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.
Large Biedermeier Longcase Clock in Cherrywood, Germany circa 1820
Located in Greding, DE
Elegant, tall Biedermeier longcase clock with a finely veneered cherrywood case. The slender middle section features a door with an octagonal panel. The base is highlighted by a gree...
Cherry
$6,006Sale Price|35% Off
19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Crotch Maple Grandfather Clock
Located in Dallas, TX
Handsome 19th century Austrian Biedermeier crotch maple grandfather clock. Beautiful wood grain and ebonized details. Very special!
Maple
Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Wall Clock
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A traditional Austrian Biedermeier wall clock featuring a rectangular carved and gilded wood frame clock face; surmounted by a gilt bronze winged eagle. The decorations on the frame ...
Bronze
French Empire Style Mantel Clock, circa 1820
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very impressive and stylish early 19th Century gilded ormolu and green marble mantle clock, having two classical maidens either side feeding Rams, an Eagle above the circular white...
Marble, Ormolu
Beautiful Antique English Grandfather Clock, Oak, 19th Century
Located in Berlin, DE
Beautiful antique English grandfather clock, oak, 19th century. English floor clock, oak with thread inlay, hand painted dial with...
Oak
$5,577
H 82.68 in W 20.08 in D 9.06 in
Beautiful Antique English Grandfather Clock, Mahogany, 19th Century
Located in Berlin, DE
Beautiful antique English grandfather clock, mahogany, 19th century. English floor clock, oak with thread inlay, hand painted dial...
Oak, Mahogany
$4,958
H 87.01 in W 30.71 in D 8.67 in
19th Century Swedish Rococo tall case clock Mora clock Grandfather clock
Located in Boden, SE
19th Century Swedish antique beautiful Mora clock " Tall case clock " Grandfather clock from Boden,Norrbotten Northern Sweden. The Mora clock is original painted. It has a lovely b...
Pine
$4,150
H 91.75 in W 18.25 in D 10 in
Early 19th Century Original Painted Swedish Mora Grandfather Clock
Located in Round Top, TX
Early 19th-century Swedish Mora clock crafted in pine with an original brick-red-brown painted finish. The long case features hand-carved details, especially around the opening refer...
Pine
Swedish Painted Longcase Clock
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th century painted pine tall clock by Mogens Peter Westh. Painted brass face. Clock face contains the designer's name and is dated 1879. Intricate details were created by a true cr...
Wood
Swedish Case Clock, circa 1820
Located in Huntington, NY
A tall Swedish case clock from Smaland with traditional wood carvings and unique plaster decor. Scraped to original green, gold, salmon and white paint. Clock is sold as a decorative...
Brass, Iron
19th Century Original Blue Painted Swedish Mora Grandfather Clock
Located in Round Top, TX
Antique Swedish Mora Grandfather clock with original blue painted finish. The monogram indicates this clock was likely a wedding or dowry present. Pine longcase with original folk a...
Pine, Paint
19th Century French Comtoise or Morbier Grandfather Clock
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century Country French comtoise, or grandfather clock, with polychrome painted pine case and embossed brass pendulum. Seven day Morbier movement, professionally cleaned and in...
Brass, Enamel
$1,073
H 74.41 in W 16.54 in D 7.88 in
Longcase Clock/Bornholm Clock Red Painted With Carved Details From 1820s
Located in Lejre, DK
Bornholm longcase clock from the 1820s, red painted with decorative carved details and classic period styling. An original antique clock with strong character and authentic craftsman...
Wood
Guillerme & Chambron Longcase Clock in Oak with Brass Accents
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme et Chambron for Votre Maison, longcase clock, oak, brass, steel, France, 1960s. Wonderful and large clock designed by Guillerme and Chambron. The piece shows a natural and...
Brass, Steel
Sold
H 80.71 in W 27.17 in D 11.82 in
Antique Biedermeier Grandfather Clock, Longcase, Sweden, Birchwood, circa 1830
Located in Greven, DE
Unusual antique grandfather clock Sweden birch around 1830 Dimensions: Height 205 cm, Wide 69 cm, Deep 30 cm Description: Antique Longcase clock...
Birch
Sold
H 82.68 in W 21.66 in D 9.85 in
Swedish Antique Mora Clock Biedermeier Carved Detail Ormolu 1800s French Polish
Located in Lewes, England
Rare example of a decorative 1800s antique Swedish mora clock in the Biedermeier style with ornate sunrise motif at the waist and ormolu style hood with stunning hand carved detailin...
Wood
Sold
H 85.5 in W 19.25 in D 11.5 in
Continental, Fruitwood and Giltwood Tall Case Clock, Early 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
having a Biedermeier influence, the upper section having an arched top with giltwood dentile upper apron with columns flanking the glass door opening to reveal the clockworks which a...
Fruitwood
Biedermeier Regulator Longcase Clock in Fruitwood Case
Located in Montreal, QC
A fine Biedermeier regulator longcase clock in fruitwood case. The upper section with glazed door and sides, the lower, enclosed by single shaped...
Brass
19th Century, Old Antique Grandfather Clock
Located in Berlin, DE
Light oak. Slim, two-door corpus on closed base. Front facets glazed. With rich carvings. Black numbers on a wide brass ring. Two weights. The clock must be repaired by a watchmaker.
Sold
H 87.25 in W 20 in D 12 in
19th Century Antique German Biedermeier Grandfather Clock in Flame Mahogany
Located in Round Top, TX
Exceptional antique Biedermeier grandfather clock from Germany, circa 1830. A pair of ebonized pillars with brass Corinthian capitals anchor the base with the upper casework and add ...