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.
1890s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Composition
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Composition
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Rattan, Wood
Early 1900s Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Metal
Early 1800s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1980s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1980s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1870s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Limestone
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Steel
1990s American Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
1820s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 1900s Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silver
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
1990s Asian Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Metal
Late 18th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1830s Belgian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
1990s American Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Hardwood, Giltwood
1760s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut, Pine
1890s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Philippine Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Early 1900s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
Late 20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Bronze
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Satinwood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1840s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Lapis Lazuli, Marble
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
1990s Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Steel
1990s Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Rosewood
1820s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Giltwood, Paper
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Bronze
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
1960s Danish Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Terracotta