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.
Mid 19th century Swedish birch buffet sideboard
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century Swedish birch buffet sideboard circa 1840. We are pleased to offer this stunning piece of mid 19th century craftsmanship found on our travels around Scandinavia. L...
Mirror, Birch
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
Small Biedermeier Sideboard, Southern Germany, circa 1835
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Biedermeier pillar or chest of drawers Southern Germany Cherry Biedermeier around 1835 Dimensions: H x W x D: 91 x 70 x 40 cm Description: Cabinet standing on round feet w...
Cherry
Pair of Baltic Empire-Style Black and Green Marble, Mahogany and Parcel-Gilt
Located in Queens, NY
"Pair of Baltic Empire-style (19/20th Century) 2-door credenzas with mahogany cabinets with carved gilt and ebonized swan heads on the front supports, topped with a shaped piece of b...
Giltwood
Mid-19th Century Italian Biedermeier Cabinet, Carrara Marble Top Wax Finished
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Mid 19th Century Italian Biedermeier cabinet sideboard in solid wood walnut folder , white Carrara marble top , restored and wax finished Measure cm: H 80 W 110 D 53 This Bied...
Walnut
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
$6,629Sale Price|25% Off
Late Biedermeier Solid Cherry Sideboard from Switzerland, circa 1850
Located in Darmstadt, DE
This Swiss sideboard dates to the late Biedermeier period around 1850, at a moment when the stylistic transition toward Historicism had already begun. It is crafted from solid cherry...
Brass
$5,689Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Biedermeier Cherrywood Sideboard
Located in Darmstadt, DE
This charming Biedermeier sideboard originates from Southern Germany and dates to around 1825. Crafted entirely from solid cherrywood, the piece features a beautiful, warm grain and ...
Cherry
Dutch Mahogany Veneer Decoratively Carved Credenza / Sideboard
Located in Queens, NY
"Dutch (19th Century) mahogany veneer credenza / sideboard with a curved front, central cabinet door with oval carved and fluted decoration which opens to reveal an open compartment,...
Mahogany
$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
Biedermeier Style Small Italian Sideboard
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest that you read the whole description, as with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects. Exce...
Sapele Wood
19th Century French Oak Sideboard Buffet
Located in Round Top, TX
French oak sideboard buffet featuring three central drawers flanked by two paneled doors with inviting deep patina. Original French brass hinges and pulls remain; locks may operate ...
Oak
18th Century Welsh Dresser
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine 18th century English or welsh oak dresser, having richly molded crest over scalloped fascia, the divided shelves with plate grooves and standing on molded top over three drawers...
Oak
19th Century White Painted Swedish Cabinet Sideboard
Located in Round Top, TX
Gustavian pine sideboard or buffet with traditional decorative fluted diamond panels on cabinet doors. Later professionally painted in layered shades of antique white and lightly di...
Brass
Sideboard Walnut Carved
Located in Toronto, CA
Walnut sideboard three drawers and four doors, carved pillars and back splash.
Walnut
19th Century Biedermeier Cabinet
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
19th Century Biedermeier Cabinet, Austria, 1830 Birchwood, Biedermeier two door cabinet standing on four block feet with harmonious birch...
Birch
$1,299Sale Price|30% Off
H 33.47 in W 34.26 in D 16.34 in
Antique circa 1900 Flamped Hardwood Gilt Bronze Sideboard in the Regency Taste
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely antique circa 1900 flamed mahogany gilt bronze and brass sideboard in the Egyptian revival style A well made and nicely decorated piece. This based on the early Egyptian revival pieces, its very English fine furniture...
Hardwood
Late 19th Century White Swedish Sideboard Buffet
Located in Round Top, TX
Late 19th-century Swedish pine sideboard buffet in the Gustavian style, featuring a three-drawer over three-door configuration. Traditional Swedish diamond motifs are carved across t...
Pine, Paint
$6,950
H 43.5 in W 59.75 in D 22.5 in
Italian 19th Century Walnut Buffet with Three Drawers over Two Molded Doors
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian walnut buffet from the 19th century, with three drawers, a pair of molded doors and delicately carved front feet. Created in Italy during the 19th century, this walnut buf...
Brass
French Alpine Rustic Folk Art Cabinet, France 19th Century
Located in Aartselaar, BE
This 19th-century French Alpine rustic folk art cabinet embodies the charm and authenticity of traditional mountain craftsmanship. Handcrafted from solid oak wood, its surface bears ...
Wood, Oak
$4,150
H 39.25 in W 45.75 in D 19 in
Late 19th Century Swedish Gray Painted Gustavian Style Sideboard Buffet
Located in Round Top, TX
Late 19th century Swedish Gustavian style sideboard or buffet crafted in pine with two drawers over fluted cabinet doors. The case features fluted side columns topped with carved flo...
Pine, Paint
$6,300
H 43.25 in W 59.5 in D 20.5 in
Early 19th Century Swedish Gray Painted Sideboard Buffet Cabinet
Located in Round Top, TX
The attractive soft color pallet of this Swedish pine cabinet or sideboard comes from the original hand-painted light gray finish which has been gently scraped and softly distressed ...
Pine
Catalan Carved Walnut Sideboard, 1940s
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
"Architecture should speak of its time and place, but yearn for timelessness." — Frank Gehry A testament to Catalan craftsmanship, this 1940s solid walnut sideboard reflects the reg...
Walnut
19th Century German Biedermeier Sideboard, Cherry, circa 1825
Located in Greven, DE
Biedermeier Sideboard Southern Germany (Franconia) Cherry tree Biedermeier around 1825 Dimensions: H x W x D: 92 x 94 x 39 cm Description: Antique sideboard or demi-cupboard from ...
Cherry
Sold
H 36.23 in W 31.11 in D 20.08 in
Early 19th Century Biedermeier Sideboard, Chest of Drawers, Cherry, circa 1815
Located in Greven, DE
Biedermeier sideboard in cherry Southern Germany - Bavaria Cherry tree Biedermeier around 1815 Dimensions: H x W x D: 92 x 79 x 51 cm Description: Strict, early and absolutely cub...
Cherry
Sold
H 33.08 in W 36.23 in D 20.08 in
Pair of Early 19th Century Biedermeier Chests or Sideboards, Walnut, c. 1825
Located in Greven, DE
Pair of Biedermeier chests of drawers or sideboards South Germany (Baden) Walnut Biedermeier around 1825 Dimensions: H x W x D: 84 x 92 x 51 cm each Description: Extremely rare pa...
Walnut
19th Century German Biedermeier Sideboard, Walnut, circa 1825
Located in Greven, DE
Biedermeier Sideboard West Germany Walnut Biedermeier around 1825 Dimensions: H x W x D: 89 x 87 x 45 cm Description: Piece of furniture standing on block feet with two doors flan...
Walnut
Early 19th Century Puristic Rustic Oak Sideboard
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
A early 19th century provincial sideboard in purist design. Solidly made of oak. The old wax has been largely sanded off the surface, revealing the beautiful texture of the oak wood...
Oak
Small Biedermeier Sideboard, Chest, Cherry, circa 1830
Located in Greven, DE
Small Biedermeier sideboard in Cherry Saxony Cherry tree Biedermeier circa 1835 Dimensions: H x W x D: 82 x 68 x 37 cm Description: Fancy...
Cherry
Biedermeier Walnut Cabinet
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Fine biedermeier walnut cabinet in very good original condition with signs of usage.
Walnut
Sold
H 31.5 in W 45.67 in D 22.44 in
Biedermeier Cherrywood Chest of Drawers, 19th Century, Austria, circa 1825
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Early 19th century cherrywood chest of drawers from the famous Biedermeier period in Austria around 1825. This elegant shaped, almost 200 year old charming commode provides two large...
Brass
Sold
H 45.5 in W 55 in D 19 in
Elegant Biedermeier Style Sideboard Cabinet with Multiple Drawers and Shelves
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Elegant large Biedermeier inspired blonde wood sideboard cabinet having handsome inlay around the top, stylish brass hardware, multiple drawers a...
Wood
19th Century Biedermeier Ebonized Commode. Vienna, c. 1825.
Located in Vienna, AT
This elegant and rare ebonized commode represents the early Viennese Biedermeier period. Ebonized Biedermeier pieces were mostly made in Vienna, Austria and account for only 1-2 % o...
Fruitwood
Sold
H 36 in W 36.2 in D 18.1 in
19th Century Biedermeier Nutwood Trumeau Commode, Austria, circa 1860
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Fantastic Biedermeier nutwood trumeau commode from the second period in Austria around 1860. This compact Biedermeier commode shows a fine nutwood vene...
Nutwood, Spruce, Maple
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