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.
1840s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
1780s British Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Marble, Porphyry
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Mahogany
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1780s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Wood
1950s English Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
1880s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Scagliola
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paper
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood, Paint, Giltwood
1890s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu
1940s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Oak
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Glass
1930s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Metal
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Terracotta
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Aluminum
Early 2000s American Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
1970s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Zinc
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Composition
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Alabaster, Bronze
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1930s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paint, Giltwood, Canvas
20th Century German Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Enamel
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Composition
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Enamel
19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1790s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1830s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
1910s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1930s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1990s Neoclassical Furniture
Gold
Late 18th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Paper, Wood