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.
$3,650Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Biedermeier Marquetry Chess Table
Located in Darmstadt, DE
This elegant octagonal game table dates back to around 1830 and impresses with its intricate marquetry work and timeless craftsmanship. The tabletop features a detailed chessboard ma...
Walnut, Pine, Ash, Birch
Rectangular Biedermeyer Game Chess Side End Table with Drawer
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Classic game table featuring a built-in chessboard of in-laid fruitwood on the surface. The wood table features a single drawer with a handle to store chess pieces. The table was des...
Wood, Fruitwood
Early 19th Century Flip-Top Game Table with Inlaid Chessboard
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
Early 19th Century Flip-Top Game Table with Inlaid Chessboard Refined early 19th-century game table, designed for chess and card games, exemplifying the understated elegance and fin...
Cherry, Maple, Walnut
Early 19th Century Game Table, South German, 1810-20
Located in Belmont, MA
This unique game table dates back to the early phase of the Biedermeier period. It comes from Southern Germany. The game table has a beautiful walnut root veneer on top and apron. ...
Walnut
Round Italian Gueridon Table on Fluted Tapered Legs Pull Out Trays Two Drawers
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Round Italian Gueridon Table on Fluted Tapered Legs Pull Out Trays Two Drawers MINT
Brass
19th Century Swedish Card Table Mahogany Wood
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Beautiful Swedish Card Table in Mahogany Wood, 19th Century. This card flip top game table has strong brass hardware.
Mahogany
$2,353Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century, Ash Wood Late Biedermeier Game Table
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Petite small game or console table made of ash wood. The table dates from the Late Biedermeier period around 1850. The top of the table can be rotated by 90° and thereby unfolded. So...
Ash
$25,200Sale Price|28% Off
Fine & Rare 19th Century Mahogany Marquetry Biedermeier Style Center Hall Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine and rare Biedermeier style 19th century mahogany marquetry center hall table, the circular top with conforming frieze above a tulip shaped shaft, raised on spheres above ...
Fruitwood, Mahogany
Austrian Biedermeier Period 19th Century Walnut Guéridon with Four Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Austrian Biedermeier period walnut guéridon table from the 19th century with radiating veneer and banding. Created in Austria during the Biedermeier period, this walnut guéridon f...
Walnut
France Table Style, Biedermeier, 1847
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
French Desk style: Biedermeier Year 1847 If you have any questions we are at your disposal. Pushing the button that reads 'View All From Seller'. And you can see more objects to the ...
Wood
Late Biedermeier Game Table, Mahogany with Leather Inset, Circa 1840
Located in Greding, DE
Late Biedermeier gaming table raised on four cabriole legs with a baluster, fluted shaft. The square top opens to a circular playing surface, inset with black leather. Dimensions whe...
Wood, Mahogany
Austrian 19th Century Biedermeier Walnut Game Flip Top Table
Located in Berlin, DE
Austrian/Vienna 1st half of 19th century Biedermeier walnut game flip flop top table, ca. 1840: A Biedermeier extending game table made of wal...
Felt, Glass, Walnut
Custom Chess Set and Game Table
By Bridges over Time Originals
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A custom made walnut and maple chess set and game table we commissioned. It is solidly made with squares of curly maple and walnut. The table legs and borders are solid walnut. The c...
Birdseye Maple, Oak, Walnut
Italian Round Rustic Game Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
Italian style rustic round game table with molded edge, made of mahogany, acacia and oak parquetry with reversible leather and chess inlaid center, an inlaid Backgammon board well, on an octagonal flared column pedestal base. Includes a wooden chess set...
Wood
$1,850
H 16.88 in W 41.88 in D 27.88 in
Baker Sheraton Style Mahogany Oval Cocktail Table With Pull Out Trays
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Baker Furniture well figured mahogany oval cocktail table with satinwood inlay, two conforming pull out trays and the whole resting on four tapering legs with brass caps and casters....
Brass
$1,801
H 31.89 in W 29.93 in D 16.54 in
Antique Italian Walnut Console Desk Side Table with Carved Legs
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful antique Italian solid walnut side table console desk with four beautiful walnut carved legs connected to one another with central decorated stretchers and detailed by the b...
Wood
$4,767
H 29.14 in Dm 42.52 in
Paolo Buffa round center or game table, walnut, five hidden drawers, 1950
By Paolo Buffa
Located in Rome, IT
elegant and fine game table by Arch. Paolo Buffa, circa 1950 also available as a center table five sculptural and carver legs, five hidden drawers, inlayed patterned top very good ...
Walnut
19th Century Mahogany Card Table
Located in Martlesham, GB
Early 19th century mahogany card table, the moulded edge shaped top opening to reveal a green baize playing surface, the shaped frieze below with carved leaf decoration at each side,...
Mahogany
$4,800
H 29.53 in W 21.26 in D 16.15 in
Game Table with Backgammon and Chess Board, France 19th century
Located in Belmont, MA
Discover an exceptional Victorian Game Table, originating from the 1860s. This rectangular table stands on four beautifully twisted legs, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship. The top ...
Kingwood
19th Century French Game Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
This 19th-century French game table is a masterful blend of form and function, showcasing the exquisite craftsmanship characteristic of the period. Made from fine walnut, the table f...
Walnut
Antique French 19th Game Table, Chess, Backgammon & Cards
Located in Senonches, Centre-Val de Loire
Antique 19th game table or side table, perfect in a living room or office. The table can be divided in three ways: the first with a chess board, the second with a read leather board ...
Walnut
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Era Walnut Chess Table, Circa 1885
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique 19th century English Victorian era walnut chess table, circa 1885.
Walnut
$4,450
H 29.25 in W 23.5 in D 23.5 in
Italian 19th Century Walnut, Mahogany and Ash Game Side Table with Marquetry Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian walnut, mahogany and ash game side table from the 19th century with marquetry top, turned pedestal and carved tripod base. This exquisite Italian game side table from the ...
Ash, Mahogany, Walnut
$1,836Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.75 in W 23.75 in D 23.75 in
Victorian Mahogany Game Chess Table with Inlay Banding & Barley Twist Legs C1880
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fantastic and unusual base chess game table with inlaid board squares and banding on the perimeter of board. Rope banding on edge of all sides of the top. Fabulous base created with ...
Brass
3 piece 20th century burr birch games table and armchairs
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
3 piece 20th century burr birch games table and armchairs circa 1980. Good quality games table and chairs, set comprises of 2 armchairs and a games table. Table with inlaid chess b...
Birch
Biedermeier Chess Table, Octagonal Marquetry, Germany, 1830
Located in Darmstadt, DE
An elegant Biedermeier chess table from circa 1830, featuring a finely inlaid marquetry top with a central chessboard surrounded by intricate geometric and ornamental patterns. The o...
Ash, Birch, Walnut, Pine
Sold
H 31.89 in W 35.44 in D 17.92 in
Biedermeier Walnut Veneered Flip-Top Game Table on Pedestal Base, circa 1850
Located in Ulm, DE
This Biedermeier flip-top game table from circa 1850 showcases the refined elegance of early 19th-century Central European design. Crafted from softwood with a rich walnut veneer, th...
Leather, Nutwood
19th Century Biedermeier Marquetry Chess Table, Germany
Located in Darmstadt, DE
This exquisite 19th-century Biedermeier chess table is a true testament to masterful marquetry craftsmanship. Made in Germany around 1835, it features an intricately inlaid chessboar...
Walnut, Pine, Ash, Birch
Biedermeier Game Table in Walnut, early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
An elegant Biedermeier game table crafted from walnut in the early 19th century. The table stands on tall, gracefully curved saber legs and features a simple, straight apron. The fol...
Walnut
3 piece 20th century burr birch games table and armchairs
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
3 piece 20th century burr birch games table and armchairs circa 1980. Good quality games table and chairs, set comprises of 2 armchairs and a games table. Table with inlaid chess b...
Birch
19th century Swedish burr birch tea table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century Swedish burr birch tea table circa 1880. Beautiful quality burr birch occasional table, made to showcase the stunning grain on all surfaces. D end shaped top, which ro...
Birch
Cherrywood Game Table with green Felt Cover, early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
A game table on tall, square legs with brass sabots and straight frames. The triple-folded table top is veneered on one side and covered with green felt on the other. Rotating the ta...
Cherry
19th Century Biedermeier Marquetry Chess Table, Germany
Located in Darmstadt, DE
The chess table stands on a central baluster column, which in turn rests on three cantilevers on the floor. The table top with a decorated chessboard is a very beautiful marquetry wo...
Pine, Fruitwood, Walnut
Biedermeier Game Table in Birch, Baltic States, early 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite game table features three curved legs with intermediate bracing and a deep straight apron adorned with indicated dentil strip. It boasts six drawers and a radially ven...
Birch
19th Century Biedermeier Game Table with Ebonized Pedestal Legs
Located in New York, NY
Wooden game table with 40-inch circular table top and black pedestal legs. Working drawers accented with gold hardware. Ebony tripod legs with curving feet.
Ebony
Biedermeier Game Table in Birch, Baltic States, Early 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Large game table on three curved legs with intermediate bracing and deep straight frame with indicated tooth-cut decoration, six drawers and radially veneered round table top. The li...
Birch