Neoclassical design emerged in Europe in the 1750s, as the Age of Enlightenment reached full flower. Neoclassical furniture took its cues from the styles of ancient Rome and Athens: symmetrical, ordered, dignified forms with such details as tapered and fluted chair and table legs, backrest finials and scrolled arms.

Over a period of some 20 years, first in France and later in Britain, neoclassical design — also known as Louis XVI, or Louis Seize — would supersede the lithe and curvaceous Rococo or Louis XV style.

The first half of the 18th century had seen a rebirth of interest in classical antiquity. The "Grand Tour" of Europe, codified as a part of the proper education of a patrician gentleman, included an extended visit to Rome. Some ventured further, to sketch the ruins of ancient Greece. These drawings and others — particularly those derived from the surprising and rich archaeological discoveries in the 1730s and ’40s at the sites of the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum — caused great excitement among intellectuals and aesthetes alike.

Neoclassical furniture is meant to reflect both grace and power. The overall appearance of neoclassical chairs, tables and cabinetry is strong and rectilinear. These pieces are, in effect, classical architecture in miniature: chair and table legs are shaped like columns; cabinets are constructed with elements that mirror friezes and pediments.

Yet neoclassicism is enlivened by gilt and silver leaf, marquetry, and carved and applied ornamental motifs based on Greek and Roman sculpture: acanthus leaves, garlands, laurel wreaths, sheaves of arrow, medallions and chair splats are carved in the shapes of lyres and urns. Ormolu — or elaborate bronze gilding — was essential to French design in the 18th and 19th centuries as a cornerstone of the neoclassical and Empire styles.

As you can see from the furniture on these pages, there is a bit of whimsy in such stately pieces — a touch of lightness that will always keep neoclassicism fresh.

Find antique neoclassical furniture today on 1stDibs.

Finding the Right statues for You

Antique, new and vintage statues can bring depth and distinctive charm to your home’s interiors or your meticulously maintained outdoor garden area.

Introduce an assortment of textures and colors as well as a refreshing air of drama by decorating with stoic sculptural works in any living room, dining room or bedroom, no matter the size or shape of the statues you choose. You don’t have to haul a 19th-century life-size hand-carved work of Italian Carrara marble into your hallway unless, of course, that is the kind of decorative touch that your interior would benefit from. A large sculpture bust placed in your happy home office or positioned as a centerpiece on a table with other decorative objects in your foyer, for example, can prove welcoming to guests and invite rich conversation about your interests.

For a sculpture, an outdoor setting on a lawn or in a garden can open up a whole new world of beauty and meaning. While traditional stone cherub figures can promise tranquility, you can heighten the ogs/the-study/outdoor-dining-spaces/ target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">experience of outdoor family meals or garden parties with provocative statues to help frame the dining area in your yard. Lend an air of permanence to the perimeter of your garden with a pair of bronze lion statues or use abstract works of metal to contrast the clean, geometric lines of your manicured shrubbery and thoughtful landscape design.

We know that your garden is an invaluable retreat for when you need some relaxation and that introducing art to your home’s interiors has innumerable benefits. On 1stDibs, find a wide variety of antique, new and vintage statues for all of your decorating needs.