Biedermeier Chest of Drawers in Mahogany, Germany, 1840s

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Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, Mahogany, Floral Marquetry, circa 1840 – Germany

Style: Biedermeier
Material: Mahogany
Period: Circa 1840
Country of … Read more Biedermeier Chest of Drawers, Mahogany, Floral Marquetry, circa 1840 – Germany

Style: Biedermeier
Material: Mahogany
Period: Circa 1840
Country of Origin: Germany
Good condition for its age and use
Dimensions: 88 x 74 x 41 cm

A magnificent mahogany chest of drawers, crafted in the bourgeois style prevalent in Germany and Austria during the first quarter of the 19th century (1815-1848), known as Biedermeier. Its elegant structure and straight lines are characterized by high-quality decorative elements, such as floral marquetry. The front is divided into three sections, each with its own lock and escutcheon. The largest drawer, located in the center of the chest, features a semicircular niche that frames and displays rich and refined floral marquetry in fine woods, walnut, and fruitwoods.

The skirt and base are trimmed in lemonwood, and the entire piece rests on tapered legs. Absolutely exceptional for this type of chest of drawers, and indicative of its custom-made construction according to the needs and tastes of the original owner, we find the first register with a compartmentalized interior. Openings divide the space, and the small compartments are closed with lids, each with a handle (one has come loose, but is still inside). The entire chest of drawers is made primarily of mahogany and mahogany veneer, with a rich, lustrous grain. An extraordinary and unique piece of antique furniture, exceptional in its design. A piece of furniture of great elegance and beauty that will bring style and sophistication to any space.

This style characterized German and Austrian furniture from 1815 (Congress of Vienna) until 1848, with the beginning of the revolutionary movements. Its main characteristics are simplicity and functionality. Originally, "Biedermeier" first acquired a derogatory connotation in this region. The word comes from "Bieder," meaning "simple," and "Meir," one of the most common German surnames at the time and the name of a "simple" character in an Eichrodt comedy. This term signified the conservative petty bourgeois, concerned only with his own family life. Although pejorative, the term accurately represents the new sociopolitical situation in which the bourgeois is forced or resigned to abandoning the aspirations for democracy and freedom. The center of life thus becomes the home, which is no longer characterized by unrestrained luxury but by comfort and practicality.

As a result, Biedermeier furniture is functional, comfortable, and readily available. The style is an evolution of the Empire style towards greater simplification, without ornamental and outdated elements, featuring lighter, more linear and curved forms, and lighter colors. See less