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.
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Steel
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1850s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Ormolu
1950s Danish Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1880s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Wrought Iron
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Wood
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut, Pine
1860s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Pine
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Wood
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Gold Plate, Bronze
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
1820s Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Other
1990s Philippine Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Stone
1880s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Wood
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Brass
Late 18th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
16th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper, Wood, Glass
1840s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
1780s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
1830s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu
20th Century British Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Enamel
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Silver Leaf
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood, Paint
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Iron
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Iron
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Zinc
1810s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century Scottish Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Sterling Silver
1990s Neoclassical Furniture
Gold
Late 20th Century Chinese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Aluminum
1990s Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
1930s Japanese Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Mahogany
1780s British Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass