Biedermeier is a distinctive Central European design style that flourished between approximately 1815 and 1848, particularly in Germany and Austria. Emerging after the Napoleonic Wars, it emphasised elegant simplicity, practicality and exceptional cabinetmaking rather than elaborate ornamentation. Biedermeier furniture is characterised by clean lines, restrained decoration and beautifully figured veneers such as walnut, cherry and birch. Today it remains highly regarded for its timeless proportions and understated sophistication.