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.
19th Century German Biedermeier Birchwood Pedestal, Circa 1830
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A 19th Century, antique German Biedermeier single pedestal made of hand crafted shellac polished, partly veneered Birchwood in good condition. The detailed center furniture, podium i...
Birch
Swedish Biedermeier Style Birch Pedestal Drop Leaf Table, 20th Century
Located in Southampton, NY
Swedish Biedermeier style birch pedestal drop leaf table, 20th century. A beautiful golden birch pedestal table with drop leaves, an octagonal column sitting on a central platform w...
Birch
19th Century French Empire Pair of Antique Polished Mahogany Pedestals
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique French pair of pedestals-torchers made of hand crafted Mahogany, in good condition. Each of the detailed Parisian shellac polished podiums are composed with a small centre...
Mahogany
Biedermeier Burl Walnut Pedestal Cabinet with Ebonized Trim
Located in Queens, NY
Biedermeier Austrian/German (19th Century) burl walnut tall oval shaped pedestal cabinet with a large single front door and ebonized banded trim.
Burl, Walnut
Biedermeier Drum Cabinet, Walnut Veneer, Marble, France circa 1830
Located in Regensburg, DE
Beautiful, small Biedermeier / Restoration drum cabinet, table or pedestal from France, circa 1830. * Octagonal body in walnut veneer with ebonized trim at the bottom. * Standing on ...
Marble, Iron
Pair of Tapered Light Tiger Maple Bronze Mount Large Square Pedestals MINT!
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of Tapered Light Tiger Maple Bronze Mount Large Square Pedestals MINT!
Bronze
1900s Italian Hexagonal Pedestal Pilar Maple Cupboards End Tables, a Pair
Located in Miami, FL
Small pillar pedestal cupboard or nightstands. Biedermeier period circa 1830/1840. Solid Maple. One door with original functional keys. Wonderful side pa...
Maple
Studio Craft Tropical Olive Wood Pedestal Table by Gregg Lipton
By Gregg Lipton
Located in Hanover, MA
Pedestal table custom made by studio artist Gregg Lipton of Cumberland Maine circa 1989. From the estate of Lipton's parents. American Modern in...
Olive
Outdoor Painted Iron Fluted Column Pedestal, Biedermeier Style, Europe
Located in Queens, NY
Outdoor painted iron fluted column pedestal with round top (20th Cent.)
Iron
Austrian Biedermeier Mahogany Davenport Table, Ebonized Trim, 1920s
Located in Queens, NY
Continental Austrian style (1920s) mahogany davenport table with a pedestal base supporting a top with drop sides (9") & a drawer on a base with ebonized trim & claw feet.
Mahogany
$2,286Sale Price|31% Off
Early 19th Century Biedermeier Walnut Flower Stand, circa 1830
Located in Darmstadt, DE
This early 19th century Biedermeier flower stand is a refined and elegant example of the restrained design language typical of the period. Crafted around 1830, the piece is walnut ve...
Walnut
Italian Neoclassical French Empire Grey & Gold Painted Wooden Column Pedestal
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Italian Neoclassical / French Empire Style Grey & Gold Painted Floral Drape Carved Wood Column Pedestal (painted finish appears to ...
Wood, Paint
$12,000 / set
Pair of American 1940s Neo-Classical Pedestals
By McMillen
Located in New York, NY
This pair of walnut-veneered, black marble and brass neoclassical pedestals bear a striking resemblance to those that appeared in the rooms decorated in by Eleanor Brown of McMillen ...
Marble, Brass
$3,430Sale Price|24% Off
H 32.49 in W 34.45 in D 17.92 in
Small Biedermeier Walnut Half Cabinet with Drawer, South Germany circa 1830
Located in Darmstadt, DE
Elegant small Biedermeier half cabinet from Southern Germany, circa 1830. The charming piece is veneered in richly grained walnut on a solid spruce body, displaying the warm tones an...
Walnut, Spruce
$1,567Sale Price|30% Off
H 29.53 in Dm 17.33 in
19th Century French Pedestal Table in Veneered Wood Louis XV Style
Located in Sofia, BG
Elegant round pedestal table in veneered wood and bronze elements, arched legs joined by a crotch plate, built-in marble tray, Louis XV style. France, circa 1870. Measures: H 75, D...
Mahogany
Classic 19th Century Swedish Round Pedestal Table
Located in Charleston, SC
Elegant Swedish pedestal table with circular top and turned base supported by carved slender scrolling legs in Gustavian style. Useful for many places, easy to move around. Värmland,...
Pine, Paint
Lane Walnut and Burl Cabinet
Located in Pasadena, TX
Lane walnut and burl cabinet Versatile cabinet with shelving. Ideal for record storage. Brass pulls. 32.25 Width x 18 Depth x 29.25 Height.
Walnut
Late Empire Cylinder Burl Walnut Pedestal Cabinet.
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant oval late empire pedestal cabinet in beautiful walnut veneered oak. Door veneered with mirror-cut walnut, behind which there are removable shelves. Very fine quality Made in ...
Oak, Walnut, Burl
French Art Deco Burl Walnut Cabinet with Shelf Display
Located in Troy, MI
This Art Deco cabinet showcases book-matched burl walnut veneer across the door fronts and sides. Two doors with chrome ball pulls on gold-tone bases open to reveal interior storage ...
Chrome
$3,999
H 29.73 in W 14.97 in D 14.97 in
Walnut Wood Square Tapered Column Pedestal Hidden Secret Storage Compartment
Located in Barcelona, ES
Spanish neoclassical carved wood column dedestal stand with secret compartment and paw Feet, Spain, 1930-1940. This square tapered pedestal stand is beautifully adorned by hand-carve...
Wood, Walnut
$6,250 / set
H 43 in W 18.25 in D 18.25 in
Hollywood Regency Neoclassical Ebony Pedestals, Bronze Mounted Marble Tops, Pair
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of Hollywood Regency neoclassical ebony pedestals. Each having bronze mounts and white marble tops. This strong sturdy pair of column form styl...
Bronze
$3,976Sale Price|20% Off
H 36.23 in W 37.01 in D 20.48 in
19th Century Biedermeier Walnut Half Cabinet / Commode
Located in Darmstadt, DE
This elegant Biedermeier half cabinet was crafted in South Germany around 1830. The piece is veneered in beautifully grained walnut with a striking, book-matched pattern. The interio...
Walnut, Spruce, Oak
Danish Art Deco Pedestal Cabinet in Ebonized Mahogany
Located in Kastrup, DK
Danish art deco pedestal cabinet in ebonized mahogany. Offers a convex front with a single door that opens to reveal five shelves. Made in high quality by carpenter master Otto Meyer...
Mahogany
19th Century Swedish Late Gustavian Pedestal Cabinet
Located in Allerum, SE
A Swedish late Gustavian to early Empire pedestal cabinet, circa 1810-1820. The piece features a front door panel detailed with a textured pewter and lead mount. The classical mount ...
Pewter
Mid-20th Century Walnut Wood Square Top Pedestal Table
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-20th century walnut wood square top pedestal table (3 items available).
Walnut
Sold
H 25.6 in W 22.84 in D 16.54 in
Swedish Biedermeier Antique Lyre Pedestal Table, French Polish, 19th Century A
Located in Lewes, England
Wonderful and unusual 19th century, Swedish Biedermeier lyre pedestal table in a rich deep honey French polish finish. This table has a pullout drawe...
Pine
Sold
H 25.6 in W 22.84 in D 16.54 in
Swedish Biedermeier Antique Lyre Pedestal Table, French Polish, 19th Century A
Located in Lewes, England
Wonderful and unusual 19th century, Swedish Biedermeier lyre pedestal table in a rich deep honey French polish finish. This table has a pullout dr...
Pine
Sold
H 38.75 in W 14.25 in D 14.25 in
Pair Antique Austrian Walnut Biedermeier Drum Pedestal Cabinets Nightstands 1830
Located in Portland, OR
A very stylish pair of antique Austrian circular drum form walnut Biedermeier cabinets, circa 1830. Each cabinet having ebonized friezes to the top & base, each with a door enclosing...
Walnut
Biedermeier Style Small Round Pedestal Accent Table
Located in Malibu, CA
Elegant diminutive occasional /pedestal table, walnut veneers, simple center medallion. Six-sided stem sits on a base with three feet.
Walnut
Biedermeier Walnut Pedestal Cabinet
Located in Essex, MA
Cylindrical with a cabinet door with brass handle.
Walnut
Sold
H 49 in W 19 in D 19 in
19th Century German Pair of Biedermeier Mahogany Pedestals - Antique Podiums
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique early pair of German Biedermeier pedestals made of hand crafted shellac polished, partly veneered Mahogany, in good condition. Each of the detailed podiums are composed with three shelving, consisting its original brass hardware and keys, supported by a thick wooden...
Metal, Brass
Biedemeier Style Tall Walnut Pedestal Table
Located in Malibu, CA
Bleached walnut veneered pedestal table, a statement for a jardiniere or sculpture. Natural oiled finish which can be stained, dyed or ebonized for additional charge
Walnut
Early 19th Century Round Biedermeier Center Table
By Walter Biedermann
Located in Malibu, CA
Biedermeier Pedestal table supported by a central six sided pedestal column resting on a triangular base with ebony accents. Restored in a warm honey brown.
Fruitwood, Walnut
Round Biedermeier Drum Cabinet, Walnut Veneer, Austria, Vienna circa 1830
Located in Regensburg, DE
Magnificent restored Biedermeier period drum cabinet / drum table from Austria / Vienna around 1830. Walnut veneered on softwood (pine) and solid walnut, ebonized decorative strips. ...
Stone, Brass
Sold
H 34.65 in W 20.87 in D 20.87 in
Octagonal Biedermeier Drum Table, Cherry Veneer, Austria, Vienna, circa 1830
Located in Regensburg, DE
Rare neoclassical Biedermeier drum table or small cabinet with octagonal body from Austria / Vienna around 1830. Bright yellow cherry wood ve...
Brass
Sold
H 23.75 in Dm 21.75 in
Vintage Birdseye Maple Viennese Biedermeier Style Pedestal Plant Stand Table
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 20th century Biedermeier style side table, features a two tier design with bird’s-eye maple and black lacquer supports.
Birdseye Maple, Lacquer
Neoclassical Biedermeier Style Hand Painted Pedestal Stand Side Table Dining
Located in Dayton, OH
Neoclassical Biedermeier style hand painted pedestal stand side table dining Hand painted accent or breakfast table (optional glass available, diameter 54"). Features a mix of Bie...
Hardwood