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 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
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
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
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
$5,560Sale Price|20% Off
Biedermeier Cherrywood Sideboard, Southern Germany, Circa 1825
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
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
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
$6,537Sale 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
Biedermeier Small Italian Sideboard, Sapele Wood, Inlays, 1885-1890
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
Dutch Mahogany Veneer Sideboard with Curved Front, Circa 1850
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
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 English Oak Sideboard
Located in High Point, NC
19th century oak sideboard from England with a beveled edge around the top, following down to paneled sides and two drawers in the front with raised geometric panels, flanked by hand...
Oak
$1,300Sale 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
$6,800
H 38 in W 70.25 in D 19.25 in
Early 19th Century French Empire Mahogany Sideboard W/ Carrara Marble
Located in Astoria, NY
A handsome early 19th century French Empire buffet enfilade sourced in Provence, France. The façade is veneered in bird’s-eye maple with fine natural figuring, framed by a solid maho...
Carrara Marble, Brass
$2,356Sale Price|20% Off
H 37.8 in W 50.79 in D 24.02 in
Mid 19th Century Louis Philippe Antique Buffet in Solid Walnut
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
We present this antique Italian sideboard, crafted from solid walnut and dating back to the mid-19th century. This sideboard features typical Louis Philippe period features, with und...
Walnut
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
19th Century French Renaissance Henry II Walnut Buffet
Located in Forney, TX
A most impressive antique, circa 1880, French carved walnut marble-top top buffet- sideboard server with nicely aged patina. Born in France during the late 19th century Renaissance Revival, hand-crafted of warm, rich solid walnut, exceptionally executed in 16th century King Henry II...
Marble, Brass
$56,800
H 64.5 in W 41.75 in D 20.25 in
Antique German Biedermeier Secretaire, Cherrywood & Burlwood, 1820
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 19th Century, antique German Biedermeier tall secretaire with a writing flap made of hand crafted shellac polished, partly veneered Cherrywood and Burlwood, in good condition. The ...
Metal, Brass
$5,422
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
Architectural Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Cabinet
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A very rare and elegant Biedermeier cabinet of architectural form. Very simple in design with a fantastic and warm burr-ash veneer, accentuated with ebonized thread inlay, discs and ...
Ash, Fruitwood
Midcentury Sideboard in Walnut, Sweden, circa 1940
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and well made example of the Nordic sensibility- form and function working together. Featuring three internal compartments, one on each side and a generous center compart...
Walnut
19th Century Country English Provincial Pine Sideboard Server
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Diminutive 19th century country English provincial sideboard server, buffet, or cupboard crafted from pine. Perfectly sized chest of drawers that is very versatile with small enough ...
Brass
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 Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
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