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.
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Furniture
Eggshell, Lacquer
20th Century Chinese Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Wood
2010s Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1850s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Fir
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass, Steel
1810s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Fir
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze, Iron
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany, Burl
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Polyester
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Gold Leaf
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Copper
Early 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
20th Century Persian Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Pine
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Wood
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Granite, Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1940s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Onyx
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Steel
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
2010s Australian Neoclassical Furniture
Sheepskin
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Giltwood, Paint
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Gesso, Wood, Paint
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Ash, Olive, Burl
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Stoneware
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Maple
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany, Satinwood
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1990s American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Wood
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Copper
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Linen
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Gold Leaf
1950s English Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
1830s German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Fir
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Fir
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1830s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Upholstery, Mahogany
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Gold, Brass
18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Late 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Metal, Bronze, Copper, Tin
2010s Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Limestone
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Fabric, Cotton
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Iron
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
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