Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
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.
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Canvas, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Canvas
Late 18th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Glass, Paper, Wood
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Mahogany
1850s American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Iron
1950s English Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
1990s Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Gold
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood, Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble
Late 18th Century German Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
Late 20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Ceramic
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble, Bronze, Brass
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Lapis Lazuli, Marble
20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Glass, Wood, Paper
Late 18th Century German Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Glass, Wood, Paper
1970s Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Cherry
2010s Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
Early 20th Century German Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
1990s Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Cotton
1790s French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
1810s German Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Crystal, Bronze
Early 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
Early 1800s Unknown Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Pine
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Giltwood
20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Glass, Wood, Paper
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Walnut
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Giltwood
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Giltwood
Early 20th Century European Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Malachite
20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Crystal, Bronze
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Leather
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Textile, Cotton, Paper
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood