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.
Early 20th Century Scottish Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Cherry
18th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Limestone
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Velvet, Oak, Bouclé, Cotton
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror
1880s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Foam, Mahogany, Fabric
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary North American Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Metal
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Mid-19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1820s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Birdseye Maple
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Beech, Giltwood
2010s Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass, Steel
1990s American Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
1910s English Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1930s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Concrete
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
1930s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
1930s European Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
20th Century Swedish Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Ormolu
1980s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century Swedish Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
19th Century Belgian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Belgian Black Marble
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Fruitwood, Walnut
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
2010s Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Limestone
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Travertine, Composition
1930s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Neoclassical furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Read More
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The gallery's latest exhibition proves that museum-quality pieces entice and inspire, whether in traditional or more modern interiors.
Susanna Salk’s Favorite Designers Show Us How to Play with Patterns
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