How to Identify Biedermeier Chests

Structure

• Biedermeier chests are low and rectangular, similar to modern dressers. The chests typically consists of two to four drawers, with three being the average. They stand on four plain square or rounded legs and any decorative features are wooden additions to the chests rather than carvings. Later Biedermeier chests have more curves in their designs.

Wood Types

• Much of the European furniture manufactured until the early 1800s was made from darker woods, such as mahogany. However, because Biedermeier furniture was mostly used by the middle class, who couldn't afford darker woods, craftsmen made it woods that were more abundant, such as maple, cherry, ash and elm. Biedermeier furniture can be made from almost any kind of wood, but lighter woods predominate.

Veneers

• Styles that predated Biedermeier furniture were usually made from solid pieces of wood. With Biedermeier pieces, veneers were used instead to alter their appearance. Other styles of furniture also use veneers, but you can identify a Biedermeier chest by the way the veneer looks. Craftsmen lined up the natural knots, curves and lines of the veneer's thin strips of wood to create designs on the top, sides and front of Bierdermeier chests.

Accents

• Some Biedermeier chests, especially those made with lighter woods, have dark accents. To make the chest stand out, black paint was sometimes used on the drawers and around the edges of the frame. Because the black paint contrasted strongly with the light wood, it was more appealing to the eye. Some craftsmen also used contrasting inlays in the veneer.