Neoclassical Furniture
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.
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Bronze
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Composition
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Rattan, Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Philippine Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Wood, Paint
1820s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Giltwood, Paper
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
2010s French Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Cherry, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
2010s Mexican Neoclassical Furniture
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary European Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
2010s Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 1800s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Fir
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Nickel, Bronze, Brass
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
2010s Romanian Neoclassical Furniture
Other
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Harewood
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Furniture
Onyx
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century Belgian Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Satinwood
1920s Belgian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Silver, Brass
2010s Romanian Neoclassical Furniture
Velvet, Wood, Beech, Feathers
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum, Iron
1940s European Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Bronze
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ironstone
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Brass, Bronze
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Walnut
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Wrought Iron