Biedermeier, << BEE duhr `my` uhr, >> is the name of a style of design that developed in the German-speaking countries of Europe during the early 1800’s. The name came from a humorous character in German popular literature of the 1830’s. “Papa Biedermeier” stood for family life, conservative values, and solid, comfortable living. The term Biedermeier was applied to architecture, interior design, and the decorative arts. Today, it is chiefly associated with comfortable German furniture for the home that was produced between 1820 and 1850.
Biedermeier furniture was an adaptation of the Empire style of France in the early 1800’s. Both styles shared simple design and plain outlines. But the Biedermeier version was lighter in scale and color, emphasizing yellowish-brown fruitwood. Decoration featured simple carved designs or plain applied ornaments in contrasting brass or wood.
