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 Chest, Secretary or Cabinet, Walnut, Southern Germany, circa 1830
Located in Greven, DE
Biedermeier chest of drawers with writing drawer and raised compartment Southern Germany Walnut, birch Biedermeier around 1830 Dimensions: H x W x D: 191 x 126 x 64 cm Description...
Walnut
Dutch 19th Century Biedermeier Style Folding Buffet
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A metamorphic Dutch buffet from the 19th century, in the Biedermeier taste for graphic contrasts using beautiful thuya wood (from Morocco) and outlined in ebonized trim. This unusual...
Wood, Thuya
19th Century Biedermeier Commode/ Sideboard/ Halfcabinet, Austria ca. 1850
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Extravagant 19th century Biedermeier pyramid mahogany commode/ sideboard or buffet from the so-called "2nd Biedermeier" period around 1850 in Austria. A very impressive antique crede...
Brass
Austrian Biedermeier Period Walnut Buffet with Geometric Pyramidal Marquetry
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Austrian Biedermeier period walnut buffet from the mid-19th century, with marquetry motifs and tapered feet. Created in Imperial Austria during the...
Walnut
19th Century German Biedermeier Cherry Wood Cabinet
Located in Dallas, TX
Very fine 19th century German Biedermeier Cherry wood cabinet with ebonized details. This piece has a beautiful wood grain and polished finish....
Cherry
19th Century Biedermeier Credenza Sideboard with Rack, Solid and Veneer Walnut
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Precious 19th century Venetian Biedermeier sideboard, in solid walnut, and walnut briar veneer arranged in a radial pattern. Plate holder with two shelves, turned side columns and sh...
Walnut, Burl
Secession Walnut Dresser Nut from 1900
By Art Decor
Located in Kraków, Małopolska
We present a beautiful timeless Biedermeier showcasefrom Vienna, Austria from 1900. (Biedermeier was a style in the art , literature , music and interior design which developed in ...
Cherry
$4,530Sale Price|40% Off
Biedermeier Sideboard or Liquor Cabinet
Located in New York, NY
Biedermeier sideboard, credenza or liquor cabinet with plenty of storage space. Has many compartments for bottles. Lovely carvings and handcut dovetails to the front and back of the ...
Satin, Birch, Maple
$2,382Sale Price|20% Off
H 38.19 in W 39.38 in D 24.41 in
Italy Late 19th Century Inlaid Walnut Buffet with Drawer or Low Cabinet
Located in Brescia, IT
This is a pleasant credenza or low cabinet, handmade in walnut with an inlaid in the same wood. The top has very beautiful drawing that distinguishes this antique buffet. Hand made...
Walnut
$3,576Sale Price|24% Off
H 32.49 in W 34.45 in D 17.92 in
Small Biedermeier Walnut Half Cabinet with Drawer, South Germany circa 1830
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Elegant small Biedermeier half cabinet from Southern Germany, circa 1830. The charming piece is veneered in richly grained walnut on a solid spruce body, displaying the warm tones an...
Walnut, Spruce
19th Century English Oak Sideboard
Located in High Point, NC
19th century oak sideboard from England with a beveled edge around the top, following down to paneled sides and two drawers in the front with raised geometric panels, flanked by hand...
Oak
Mid 19th Century Louis Philippe Antique Buffet in Solid Walnut
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
We present this antique Italian sideboard, crafted from solid walnut and dating back to the mid-19th century. This sideboard features typical Louis Philippe period features, with und...
Walnut
18th Century French Walnut Buffet
Located in High Point, NC
18th century walnut buffet from France with gorgeous burl walnut details throughout the piece. The top is banded and has a beveled edge, following down to hand paneled sides with sca...
Walnut, Burl
Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, Southern Germany, circa 1820
Located in Greding, DE
Three-drawer Biedermeier chest of drawers raised on shaped tapered square legs with ebonized moldings and escutcheons. The piece has been professionally restored and hand-polished.
Wood
$5,896Sale Price|27% Off
H 36.62 in W 44.89 in D 23.63 in
Biedermeier Chest of Drawers in Walnut, Germany, circa 1830
Located in Darmstadt, DE
This fine Biedermeier chest of drawers was crafted in Southern Germany around 1830 and is distinguished by its richly figured walnut veneer with beautiful book-matched grain. The fro...
Walnut, Spruce
19th Century French Renaissance Henry II Walnut Buffet
Located in Forney, TX
A most impressive antique, circa 1880, French carved walnut marble-top top buffet- sideboard server with nicely aged patina. Born in France during the late 19th century Renaissance Revival, hand-crafted of warm, rich solid walnut, exceptionally executed in 16th century King Henry II...
Marble, Brass
19th Century French Oak Buffet
Located in High Point, NC
19th century oak buffet from France. The top is banded and has a beveled and hand carved decorated edge, following down to paneled sides, which...
Oak
$4,524Sale Price|29% Off
H 61.42 in W 40.16 in D 20.08 in
Biedermeier Walnut and Root Walnut Secretary, South Germany circa 1840
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Charming small Biedermeier Secretary from Southern Germany, crafted around 1840. The piece impresses with its fine walnut and walnut-root veneer on a solid pine body, polished to a w...
Birch, Pine, Walnut
$5,063
H 36.62 in W 46.07 in D 23.23 in
19th Century German Biedermeier Chest Of Drawers, Cherry, circa 1820
Located in Greven, DE
Biedermeier Chest Of Drawers Southern Germany Cherry around 1820 Dimensions: H x W x D: 93 x 117 x 59 cm Description: A four-tier piece of furniture standing on pedestalled block ...
Cherry
19th Century French Painted Buffet
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Early 19th century French painted buffet with three drawers above two shaped doors. 1820. Code: 8655 Dimensions: W: 65" (165.1 cm) H: 40...
Oak
George III Style Satinwood Inlaid Mahogany Serving Table
Located in Germantown, MD
An exceptiinal George III Style Satinwood Inlaid Mahogany tiered Serving Table. Measures 42" in width , 17.5" on depth, 37.25" in height.
Mahogany, Satinwood
Mahogany Bar, Northern Europe, circa 1890
Located in Chorzów, PL
Mahogany bar, Northern Europe, circa 1890. Very good condition, furniture after professional renovation, finished in polish. dimensions: height: 156cm, width: 101cm, depth: 55cm
Walnut
Mahogany Bar, Northern Europe, circa 1890
Located in Chorzów, PL
Mahogany bar, Northern Europe, circa 1890. Very good condition, furniture after professional renovation, finished in polish. dimensions: height: 156cm, width: 101cm, depth: 55cm.
Walnut
19th Century Late Biedermeier Farmhouse Softwood Buffet
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Authentic buffet is from the late Biedermeier / mid-19th century and was made of softwood. The furniture has a wonderful old patina which was only cleaned and re-oiled. The buffet still has the original locks and glass panes installed. The locks are functional. The glass panes are original mouth-blown from the time, with the usual flaws that have arisen in this production at the time. The middle part was probably extended in height a long time ago. The feet were added in more recent times. A wonderful handcrafted solidly made Farmhouse furniture...
Softwood, Pine, Spruce
Sold
H 39 in W 51.5 in D 24 in
Antique Baltic Empire Biedermeier Period Flame Mahogany Chest of Drawers
Located in Forney, TX
A scarce example of early Biedermeier Period (1815-1848) chest of drawers commode. circa 1820 Finely hand-crafted in the Baltic Region of Northern Europe in the early 19th century...
Brass
19th Century German Biedermeier Black Walnut and Ebony Buffet
Located in Dallas, TX
Very fine 19th century German Biedermeier black walnut and ebony buffet. This piece has beautiful polished wood, nice storage and claw feet. A elegant cabinet that makes an impressiv...
Walnut
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H 61.82 in W 42.52 in D 21.07 in
19th Century Biedermeier Secretary Desk in Light Brown Veneered with Walnut
Located in Opole, PL
19th Century Biedermeier Secretary Desk in Light Brown Veneered with Walnut We present you this secretary desk from the second half of the 19th century veneered with walnut. The cor...
Walnut
German Biedermeier Folding Buffet
Located in Eindhoven, NL
A German antique folding buffet from the Biedermeier period. The folding buffet is made of mahogany wood and the sink of tin. The reservoir is original....
Mahogany
Antique Dining Room Set, Germany, circa 1920
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique furniture from the beginning of the 20th century. The set includes a large chest of drawers, a small chest of drawers, a table and six c...
Oak
Biedermeier Buffet
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Biedermeier ash and walnut buffet with ebonized columns and bone shield shaped escutcheons, circa 1840. The front and sides are ash the top is walnut.
Ash, Walnut, Paint
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H 38.75 in W 72.25 in D 22.5 in
Austrian Biedermeier 1840s Walnut Three-Door Enfilade with Ebonized Accents
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Austrian Biedermeier period walnut three-door enfilade from the mid-19th century, with ebonized accents. Created in Austria during the second quarter of the 19th century, this wal...
Walnut
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H 89 in W 54.5 in D 25 in
19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Fruit Wood Step Back Two Part Cubboard
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
This honey colored Austrian fruit wood step back cupboard features an upper section with two doors opening up to a shelved interior and a slightly bigger lower section with a long fr...
Fruitwood