Biedermeier Half Cabinet
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Dra...
Walnut, Spruce
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Cabinets
Oak, Walnut, Softwood
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Iron, Gold Leaf
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Dra...
Walnut, Spruce
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Dra...
Cherry, Spruce
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Dra...
Spruce, Cherry
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Spruce, Walnut
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut, Spruce
Antique Mid-19th Century German Louis Philippe Commodes and Chests of Dr...
Walnut, Spruce
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Cabinets
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut, Spruce
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut, Spruce
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Dra...
Cherry, Spruce
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Dra...
Cherry, Fruitwood
Antique Early 19th Century European Biedermeier Cabinets
Wood, Birch
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Dra...
Walnut
Antique Early 1800s French Biedermeier Cabinets
Brass
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century European Biedermeier Bookcases
Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Dra...
Stone
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Dra...
Stone
Antique Early 19th Century European Biedermeier Secretaires
Birch
Antique Early 19th Century European Art Deco Dressers
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century German Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Dra...
Cherry, Oak, Softwood
Antique 1820s Austrian Biedermeier Cabinets
Brass
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Cabinets
Hardwood, Cherry, Softwood, Burl
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Cabinets
Brass, Iron
Antique 1840s Austrian Biedermeier Sideboards
Walnut
Antique 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Cabinets
Ash
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut, Spruce
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Dra...
Walnut, Spruce
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Dra...
Spruce, Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of D...
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Wardrobes and Armoires
Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Bookcases
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Wood
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Vitrines
Brass, Iron
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
Antique Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Gold
Antique Early 19th Century French Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Dra...
Cherry
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Softwood
Antique 1870s Swedish Biedermeier Secretaires
Mahogany
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Dra...
Wood
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Night Stands
Brass
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Night Stands
Brass
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Cabinets
Cherry, Softwood
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Oak, Pine, Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of D...
Nutwood
Antique 1820s German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Dra...
Walnut, Pine
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Dra...
Walnut, Pine
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Dra...
Walnut, Spruce
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Dra...
Walnut, Spruce
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Spruce, Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Dra...
Oak, Walnut, Pine
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Dra...
Spruce, Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut, Spruce
Antique Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Dra...
Spruce, Walnut
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Biedermeier Half Cabinet For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Biedermeier Half Cabinet?
A Close Look at Biedermeier Furniture
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.
Finding the Right Case Pieces And Storage Cabinets for You
Of all the vintage storage cabinets and antique case pieces that have become popular in modern interiors over the years, dressers, credenzas and cabinets have long been home staples, perfect for routine storage or protection of personal items.
In the mid-19th century, cabinetmakers would mimic styles originating in the Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI eras for their dressers, bookshelves and other structures, and, later, simpler, streamlined wood designs allowed these “case pieces” or “case goods” — any furnishing that is unupholstered and has some semblance of a storage component — to blend into the background of any interior.
Mid-century modern furniture enthusiasts will cite the tall modular wall units crafted in teak and other sought-after woods of the era by the likes of George Nelson, Poul Cadovius and Finn Juhl. For these highly customizable furnishings, designers of the day delivered an alternative to big, heavy bookcases by considering the use of space — and, in particular, walls — in new and innovative ways. Mid-century modern credenzas, which, long and low, evolved from tables that were built as early as the 14th century in Italy, typically have no legs or very short legs and have grown in popularity as an alluring storage option over time.
Although the name immediately invokes images of clothing, dressers were initially created in Europe for a much different purpose. This furnishing was initially a flat-surfaced, low-profile side table equipped with a few drawers — a common fixture used to dress and prepare meats in English kitchens throughout the Tudor period. The drawers served as perfect utensil storage. It wasn’t until the design made its way to North America that it became enlarged and equipped with enough space to hold clothing and cosmetics. The very history of case pieces is a testament to their versatility and well-earned place in any room.
In the spirit of positioning your case goods center stage, decluttering can now be design-minded.
A contemporary case piece with open shelving and painted wood details can prove functional as a storage unit as easily as it can a room divider. Alternatively, apothecary cabinets are charming case goods similar in size to early dressers or commodes but with uniquely sized shelving and (often numerous) drawers.
Whether you’re seeking a playful sideboard that features colored glass and metal details, an antique Italian hand-carved storage cabinet or a glass-door vitrine to store and show off your collectibles, there are options for you on 1stDibs.