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.
20th-C. Neoclassical Biedermeier Style Custom Maple Linen Press Cabinet
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a late 20th century neoclassical Biedermeier style custom maple linen press cabinet. It was probably intended to be a media piece. The interior has two removable shelves. The...
Maple
$11,500
German Oak Kas / Linen Press
Located in Woodbury, CT
German oak kas with bracket top, raised panel doors, chamfered and fluted corners, two drawers, block feet. Compass inlay on frieze and doors. Unique raised...
Oak
$2,875Sale Price|20% Off
19th-Century Biedermeier Mahogany Wood and Veneer Linen Press
Located in Opole, PL
19th-Century Biedermeier Mahogany Wood and Veneer Linen Press Furniture made of mahogany wood and mahogany veneer on softwood, dating back to the first half of the 19th century. Sin...
Mahogany
Large 19thC English Breakfront Mahogany Carved Linen Press
Located in Staffordshire, GB
Large 19thC English Breakfront Mahogany Carved Linen Press sku 2016 Together W228 x D66 x H217 cm Base W219 x D63 x H217 cm Top W228 x D66 x H217 cm Weight 185Kg SHIPPING DIMENSIONS ...
Mahogany
Large English Early 19thC Mahogany Linen Press
Located in Staffordshire, GB
circa 1800 Large English Early 19thC Mahogany Linen Press sku 1962 Together W145 x D64 x H220 cm Base W139 x D62 x H103 cm Top W145 x D65 x H117 cm Weight 162 kg
Mahogany
Antique Linen Press
Located in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire
A fine George III Sheraton period oval panelled mahogany linen press of a good color and patina: The cupboard with three cedar lined slides and oak lined d...
Wood, Mahogany
18th-century Mahogany Linen Press
Located in Brussels, Brussels
A charming 18th-century mahogany linen press A superb linen press or sideboard composed of a lower section with 4 drawers and an upper section that opens with two doors The lower sec...
Mahogany
English George lll, Linen Press Cabinet, Burl Mahogany, 1815
Located in Stamford, CT
English George lll, Linen Press Cabinet, Burl Mahogany, 1815 This Burl Mahogany George III Linen Press is a striking piece that showcases the elegance and craftsmanship of 19th-cent...
Mahogany
English Mahogany Wardrobe / Linen Press
Located in Woodbury, CT
This two-door, two-drawer wardrobe / linen press in finely grained mahogany is just the right size for that guest room with no closet. Not too big so as to take up too much space, bu...
Mahogany
$2,965
H 72.25 in W 49.5 in D 21 in
Baker Furniture Milling Road Shaker Style Carved Pine Linen Press or Bar Cabinet
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Shaker style linen press, bookcase hutch, or bar cabinet By Baker Furniture, "Milling Road" Collection USA, Circa 1990s Carved solid natural pine, with original b...
Brass
19th Century English Oak Georgian Linen Press / Cabinet
Located in Viterbo, VT
Linen press /cabinet hand-made in England in the early 1800s using oak and pegged construction. The linen press is two-bodied with a top cabinet sitting on drawers. The cabinet has s...
Oak
English Mahogany Linen Press. Circa 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
English mahogany one drawer linen press with lower two door cabinet revealing original pull out shelves, and terminating on stylized bun feet. Early 19th Century.
$31,900Sale Price|44% Off
H 93 in W 73.5 in D 25 in
Dutch Chippendale Burl Walnut Bombay Linen Press with Orig. Brasses, Circa 1780
Located in Charleston, SC
Dutch Chippendale burl walnut bombay graduated three-drawer linen press with serpentine carved floral cartouche, flanking foliage hinged doors,...
Brass
Large English Regency Mahogany Linen Press
Located in Staffordshire, GB
circa 1800 Large English Regency Mahogany Linen Press sku 1933 Base W143 x D65 x H100 cm Top W153 x D71 x H121 cm Together W153 x D71 x H221 cm Weight 136 kg
Mahogany
$45,500
H 100 in W 74 in D 26 in
18th Century Mahogany Dutch Rococo Bombe Kast or Linen Press, c. 1750
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
An exquisite 18th century Dutch Bombe Kast or linen press in fine Cuban mahogany with all of the original bronze d'ore mounts. From the mid-1700s, this Kast stylistically follows the...
Bronze, Ormolu
1800s German Black Patinated Linen Cabinet
Located in High Point, NC
This antique linen cabinet was crafted in Germany, circa 1800. A beautifully patinated tall black cabinet standing on ball feet, featuring two front...
Brass
19th Century Biedermeier Linen Cabinet
Located in Opole, PL
We present you this neat piece of furniture of a simple form, circa the late 19th century, veneered with mahogany. The main section of the cabinet with a single-leaf door hides a de...
Mahogany
19th Century Walnut and White Marble Linen Press with One Door
Located in Miami, FL
19th century walnut and white marble linen press with one door.
Marble