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.
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Fruitwood
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Paint
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
20th Century Belgian Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Plaster
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Metal
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas
20th Century Philippine Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Brass
1790s British Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Nickel
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Concrete
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Metal
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Wood, Linen, Fabric
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Iron
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Limestone
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Early 1900s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Velvet, Wood, Lacquer
1870s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
2010s British Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Gold Leaf
Early 1800s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Statuary Marble
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Stainless Steel
Late 18th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1910s Unknown Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Beech
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Bronze
1930s Swedish Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Silver
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Iron, Wrought Iron
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Creamware
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1840s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
1790s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary North American Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
1840s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Earthenware
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century Sicilian Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Limestone
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Composition
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Iron, Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum, Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Furniture
Onyx
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Ormolu
Early 20th Century Swedish Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Ormolu
Neoclassical furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
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