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.
20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Iron, Wrought Iron
21st Century and Contemporary European Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Beech, Faux Bamboo, Wood, Mirror
20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Iron, Metal, Gold Leaf, Wrought Iron
20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
2010s Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
18th Century South American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Other
2010s European Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
20th Century European Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Other
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Mid-20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Mahogany
18th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silver
Late 18th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Gold, Enamel, Other
Late 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Gold Leaf
18th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Other
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silver, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Metal
Late 18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Gold, Steel
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Other
Mid-20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Iron
20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Other
19th Century Czech Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Glass
Mid-20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Iron, Metal
18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Other
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
Late 18th Century German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Other
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Silver
20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Other
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Other
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Glass
18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Leaf
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Bronze, Other
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Iron, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf
18th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 18th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Enamel, Other
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron, Iron
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Other
Early 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Oak
18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Other
1970s Spanish Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Gold
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
18th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze