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.
Midcentury Biedermeier Style Maple Chest Or Credenza By National Mt. Airy
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a Biedermeier style maple chest or credenza by National Mt. Airy. It is a versatile because it could work from bedroom to living room. It appears to be maple with ebonized d...
Brass
Venetian Credenza Sideboard Mid 19th Century Biedermeier in Walnut wax polished
Located in Vigonza, Padua
All original, elegant and important Venetian sideboard from the mid-19th century, Biedermeier period, in solid walnut and walnut veneer, with two doors and two drawers, wax polished ...
Walnut
19th Century Biedermeier Cherrywood Chest of Drawers, Austria, circa 1825
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Fantastic Biedermeier cherrywood chest of drawers made in the early 19th century in Austria around 1825. This beautiful straight shaped Biedermeier commode shows a precious cherrywoo...
Brass
Vintage Double Door Column Sideboard
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This handsome vintage sideboard masterfully blends Traditional elegance with distinctive architectural details. Crafted from richly grained wood, the piece features striking fluted p...
Metal
Vintage Biedermeier Style Bookmatched Burl Wood Three-Door Sideboard Credenza
Located in Jensen Beach, FL
An exceptional and highly decorative Biedermeier-style three-door sideboard cabinet, showcasing extraordinary craftsmanship and an exquisite play of natural wood grains. This striki...
Burl
Biedermeier Cabinet, Walnut Veneer, Full Columns, South Germany circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Large (127 cm / 50 in high) neoclassical / early Biedermeier Half-Cabinet or Chest, from South Germany circa 1820. Walnut veneered on softwood. Refinished and hand polished with she...
Oak, Walnut, Softwood
$3,517Sale 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 Biedermeier Blond Cherrywood Chest of Drawers
Located in San Francisco, CA
A 19th century blond cherrywood Biedermeier three drawer chest with black lacquer accent. Excellent hand made quality. Has an Art Deco Modern looking appeal. The Art Deco period was...
Cherry, Fruitwood
$3,995
H 31.13 in W 71.25 in D 18 in
Romweber Mid-Century Hollywood Regency Burl Wood and Brass Sideboard Credenza
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional mid-century modern Hollywood Regency sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet By Romweber USA, Circa 1970s Gorgeous burled Carpathian elm wood, with brass trim and origi...
Brass
Midcentury Credenza with Topper by Stanley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This impressive midcentury piece features a sturady finished walnut construction including a finished back, a credenza with three dovetail jointed drawers with two cabinets on either...
Walnut
$5,249Sale Price|20% Off
H 31.5 in W 63 in D 17.72 in
Marble effect Glass Sideboard 3 doors Jusfurnituress Designer Handmade
Located in Guazzora, IT
Our modern marble-effect glass sideboard is an eye-catching piece of mid-century modern furniture made with meticulous attention to detail in Italy. This elegant sideboard features...
Brass
$1,700
H 32 in W 62 in D 32 in
Janus Collection Walnut Credenza by John Stuart for Mount Airy Furniture
By John Stuart, Mount Airy Furniture Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This mid-century modern walnut sideboard from the Janus Collection by John Stuart for Mount Airy Furniture features a striking geometric diamond veneer pattern on the cabinet doors. ...
Wood, Walnut
$2,595
H 48 in W 26 in D 15 in
French Regency Louis XVI Cherry Wood Lingerie Chest by National Mt. Airy
By Mount Airy Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Regency Louis XVI style five-drawer highboy dresser or lingerie chest By National Mount Airy Furniture Co. USA, Circa 1960s Carved cherry wood, with original bra...
Brass
$3,250
H 46 in W 46 in D 19 in
Danish Modern Style Walnut Chest or Dresser by Mt. Airy Janus Line Credenza
By Mount Airy Furniture Company, John Stuart
Located in Atlanta, GA
Danish Modern Style Mid Century Walnut Chest, Credenza, or Dresser, part of the "Janus" Line, manufactured by Mt. Airy Furniture, and retailed by John Stuart in NYC, American, circa ...
Walnut, Wood
1970s National Mt. Airy Military Campaign Style Executive Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
Another good looking campaign style piece for your collection! We are delighted to offer for sale this vintage executive desk hand crafted in the Military Campaign style by Mt. Airy, which is one of the higher quality campaign manufacturers. This well-made desk executed out of oakwood which has a lovely warm patina to it, the cuts of timber are lovely with great proportions from any angle. Supporting a rectangular top with a central drawer flanked on either side by a column cabinet with four drawers each having a top and bottom drawer, two of which are double as a filing drawer in the middle offering plenty of storage space. Solid finished back all standing on a plinth base to make it more stable. The brass inset military handles & brass corner brackets are all original and in brass. Signed "National Mt...
Oak
Ello Mirrored Five Door Sideboard by O. B. Solie
Located in Hanover, MA
Glamorous mirrored credenza buffet cabinet designed by O. B. Solie for Ello in the 1970's as part of their successful "Reflections" collection (See last image for an original Ello te...
Stainless Steel
Danish Modern Rosewood 4-Drawer 2-Door Sideboard Credenza
Located in Kensington, MD
Refined lines and proportions are the defining feature of this incredible credenza in rosewood. Four graduated drawers on the left. Two doors opening to cabinet storage on the right....
Rosewood
$8,500
H 36 in W 49 in D 25.5 in
19th Century Fine Biedermeier Walnut Chest of Drawers. Vienna, c. 1825.
Located in Vienna, AT
We are pleased to present this truly exceptional early Viennese Biedermeier walnut commode, crafted in Vienna around 1825. Viennese Biedermeier furniture is celebrated for its refin...
Brass
Sold
H 32 in W 76 in D 18 in
Baker Cherry 4 Raised Panel Doors Biedermeier Style Long Sideboard Credenza MINT
By Heritage-Henredon, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Baker Cherry 4 Raised Panel Doors Biedermeier Style Long Sideboard Credenza MINT
Brass
Biedermeier Style Satinwood Bookcase Credenza
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Biedermeier style, satinwood, bookcase cabinet or credenza features shelves, drawers and lockable side cabinet. This piece is nicely shallow at 10 inches depth but wide enough to off...
Satinwood
Sold
H 39.75 in W 73.75 in D 20.5 in
Austrian Biedermeier 1840s Walnut Sideboard with Drawers, Doors and Columns
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Austrian Biedermeier period walnut sideboard from the mid 19th century, with four drawers, two pairs of double doors and ebonized columns. Created in Austria during the second qua...
Wood, Walnut
Sold
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
Sold
H 33.27 in W 37.6 in D 22.05 in
Small Biedermeier Commode, Walnut Veneer, Southwest Germany, circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Elegant, small early Biedermeier Commode / Chest of three drawers from Southwest Germany, Stuttgart, circa 1820. Walnut veneered on softwood and walnut solid legs. Excellent high-gl...
Metal
Biedermeier Cherrywood Austrian Sideboards, 1890
By Biedermeier
Located in Roma, Lazio
Refined and elegant design for a sideboard with an extraordinary taste; its "Patina" brings out the grain and gives a warm color that is truly pleasing to the eye. The sideboard i...
Cherry
19th Century German Empire Style Biedermeier Mahogany Credenza
Located in Dallas, TX
Incredible elegant 19th century German Empire style Biedermeier mahogany credenza. This piece has a phenomenal polished finish and lovely brass details. A Classic beauty!
Mahogany
19th Century Biedermeier Walnut Credenza
Located in Dallas, TX
Lovely 19th century Biedermeier walnut credenza. The cabinet has a drawer and 2 shelves for storage. A very handsome and functional piece that could be used in a variety of settings!
Walnut
Sold
H 43.31 in W 46.46 in
19th Century Dark Wood and Silver Inlaid Spanish Chest of Drawers, circa 1830
Located in Valladolid, ES
Stunning Spanish "Mª Cristina de Borbón -Dos Sicilias" precious wood with silver inlaid chest of Drawers. The name of the Queen refers to the style of the commode, because it was mad...
Silver
Swedish Biedermeier Credenza Made of Ash
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
Swedish Biedermeier credenza/ sideboard made of ash and pinewood. 3 lockable drawers and 3 lockable doors with shelves inside. Very massive handmade construction. Impressively smooth...
Ash, Pine
German Light Walnut Biedermeier 2-Door Credenza
Located in Atlanta, GA
The rectangular top with front canted corners above a conforming case with matched grain veneers, the interior with adjustable shelf, raised on tapered legs.
Walnut
Period Biedermeier Chest of Drawers or Commode
Located in Houston, TX
Period Biedermeier chest of drawers or commode. Handsome period Biedermeier three-drawer chest of drawers or commode with beautiful patina retaining...
Wood