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.
Photographic reproduction “Goethe in the Campagna”
Located in Wiesbaden, DE
Photographic reproduction “Goethe in the Campagna” is a painting by the German artist Johann Heinrich Wilhelm Tischbein, created in 1787. The painting depicts the famous German poet ...
Glass, Hardwood, Paper
Pair of Interesting Biedermeier Chairs antique circa 1840 Cherry Wood veneer
Located in Berlin, DE
A pair of interesting Biedermeier chairs, circa 1840 Cherry tree, straight frame on flared, ball-shaped legs. Rectangular backrest frame with finely curved end and corresponding cen...
Cherry
Classical Basket Chandelier in antique Biedermeier Style glazed
Located in Berlin, DE
Finely engraved bronze. Net grid with hand ground crystal stones.
Brass
Biedermeier Chimney Clock with Inlays, circa 1860
Located in Berlin, DE
Rosewood with tendril and thread inserts. Rectangular base with four columns and the clock hung under the architrave. Dial Email. Gold-plated brass bezel and decorated gold compensat...
Beech
Lyra Sewing Table in Biedermeier Style
Located in Berlin, DE
Maple roots on solid pinewood. Literary Proven: “Biedermeier Möbel” by Georg Himmelheber, 197, p.152. Measures: Width:62 cm, Height:82 cm, Depth:49 cm.
Birdseye Maple
Classic Basket Chandelier in Antique Biedermeier Style Silver Plated Bronze
Located in Berlin, DE
Decorative bronze, silver plated. Basket-shaped, profile-framed body made of handcut and wired octagonal prism strings connected by bows and garlands with wide, ornamental relief hoops. Based on this, six candlestick...
Bronze
Pair of Biedermeier Giltwood Three-Light Sconces. Spectacular Water gilding.
Located in Buchanan, MI
A pair of Biedermeier giltwood three-light sconces. Measures: Height 12 1/2 x width 17 inches. Excellent condition. Beautiful watergilding.
Giltwood
Biedermeier Top Showcase or Vitrine, Cherry wood, South Germany circa 1830
Located in Regensburg, DE
Beautiful unadorned Biedermeier Vitrine or Top Showcase, display case or two-part bookcase in cherry veneer from south Germany around 1830. Cherry wood veneered on softwood. Upper pa...
Iron
Italian Biedermeier style wooden round pedestals or columns, early 1800s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Biedermeier style wooden round pedestals or columns, early 1800sPair of round wooden pedestals. The plan features six geometric lines that intersect in the center. The rectan...
Wood
Biedermeier Mirror, Mahogany, Birch and Thuja Roots Wood, Austria, circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Biedermeier Wall Mirror, Mahogany, Birch and Thuja Roots Wood, Austria circa 1820 Mahogany solid wood. Birch root wood (round arch). Dyed thuja roots wood. Very good patinated and ...
Mirror, Birch, Mahogany
20th Century Biedermeier Style Sewing Table
Located in Berlin, DE
Lyre sewing table in Biedermeier style. Maple roots on solid pinewood. Literary Proven: “Biedermeier Möbel” by Georg Himmelheber,197, p.152 (G-Sam-1).
Wood, Maple, Pine
Restored Biedermeier Set Of Four Oak Walnut Chairs, Vienna, Austria, 1820s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Restored Biedermeier Set Of Four Chairs. Source: Vienna, Austria Period: 1820-1829 Material: Oak, Walnut Seat height: 49 cm / 19.29″ Filigree Viennese chair model. Stable construc...
Wood, Walnut, Fabric, Upholstery, Oak
Biedermeier Expandable Table, Cherry Wood, Chestnut, France, circa 1820
Located in Regensburg, DE
Rectangular Biedermeier dining table from France, circa 1820, extendable on both sides. * Beautiful solid cherry wood, hand-polished with shellac. * Conical, square tapered legs in s...
Cherry, Chestnut, Oak
Restored Empire Chair, Made in the 19th Century in Austria, Restored Elm, 1830s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Biedermeier chair Completely restored, new fabric and upholstery included. Source: Austria, Wien - Architect Josef Danhauser Period: 1830-1839 Shellac-polish.
Fabric, Wood, Walnut, Lacquer
Biedermeier Center Table, Fruitwood, Inlaid Round Top, 20th Century
Located in Queens, NY
Continental Biedermeier style (20th Century) fruitwood pedestal base end / center table with a banded inlaid round top and 3 scroll forms resting on a triangular base
Fruitwood
20th Century Biedermeier Style Basket Chandelier
Located in Berlin, DE
Classical basket chandelier in Biedermeier style Basket-formed corpus. Baldachin crowning. Six torch-formed light-arms. (F-Hs-40).
Crystal, Brass
20th Century Biedermeier Style Basket Chandelier
Located in Berlin, DE
Basket chandelier in Biedermeier style. Finely engraved brass. Hangings from finely ground crystal. (F-Ra-29).
Crystal, Brass
20th Century Biedermeier\Classicist Style Basket Chandelier
Located in Berlin, DE
Basket chandelier in Biedermeier\Classicist style. Silvered bronze. Basket formed corpus. Adorned with classicist basket-form. (F-Mr-02-Bas).
Bronze
20th Century Biedermeier Style Nickel-Plated Brass Ceiling Chandeliers
Located in Berlin, DE
Classicist antique ceiling chandeliers in the Biedermeier style, circa 1900. Nickel-plated brass. Baluster-shaped corpus of hand-wired, fac...
Brass, Nickel
20th Century Biedermeier Style Basket Chandelier
Located in Berlin, DE
Basket chandelier in Biedermeier style. Finely engraved, silver gilded brass. Hangings from finely ground crystal. (F-Ra-30).
Brass
Beautiful Biedermeier Side Table Mahogany, circa 1860
Located in Berlin, DE
Beautiful Biedermeier side table mahogany, circa 1860 Solid wood, mahogany partially veneered. Fully turned balustrade shaft on 4 volute feet. A drawer. Profiled and mottled cove...
Marble
Antique Porcelain Table Lamp "Schweriner Castle", circa 1880
Located in Berlin, DE
Antique porcelain table lamp "Schweriner Castle", circa 1880. Porcelain belly, in the center view of the Schwerin castle framed with a ...
Porcelain