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.
$2,000Sale Price|20% Off
2 French Painted & Fired Neoclassical Leaded Botanical Stained Glass Windows 62"
Located in Dayton, OH
2 Vintage reclaimed French painted and fired leadedstained glass windows. Features a Neoclassical botanical garden scene with vinbrant flowers and architecture. Signed E Couet alon...
Stained Glass, Wood
$1,000Sale Price|20% Off
French Painted & Fired Victorian Style Botanical Garden Stained Glass Window 69"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage large French painted and fired stained glass window. Features a Victorian garden scene with a woman seated in the garden amidst beautiful flowing gardens. Dimensions: 16.75...
Stained Glass, Wood
A fine French 1920s 4-Panel Folding Screen Room Divider
Located in Long Island City, NY
A fine French early 20th century folding screen room divider with four mahogany panels adorned with small windows, gilded lacquered molding...
Fabric, Glass, Mahogany
19th Century Stained Glass Of Apollo Belvedere By W. Doyle
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
This 19th century stained glass of Apollo Belvedere by W. Doyle is signed and dated to 1814. This piece is after the iconic marble currently located within the Vatican Museums, Rome...
Metal, Lead
Pierre Schoenewerk Antique French Bronze Figure of Euterpe
By Pierre Alexandre Schoenewerk 1
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique 19th century French classical bronze figure of a seated Euterpe by Pierre Alexandre Schoenewerk. Signed ‘Schoenewerk’ to the oblong base, this French piece has a wonderful...
Metal, Bronze
Large Antique Neoclassical Stained Glass Window
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A very large and highly detailed antique stained glass window circa 1900 of French or Italian origin depicting a neoclassical scene. This is one of four similar windows we are sellin...
Lead
Large Antique Stained Glass Window Depicting Neoclassical Ruins
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A very large and highly detailed antique stained glass window circa 1900 of French or Italian origin depicting neoclassical ruins. This is one of four similar windows we are selling ...
Lead
Antique Neoclassical Style Stained Glass Window
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A stunning and vibrant early 20th century arched neoclassical style stained glass window housed in a wooden frame, circa 1900. Skilfully designed, this antique stained glass window ...
Lead
Small Neoclassical Stained Glass Window Hanging
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A small and elegant neoclassical stained glass window hanging depicting Aletheia, the Greek Goddess of Truth (or the Roman Veritas). The handpainted panel dates from circa 1850 and i...
Lead
Antique Neoclassical Style Leaded Glass Window
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An elegant large neoclassical style stained glass window circa 1890. A Victorian take on a neoclassical design, this stained glass window centres around an elongated oval panel depic...
Lead
Antique French Zinc Oeil De Boeuf Window Frame, Circa 1890
Located in Dallas, TX
Sometimes referred to as a dormer, this zinc oeil de boeuf window frame is from France, circa 1890. First used during the 17th century, the dormer...
Zinc
$1,820Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.5 in W 30 in D 1.25 in
Late 19th Century Antique Arched Stained Glass Window in a New Wood Frame
Located in Stamford, CT
Beautiful 19th century antique stained glass window with an arch top in a new square wood frame. This window is full of color with a turquoise center...
Stained Glass, Wood
$1,650
H 84 in W 80 in D 1 in
19th Century Four Panel Chinoiserie Room Divider Dressing Folding Screen
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
An impressive four panel painted folding screen featuring a variety of flowers. Each panel is delicately hand-painted in black, reds, oranges, yellows, pinks and blues. The rear side...
Canvas, Wood, Paint, Leather
$10,400Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 51.5 in W 16.25 in D 1 in
2 Rare Antique 19th C. Neo Renaissance Figural Leaded Stained Glass Windows 52"
Located in Dayton, OH
An impressive Pair of stained glass windows of the highest quality, painted with grisaille and enamels on cathedral glass, circa 19th century. Representing two Renaissance Halberdier...
Stained Glass
Chinoiserie Folding Screen or Room Divider
Located in Grand Rapids, MI
China, 1940s-1960s Folding screen or room divider in black lacquer with hand painted decoration. Chic and functional chinoiserie piece. Each side of the screen has a different design...
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
$4,500
H 90.56 in W 74.81 in D 0.79 in
Vintage Art Deco Japonisme 4 Panels Folding Screen or Room Divider 1970s
Located in Geneva, CH
Exquisite art deco screen or room divider. Light brown lacquered panels with gold-leafed heron motif engraved. Four panel folding configuration. Designer unknown; in the style of Do...
Wood
Rattan Bamboo Folding Screen Room Divider, 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching handcrafted rattan / wicker and bamboo three-panel folding screen / room divider with filigree decoration. Manufactured in Spain, 1960s. This rattan folding screen combi...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan, Cane
$2,360Sale Price|20% Off
H 40 in W 32 in D 1.5 in
Antique Aesthetic Stained & Jeweled Leaded Glass Window With Stylized Globe
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Aesthetic Stained & Jeweled Leaded Glass Window With Stylized Globe C1880 Measures - 40" x 31 7/8" x 1 3/8"
Stained Glass
Tri-Fold Opaque Lacquer Folding Screen / Room Divider
Located in Newburgh, NY
Sculptural, handcrafted, self-supporting screen for use as a stand-alone or combined to create a larger privacy wall. The tri-fold design can be oriented with the form tapering eithe...
Hardwood
$1,520Sale Price|20% Off
H 96 in W 2 in D 85 in
Large Vintage 5 Panel Scorched Bamboo & Rattan Folding Screen Room Divider 96"
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie folding screen or room divider. Made from bamboo with rattan inserts and a spindled center. Dimensions: Each panel 96" x 19" x 1 3/4", open length a...
Bamboo, Rattan
Antique Victorian Stained Glass Window with Monogram
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A Victorian era stained glass window dating from the late 19th century. Bold and vibrant, this antique stained glass window centres around a monogram of the letters F and R among colourful florals in front of a golden tree with an abundance of leaves and foliage. It is one of two stained glass...
Stained Glass, Pine
$960Sale Price|20% Off
H 31.5 in W 46.5 in D 1.5 in
Antique Victorian Leaded Stained Glass Neoclassical Architectural Window 47"
Located in Dayton, OH
An impressive antique Victorian Neoclassical style leaded stained glass window. Features beautiful ribboned and scrolled motif with leaded, slag, swirl and pebble glass. Features c...
Stained Glass, Hardwood
Sold
H 72.5 in W 19.25 in D 1 in
2 French Painted & Fired Neoclassical Floral Stained Glass Windows Signed 72"
Located in Dayton, OH
2 Vintage large French painted and fired stained glass windows. Features Neoclassical scenes with flowers, birds and architecture. Signed Couet Paris along lower right side of one....
Stained Glass
Sold
H 6.5 in W 45.28 in D 0.4 in
Pair of Antique Stained Glass Window Hangings of Neoclassical Figures
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A set of 2 antique stained glass panels of Neoclassical figures. Dating to circa 1780, these stained glass panels have stood the test of time; each one showcases precision, detail an...
Lead
Set of 2 Antique Stained Glass Panels of Neoclassical Figures
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A set of 2 antique stained glass panels of Neoclassical figures. Dating to circa 1780, these stained glass panels have stood the test of time; each one showcases precision, detail an...
Lead
Antique Large Arched Stained Glass Window
Located in Lutz, FL
Antique Architectural Salvage Stained Glass Window. Arched shape with natural wood on one side and painted on reverse. Glass panes in green, lavender, dark yellow and light yellow. S...
Stained Glass, Wood
Sold
H 38 in W 19.375 in D 0.25 in
4 Antique Reclaimed French Neoclassical Leaded Stained Glass Jeweled Windows 38"
Located in Dayton, OH
Remarkable set of 4 French leaded stained slag glass windows. Features a central pink jeweled Neoclassical bow flanked by fleur de lis above a teardrop tasseled design. The window ha...
Metal
Victorian Stained Glass Window Panel of Boreas
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A late 19th century Victorian stained glass window panel depicting Boreas, God of the north wind, one of 3 similar we are selling depic...
Glass, Stained Glass, Wood, Pine
Victorian Stained Glass Window Panel of Vulcan
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A late 19th century antique stained glass window panel depicting Vulcan, God of fire and the forge, one of 3 similar we are selling depicting notable figures of Greek and Roman mytho...
Glass, Stained Glass, Wood, Pine
Victorian Stained Glass Window Panel of Neptune
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A late 19th century antique stained glass window panel depicting Neptune, God of water and sea, one of 3 similar we are selling depicting notable figures of Greek and Roman mythology...
Glass, Stained Glass, Wood
Antique Leaded Glass Diamond Shaped Window, C1900
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Diamond shaped window with leaded frame. Hinged on sides. Excellent vintage condition with minimal wear. Glazing around the outer frame is old and cracked, needs refreshing.
Lead
19th Century American Arch Top Greek Key Transom Window
Located in Chicago, IL
A marvellous late 19th century American arch top transom window with a hand-etched Greek key pattern framing a frosted central panel. It’s likely this was intended to be painted with...
Glass, Wood
Windows from a Brittany Abbey, France, 19th Century
Located in Paris, FR
From an Abbey in Brittany, France, 10 beautiful double windows, in chestnut wood the best and highest quality in wood used in castles, naturally insects free illness free openning in...
Wrought Iron
Sold
H 133.86 in W 98.43 in L 133.86 in
Abbey Cloister Double Window Doors, Burgundy France, 19th Century
By Rémy Garnier
Located in Paris, FR
Unique and rare double arcade window doors from an Abbey Cloister in Burgundy, 19th century France, circa 1870. Huge dimensions. Stunning pieces. Made in solid oak wood. With their original Mercury glasses that give a sublime effect, and different contrasts dependent on the day and night lights. Incredible 78 glasses. With its original and beautiful Cremona handlers stamped by Rémy Garnier the official arts Craft maker...
Wrought Iron