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.
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Iron
2010s American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Gold Leaf
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Maple
1930s Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Ceramic
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Mirror
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble, Onyx
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass, Iron
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
Mid-19th Century Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Walnut, Burl
20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood, Paper
20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wool, Cotton, Foam
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Walnut
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Walnut
20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Iron
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Maple, Paint
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
20th Century French Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Gold Plate
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Maple, Rosewood
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Walnut
20th Century Chinese Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Canvas, Wood
Mid-20th Century Mexican Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass, Iron
1780s French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Oak, Rosewood
1990s Philippine Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Canvas, Hardwood, Paint
2010s American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
Early 20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Cherry
19th Century Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass, Copper, Other
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Mahogany
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Fruitwood
20th Century French Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Cherry
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Leather, Wood
20th Century Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Onyx, Brass
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Plaster, Wood, Pine
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Silver Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Cane, Wood
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Fruitwood
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Mahogany
2010s Australian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Fur
21st Century and Contemporary American 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
20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
1940s Argentine Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood