Biedermeier Paperweights
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.
to
1
2
1
1
1
503
144
89
25
23
19
15
10
9
7
7
4
4
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
Height
to
Width
to
2
2
2
Style: Biedermeier
Swedish early 20th century solid burr birch mallet
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 20th century solid burr birch mallet circa 1900.
Turned from a solid piece of burr birch this sculptors mallet has little signs of use. 1 piece, handle with feint turned deta...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Biedermeier Paperweights
Materials
Birch
Paperweight, Probably Vienna, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Rectangular white lacquered paperweight with silver-plated fittings and handle and polychrome city view on cardboard, framed behind glass.
Category
19th Century Austrian Antique Biedermeier Paperweights
Materials
Paper
$1,529 Sale Price
20% Off
Related Items
An Italian Grand Tour Specimen Marble Paperweight, Late 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The round paperweight framed in black marble, with porphyry and sienna marble and other marble specimens. The center in sienna marble with carved bea...
Category
1850s Italian Antique Biedermeier Paperweights
Materials
Belgian Black Marble
Vintage Silver Thermometer, Italy, Early 20th Century
Located in Roma, IT
This vintage silver thermometer is a precious decorative object realized in the 1910s.
Silver frame with weather thermometer. Frame with floral decorations.
On the back footres...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Biedermeier Paperweights
Materials
Silver
Early 20th Century Brass Plaque by Bezalel School Jerusalem
Located in New York, NY
Bezalel brass plaque depicting a Jewish elder next to the Western Wall, made in Jerusalem, circa 1920, bearing a small metal label engraved "Bezalel Jeru...
Category
Early 20th Century Israeli Biedermeier Paperweights
Materials
Brass
Fancy Antique Swedish Telephone Early 20th Century
Located in Rochester, NY
Fancy brass , black lacquer with gilded decoration. A work of art. Swedish Coat of arms on dial. . Circa 1910. Working condition. Made by L.M. Ericsson, Stockholm, Sweden.
Category
Early 20th Century Biedermeier Paperweights
Materials
Brass
Late 19th Or Early 20th Century Glass Inkwell
Located in Greven, DE
Faceted Amethyst Glass Inkwell with Brass Lid
Origin: France
Material: glass, brass
Date: circa 1900
Dimensions:
H × D: approx. 6 × 12 c...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Biedermeier Paperweights
Materials
Bronze
Antique Grand Tour Pietra Dura Specimen Paperweight 19th C
Located in London, GB
This is a superb decorative antique Italian Grand Tour marble Pietra Dura mounted desk paperweight, circa 1880 in date.
This splendid rectangular paperweight is exquisitely inlai...
Category
1880s Italian Antique Biedermeier Paperweights
Materials
Agate, Amethyst, Malachite, Onyx, Marble
Early 20th Century Sable Shaped Letter Opener
Located in Meer, VAN
Early 20th Century Sable Shaped Letter Opener.
A letter opener with a very distinct sable style design - early 20th century or even late 19th century. Shows a nice patina.
About O...
Category
Early 20th Century European Biedermeier Paperweights
Materials
Brass
19th Century Bookstand
Located in High Point, NC
19th century bookstand from England made from rosewood. The handles are hand-turned along with the spindles, which terminate on the ends with lovely lyre inspired shaped pieces. The ...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Biedermeier Paperweights
Materials
Rosewood
Antique Grand Tour Pietra Dura Specimen Top Paperweight, 19th C
Located in London, GB
This is a superb decorative antique Italian Grand Tour marble Pietra Dura mounted desk paperweight, circa 1880 in date.
This splendid rectangular paperweight is exquisitely inlaid with a sumptuous arrangement of semi-precious stones including malachite, agate, onyx and amethyst.
It is beautifully inlaid on a slate base.
Not only is this desk paperweight very functional, but it is also an exquisite mineralogical wonder that can be admired by all discerning collectors.
Condition:
In excellent condition, please see photos for confirmation,
Dimensions in cm:
Height 2 x Width 17 x Depth 10
Dimensions in inches:
Height 1 inch x width 7 inches x depth 4 inches.
Pietra dura is a term for the inlay technique of using cut and fitted, highly polished coloured stones to create images. It is considered a decorative art.
Pietre dure is an Italian plural meaning "hard rocks" or hardstones; the singular pietra dura is also encountered in Italian. In Italian, but not in English, the term embraces all gem engraving and hardstone carving, which is the artistic carving of three-dimensional objects in semi-precious stone, normally from a single piece, for example in Chinese jade.
The traditional convention in English has been to use the singular pietra dura just to denote multi-colored inlay work. However, in recent years there has been a trend to use pietre dure as a term for the same thing, but not for all of the techniques it covers, in Italian.
But the title of a 2008 exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Art of the Royal Court: Treasures in Pietre Dure from the Palaces of Europe used the full Italian sense of the term, probably because they thought that it had greater brand recognition. The material on the website speaks of objects such as a vase in lapis lazuli as being examples of "hardstone carving (pietre dure)"
The Victoria & Albert Museum in London uses both versions on its website, but uses pietra dura. "A method of inlaying coloured marbles or semi-precious stones into a stone base, often in geometric or flower patterns...."
Giovanni Montelatici...
Category
1880s Italian Antique Biedermeier Paperweights
Materials
Agate, Amethyst, Malachite, Onyx, Marble
Early 20th Century Polished Brass Renaissance Style Inkwell
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
An antique ink stand, made of polished brass, completely in Renaissance style, with richly pieced scroll motifs. The inkwell has two removable ink we...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Biedermeier Paperweights
Materials
Brass
19th Century Italian Micro Mosaic Grand Tour Paperweight The Doves Of Pliny
Located in Norwich, GB
19th Century Italian micro mosaic grand tour paperweight - The Doves of Pliny. Rome - Circa 1870.
Cartouche shaped black slate ground, inset ...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Biedermeier Paperweights
Materials
Slate
$1,759
H 3.55 in W 4.93 in D 0.4 in
Silver Cigarette Box, Early 20th Century
Located in Roma, IT
A refined cigarette case crafted in 800 silver, this piece exemplifies early 20th-century Continental design with its sleek rectangular profile and subtle engine-turned guilloché dec...
Category
Early 20th Century European Biedermeier Paperweights
Materials
Silver
Biedermeier paperweights for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Biedermeier paperweights for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage paperweights created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with alpaca, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Biedermeier paperweights made in a specific country, there are Austria, and Europe 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 paperweights differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $324 and tops out at $1,380 while the average work can sell for $852.
Still Thinking About These?
All Recently ViewedMore Ways To Browse
Steuben Apple
Steuben Fruit
Steuben Glass Apple
Ted Arnold High Society
Vintage Cast Iron Horse Bank
Vintage Millefiori Style Paperweight Paperweights
Vintage Royal Doulton Crystal Glasses
World Globe Paperweight
Armani Murano
Art Deco Lady Ashtray
Austrian Pocket Watches
Baccarat Bunny
Baccarat Crystal Heart Paperweight
Baccarat Crystal Rabbit
Baccarat Crystal Turtle
Baccarat Rabbit
Baccarat Turtle
Bacchus Paperweight