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.
$10,470 / item
Neo Classic Black Marble Top Vanity
Located in Westwood, NJ
Designed for those with an eye for luxury, this vanity blends classic European elegance with modern functionality. The ebony-painted finish is accentuated by solid brass trim, evokin...
Carrara Marble, Brass
$31,600Sale Price|20% Off
Early 1900s Rare Antique Free Standing Italian Marble Bathtub
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
This one of a kind marble bathtub was hand-carved in Italy during the early 20th century. Throughout the years it was stored at an Italian family estate surviving two World Wars. What is quite unique about this ancient marble tub...
Carrara Marble
Italian Neoclassic-Style Metal Bathtub
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Neoclassic-style (19th Century) sarcophagus form metal tub with rings on sides, rustic.
Metal
Round Polished Gold Cabinet Drawer Hardware Pulls Attributed to Sherle Wagner
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Vintage gold cabinet hardware knobs or drawer pulls in a beautiful gold. These round knobs are circular in shape, and flat on the top with concentric cir...
Metal, Gold, Brass
$16,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 9.63 in W 2 in D 3.25 in
Alvar Aalto Bronze Door Hardware / Pulls, Set of 4
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Round Top, TX
Alvar Aalto originally designed this door handle for the National Pensions Institute in Helsinki (1948-57) and, because it was such a successful form, reused in on many of his subseq...
Bronze
1970s Greek Key Drawer Cabinet Pulls Patinated Brass
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Midcentury Hardware Greek Grecian Key Brass Pulls mounting 2.25 spread. No screws. Set of two .75 d x 5 long x 2 d Preowned original vintage ...
Brass
$3,950
H 8.75 in W 35.75 in D 24 in
Sherle Wagner Empire Gold Bathroom Faucet Set Mounted on Travertine Stone Top
Located in BENSENVILLE, IL
Sherle Wagner International is still manufactured in their Massachusetts factory staffed by highly skilled artisans dedicated to preserving old world craftsmanship. Sherle Wagner has been producing the highest quality bathroom sinks and lever sets for 80-years. We are offering another example of one of their classic designs, the Empire Onyx Lever set complimented by a Gold Glazed Scalloped Ceramic Over Edge Sink, mounted on a Stone travertine Vanity top. Vitreous China, Integral overflow drain, 1-3/4˝ discharge drain, 6˝ water depth. Onyx Bathroom Sink Handles with Ribbon and Reed Spout model number 818. Nothing makes a statement quite like a powder room adorned with a Sherle Wagner Sink...
Onyx, Travertine, Gold, Gold Plate
Antique Carrara Marble Bathtub from the Early 19th Century
Located in Baambrugge, NL
Antique handcarved Carrara marble bath in Empire style. This beatiful sculpted white-grey marble bath with rings is made in the early 19th century....
Carrara Marble
Pair Sherle Wagner Lotus Blossom Sinks
Located in Hanover, MA
SATURDAY SALE Matched pair of Sherle Wagner Italian hand painted porcelain sinks with Lotus Blossom design, scalloped oval form, over edge, cou...
Porcelain
$1,495
H 4.75 in W 47 in D 23 in
Sherle Wagner Chinoiserie Ming Blossom Blue Wash Basin & Faucet Spout Italy
Located in St. Louis, MO
1970s Sherle Wagner Hollywood Regency hand painted porcelain Chinoiserie Ming Blossom Blue powder room / bathroom wash basin sink, nickel plated br...
Brass, Bronze
1970s Polished Solid Brass Campaign Drawer Pulls
Located in Stamford, CT
Set of six 1970s polished solid brass camping style drawer pulls. Newly professionally polished to a high shine. Mounting hardware is not included.
Brass
Marble Bathtub, 21st Century
Located in Greding, DE
Large oval bathtub made of marble with profiled base and ring decor on the smooth wall. The rim of the basin is slightly curved.
Marble
19th Century Antique Spanish White Marble Sink
Located in Marbella, ES
19th century antique Spanish white marble sink.
Marble
19th Century Antique Spanish White Marble Sink
Located in Marbella, ES
19th century antique Spanish white marble sink.
Marble
$1,225Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 0.75 in W 2.25 in D 1.5 in
Set of Six Sherle Wagner Ribbon and Reed Cabinet Drawer Pulls
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Set of six Sherle Wagner ribbon and reed cabinet drawer pulls in brass/bronze gold finish. Like new condition. Price is for the set of six. Sherle...
Bronze
"Kobe" bathtub made of Absolute Black
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
The Kobe bathtub, crafted by Piba Marmi, is an exquisite example of contemporary minimalist design. Made from Absolute Black marble, it features a clean, geometric structure that hig...
Marble
Vintage Sherle Wagner Gold Plated Towel Ring W/ Acanthus Wall Plate
Located in Atlanta, GA
Sherle Wagner Towel Ring in Gold Plate Finish. Comes with the acanthus wall plate. Measures: 6.75" w (7.5" with wall mount).
Bronze
Sold
H 7 in W 7 in D 3.5 in
2 Pc, Vintage Sherle Wagner Ribbon & Reed Gold Plated Recessed Paper & Towel
Located in Atlanta, GA
2-Piece Vintage Sherle Wagner Bathroom Set Ribbon & Reed Pattern, Gold-Plated Recessed Paper Holder and Towel Ring This elegant 2-piece bathroom set by Sherle Wagner epitomizes the ...
Bronze
19th Century Marble Sink
Located in New Orleans, LA
Beautifully carved sink on a pedestal that would be a standout in any bathroom or used as a fountain in a garden. The bowl is an oval shell and the pedestal is a fluted column on a ...
Marble
Sold
H 19.69 in W 59.06 in D 25.6 in
19th Century antique French zinc bath / bathtub by Chevalier Constructeur Paris
Located in London, GB
A rare 19th Century antique zinc double-ended roll-top bathtub by Chevalier Constructeur Paris, with decorative marbled exterior and striking cross motif. Military bathtubs like thes...
Metal, Zinc
Swedish Style Gilt Edge Metal Wastebasket with Vintage Feel
Located in Sheffield, MA
Rustic and elegant at the same time, add a neoclassical country touch to your bedroom or bathroom. The gold gilt edging gives it a Classic vintage/antique feel. Suitable for any dec...
Metal
Sherle Wagner Acorn and Oak Leaf Finial ornament or Bathroom Fixture, 1970s
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Beautiful gold brass acorn finial or bathroom decor accessory by Sherle Wagner. This piece is shaped in the form of an acorn, with leaves that curl down...
Metal, Gold, Brass
Large Gold Air Vent for Bathroom or Kitchen
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Beautiful gold (very heavy) air vent for the bathroom or kitchen. This beauty was found with a large amount of Sherle Wagner pieces, so it could be attributed...
Metal, Gold
Sold
H 14 in W 8 in L 14 in
Black Onyx Stone Shower Door Handle Bar Pulls Vintage Sherle Wagner, circa 1970s
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Oversize black onyx shower or door bar pulls, one set by Sherle Wagner. This beautiful set features two large heavy black stone center bars, connected by gol...
Onyx, Gold
Black Onyx Stone Shower Door Handles Bar Pulls Vintage Sherle Wagner circa 1970s
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Oversize shower or door bar pulls, one set by Sherle Wagner. This beautiful set features two large heavy stone center bars, connected by gold-plated hardware...
Stone, Gold
Sherle Wagner Rose Quartz and Gold Bathroom Fixtures Faucet Handles
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Sherle Wagner rose quartz bathroom sink set. This beautiful designer set includes one faucet, one stopper, two handles and two handle bases all wi...
Gold
Sold
H 18 in W 8 in D 3.5 in
Black Onyx Stone Shower Door Handles Bar Pulls Vintage Sherle Wagner circa 1970s
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Oversize shower or door bar pulls, one set by Sherle Wagner. This beautiful set features two large heavy black stone center bars, connected by gold-plated ha...
Onyx, Gold
Sold
H 30.19 in W 2.63 in D 2.25 in
Vintage Sherle Wagner Ribbon & Reed Bathroom Leg Fixture in Gold, circa 1970s
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Beautiful leg fixture by Sherle Wagner. This piece is from Sherle Wagner's Ribbon & Reed collection and is in gorgeous gold. The piece features a ribbon motif surrounding a reed leg....
Metal, Gold, Brass, Bronze