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 Secretary Desk, Central Germany, circa 1830
Located in Greding, DE
Biedermeier secretary desk in cherrywood with ebonized details and escutcheons. The case is flanked by full columns. The fall-front writing surface above three drawers opens to reve...
Cherry, Burl
$5,524Sale Price|35% Off
Antique French Secretary
Located in Malibu, CA
This early 19th-century drop-leaf secretaire features the traditional Biedermeier ebony accents, columns, and matched woodgrain pattern. Unlike the h...
Brass, Other
Dutch Rococo Drop Front Desk with Marquetry Inlay, 18th Century
Located in Queens, NY
Dutch Rococo (Late 18th Century) drop front desk / secretary with elaborate foliate marquetry inlay, with the slant front folds down to create a desk surface with a green leather inS...
Wood
Austro-Hungarian Secrétaire à Abattant
Located in Woodbury, CT
Wearing a layer of Austrian walnut root veneer, this secrétaire has a unique grain that one does not often see; it swirls and undulates across the surface drawing the eye along in a ...
Walnut, Burl
Biedermeier Secretary, Flame Mahogany, Unknown Maker, Circa 1815
Located in New York, NY
A perfect example of the wealthy, elegant Biedermeier period, this impressive, secretary is veneered in flame mahogany and birch intarsia, with bone escutcheons, secret compartments,...
Mahogany
$2,413Sale Price|20% Off
Viennese Baroque Secretary Slant Door Bureau ar 1860 Straight & Heavy Solid Oak
Located in Landshut, BY
This straight and heavy solid oak Viennese Baroque folding desk has been carefully restored to its original condition with no replacements. Even the two main keys are still there. T...
Brass, Iron
19th Century Exceptional Biedermeier Walnut Drop Front Desk. Vienna, c. 1825.
Located in Vienna, AT
This exceptional drop-front desk represents one of the finest examples of top-quality Viennese Biedermeier furniture from circa 1825. Renowned for its refined proportions, understate...
Maple, Walnut
Birch Biedermeier Secretaire
Located in New York, NY
Constructed of solid birch and fir and veneered with hand-cut Nordic birch veneers, the secretary features an upper locking drawer which rests upon a fitted desk area hiding behind a...
Birch, Fir
Early 19th century Biedermeier ebonised birch escritoire
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 19th century biedermeier ebonised birch escritoire circa 1820. We are pleased to offer this stunning austrian biedermeier period escritoire...
Ormolu
Biedermeier Escritoire Desk Mahogany 1860
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Biedermeier Mahogany Escritoire. This Escritoire Features 5 Drawers and a Pull Down Writing Slope. Circa 1860 The Drawers and Fall Having Wonderful Matched Flame Mahogany Veneers. Th...
Mahogany
Handcrafted Biedermeier Intarsia Secretary, Birch Wood, Sweden, 1820
Located in New York, NY
Handcrafted, this piece has been obviously been designed and created with love. Elegant intarsia inlays adorn the outside of this case piece. Inside hides a whimsical array of storag...
Birch
Biedermeier secretaire, circa 1830
Located in London, GB
A Biedermeier secre´taire a` abattant of unusual tapered form, goncalo alves with ebonized, inlaid and pewter decoration, and an enclosed fitted interior, Russian/Baltic, circa 1830.
Pewter
Antique French Restoration Period Leather Top Burled Elm Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive 19th Century French desk handcrafted in elm wood featuring tooled black leather tops, two glove boxes with brass galleries over an arched case with seven drawers, brass ha...
Elm
Austro-Hungarian Chest of Drawers in Walnut Root Veneer
Located in Woodbury, CT
The handsome lines of this chest augment its wonderful proportions with drawers flanking the center drop down writing surface. Deeper than the two below, the top drawer is supported ...
Walnut, Pine, Burl
Antique Biedermeier Style Desk
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Antique Biedermeier Style Desk – A Timeless Masterpiece Enhance your interior with this exquisite antique desk, crafted in the Empire and Biedermeier style and dating back to the ye...
Birch
Rare Austrian Biedermeier Walnut Writing Desk, c. 1820
Located in Southampton, NY
Rare Austrian Biedermeier Walnut Writing Desk, c. 1820 A Rare Austrian Biedermeier Writing Desk, chest of drawers, walnut root head venee...
Maple, Walnut
German Biedermeier Slant-Front Desk
Located in Hudson, NY
A very good German slant front desk with a lower case of drawers. The writing surface very nicely finished veneers with interior drawers having inlay ...
Brass
20th Century Unique Biedermeier Writing Desk, Flamed Birch
Located in Berlin, DE
20th century unique Biedermeier writing desk, flamed birch Exceptional Biedermeier desk. With a hinged worktop. Birch veneer on solid wood....
Birch
Unusual Early 19th Century Biedermeier Library Desk, German or Austrian
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A very attractive early 19th century library desk, veneered an precious satinwood, with ebonised banding, the freeze with three drawers to th...
Fruitwood, Satinwood
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
Biedermeier Desk, Vienna 1820-30
Located in Leimen, DE
Biedermeier desk, Vienna 1820-1825, walnut with maple marquetry. The top and the end panels with beautiful flower and vine decor. The table is in good original condition. If required...
Walnut
$9,800
Charles 'X' Secretaire
Located in Sheffield, MA
Burled elm charles 'X' drop front secretary (secrétaire à abattant) with black marble top with white vains, drop door revealing a leather covered writing table...
Marble
$1,346Sale Price|20% Off
Biedermeir Coffee Table or Writing Desk in Walnut, Denmark
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest you read the whole description, because with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects. Danis...
Walnut
Continental 19th Century Biedermeier St. Butler’s Desk/Commode
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional and unique Continental 19th century Biedermeier st. flamed Mahogany, ebonized Fruitwood, and ormolu butler's desk/commode. The eight drawer chest is raised by square f...
Ormolu
Chest of Drawers Biedermeier from 1840
Located in Kraków, Małopolska
We present very good condition, elegant and functional Chest of Drawers Vienna (Austria), made of walnut tree from 1840. (Biedermeier was a style in the art, literature , music a...
Walnut
France Desk Style: Biedermeier, 1847
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Logistics and International Shipping We provide a comprehensive export service so that your only concern is enjoying your acquisition. • Door-to-Door Service: Pieces located in our A...
Wood
18th Century English Oak Bureau
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Late 18th Century English oak bureau with later paint finish. 1780 Height to the underside of the desk - 67cm
Brass
$1,330
H 38 in W 33 in D 20 in
18th Century George III Mahogany Bureau Desk. Slant Front Writing Secretary.
Located in Vero Beach, FL
18th Century George III Mahogany Bureau Desk. Slant Front Writing Secretary. This 18th century English bureau desk has 3 rows of graduated hand do...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Secretary Desk by Svenska Möbler, Circa 1950
By SMF Svenska Möbelfabriken Bodafors
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century Modern Swedish secretary desk signed by the A.B. Svenska Moebel Fabrikerna (SMF), one of the largest furniture manufacture...
Birch, Jacaranda
$1,995
H 42.5 in W 39 in D 18 in
18th c Tiger Maple Slant Front Desk with Stepped Compartmentalized Interior
Located in Milford, NH
A nice example of an 18th century New England Chippendale slant front desk in tiger maple with stepped compartmentalized interior, including eight open cubbies, two hidden slide out ...
Brass
$4,711Sale Price|30% Off
H 57.09 in W 36.23 in D 14.97 in
French Louis XVI Secretaire Abattant / Secretary desk, circa 1800
Located in Lucenec, SK
The secrétaire à abbatant or fall front desk is nearly identical to the desk 5th President James Monroe brought back from France in 1797. These desks are ...
Brass
$1,450
H 42.5 in W 40.38 in D 21 in
18th Century Chippendale Slant Front Desk in Birch with Ball & Claw Feet
Located in Milford, NH
A nice example of an American Chippendale slant front desk in birch with a compartmentalized interior with valanced cubbies and eight ...
Brass
$8,703
H 75.2 in W 49.61 in D 25.2 in
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
French Ladies Desk Antique Bureau De Dame, 1860
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Pretty French Walnut Ladies Bureau. circa 1860 Standing Upon Swept Legs with Ormolu Mounts to the Toes and Knees. The Fall Having Floral Marquetry Decoration and Opens to Reveal 3...
Walnut
$3,900Sale Price|50% Off
H 39 in W 50 in D 23 in
19th Century Italian Cherrywood Drop-Front Desk Secretaire with Inlay
Located in San Francisco, CA
A cherrywood drop front desk with four small drawers fitted in the upper interior and three drawers below. Handsomely detailed inlay work, lovely patina and Fine quality workmanship...
Cherry
$2,996
H 41.5 in W 36 in D 22 in
Maddox Refinished Red Mahogany Block / Slant Front Secretary Desk with Key
Located in Germantown, MD
A refinished Maddox Red Mahogany Chippendale Block front, Slant Front Secratary Desk with Key. Desk door locks, along with the three lower drawers. ...
Mahogany
$2,495
H 39.75 in W 26.75 in D 16.75 in
Baker Furniture Style Antique French Provincial Secretary Desk, Circa 1890s
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous petite French Provincial Louis XV style drop front writing desk or secretary desk In the manner of Baker Furniture By Edinburg Cabinet Co. USA, Circa 1890s Beautiful c...
Brass
$6,452Sale Price|20% Off
H 66.15 in W 38.19 in D 18.9 in
Biedermeier Walnut Secretaire, Antique Desk from Germany, Circa 1830
Located in Darmstadt, DE
This stunning Biedermeier secretary desk is an authentic antique piece crafted from walnut wood, both inside and out. Dating back to the early 19th century, this masterpiece showcase...
Pine, Walnut
Console/Desk, Ash Veneer, Biedermeier
Located in Brussels, BE
Console/Desk, Ash Veneer, Biedermeier
Wood
Sold
H 68.12 in W 39.38 in D 17.33 in
Biedermeier Secretaire, Cherry Veneer, Ebonized, Brass, South Germany circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Fine, early Biedermeier Secretaire in Cherry Veneer from Southern Germany around 1820. Beautiful classicist (neoclassical) design with greek gable cornice, well selected blonde cherr...
Brass, Iron
Early 19th century Biedermeier ebonised birch escritoire
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 19th century biedermeier ebonised birch escritoire circa 1820. We are pleased to offer this stunning austrian biedermeier period escritoire...
Mirror, Birch
19th Century Biedermeier Mahogany Cylinder-Top Bureau Desk
Located in San Francisco, CA
A good north Germany (possibly Hamburg) Biedermeier Cylinder Bureau overall of beautifully figured mahogany veneers; as the writing surface is pulled outward the cylinder top opens t...
Mahogany
Sold
H 75 in W 41.75 in D 20.75 in
Biedermeier Style Burled Birchwood Secretary Desk by Colombo Mobili
Located in Shippensburg, PA
BIEDERMEIER STYLE BURLED BIRCHWOOD SECRETARY DESK Executed by Colombo Mobili, ca. 21st century Item # 312SBP08Q A truly remarkable Biedermeier style secretaire a'abattant desk...
Brass
Antique Biedermeier Secretary Desk, Early 19 Century
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique Early 19C Biedermeier Secretary Desk Extended depth is 31". Additional information: Materials: Ebony Color: Light Yellow Per...
Ebony
Biedermeier Secretary Desk, South Germany, 1820
Located in Belmont, MA
This extraordinary Biedermeier secretary desk dates back to around 1820 and comes from southern Germany. The unique desk has a very pretty walnut veneer on the outside, with a beauti...
Walnut
Sold
H 31 in W 60 in D 28 in
Vintage Hickory White Biedermeier Maple Ebonized Writing Desk Library Table
Located in Dayton, OH
An impressive Biedermeier style desk by Hickory White, circa 1990s. Made from maple with ebonized accents and a polished glass top. Features a rectangular matchbook top with checkered inlay. Includes three drawers within the frieze and brass pulls. The desk is supported by beautifully flared square legs. Could double as a console or library table. No 27333-26 The White Furniture Co. was founded in 1881 in Mebane, NC. In 1902 the first furniture factory was founded in Catawba County, NC, (later to become the heart of the American furniture and textile industry) and was known as the Hickory Manufacturing Co...
Maple
Prewar Biedermeier Mahogany Secretary Desk
Located in Opole, PL
Prewar Biedermeier mahogany secretary desk We present you a mahogany secretary desk, circa before 1939, stylized as Biedermeier. This piece of furniture is composed of three drawers in the lower section and a sliding panel, which is covered by a cylindrical board. There are three compartments flush with the panel. The middle compartment has a liftable lid, whereas the two side ones can be closed with a sliding board...
Mahogany
Biedermeir Style French Wooden Writing Desk-Table with Drawer
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest that you read the entire description, as with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to ensure the authenticity of our objects. A fine ...
Oak
Biedermeier Figured Walnut Secretary
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular finished top over a drawer and a fold down desk opening to compartments and a writing surface over the other graduated drawers. Plinth base.
Mother-of-Pearl, Walnut
Sold
H 42.13 in W 70.87 in D 31.5 in
18th Century Biedermeier Shutter Desk Made in 1790s Austria, Restored
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
18th century Biedermeier shutter desk made in 1790s Austria, Restored The desk has been re-polished with polyutherane piano lacquer by our professional refurbishing team in Czechia ...
Cherry, Walnut, Spruce