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 Linen Cupboard, Cherry Veneer, Germany, 1820
Located in Greding, DE
Biedermeier linen cupboard in cherry veneer with one door and square feet. The pilaster strips are fluted. The inside of the cupboard is fitted with three shelves and has been restor...
Cherry
Antique German Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, Cherrywood, Circa 1830
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A light-brown, antique German Biedermeier single chest made of handcrafted shellac polished veneered Cherrywood, in very good condition. The detailed cabi...
Metal, Brass
19th Century Biedermeier Armoire, walnut
Located in Belmont, MA
Classic example of an original Biedermeier armoire dating back to the early phase of the Biedermeier style around 1820. The wardrobe stands out for its beautiful walnut veneer on sid...
Walnut
19th Century Biedermeier Antique Cupboard Wardrobe Solid Walnut Polished to Wax
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Austrian Viennese, mid-19th century, Biedermeier elegant cupboard wardrobe in walnut, polished to wax The cabinet has a beautiful patina. Can be used in the environment important. ...
Fir
Biedermeier Armoire walnut root, Vienna, 1820
Located in Belmont, MA
Exquisite Biedermeier Armoire, Vienna 1820 This exquisite original Biedermeier wardrobe stands out for its beautiful walnut root veneer. Ebonized half colu...
Walnut
Austrian Tyrol 1860s Wardrobe Cupboard Biedermeier in Solid Wood Wax Polished
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Austrian 1860s wardrobe cabinet all original, in solid wood with dresser, restored polished to wax Useful charming wardrobe full of shelves and drawers Measures cm: H 195, W 115, D 52.
Fir
$1,304Sale Price|55% Off
Biedermeier Elm Corner Cupboard, Antique German, 1830, Warm Patina
Located in Traversetolo, IT
Beautiful Biedermeier elm corner cupboard with authentic antique warm patina.
Wood, Elm
Late 18th Century Biedermeier Wardrobe Armoire, in Bleached Larch, Wax Polished
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Antique biedermeier wardrobe armoire cupboard in solid wood. All in whitened solid larch the external part and walnut-colored internal parts and legs The legs, are in walnut, all th...
Fir
Viennese 19th Century Biedermeier Cupboard Wardrobe blond Walnut Polished to Wax
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Viennese 19th century Biedermeier cupboard wardrobe in blod walnut, polished to wax. Attention: the opening direction of the door is as shown in the second photo, i.e. hinges on the ...
Walnut
Early 19th Century Biedermeier Mahogany Pyramid Cupboard
Located in Berlin, DE
Solid, light mahogany and ash. Strong conical body with hatbox. Partially ebonised. (O-224).
Wood, Mahogany
Pyramid Cabinet shelve in antique Biedermeier Style Mahogany veneer
Located in Berlin, DE
Fine pyramid cabinet in Biedermeier style. High quality mahogany veneer on solid softwood. Conical body on profiled frame base. In the front, large ce...
Mahogany
Big Vitrine in Antique Biedermeier Style Exotic Palisander 2 Columns
Located in Berlin, DE
Exotic Indian Palisander on solid conifers. A versatile, curved frame box on plinth feet. Architecturally arranged front with flanking full-columns of solid beech, carved and framed capitals and bases. Two-door, sprout-glazed corpus with facet cut and profile-framed fields. Floors both sides veneered and polished. Stepped cornice with a head stool...
Wood
19th Century Biedermeier Style Three-Sided Glazed Glass Vitrine mahogany veneer
Located in Berlin, DE
Three-sided glazed glass vitrine circa 1825 in the sense of Karl Friedrich Schinkel. High-quality Mahogany on solid softwood. Recessed frame box. Architecturally arranged front with ...
Mahogany
$5,318
H 69.1 in W 46.07 in D 22.64 in
Stunning Antique Hungarian Hand Painted Housekeepers Linen Cupboard / Wardrobe
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer this very well made antique Hungarian hand painted Housekeepers pot cupboard circa 1880 Please note the delivery fee listed is just a guide, it covers wi...
Pine
Biedermeier Armoire, Walnut Veneer, South Germany circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Original Biedermeier Armoire or Wardrobe from South Germany, circa 1820. Amazing walnut and walnut burl veneer on softwood. Ebonized full columns and intermediate trim. Beautiful wa...
Iron
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
$4,356
H 71.26 in W 35.63 in D 15.36 in
19th Catalan Spanish Baroque Carved Walnut Tuscan Two Doors Wardrobe or Cabinet
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Introducing a remarkable 19th-century Catalan Spanish Baroque wardrobe, skillfully hand-carved from solid walnut and featuring Tuscan-inspired ...
Iron
Biedermeier Cherrywood Commode, Germany, circa 1830–1840
Located in Wrocław, Poland
An elegant Biedermeier commode crafted in Germany circa 1830–1840, veneered in beautifully figured cherrywood. The front showcases a striking, symmetrical grain pattern with rich fla...
Cherry
$5,750Sale 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
$3,773Sale Price|20% Off
H 56.7 in W 37.41 in D 17.72 in
19th Century Louis Philippe Solid Walnut Antique Small Wardrobe
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
We present this spectacular antique solid walnut wardrobe, made in the mid-19th century in Italy, during the Louis-Philippe period. This wardrobe is extremely rare due to its compac...
Walnut
$6,900
H 66.53 in W 38.58 in D 15.75 in
18th Century Cupboard or Cabinet, Walnut, Castillian Influence, Spain Restored
Located in Miami, FL
Grand 18th century Spanish armario or wardrobe armoire constructed from oak. Features a coffered case fronted by two large doors. This massive cabinet made in Spain features beautifu...
Oak
$6,990
H 33.46 in W 41.34 in D 20.47 in
19th Century Biedermeier Chest Of Drawers, Cherrywood, Austria circa 1830
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Outstanding 19th century Biedermeier chest of drawers from the early period around 1830 in Austria. This completely restored antique three drawer Biedermeier commode impresses with i...
Brass
Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, Walnut Veneer, Circa 1830
Located in Greding, DE
Biedermeier chest of drawers with three drawers and rounded corners. The piece is veneered in walnut and has been hand-polished.
Walnut
$5,343
H 75.6 in W 54.93 in D 25.01 in
Biedermeier Wardrobe, Hand-Polished Walnut, Germany, Circa 1825
Located in Greding, DE
Two-door wardrobe with a straight carcass. The carcass is veneered in walnut. The doors display a mirrored veneer pattern. The surface has been hand-polished.
Walnut
$8,954Sale Price|30% Off
H 100.4 in W 70.48 in D 27.96 in
19C French Solid Oak Armoire Du Marriage from Normandy
Located in London, GB
A FRENCH OAK ARMOIRE 19TH CENTURY Country French Armoire Du Marriage from Normandie the egg and dart cornice above a scroll and rose carved frieze centred by a vine, wheat and do...
Oak
Sold
H 69.69 in W 38.19 in D 15.75 in
Tiny Biedermeier Wardrobe, Cupboard, Southern Germany, Early 19th Century
Located in Greven, DE
Small Biedermeier linen cupboard Southern Germany Walnut Biedermeier circa 1815 Dimensions: H x W x D: 178 x 97 x 40 cm Description: Small cabinet from the early Biedermeier perio...
Walnut
19th Century Swedish Curved Biedermeier Corner Cabinet Cupboard
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A Swedish Biedermeier curved corner cupboard in oak with richly hand carved fruit decorations from the Mid Early 19th Century. This two-piece hand-crafted corner cabinet has its own ...
Oak
Biedermeier Linen Cupboard, around 1820
Located in Greding, DE
Biedermeier linen cupboard in cherry veneer with one door and square feet. The door is divided into two panels and the pilaster strips are fluted. The inside of the cupboard is fitte...
Cherry
Sold
H 33.5 in W 51.25 in D 25 in
19th Century German Biedermeier Chest of Drawers - Antique Single Pine Cabinet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A single, antique framed German Biedermeier chest, commode made of hand crafted painted Pinewood, in good condition. The detailed cabinet, cupboard is composed with three drawers, st...
Metal, Brass
Sold
H 33.5 in W 45.75 in D 22.5 in
19th Century Grey German Single Biedermeier Pinewood Chest, Antique Commode
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A light-grey, antique German Biedermeier single commode made of hand crafted painted Pinewood, in good condition. The chest is composed with two large ...
Metal
Sold
H 75.98 in W 56.3 in D 23.62 in
Rustic Cabinet "The Four Seasons" Hand Painted, Austria Dated 1817
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Unique hand painted austrian rustic cabinet dated to 1817. This farmhouse cabinet is in stunning condition and shows a lovely patina. Professionally ...
Spruce
Sold
H 58.27 in W 35.83 in D 21.26 in
Biedermeier Vitrine, Cherry Veneer, Three Sides Glass, South Germany, circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Straightlined three sides glassed neoclassical Biedermeier display case or vitrine from South Germany around 1820. Cherry wood veneer, par...
Glass, Cherry, Softwood
Biedermeier vitrine, Germany, circa 1870
Located in Chorzów, PL
Biedermeier display case with mirrored back, Germany, circa 1870. Very good condition. Dimensions: Height: 161 cm, width: 77 cm, depth: ...
Glass, Oak
Sold
H 87.8 in W 56.7 in D 29.53 in
19th Century German Biedermeier Wardrobe, Cupboard, circa 1825, Nice Patina
Located in Greven, DE
Large Antique Biedermeier wardrobe Rhineland Fruitwood Biedermeier around 1825 Dimensions: H x W x D: 223 x 144 x 75 cm Description: Large antique dress or hall cupboard ...
Fruitwood
19th Century German Biedermeier Cupboard, Walnut, circa 1835
Located in Greven, DE
Small antique Biedermeier cupboard with great walnut grain picture Southwest Germany Walnut Biedermeier around 1835 Dimensions: H x W x D: 196 x 120 x 58 cm Description: ...
Walnut
Sold
H 61.42 in W 43.71 in D 22.05 in
Very Rare German Biedermeier Secretary and Dazzler in Walnut, circa 1830
Located in Greven, DE
A Biedermeier Secretary and Dazzler in Walnut c. 1830 Germany (Pfalz) Walnut Biedermeier around 1830 Dimensions: H x W x D: 156 x 111 x 56 cm Description: Extremely rare pair of secretary...
Walnut
Sold
H 80.71 in W 53.55 in D 25.99 in
Biedermeier Warderobe, Armoire, Cupboard, Ashwood, Germany circa 1835
Located in Greven, DE
Antique armoire South Germany Ash Biedermeier around 1835 Dimensions: H x W x D: 205 x 136 x 66 cm Description: Two-door closet standing on elegantly curved elaborated le...
Ash