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.
Norman Rockwell (American, 1894–1978) "Window Washer, " Lithograph Signed
Located in Atlanta, GA
Norman Rockwell (American, 1894–1978) "Window Washer," Limited Edition Lithograph, Signed and Numbered, Edition 88/200 A quintessential example of Norman Rockwell’s masterful blend ...
Paper
$1,400 / item
6 Vintage Organic Shaped Artist Palettes
Located in Stamford, CT
A collection of 6 old vintage artist palettes ranging in size from 9 3/4" to 23" long. Each barely a 1/4" thick. None have been touched up or made to look old. these are all original...
Wood
20th-C. Neo-Classical Style Painted Panels / Screen Att. Maitland-Smit - 2 Pr.
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is an offering for two pair of monumental painted panels with French neo-classical styling. There are four individual panels when placed together create two pairs. They were onc...
Wood, Paper
Antique Floral Design And Soft Colored Rare American Tapestry 4'9" x 6'10"
Located in New York, NY
A Classically Crafted Antique Floral Design And Soft Colored Rare American Tapestry, Origin: America, Circa: Turn of the Twentieth Century
Wool
Group of Landscapes by Georges Rouault in 22 Karat Gilt Lowy Frames
Located in Atlanta, GA
Set of four George Rouault landscape watercolor paintings, recently framed in 22 karat gold leaf wood frames by Lowy Framers, NYC. The paintings are French, circa 1960s. They are pri...
Glass, Wood, Paper
1980's Gail Packer (American), Signed & Framed Aquatint Etching, Artist's Proof
By Gail Packer 1
Located in Morristown, NJ
Gail Packer (American, 1945-2008), "Vineyard at Geyserville II", color etching on paper, pencil signed, titled and numbered "A.P." lower margin, matted and framed under glass, This...
Glass, Wood, Paper
Vintage Stormy Seascape Oil Painting, American Classical, 20th Century
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Vintage West coast seascape by an unknown artist. Waves are crashing against a rocky shore, with beautiful sky. The painting is signed by this talen...
Canvas, Wood
Set of TWO Framed Prints of Citrus Fruit Study from originals of 1886, New
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
These are a set of TWO digitally remastered prints of Citrus Fruit studies, hand coloured and framed, originally from American water colours from Circa 18...
Glass, Wood, Paper
Original Clair Seglem Still Life Fruit Painting of Fruit on Table
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A landscape still life painting of fruit and white vessels on a table. Measures: 13" x 17.5". This lovely painting depicts deep purple plums and green pears sitting upon a table. A w...
Paint, Paper
Nude Bathers Watercolor and Gouache by Donna Schuster, Circa 1920
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Donna Schuster (1893-1953) “Nude Bathers” watercolor, pencil and gouache within a giltwood carved frame and protective glass. Signed ‘Donna Schuster’ (Lower Right), circa 1920-1930. ...
Glass, Wood
Set of 7 Mounted and Framed Norman Rockwell Prints A charming set of 7
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Set of 7 Mounted and Framed Norman Rockwell Prints A charming set of 7, reflecting American every day culture from the The Saturday Evening Post Magazine The prints re framed 9” x ...
Paper
Mother and Child Watercolor, Pencil and Gouache, Signed, Circa 1920
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Donna schuster (1883-1953) “Mother and Child” watercolor, pencil and gouache within a giltwood carved frame and protective glass. Signed ‘Donna Schuster’ (Lower Right), circa 1920-19...
Wood, Glass
$1,415Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.97 in Dm 16.93 in
Light Blue Ceramic Raku Plate, Mediterranean Style, Late 20th Century
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Light blue in a materic frame, like rocks on the Mediterranean sea. The Raku is a long and interesting procedure in very high temperatures and it's very difficult to make large size ...
Ceramic
Vintage Norman Rockwell Framed Print of Children Playing Marbles
Located in South Bend, IN
A vintage Norman Rockwell framed print of children playing marbles. Recently procured from Frank Lloyd Wright's DeRhodes House. Measures: 11.5"W ...
Glass, Wood, Paper
$1,500Sale Price|20% Off
H 44.4 in W 31 in D 0.2 in
Boos Wool Tapestry, Contemporary Wall Hanging, Naturally Dyed and Handwoven
By Andrew Boos
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This wall hanging is a one of a kind heirloom piece. Taking inspiration from brutalism, mid-century abstraction, and Joseph Albers studies on the interaction of color. The entire pr...
Wool, Cotton
20th Century Painting by Joe Boudreau, Untitled #2
By Joe Boudreau
Located in Wainscott, NY
20th Century painting by Joe Boudreau, untitled #2. This untitled work was painted with acrylic, house paint, oil and water colored paint by the late Chic...
Acrylic, Paint, Watercolor
Abstract Painting by Venezuelan Artist Alejandro Rios
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
An abstract painting by Venezuelan artist Alejandro Rios. Rios is known for creating largely abstract landscapes that disappear through the texture a...
Canvas, Paint
$1,100Sale Price|21% Off
H 24.5 in W 17 in D 0.88 in
Violin Color Lithograph, Modern Style, Signed, 20th Century, 83/90
By Irving Amen
Located in Miami, FL
Fine color lithograph titled "Violin" by Irving Amen. Pencil signed by the artist, numbered 83/90. This fine quality contemporary and decorative artwork by Irving Amen would enhanc...
Paper
$7,350Sale Price|22% Off
H 29.5 in W 22.63 in D 2.5 in
Charles Levier Bouquet of Flowers Oil Painting in the Manner of Bernard Buffet
Located in Miami, FL
A fine, framed oil on board/isorel painting by Charles Levier, signed. This wonderful mid-century modern painting is a fine example of Levier's work and is in very good original co...
Paint, Masonite
$4,450
H 46.66 in W 32.49 in D 1.97 in
18th Century Neo-Classical Italian Carved, Painted and Gilt Wall Panel
Located in Leesburg, VA
Anonymous ca. 1790; Italy Wood panel and plaster, painted, gilt and lacquered Approximate size: 118.5 x 82.5 x 5 cm The present panel is probably of late 18th century origin,...
Wood, Giltwood
Textile Poster, Contemporary Handwoven Tapestry by Andrew Boos
By Andrew Boos
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This wall hanging is a one of a kind heirloom piece, inspired byFrank Lloyd Wright and the Prairie School architects, and Joseph Albers studies on colors. The entire process of cre...
Wool, Cotton
$17,775 / item
H 48 in W 90 in D 3 in
Shearling and Leather Vertebrae Wall Tapestry Art by Moses Nadel
By Moses Nadel
Located in Oyster Bay, NY
The Vertebrae Wall Tapestry X creates a feeling of balance, beauty, and softness. Leather links hang from a minimalist wooden peg rail to support two curly shearling panels verticall...
Leather, Sheepskin, Felt, Hardwood
$158Sale Price|60% Off
H 36 in W 29.5 in D 0.75 in
Contemporary Signed Very Colorful Abstract Lithograph
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Contemporary Signed Very Colorful Abstract (2 of 15) Lithograph - 1997 Frame and matting needs to be updated.
Paper
$1,600
H 34 in W 20 in D 0.2 in
Boos Wool Tapestry, Contemporary Wall Hanging, Naturally Dyed and Handwoven
By Andrew Boos
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This wall hanging is a one of a kind heirloom piece. Taking inspiration from brutalism, mid-century abstraction, and Joseph Albers studies on the interaction of color. The entire pr...
Wool, Cotton
Sold
H 68.5 in W 1 in D 27 in
Maitland Smith Hand Painted Neoclassical Hanging Panel Oil on Board Flowers 68"
Located in Dayton, OH
A large impressive hand painted wooden panel by Maitland Smith, circa 1990s. Features Neoclassical and French styling with floral sprays, ribbons and scrolled designs. Framed in ant...
Hardwood, Paint
Sold
H 19.69 in W 14.97 in D 1.58 in
Set of TWO Framed Prints of Citrus Fruit Study from originals of 1886, New
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
These are a set of TWO digitally remastered prints of Citrus Fruit studies, hand coloured and framed, originally from American water colours from Circa 18...
Glass, Wood, Paper
Oronzo Gasparo Past Glories, 1947
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fantastic surreal oil on linen painting by Oronzo Gasparo (American 1903-1969) titled Past Glories. This painting depicts Greco-Roman beauties in a neoc...
Linen, Wood
Framed Oil Painting by George Wesley Bellows
By George Wesley Bellows
Located in Atlanta, GA
An oil painting depicting an unidentified young man by George Wesley Bellows (1882-1925), a member of American Ashcan School in the circle of Robert Henri. This portrait is in its original condition with the period frame. Signed G.Bellows BR on canvas. Marked Robbins on the back of the canvas. This piece has been authenticated (see provenance below). Provenance: From the estate of Leona Robbins Collection, FL. A female student of Robert Henri. Sotheby's American Art sale on 09-28-2012 Lot number 111. It was authenticated and added to George Bellow...
Canvas, Giltwood
Sold
H 24 in W 36 in D 1 in
Atlantic Cafe Mermaid Chalkboard, Nantucket Hand-Painted by Thomas Deininger
By Thomas Deininger
Located in Nantucket, MA
The mermaid chalkboard from the much loved Atlantic Cafe on Nantucket Island. Hand-painted by the now nationally renowned artist Thomas Deininger, when he was an employee there one summer in the mid-1970s. Beautiful oil on slate painting...
The Tree of Life Lithograph, circa 1870
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
The Tree of Life lithograph, circa 1870, on the either side of the river was there the Tree of Life which bare 12 manner of fruits. Revelation Chap. X...
Paper
James Montgomery Flagg Uncle Sam World War I Poster
Located in Manhasset, NY
James Montgomery Flagg (American, 1877-1960), uncle Sam World War I recruiting poster. The iconic image of Uncle Sam pointing toward the ...
Original Summer Landscape Painting by Andrey Bogoslowsky
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Beautiful acrylic painting by well-known artist ,Andrey Bogoslowskey ,with multi colors of yellow green ,white ,blue and grey ,all together to form lovely happy landscape paintin...
Wood, Acrylic
Sold
H 30.75 in W 38 in D 5 in
Pair of Pastels on Board Signed Oelphin Enjolras In Wonderfully Carved Frames
By Delphin Enjolras
Located in Manhasset, NY
A fine pair of pastels on board by Oelphin Enjolras (1857-1945) French. Each in a wonderful carved frame set under tempered glass. Delphin Enjolras mastered the medium of pastel to ...
Pair of Heron Charcoals by Marilyn Borglum
By Marilyn Hageman Borglum
Located in Atlanta, GA
Fine quality pair of nicely framed heron charcoals by Marilyn Hageman Borglum.
Paper, Charcoal