Antiques in the Biedermeier style – classic functionality The Biedermeier style was born in Germany and Austria in the period after the Napoleonic Wars, and was dominant in the countries of Central Europe. It also became popular in the Scandinavian countries. Its heyday falls on the years from 1815 to 1848. The Biedermeier style is recognized primarily in the furniture making, but it is also present in painting, porcelain, glass, music, and literature. The name of the style derives from the combination of the adjective “bieder,” which means “honest”, “simple,” and the suffix “meier,” typical of most German names. For the first time, the name “Biedermeier” was used to describe the style only in the 1930s.

Ceramics have been around man since ancient times. Our ancestors manufactured it for practical and decorative purposes, as well as cult ones. The oldest found evidence of craftsmanship in ceramics goes back to prehistoric times.   Ceramics is the common name for all its varieties that – depending on the type of raw materials used, and the properties of the sherd – include: pottery, earthenware, faïence, stoneware, bisque, and porcelain. Due to their intended use, we distinguish different types of ceramics: tableware, sculptural, architectural (coverings, glazed bricks), cultic, ornaments, and small everyday objects. However, porcelain will always be the most perfect and the noblest form.

The Biedermeier style dominated the early and mid. 19th century; as a response to the splendor of the Empire style, which it also was inspired by. The rich decorations and artistic accessories were replaced with simplicity and functionality, while maintaining the aesthetic look of items of equipment. The popular period in the world of art and interior design manifested mainly in the design – in moderation of the ornamentation and simplicity of the shapes. What is worth knowing about Biedermeier, that is about the style considered to be the last phase of the development of Classicism in Europe?