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.
Exceptional 1950's bar cabinet "Paul" by De Coene Kortrijk, Albert Saverys
Located in Zemst, BE
Exceptional bar cabinet by De Coene Kortrijk Name of the cabinet: "Bar Paul" This cabinet is one of a kind piece. It's been created by Paul Vandenbulcke, head of the design depar...
Fruitwood, Plywood, Lacquer, Paint
Antique 19th Century Louis Philippe Bedside Table in Burl Wood with Marble Top
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful and rare French piece. Antique Louis Philippe bedside table in walnut root with gray marble top from the same period. The gray marble top rests on a band under the top whic...
Marble
Antique Store Counter with Marble Top
Located in San Francisco, CA
The Antique Store Counter, featuring a Marble Top, offers ample storage space with spacious shelves. It comes with a vintage Coca-Cola bottle ope...
Marble
Pair Vintage Greco-Roman Neoclassical Gesso Pedestals
Located in New York, NY
Pair of vintage gesso pedestals dating from the second quarter of the 20th century, with various Greco-Roman neoclassical motifs in relief, including cherub with instrument, mask, bi...
Gesso
Oriental Table, Wood, 19th-20th Centuries
Located in Madrid, ES
Four-legged table with a rectangular board slightly protruding from the body of the piece of furniture and a front carved in relief not too pronounced, clearly distinguishing each of...
Wood
19th Century Bronze Athenienne
Located in Shipston-On-Stour, GB
A fantastic large C19th Athénienne, the pierced gilt bronze rim with removable liner above burnished bronze sphinxes and tapering monopodiums with enchased gilt bronze collars, suppo...
Marble, Bronze
1940s Baker Furniture Satinwood and Walnut Chest with Pull Out Tray
Located in Germantown, MD
Rare 1940s Vintage Baker Furniture Satinwood and Walnut Chest With Pull Out Tray. Features 4 dovetailed drawers in smooth working condition. C...
Brass
Pair of Antique Swedish Neoclassical Late Empire Pedestals
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of antique Empire Neoclassical Swedish pedestals painted ebony with gold accents.
Wood
19th Century Carved Screen
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a finely carved late 19th century Indian Anglo-Raj Hardwood Screen that was fabricated for the export market. The four-panel screen features four distinctly carved floral panels to the front and four matching panels...
Hardwood
$5,400 / set
H 43 in W 33.25 in D 15 in
Pair of Chinese Laquer and Hardstone Cabinets, Late 19th - Early 20th Century
Located in San Francisco, CA
An Excellent pair of Chinese lacquered cabinets or nightstands decorated with hard stone and mother of pearl carvings of flora and fauna. These dark brown chests...
Stone
19th Century Carved Chinese Rosewood Marble Top Side Table
Located in Houston, TX
19th Century rosewood side table with marble top and heavily carved cherry blossoms.
Marble
19th Century Scholar Cabinet
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Scholar Cabinet 37.875w x 16.75d x 59.75h This is a square corner cabinet with a central stile between the doors. The hardware is round in shape. The cabinet has a standard mitere...
Hardwood
$1,500
H 47.05 in W 34.57 in D 15.87 in
Japanese Antique Sen Wood Storage Cabinet, 1930s–1950s, Japandi Wabi-Sabi
Located in Chiba, Chiba
This Japanese antique storage cabinet dates from around the 1930s–1950s and is crafted from solid sen (Japanese ash) wood. The beautiful flowing grain across the front gives the cabi...
Wood
French 20th Century Neoclassical Alabaster Pedestal
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A dazzling early 20th century French hand-carved natural alabaster pedestal, that glitters and glows in the light. The flat top surface elevates sculptural works of art to a safe height, as well as vases or plants. The columnar silhouette is carved with intermittent ribs for a bit of texture against the monochromatic stone. Such a sculptural piece on its own, this pedestal would fit many historic, traditional, and transitional house...
Alabaster
Antique Chinese Waisted Offering Table, 19th Century
Located in Chicago, IL
This narrow console table once resided in a 19th-century Chinese home, laden with food offerings and incense as a home altar for ancestor worship. Simple and classic, the small table...
Elm
$1,200Sale Price|33% Off
H 47.72 in W 36.78 in D 16.54 in
Japanese Antique Zelkova & Cedar Cabinet, 1950s - Japandi
Located in Chiba, Chiba
A Japanese antique cabinet crafted from a combination of zelkova and cedar, dating from the 1950s. Its straightforward structure and approachable scale make it an easy piece to incor...
Wood, Glass
19th Century Canopy Bed Chinese
Located in New York, NY
19th Century Chinese Canopy Day Bed. An exceptional 19th century Canopy Day Bed with beautiful carving to the surround panels. This bed is in very good condition for everyday use. ...
Rattan, Hardwood
Qing Dynasty Period 19th Century Elm Coffee Table with Rattan Top
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period elm wood coffee table from the 19th century with woven rattan top, cabriole legs and reddish brown patina. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty peri...
Rattan, Elm
$2,341Sale Price|20% Off
H 25.2 in W 17.33 in D 17.33 in
Antique, Oriental Side, Tea or Game Table, Mother-of-pearl Inlays, 19th Century
Located in Berlin, DE
Antique, Oriental side (tea or game) table, mother-of-pearl inlays, 19th century. Very decorative. Partially in need of restoration.
Wood
Maitland-Smith Mahogany Game Table with Gilt-Embossed Leather Top
By Maitland Smith, Ralph Lauren
Located in San Diego, CA
A refined and timeless game table by Maitland-Smith, crafted from richly figured mahogany and showcasing the brand’s hallmark attention to classical detail and luxury materials. The ...
Leather, Wood
Vintage Pair Neoclassical Mahogany Inlaid and Stenciled Top Side Tables
By Duncan Phyfe, Baker Furniture Company
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful pair of X legs side tables. These side tables can also be an alternative to night stands. The tables feature delicate inlay and stenciling on their tops. Fluid, gregario...
Wood, Mahogany
Antique Country Store Counter with a Zinc Top
Located in San Francisco, CA
The counter's roomy shelving areas offers a generous storage and display room, designed with versatility in mind. This counter graciously accommodates an array of items, from vintage...
Zinc
Louis XVI Gray-Painted Fauteuils, 1780s
Located in Astoria, NY
Louis XVI gray-painted fauteuils, a pair (2), or arm chairs, ca. 1780 and after models by Henri Jacob (French, 1753-1824) and Georges Jacob (1739–1814), the chair ca. 1780s, each s...
Wood, Paint
Tropical Mahogany Coffee Table Slate and Pegged
By Brendan Bass
Located in Dallas, TX
We love the rich, refined shade of mahogany furnishings. Not to mention its durability. Here, the tonal grain of the wood creates a subtle texture that contrasts the square slate in ...
Slate
Air Cooler, Antique, W.W. Weico Co, 'Air Flight'
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A neet small orignal Air Cooler from the Company W.W.Weico Co out of Cincinnati Ohio. Brand is Air Flight. All marks on the switch. Needs the motor cleaned servicing, has not been us...
Bakelite
Sold
H 91 in W 46 in D 19 in
Wonderful Rosewood Auffray Secretary Drop Front Desk Bronze Ormolu Mounts
Located in Roslyn, NY
Wonderful rosewood Auffray Secretary drop front desk with bronze ormolu mount detail and chicken wire doors, the interior is out fitted with shelves and four drawers as well as a lea...
Bronze
Sold
H 20 in W 9.5 in D 9.5 in
Late 19th Century French Automation Singing Birds in giltwood and brass cage
Located in San Francisco, CA
Two feathered mechanical birds in great working condition. Both birds sing, move their peaks and turn their heads. The cage base is hand-carved and wa...
Brass
Chinese Laquered Console
Located in New York, NY
A Chinese lacquered console, Circa 1860s, the rectangular top above a recessed panel frieze, square box form supports with conforming recessed panels. Beautiful old worn lacquer with...