beautiful form will add elegance to any interior. This piece of furniture is ...
Walnut
Biedermeier Cherrywood Bookcase, Germany, circa 1820
Located in Greding, DE
Large-scale Biedermeier bookcase featuring a four-door lower case articulated by pilasters. Above, a slightly recessed upper section rises with glazed, mullioned sliding doors, plain...
Glass, Cherry, Spruce
19th Century Biedermeier Walnut Display Display Bookcase, Czechia
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
19th century Biedermeier display bookcase Completely restored to shellac polish. Material: Walnut Period: 1830 - 1839 Source: Bohemia - Czechia.
Glass, Wood, Walnut, Lacquer
$2,888
China Closet Biedermeier
Located in Kraków, Małopolska
Every piece of furniture that leaves our workshop from the beginning to the end is subjected to manual renovation, so as to restore its original condition from many years ago. Simpl...
Palisander
19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Flame Mahogany Neoclassical Style Bookcase
Located in Dallas, TX
Exceptional 19th century Austrian Biedermeier flame mahogany neoclassical style bookcase. The cabinet has 3 adjustable shelves for books an...
Glass, Mahogany
19th Century Biedermeier Style Bookcase or Vitrine
Located in Berlin, DE
Biedermeier bookcase or vitrine, circa 1815. Cherry tree on solid partly ebonized. On stepped frame base, high-rectangular corpus, partly blackened. In the front two triple-sectione...
Wood, Cherry
$7,840Sale Price|20% Off
Biedermeier Style Bookcase by Vienna Woods of Los Angeles
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Biedermeier Style Bookcase by Vienna Woods of Los Angeles.
Wood
Swedish Biedermeier Satin Birch Open Bookcase
Located in London, GB
A stunning Swedish Biedermeier satin birch open bookcase. This was recently imported from Sweden, it dates from around the 1890-1910 period. It is of outstanding quality and has a b...
Birch
Austrian Biedermeier Cupboard/Bar Cabinet in Cherrywood with Vitrine, c. 1820
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
An Austrian Biedermeier cupboard in cherrywood with carved, open fretwork gallery, with ebonized details above crown molding. Arched Gothic style tracery work on interior of glass do...
Cherry
Austrian Biedermeier Walnut Ebonized Bookcase
Located in Queens, NY
Austrian Biedermeier (Circa 1825) walnut veneer and ebonized trimmed bookcase with demilune 3 drawer commode base and upper section with 2 doors and 4 small drawers.
Walnut
$3,182
China Closet Biedermeier
Located in Kraków, Małopolska
Every piece of furniture that leaves our workshop from the beginning to the end is subjected to manual renovation, so as to restore its original condition from many years ago. Sim...
Birch
19th Century Biedermeier Corner Cabinet
Located in Belmont, MA
Exceptional early Biedermeier corner cabinet with three open shelves and one drawer. Mahogany veneer with ebonized columns and brass capitals and bases. The cabinet was made in south...
Mahogany
$3,948
China Closet Biedermeier
Located in Kraków, Małopolska
Every piece of furniture that leaves our workshop from the beginning to the end is subjected to manual renovation, so as to restore its original condition from many years ago. Simpl...
Palisander
19th Century German Walnut Biedermeier Cabinet
Located in Dallas, TX
This 19th century German walnut Biedermeier cabinet exudes classic elegance and fine craftsmanship. Its stunning woodwork, simple yet sophisticated design, and ample storage space ma...
Walnut
$5,243Sale Price|46% Off
Biedermeier Bookcase, Walnut, Glass, Austria circa 1825
Located in Regensburg, DE
Elegant, unadorned Biedermeier Bookcase in Walnut Solid wood and veneer from Austria circa 1825. Solid walnut body with slanted edges. Ebonized cornice and skirting board. 3 glass w...
Iron
Architectural Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Cabinet
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A very rare and elegant Biedermeier cabinet of architectural form. Very simple in design with a fantastic and warm burr-ash veneer, accentuated with ebonized thread inlay, discs and ...
Ash, Fruitwood