Neoclassical More Lighting
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.
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Lighting
Metal
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Lighting
Crystal, Metal
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical More Lighting
Resin
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Lighting
Crystal, Quartz, Rock Crystal, Wrought Iron
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical More Lighting
Brass
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical More Lighting
Brass, Bronze, Cut Steel
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical More Lighting
Brass
1890s Canadian Antique Neoclassical More Lighting
Iron
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical More Lighting
Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical More Lighting
Brass
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical More Lighting
Brass
20th Century Neoclassical More Lighting
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Lighting
Giltwood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Lighting
Porcelain
1930s French Vintage Neoclassical More Lighting
Crystal, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical More Lighting
Alabaster, Metal, Aluminum
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical More Lighting
Alabaster
Early 20th Century European Neoclassical More Lighting
Bronze
20th Century Italian Neoclassical More Lighting
Brass, Bronze
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical More Lighting
Brass, Steel
20th Century American Neoclassical More Lighting
Marble, Bronze
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical More Lighting
Marble, Spelter
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Lighting
Bronze, Ormolu
20th Century French Neoclassical More Lighting
Crystal, Silver Plate
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical More Lighting
Stone, Metal, Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical More Lighting
Alabaster
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical More Lighting
Metal, Steel
1930s French Vintage Neoclassical More Lighting
Bronze
1930s French Vintage Neoclassical More Lighting
Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical More Lighting
Metal
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical More Lighting
Brass
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical More Lighting
Marble
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical More Lighting
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Lighting
Rock Crystal, Wrought Iron
19th Century Antique Neoclassical More Lighting
Crystal
Early 2000s Unknown Neoclassical More Lighting
Silver Plate
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical More Lighting
Marble, Bronze
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical More Lighting
Alabaster
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical More Lighting
Bronze
20th Century American Neoclassical More Lighting
Porcelain, Wood
20th Century Neoclassical More Lighting
Alabaster, Brass
1970s Belgian Vintage Neoclassical More Lighting
Metal
Early 1900s Russian Antique Neoclassical More Lighting
Crystal, Bronze
Mid-20th Century European Neoclassical More Lighting
Crystal, Brass
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Lighting
Bronze
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical More Lighting
Silver Plate
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical More Lighting
Glass
Early 20th Century Neoclassical More Lighting
Metal
1790s European Antique Neoclassical More Lighting
Bronze
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical More Lighting
Glass
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical More Lighting
Crystal, Bronze
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical More Lighting
Brass
1790s Italian Antique Neoclassical More Lighting
Crystal, Bronze
20th Century Neoclassical More Lighting
Brass
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical More Lighting
Plaster
20th Century Neoclassical More Lighting
Metal
2010s French Neoclassical More Lighting
Plaster
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical More Lighting
Bronze