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.
19th Century Czech Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Gold
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Gold Leaf
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Pine
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silver, Sterling Silver
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silver
Early 19th Century Irish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
19th Century Irish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Majolica
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Pine
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum, Brass, Steel
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Ormolu
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary French Neoclassical Furniture
Beech
1930s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Iron
1980s European Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Composition
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Steel, Iron
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Wood, Paint
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Giltwood, Paint
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Giltwood
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate, Copper, Iron
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Leaf
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Giltwood
19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silver, Bronze, Iron
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Onyx, Ormolu
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1930s English Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Porphyry, Ormolu
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain, Parchment Paper
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu
2010s Mexican Neoclassical Furniture
Oak
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Belgian Black Marble, Ormolu
Neoclassical furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Read More
What Is Ormolu, and Why Are We Talking about It?
This golden material glamorized neoclassical furnishings and transformed upper-crust sitting rooms from France to Philadelphia in the 18th and early 19th centuries.
New York’s Hirschl & Adler Showcases the American Workmanship and Design Panache of Neoclassical Treasures
The gallery's latest exhibition proves that museum-quality pieces entice and inspire, whether in traditional or more modern interiors.
Susanna Salk’s Favorite Designers Show Us How to Play with Patterns
Taking us on a whirlwind tour of spaces that use charming prints with aplomb, the interiors expert makes a compelling case for ditching staid solids when tackling your next decorating project.
6 Creative Ways to Decorate with Sculpture Busts
Just because a statue looks classical doesn't mean it has to be conventional. Designers share their tips for placing busts in the perfect spot.