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.
European 19th cent Miniature Tempera Painting Family Portrait
Located in Malmö, SE
Antique early 19th century. (1800 -1820s) framed European Tempera painting on a plate under glass in the original frame. Depiction of a happy family posing. The painting is signed "...
Wood, Paint, Glass
$476Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of 4 European Hand Colored Prints of Birds from 1830
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A set of 4 hand colored birds prints, from 1830. By Comte, Achille Joseph (1802-1866), "Keepsake d´histoire naturelle. Description des oiseaux. Suivie d´un exposé de l art de les pré...
Paper
$476Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set Of 4 European Hand Colored Prints Of Birds From 1830
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A set of 4 hand colored birds prints, from 1830. By Comte, Achille Joseph (1802-1866), "Keepsake d´histoire naturelle. Description des oiseaux. Suivie d´un exposé de l art de les pré...
Paper
Framed Engraving Portrait Renaissance Medici Pope, Leo X (1474-1521), 1860s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
An extraordinary Original Lithograph of Renaissance Medici Pope, Leo X (1474-1521). Beautiful hand crafted Biedermeier Frame. We believe it is from the 1860s. Viewable picture size ...
Glass, Wood
Pair of Dutch Delft Porcelain Landscape Wall Plaques
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Dutch blue and white Delft porcelain (19/20th Century) wall plaques with scalloped edge and landscape scene of windmills (one signed noir du Chattel.) (PRICED AS PAIR) (Relat...
Delft
Beautiful Chip Carving Picture Frame Antique Folk Art, Print of Louis XV. France
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A lovely picture frame made of hand carved wood, made in Sweden with a print of King Louis the XV. from France. Found at an estate sale in Stockholm, Sw...
Wood, Glass
$476Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of 4 European Hand Colored Prints of Birds from 1830
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A set of 4 hand colored birds prints, from 1830. By Comte, Achille Joseph (1802-1866), "Keepsake d´histoire naturelle. Description des oiseaux. Suivie d´un exposé de l art de les pr...
Paper
$855Sale Price|35% Off
Early 19th Century, Georgian Portrait Painting, Oil on Board, C.1820s
Located in London, GB
For sale a charming European late 18th, early 19th Century Georgian/Regency era oil on board portrait painting of a youthful person, possibly a scholar, believed to have been painted...
Gesso, Wood, Giltwood
Framed German Lithographed Portrait of a Seraphine, German Biedermeier 1860s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
An extraordinary Original Lithograph of the a Lady. Beautiful hand crafted Biedermeier Frame. We believe it is from the 1860s. Viewable picture size is approx. 8.88" high and 6.5" w...
Glass, Wood
$1,360Sale Price|28% Off
Scandinavian Empire Giltwood Concave Sided Sconce Mirror
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A Danish 19th century Biedermeier period wall sconce with brass candle holder and hanging glass prisms. It is all original, including the glass that has the typical "shadows" and pat...
Mirror, Giltwood
Dutch Delft Porcelain Landscape Wall Plaque
Located in Queens, NY
Dutch blue and white Delft porcelain wall plaque (19/20th Century) with scalloped edge and landscape scene of cottage by canal (signed T. Sonneville) (Related item: 043937B, 043937C...
Porcelain
Framed Engraving Portrait of Miss Chaworth, German Biedermeier Period 1860s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
An extraordinary Original Lithograph of the a Lady. Signed by Artist. Beautiful hand crafted gilded Biedermeier Frame. We believe it is from the 1860s. Viewable picture size is approx. 6.13" high and 5.25" wide. A nice addition to any room or library. Information about the artist: It was framed and sold by the Royal Bavarian art...
Glass, Wood
Framed German Lithographed Portrait of a Noble Lady, German Biedermeier 1860s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
An extraordinary Original Lithograph of the a Lady. Signed by Artist. Beautiful hand crafted gilded Biedermeier Frame. We believe it is from the 1860s. Viewable picture size is appr...
Glass, Wood
Continental Dutch Blue and White Hand Painted DIsplay Plate
Located in Queens, NY
Continental Dutch (18th Century) blue and white decorated charger / plate with a centered scene of a person on a lake fishing surrounded by floral patterns
Porcelain
$2,278
H 38.59 in W 10.63 in D 1.97 in
1860s Torricellian Barometer Oak Wood Negretti & Zambra Old Weather Instrument
Located in Milan, IT
Torricellian barometer of oak wood, signed Negretti & Zambra London from the second half of the 19th century, complete with reading vernier for checking the pressure variation and thermometer. Height 98 cm - 10.6 inches, width 27 cm - 38.5 inches, depth/thickness 5 cm - 1.96 inches. Very good condition, fully functional. For safety during transport the barometer will be shipped emptied of mercury. The mercury will be placed in a sealed container in the package together with the barometer. When it was discovered, that changes of atmospheric pressure are connected to changes of weather, barometers became very popular. Evangelista Torricelli...
Oak
Louis Vuitton Art Print in Vintage Italian Rustic Wood Frame
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Framed French Louis Vuitton Art Print in an Italian 19th Century Frame Louis Vuitton Print from Paris, France, framed in a one of a kind circ...
Wood, Paper, Gesso, Linen, Giltwood
Art Deco Pair of 'Folies Bergeres' Wall Plaques
Located in Devon, England
This is a super rare opportunity to acquire a pair of these beautifully reduced versions of the facade bas-relief of the Folies-Bergères cabaret. One time designer, Pico who created ...
Plaster
$211Sale Price|20% Off
H 6.7 in W 10.04 in D 0 in
Beautiful Decorative Hand-Colored Print of a Golden Pheasant from China, C.1840
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'Le Faisan doré de la Chine'. Old print of the golden pheasant. Source unknown, to be determined. Artists and Engravers: Made by or after Georges-Louis Le Cl...
Paper
$775
H 6.25 in W 3.75 in D 0.25 in
Early 19th Century Fancy Maiden Miniature Portrait Embroidered Frame
Located in Newfoundland, PA
Hand painted early 19th century miniature under glass. Finely painted details on this lovely lady. In a brass oval frame, with floral embroidery surround. Painting measures 2.5 in x...
Metal
$720Sale Price|44% Off
H 30.71 in W 35.04 in D 2.96 in
Japanese Antique Wabi-Sabi Wood Board 1860s-1900s / Wall Decoration
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an old Japanese wooden board called “Mochiita” (rice cake board). It was used during the Meiji period (1860s-1900s) and is made of pine wood with a rich texture. As the name ...
Pine
$900
H 32.68 in W 27.56 in D 2.37 in
Japanese Antique Door Wall Decoration 1860s-1900s / Abstract Art Wabi Sabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This piece was originally a sliding door from a traditional Japanese kura (storehouse). It is believed to date to the Meiji period (1860s–1900s) and represents a remarkably primitive...
Straw, Cedar
$560Sale Price|30% Off
H 25.99 in W 21.66 in D 1.58 in
Japanese Antique Small Door Wall Decoration 1860s-1900s / Abstract Art Wabi Sabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an old small window frame made in Japan. It was originally used as a traditional Japanese mud wall fixture. It dates back to the Meiji period (1860s-1900s) and has been in us...
Bamboo, Cedar
Antique Giltwood Picture Frame. English 18th Century
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Lovely Georgian giltwood picture frame Carved pine with shallow gesso and gilt Original patina Internally or sight measures 19.25 x 24 inches. 48.5 x 61 cm Free UK shipping
Giltwood
$3,500
H 72.84 in W 48.04 in D 2.56 in
Japanese Antique Huge Door " Wall Decoration " 1860s-1900s / Wabi Sabi"
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
Japanese Antique Huge Door " Wall Decoration " 1860s-1900s / Wabi Sabi This extraordinary large sliding door was once used in an old warehouse in Japan. Dating back to the Meiji per...
Iron
$600
H 25.99 in W 17.33 in D 1.97 in
Japanese Antique Door "Wall Decoration" 1860s-1900s / Abstract Art Wabi Sabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This was a very old Japanese warehouse (kura) window sliding door. It was made during the Meiji period (1860s-1900s). The frame is made of cedar wood and the lattice is bamboo. It w...
Bamboo, Cedar
$650
H 18.51 in W 15.56 in D 1.97 in
Antique Door "Wall Decoration" from Japan 1860s-1900s / Abstract Art Wabi Sabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This was a very old Japanese warehouse (kura) window sliding door. It was made during the Meiji period (1860s-1900s). The frame is made of cedar wood, and the base is hardened with s...
Cedar
Pair of Outdoor Italian Neo-Classic Iron Wall Plaques
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of Outdoor Italian Neo-classic style iron wall mounted plaques possibly fountains in the form of a dolphin (PRICED AS PAIR).
Iron
Sold
H 38.98 in W 33.47 in D 1.38 in
Midcentury German Latin School Alphabet Typography Pull Down Chart
Located in Rümmingen, BW
Designed to be aesthetically pleasing and informative, this mid-century Latin-German School Alphabet Poster makes a stunning addition to any space. It'...
Metal
Sold
H 7.13 in W 4.75 in D 1 in
Pair of Beautiful Gilded Wall Hangings Ornaments Antique Swedish, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A lovely pair teasel gold gilt wall art Sculpture ornament. Found at an estate sale in Stockholm, Sweden. It is not marked. A nice addition to your colle...
Metal
Wooden Antique Special Overdoor or Over Mirror or Headboard
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Elegant antique wooden sculpture in Biedermaier style, with a beautiful female face. Suitable over a padded headboard or a mirror. O/6459.
Fruitwood
Set of 4 European Hand Colored Prints of Birds from 1830
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A set of 4 hand colored birds prints, from 1830. By Comte, Achille Joseph (1802-1866), "Keepsake d´histoire naturelle. Description des oiseaux. Suivie d´un exposé de l art de les pr...
Paper
Sold
H 26.38 in W 21.26 in D 1.97 in
Rococo 18th Century Danish Baker's Sign, Origin: Denmark, Circa 1760 - 1780
Located in New York, NY
Gorgeous Rococo 18th century Danish Baker's Sign with Kringle and crown, origin: Denmark, circa 1760 - 1780, all original gilt wood and paint. When Copenhagen was occupied in 1658...
Giltwood
Sold
H 40.95 in Dm 11.82 in
Antique 19th Century Red Copper and Wood Bedpan Bed Heating for the Rich in 1860
Located in Lisse, NL
Social history and beautiful decoration at the same time. This mid-19th century, handcrafted bedpan is a fine example of a utilitarian item from a time when heating was all but normal. We have been walking the earth for thousands of years, but this antique bedpan...
Copper
Sold
H 22.75 in W 18.75 in D 1 in
Set of Eight Prussian Hand Colored Framed Military Lithographs, Circa 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
Set of eight Prussian hand colored framed military lithographs. Early 19th Century