What characterises Biedermeier Revival style furniture?

Biedermeier Revival style emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, reinterpreting Central European designs from the early 1800s. It prioritises geometric forms, highly figured wood veneers such as burr elm or birch, and restrained Classical architectural influences.

What materials are typically used in Biedermeier style tables?

These tables traditionally feature rich, figure-patterned wood veneers like burr elm, fruitwood, or birch applied over solid timber. Decorative accents often incorporate turned brass collars, columned supports, and shaped triform plinth bases.

How can authentic Biedermeier style pieces be identified?

Authentic pieces display distinct book-matched or radial veneer patterns, structural column supports, and thick plinth bases. Examining construction methods, natural age-related wear on the underside, and hand-fitted brass hardware helps determine authenticity.

How can a Biedermeier revival table be styled in a modern interior?

The clean architectural lines and warm timber tones integrate easily alongside modern minimalist upholstery or classic leather seating. Positioned in a central living space, the natural grain of the burr veneer serves as a visual focal point.

How should burr elm veneered furniture be maintained?

Keep timber furniture away from direct sunlight and heat sources to prevent veneer lifting or discoloration. Dust regularly with a soft dry cloth and periodically apply a high-quality beeswax polish to protect the finish.

for sale €1,550 $1,683

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Antique Burr Elm Biedermeier Revival Coffee Occasional Table 20th Century

Name: Antique Burr Elm Biedermeier Revival Coffee Occasional Table 20th Century
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1199042
Price: 1325 GBP
Availability: InStock

1900 - 1920

For Sale by Regent Antiques

Description

This is a striking antique Swedish Burr Elm and ormolu mounted Biedermeier occasional/coffee table, dating from the early 20th Century.

The round table features a mirrored burr elm top on three Neo-classical columns with a tripod 'S' shaped base and decorative ormolu mountings.

Add some Biedermeier style to your home with this lovely coffee table - side table.

Condition:

In really excellent condition having only been beautifully cleaned and waxed in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.

Dimensions in cm:

Height 61 cm x Width 91 cm x Depth 91 cm

Dimensions in inches:

Height 2 foot x Width 3 feet x Depth 3 feet

Biedermeier period,

refers to an era in Central Europe during which arts appealed to common sensibilities in the historical period between 1815, the year of the Congress of Vienna at the end of the Napoleonic Wars, and 1848, the year of the European revolutions.

Although the term itself is a historical reference, it is predominantly used to denote the artistic styles that flourished in the fields of literature, music, the visual arts and interior design.

Biedermeier was an influential style of furniture design from Germany during the years 1815–1848, based on utilitarian principles. The period extended into Austria and Scandinavia.

Throughout the period, emphasis was kept upon clean lines and minimal ornamentation. As the period progressed, however, the style moved from the early rebellion against Romantic-era fussiness to increasingly ornate commissions by a rising middle class, eager to show their newfound wealth.

The idea of clean lines and utilitarian postures would resurface in the 20th century, continuing into the present day. The Biedermeier style was a simplified interpretation of the influential French Empire Style of Napoleon I, which introduced the romance of ancient Roman Empire styles, adapting these to modern early 19th century households. Biedermeier furniture used locally available materials such as cherry, ash and oak woods.

Biedermeier furniture and lifestyle was a focus on exhibitions at the Vienna applied arts museum in 1896. The many visitors to this exhibition were so influenced by this fantasy style and its elegance that a new resurgence or revival period became popular amongst European cabinetmakers.

This revival period lasted up until the Art Deco style was taken up. Biedermeier also influenced the various Bauhaus styles through their truth in material philosophy.

Ormolu - Gilt Bronze (from French 'or moulu', signifying ground or pounded gold) is an 18th-century English term for applying finely ground, high-carat gold in a mercury amalgam to an object of bronze.The mercury is driven off in a kiln leaving behind a gold-coloured veneer known as 'gilt bronze'.

The manufacture of true ormolu employs a process known as mercury-gilding or fire-gilding, in which a solution of nitrate of mercury is applied to a piece of copper, brass, or bronze, followed by the application of an amalgam of gold and mercury. The item was then exposed to extreme heat until the mercury burned off and the gold remained, adhered to the metal object.

After around 1830 because legislation had outlawed the use of mercury other techniques were used instead. Electroplating is the most common modern technique. Ormolu techniques are essentially the same as those used on silver, to produce silver-gilt..

Our reference: A5094

Physical Dimensions

Height

61cm (24.02")

Width

91cm (35.83")

Depth

91cm (35.83")

Declaration

Regent Antiques has dated this Burr Elm Coffee Table to the 1920s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1199042

Dealers Internal Reference

A5094

Description

This is a striking antique Swedish Burr Elm and ormolu mounted Biedermeier occasional/coffee table, dating from the early 20th Century.

“

The round table features a mirrored burr elm top on three Neo-classical columns with a tripod 'S' shaped base and decorative ormolu mountings.

Regent Antiques

fig 1. A circular 20th-century Biedermeier revival coffee table made from burr elm with three column legs set on a triform plinth base. — fig 1. Antique Burr Elm Biedermeier Revival Coffee Occasional Table 20th Century

Add some Biedermeier style to your home with this lovely coffee table - side table.

Condition:

In really excellent condition having only been beautifully cleaned and waxed in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation.

fig 2. A circular 20th-century Biedermeier revival coffee table made from burr elm with three column legs set on a triform plinth base. — fig 2. Antique Burr Elm Biedermeier Revival Coffee Occasional Table 20th Century

Dimensions in cm:

Height 61 cm x Width 91 cm x Depth 91 cm

Dimensions in inches:

Height 2 foot x Width 3 feet x Depth 3 feet

Biedermeier period,

refers to an era in Central Europe during which arts appealed to common sensibilities in the historical period between 1815, the year of the Congress of Vienna at the end of the Napoleonic Wars, and 1848, the year of the European revolutions.

fig 3. A circular 20th-century Biedermeier revival coffee table made from burr elm with three column legs set on a triform plinth base. — fig 3. Antique Burr Elm Biedermeier Revival Coffee Occasional Table 20th Century

Although the term itself is a historical reference, it is predominantly used to denote the artistic styles that flourished in the fields of literature, music, the visual arts and interior design.

Biedermeier was an influential style of furniture design from Germany during the years 1815–1848, based on utilitarian principles. The period extended into Austria and Scandinavia.

fig 4. A circular 20th-century Biedermeier revival coffee table made from burr elm with three column legs set on a triform plinth base. — fig 4. Antique Burr Elm Biedermeier Revival Coffee Occasional Table 20th Century

Throughout the period, emphasis was kept upon clean lines and minimal ornamentation. As the period progressed, however, the style moved from the early rebellion against Romantic-era fussiness to increasingly ornate commissions by a rising middle class, eager to show their newfound wealth.

fig 5. A circular 20th-century Biedermeier revival coffee table made from burr elm with three column legs set on a triform plinth base. — fig 5. Antique Burr Elm Biedermeier Revival Coffee Occasional Table 20th Century

The idea of clean lines and utilitarian postures would resurface in the 20th century, continuing into the present day. The Biedermeier style was a simplified interpretation of the influential French Empire Style of Napoleon I, which introduced the romance of ancient Roman Empire styles, adapting these to modern early 19th century households. Biedermeier furniture used locally available materials such as cherry, ash and oak woods.

fig 6. A circular 20th-century Biedermeier revival coffee table made from burr elm with three column legs set on a triform plinth base. — fig 6. Antique Burr Elm Biedermeier Revival Coffee Occasional Table 20th Century

Biedermeier furniture and lifestyle was a focus on exhibitions at the Vienna applied arts museum in 1896. The many visitors to this exhibition were so influenced by this fantasy style and its elegance that a new resurgence or revival period became popular amongst European cabinetmakers.

fig 7. A circular 20th-century Biedermeier revival coffee table made from burr elm with three column legs set on a triform plinth base. — fig 7. Antique Burr Elm Biedermeier Revival Coffee Occasional Table 20th Century

This revival period lasted up until the Art Deco style was taken up. Biedermeier also influenced the various Bauhaus styles through their truth in material philosophy.

Ormolu - Gilt Bronze (from French 'or moulu', signifying ground or pounded gold) is an 18th-century English term for applying finely ground, high-carat gold in a mercury amalgam to an object of bronze.The mercury is driven off in a kiln leaving behind a gold-coloured veneer known as 'gilt bronze'.

fig 8. A circular 20th-century Biedermeier revival coffee table made from burr elm with three column legs set on a triform plinth base. — fig 8. Antique Burr Elm Biedermeier Revival Coffee Occasional Table 20th Century

The manufacture of true ormolu employs a process known as mercury-gilding or fire-gilding, in which a solution of nitrate of mercury is applied to a piece of copper, brass, or bronze, followed by the application of an amalgam of gold and mercury. The item was then exposed to extreme heat until the mercury burned off and the gold remained, adhered to the metal object.

fig 9. A circular 20th-century Biedermeier revival coffee table made from burr elm with three column legs set on a triform plinth base. — fig 9. Antique Burr Elm Biedermeier Revival Coffee Occasional Table 20th Century

After around 1830 because legislation had outlawed the use of mercury other techniques were used instead. Electroplating is the most common modern technique. Ormolu techniques are essentially the same as those used on silver, to produce silver-gilt..

Our reference: A5094

Physical Dimensions

Height

61cm (24.02")

Width

91cm (35.83")

Depth

91cm (35.83")

Date of Manufacture

Regent Antiques has dated this Burr Elm Coffee Table to the 1920s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Ref