Biedermeier Furniture

Deriving from the German word ‘bieder’, meaning conventional, and the common German surname ‘Meier’, the term Biedermeier, originally used derisively, refers to a type of elegant and functional 19th century furniture that continues to hold great appeal today.

Inspired by aspects of the French Empire style, Biedermeier furniture was popular in Germany, Austria and Scandinavia from around 1815 to 1850. Political unrest and increasing poverty in Europe had led the middle classes to withdraw into their own homes and develop a taste for handmade furnishings. Fashionable householders sought comfort as well as style, and, taking the lead from the aristocracy, the demand grew for homely and unpretentious furniture at affordable prices.ll types of functional furniture, from dining chairs to linen presses, were produced in the Biedermeier style.

Pieces were typically geometrical and solid in form, and scrolled shapes, including curved armrests and arched backs, became popular from about 1830. Generally, overly ornate decoration was rejected in favour of simple motifs inspired by Classical designs, such as columns and bead-and-reel details. Function and comfort were guiding principles. Light-coloured indigenous timber, such as elm, Birch and fruitwoods, were usually used in place of expensive imported woods in order to keep costs down. Coil-spring upholstery was employed in seat furniture to maximise comfort.

The homely nature, modest proportions and simple designs of Biedermeier pieces appeal to modern tastes, and as a result, prices remain strong for good pieces. /http:/www.millersantiquesguide.com/