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Biedermeier Collectibles and Curiosities

Biedermeier Style

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.

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Style: Biedermeier
Large 1920's Globe on Wood Base
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large Vintage Globe on Wood Base, circa 1920's Decorate an office or a desk with this beautifully preserved antique globe. Crafted in Europe, circa 1920's this piece is mounted on a...
Category

1920s European Vintage Biedermeier Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

19th Century Biedermeier or Empire Piano Lars P. Cornwall
Located in Berlin, DE
Cuba mahogany veneer, partial solid mahogany wood As an instrument made in Stockholm, it is already a rarity, since the capital or region was for Tafelklaviere Stuttgart. There they were mainly found in middle-class households. At the corners rounded body, mostly veneered and inlaid. It is in an age-related optical state. The mechanics are in working order, but should be checked by the piano...
Category

19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Historical Judaical Freemasonry Memorial Plaque Vienna-Paris 1861-1886
Located in Doha, QA
This is an absolutely rare and one of a kind custom made Plaque represents the History of Jewish People and their acceptance in society and freemasonry through out the world. The Plaque had been hand crafted and designed by August Klein- Purveyor to the Imperial and Royal Court of the Emperor Franz Josef of Austria. The Revolution of 1848 in the Austrian Empire seen by many Jewish intellectuals as a welcome opportunity to agitate for the emancipation of their community. Generally the social evolution of the Jewish community, the growing number of Jews who wanted to become Masons,their cultural integration, and the progress of the process that would soon lead to their legal emancipation all worked in favor of this change in attitude. In Austria it all started in 1742, only 25 years after the founding of the Grand Lodge of London and Winchester, the Lodge "Aux Trois Canons” was consecrated in Vienna by a Lodge from Breslau. It was, however, closed only six months later by order of “Empress” Maria Theresa I. Her husband Franz Stephan von Lothringen, (later the German Emperor Franz I...
Category

19th Century Austrian Antique Biedermeier Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Silver, Bronze, Enamel

1850 Austrian Enamel Coin Purse
Located in Vienna, AT
For sale is a unique little Biedermeier coin purse. Its case is made of brass covered in royal blue enamel. The lid displays an oval gold colored frame filled with white enamel with ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Austrian Antique Biedermeier Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Biedermeier Walnut Miniatur Chest of Drawers
Located in Darmstadt, DE
The miniature or model chest of drawers dates back to the Biedermeier period and was made with walnut veneer on a softwood body. The chest of drawers is in very good restored conditi...
Category

Early 19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Walnut, Softwood

Bastone da Passeggio di Ispirazione Massonica, Con Intagli in Filigrana Ottone
Located in Felino, IT
bastone da passeggio di ispirazione Massonica. in legno ebanizzato, con intagli in filigrana di ottone . manico con intagli a forma di pesci. stelo in legno ebanizzato con intagli a ...
Category

1980s Liechtenstein Vintage Biedermeier Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Switzerland Mahogany Ebonized Hinged Music Box with Three Cylinders, C. 1880
Located in Hollywood, SC
Rare Switzerland mahogany & ebonized hinged music box with the original crank, three interior paper labels, and cylinders. Music box is stamped by maker and is In working condition, ...
Category

1880s Swiss Antique Biedermeier Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel

19th Century Savings Box Biedermeier Period German Silver 13 Lot
Located in Epfach, DE
Beautiful small piggy bank from the Biedermeier period in silver 13 lot. Decorated with rocailles and leaves, beautifully worked out; in front a finely engraved monogram with the fi...
Category

1850s German Antique Biedermeier Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver

Antique Meerschaum Smoking Pipe with Silver Figural Standing Lion Top & Mounts
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique meerschaum smoking pipe bowl is unsigned, but presumed to have been made in Germany or Austria in approximately 1900 in the period Biedermeier style. The body of the pip...
Category

Early 20th Century German Biedermeier Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver

Antique Biedermeier Styled Smoking Pipe Head or Bowl with a Hand-Painted Female
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique and hand-painted smoking pipe head is unsigned, but presumed to have been made in Austria in approximately 1880 in the period Biedermeier style. This tall pipe bowl has ...
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Biedermeier Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Porcelain

Mint C. and Large Antique Display Shell Box w. Beveled Glass Top & Silver Spoons
Located in Lisse, NL
Fine quality and condition, 1860s box with perfect working silver lock and key. This handcrafted spoon box is another one of our recent great finds. It comes with beautifully shaped...
Category

Mid-19th Century Dutch Antique Biedermeier Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Silver

Bavarian Pharmacy Balance
Located in New Orleans, LA
This amazing and extremely rare Bavarian Biedermeier-period pharmacy balance stand would have been at home at any apothecary’s shop during the mid-19th century. Crafted of walnut with bold giltwood accents, this stand holds eight separate sets of balances with brass beams and pointers, and weighing pans made of Horn, brass and porcelain. The balances measure out varying sizes; the largest is capable of measuring up to 500 grams, while smallest weighs up to 5 grams. Such balances would have been essential tools in the practice of compounding, or creating customized medications to suit a specific patient's needs. The delicate porcelain scales even indicate what they were used to weigh: one set is marked “Jodoform,” or iodoform, a disinfectant and antiseptic once used to treat wounds, and the other is marked “Venena,” which is Latin for “poisons.” Each scale also exhibits stamps indicating that they have been tested for accuracy. It is extremely rare to find such a large array of scales, especially those in such wonderful condition, in one collection. This intriguing piece is a must for any medical antiques enthusiast. The units of measurement in which apothecaries worked were often minute: grains, scruples, drams and ounces. As they were typically used to measure very small amounts of ingredients, apothecary and analytical balances...
Category

19th Century Balkan Antique Biedermeier Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Miniature of a Gentleman of the Biedermeier Period, Brass Frame, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Rectangular miniature painting of a gentleman in Biedermeier clothes, with brown curly hair in front of a grey background. Brass frame.
Category

19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

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Rare 19th Century English Tunbridgeware Hair Pin or Slide
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Late 19th Century English Antique Biedermeier Collectibles and Curiosities

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Previously Available Items
Swedish Miniature Birch Secretary Writing Desk, 19th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A Swedish 19th Century Biedermeier 3-drawer chest and writing desk with drop down top and a series of small drawers inside. Original antique wooden handles...
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1820s Swedish Antique Biedermeier Collectibles and Curiosities

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Birch

Continental Miniature Chest
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Fine fruitwood veneers - quality design and workmanship.
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Early 20th Century European Biedermeier Collectibles and Curiosities

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Wood

Continental Miniature Chest
Continental Miniature Chest
H 5.5 in W 8.75 in D 4.25 in
Biedermeier by Angus Wilkie, Pub. 1987
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Biedermeier by Angus Wilkie published in 1987 by Abbeville Press. The dust cover is illustrated in full color with a portrait of the author on the inside rear of the dust jacket. The...
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1980s American Vintage Biedermeier Collectibles and Curiosities

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Paper

19th Century Antique Wooden Sledge from Germany
Located in Hamburg, DE
This rare antique sledge still has the original painting from the 19th century. From the outside it is painted in a beautiful rust red and has a golden ...
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19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Collectibles and Curiosities

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19th Century Antique Wooden Sledge from Germany
19th Century Antique Wooden Sledge from Germany
H 24.02 in W 43.31 in D 26.38 in
Late 19th Century French Book Stand Rack Made of Rosewood
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Beautiful antique book stand. The stand is adjustable in 9 positions. The base is made of oak and veneered with rosewood. The sides have beautiful i...
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1880s German Antique Biedermeier Collectibles and Curiosities

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Wood

Swedish Silver Thimble Ring Dated 1846
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A silver thimble ring from Sweden. Dated 1846, and marked Q4 which is the year 1846 in the silver stamping system. The silver maker was called "Axel Gabri...
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1840s Swedish Antique Biedermeier Collectibles and Curiosities

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Silver

Swedish Silver Thimble Ring Dated 1846
Swedish Silver Thimble Ring Dated 1846
Free Shipping
H 0.79 in W 1.46 in D 0.63 in
Wood Liquor Decanter Travel Bar Box with Gold Rimmed Glasses Biedermeier
Located in DE
Beautiful dark wood box with two gold rimmed liquor glasses and two decanters with red pearls. This lovely Travel Bar was made circa 1820 Biedermeier i...
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1820s European Antique Biedermeier Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Gold

Biedermeier Hardcover Coffee Table Book
Located in Oakland Park, FL
Biedermeier--the style prized by the Avant Garde of central Europe in the 19th century and in America today. An unrivaled sourcebook for those interested in the furniture and decor o...
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1980s North American Vintage Biedermeier Collectibles and Curiosities

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Impressive Walking Stick / Strolling Stick 835 Silver
Located in Berlin, DE
Impressive walking stick / strolling stick 835 silver, pearwood Solid pearwood with 835 crescent moon and silver mount crown, circa 19th century. Th...
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19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Collectibles and Curiosities

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19th Century Biedermeier Adjustable Wooden Duet Sheet Music Stand AAA+ Condition
Located in Lisse, NL
Antique and stunning stand for sheet music or books. This antique musicians stand is not only in excellent condition, it also is highly practical and a stylish piece to look at. It ...
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Late 19th Century Dutch Antique Biedermeier Collectibles and Curiosities

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Wood

Polyphone Gloriosa Model Christmas Tree Stand Musical Player with Records
Located in Lisse, NL
Highly collectible Kalliope record player / Christmas tree stand with 19 metal discs. This museum quality and condition music player and Christmas tree stand into one could be the ideal gift for yourself or for a friend. If you love the most wonderful time of the year and you have a passion for antique music playing devices then maybe you should be the next custodian of this striking Gloriosa model with its original, cast iron tree holder and crank. This best-condition-that-we-have-ever-seen player, which again looks so much better in real life than in our photos, comes with as much as 19 antique metal...
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Early 20th Century German Biedermeier Collectibles and Curiosities

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Brass, Bronze, Iron

Miniature Portrait Painting, Biedermeier Young Lady, Dated and Signed, Vienna
Located in Vero Beach, FL
A young lady in a dress of white and light blue with gentle swirling design. Her raven hair is dressed with peonies. The off the shoulders costume draws attention to a long neck and ...
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19th Century German Antique Biedermeier Collectibles and Curiosities

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Biedermeier collectibles and curiosities for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Biedermeier collectibles and curiosities for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage collectibles and curiosities created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, decorative objects, case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Biedermeier collectibles and curiosities made in a specific country, there are Europe, Germany, and Austria pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for collectibles and curiosities differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $609 and tops out at $95,000 while the average work can sell for $1,544.

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