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.
1780s British Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
1950s English Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1930s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Marble, Porphyry
1930s Japanese Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
1880s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Scagliola
1950s Danish Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood, Paint, Giltwood
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Wrought Iron
1970s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1890s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1860s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Velvet, Beech
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Terracotta
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Enamel
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Glass
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 2000s American Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
20th Century German Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paint, Giltwood, Canvas
1930s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Metal
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Composition
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paper
1810s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Fir
19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Steel, Wrought Iron
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Jade
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Late 18th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Paper, Wood
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
1910s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1930s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1890s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1980s North American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Paint
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble