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.
$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
Four 19th Century Hand-Colored Copper Engravings of Uniformed Men
Located in Hamburg, DE
This charming set consists of four hand-colored copper engravings from the 19th century, each depicting a uniformed man in striking detail. Represented are a Dragoon, a Grenadier, a ...
Wood, 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
$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
Zoological Original Lithograph Featuring "the gentle cat" from 1831-35
Located in Hamburg, DE
Transport yourself to the Biedermeier era with this exquisite and rare original lithograph from the book "Neue Bildergalerie der Jugend." Published between 1831 and 1835 by Carl Hell...
Paper
Continental Austrian Military Battalion Prints
Located in Queens, NY
13 Continental Austrian (19th Cent) colored prints of various military battalions in grey & silver trimmed frames (Militar Album aller Lander Die Oesterreich. Ungarische Armee) (...
$2,800 / item
Swedish Biedermeier Landscape Prints
Located in Queens, NY
6 Swedish Biedermeier (19th Century) landscape prints in birch frames with black lacquer trim (PRICED EACH)
Birch
19th Century Hand-Colored Copper Engraving of an Arab Warrior
By Adja Yunkers
Located in Hamburg, DE
This striking 19th-century hand-colored copper engraving depicts a detailed portrait of an Arab armed warrior, complete with a French subtitle specifying his exact designation. The c...
Wood, Paper
Vintage Framed Dutch Man in Hat Costume Print
Located in Queens, NY
Vintage Dutch lithograph after Franz Hals of a man in a hat and ruffled collar in a beige mat and rectangular wooden frame.
$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
$329Sale Price|28% Off
Colored, Framed Copper Engraving "Fuhrwerk II" Published by Winkelmann and Sons
Located in Hamburg, DE
Hand coloured, framed copper engraving "Fuhrwerk II" published by Winkelmann and Sons in Berlin in the mid-19th century. The print shows the vehicles of that time, four different ca...
Paper
Zoological Original Lithograph Featuring a Monkey from 1831-35
Located in Hamburg, DE
Transport yourself to the Biedermeier era with this exquisite and rare original lithograph from the book "Neue Bildergalerie der Jugend." Published between 1831 and 1835 by Carl Hell...
Paper
Zoological Original Lithograph Featuring "the Lama" from 1831-35
Located in Hamburg, DE
Transport yourself to the Biedermeier era with this exquisite and rare original lithograph from the book "Neue Bildergalerie der Jugend." Published between 1831 and 1835 by Carl Hell...
Paper
Pineapple botanical study framed Print from French original of 1812, New
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a delightful round framed print of a Pineapple study originally from a hand coloured early 19th Century French botanical illustration. Prints of this style were originally p...
Glass, Wood, Paper
$483
H 1.58 in Dm 27.56 in
Louisiana Heron Print from Audubon's Birds of America C1838 in Round Frame, New
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a digitally remastered print of a Louisiana Heron referenced from an Audubon Birds of America hand coloured print, originally from the 1800's ...
Glass, Wood, Paper
$135Sale Price|20% Off
H 10.63 in W 8.08 in D 0 in
Engraving of Wild and Domestic Cats from 19th-Century Zoological Study
Located in Langweer, NL
Title: "Hand-Colored Engraving of Wild and Domestic Cats from 19th-Century Zoological Study" Description: This hand-colored engraving, titled "Quadrupeds: Class I Mammalia, Order...
Paper
19th Century Pair of Framed Italian Hand Colored Engravings
Located in San Francisco, CA
19th century pair of framed Italian hand colored engravings One engraving depicts a scene from Florence, Italy The other depicts a sc...
Paper
Flamingo Print from Audubon's Birds of America C1838 in Round Frame, New
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a digitally remastered print of a Flamingo referenced from an Audubon. Birds of America hand coloured print, originally from the 1800's. Prints of this style were origina...
Glass, Wood, Paper
$212Sale 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
Set of 16 Large Original Antique Exotic Bird Prints, 1830s
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great set of bird prints Lithographs after the drawings by Cpt. brown. Original hand color. Unframed The measurement given below is for one print.
Paper
Set Four Hand Colored Pierre Gravees Antiques Engravings
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Fantastic 18th Century Antique Hand-Colored Engravings depicting Greek Mythological scenes. This set of artwork is from J.B. Wicar. These matted and gold gilt...
Glass, Wood, Giltwood, Paper
Complete Set of “Three Aquatints”, Prints by Robert Mangold
Located in Stamford, CT
A complete set of “Three Aquatints” prints by Robert Mangold. Published by Parasol Press Ltd., on Rives BFK paper. Each signed, numbered and annotated A, B, C in pencil. Framed using...
Paper
$507
H 1.58 in Dm 27.56 in
Roseate Spoonbill Print from Audubon's Birds of America C1838 Round Frame, New
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a digitally remastered print of a Roseate Spoonbill referenced from an Audubon Birds of America hand coloured print, originally from the 1800's Prints of this style were ori...
Glass, Wood, Paper
Set Of Four Hand Colored Engravings Of Dogs
Located in Essex, MA
Nicely framed featuring four different dog types.
Glass, Wood, Paper
$1,200
H 30.5 in W 40 in D 1 in
19th Century English Framed Hand Colored Engraving Print "The Bury Hunt" Scene
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a ranch or a hunting lodge with this elegant framed antique watercolor. Crafted in England circa 1880, and titled "The Bury Hunt," the scene shows a group of well-dressed me...
Paper, Glass, Burl
Sold
H 8.27 in W 10.63 in D 0.4 in
Zoological Original Lithograph Featuring "the Leopard" from 1831-35
Located in Hamburg, DE
Transport yourself to the Biedermeier era with this exquisite and rare original lithograph from the book "Neue Bildergalerie der Jugend." Published between 1831 and 1835 by Carl Hell...
Paper
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 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