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.
$418 / item
Brown Leather Tray
Located in Westwood, NJ
With Tobacco brown leather, this leather tray is fraught with detail: the topstitching of each leather panel, the narrow leather straps that hold the stainless steel handles in place...
Metal
$418 / item
Orange Leather Tray
Located in Westwood, NJ
With a bold orange leather, this leather tray is fraught with detail: the topstitching of each leather panel, the narrow leather straps that hold the stainless steel handles in place...
Metal
$200Sale Price|42% Off
Neoclassical Round Box in the Style of the Wedgwood
By Wedgwood
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and rare early to mid-20th century matte white and light periwinkle blue round metal box in the Neoclassical style. The Neoclassical raised relief design around box's ext...
Metal
$418 / item
Tan Leather Tray
Located in Westwood, NJ
With soft creamy mushroom tan leather, this leather tray is fraught with detail: the topstitching of each leather panel, the narrow leather straps that hold the stainless steel handl...
Metal
$995Sale Price|20% Off
Austrian Bronze & Iron Neoclassical Trash Can / Wastepaper Basket
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Austrian bronze & iron neoclassical trash can / wastepaper basket Austria, circa early 20th century Of oval form with a continuous trellis, garland and flowerhead motif. Beautiful...
Bronze, Iron
$1,516Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Chateauneuf de Pape Red & Gilt Zinc Grape Hod
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Antique Chateauneuf de Pape Red and Gilt Zinc Grape Hod France, circa 1900s A fine example from the world of French winemaking history is this exquisite antique Chateauneuf de Pape ...
Metal, Zinc
Antique Wrought Iron Two Tier Standing Basket
Located in Germantown, MD
Antique two tier wrought iron 2 tier standing basket in excellent condition. Solid Iron with great stability. For Indoor and outdoor use. Measures 16.5" in width x 10.5" in depth...
Iron, Wrought Iron
Trompe L'Oeil Decoupage Waste Pail, Neoclassical Wood, Italy, 20th C.
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage Neoclassical style Italian decoupage waste pail. Wonderful imagery.
Wood
Genuine Redmon Woven Wicker Picnic Basket with Tabletop in Red and Brown
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A red woven wicker picnic basket with metal handles, wood lid, and short tabletop for serving drinks or sandwiches. Created from woven red and br...
Metal
$1,196Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Antique French Gilt Tôle & Iron Tole Metal Filigree Oval Planters
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of antique French gilt tôle & iron tole metal filigree oval planters France, circa 1900s Each one of oval basket form, the flaring woven filigree gilt tôle metal frames, ...
Metal, Iron
$760Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Russian Silver & Cut Glass Swing-Handled Basket
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th-century Russian silver and cut glass swing-handled basket Russia, circa 1880 Stamped in a rectangular cartouche. 875 grade Immerse yourself in the opulence of 19th-century Rus...
Sterling Silver
1st Quarter 19th Century English Bone China Handled Basket
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
1st quarter 19th century English bone china handled basket. Elegant with pâte-sur-pâte band of white "pearls" on gilt above a wide band of vining cornflowers after the 18th century F...
Porcelain
Antique Pair Paris Porcelain Reticulated Baskets with Gilt, France Circa 1860
Located in Katonah, NY
This exquisite pair of Paris Porcelain baskets was made in France circa 1860. Each basket features a gracefully flared reticulated body, highlighted with hand-applied green enamel an...
Porcelain
Tiffany Edwardian Georgian Pierced Sterling Silver Sugar Basket
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian Georgian sterling silver sugar basket. Made by Tiffany & Co. in New York, ca 1910. Bowl round and pierced; c-scroll swing handle and raised and stepped foot. Detachable cob...
Sterling Silver
Bright Blue Circular Wicker Basket with Woven Floral Knot Pattern
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A bright blue circular wicker basket. A great great basket for use as a planter, or as a waste bin. This piece features a woven wicker body and a woven floral knot pattern top. Di...
Wicker, Paint
Large Gustavian Style Gilt Metal Accent Waste Basket
Located in Sheffield, MA
Large 10" D rustic and elegant at the same time, add a neoclassical country touch to your bedroom, bathroom or office. The gold gilt edging gives it a Classic vintage/antique feel. S...
Metal
Vintage Neoclassical Wrapped Waster Paper Basket
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Add a touch of timeless elegance to your space with this Vintage Neoclassical Wrapped Waste Paper Basket. This charming piece features a classic tapered form adorned with beautifully rendered neoclassical motifs, including graceful figures, cherubs, and delicate floral elements, all set against a warm, aged background. The "wrapped" construction gives it a unique texture and vintage character, making it far more than just a functional item. Perfect for an office, library, bedroom, or living area, this waste paper basket serves as a decorative accent that infuses your decor with historical style and sophistication. This lovely vintage waste paper basket...
Wood, Paper
Italian Neoclassical Red Leather Wastepaper Basket or Trash Can, 20th Century
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Italian Neoclassical Red Leather Wastepaper Basket or Trash Can, 20th Century Description: This refined Italian wastepaper basket is executed in richly colored red leather and desig...
Leather, Wood
$1,980
Brass Wastebasket
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This nice and elegant wastebasket is made of brass. This is a French work. Circa 1970
Brass
$936Sale Price|55% Off
Bronze Bowl by Antonio Pandiani from the 1800s
Located in Milano, MI
Bronze cup made by Antonio Pandiani in 1800. Measures: Ø 12 cm Ø 10 cm h 10 cm Antonio Pandiani was born in Milan in 1838 and died there in 1928. He was a great neoclassical sculptor belonging to the well-known artistic and industrial dynasty of the Pandians of Milan. Antonio studied at the Brera Academy learning the academic style and was immediately appreciated for his portraits. Very often the style of his works reproduces in miniature historical monuments...
Bronze
Neoclassical Leather Wrapped Book Waste Pail Container
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage rare Neoclassical style leather wrapped book waste pail container. Perfect for your home office or library.
Leather
Rare Neoclassical Meissen Porcelain Reticulated Centerpiece with Rams Heads
Located in New York, NY
A large, beautiful, and rare 19th century neoclassical reticulated Meissen centerpiece with open filigree, rams heads, flaming finial, and love bir...
Porcelain
Antique Signed Georg Drewes German Neoclassical Silver & Cut Glass Basket
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Neoclassical footed basket or confectionary stand. By Georg Drewes. In solid silver with a cut glass insert. Comprising a solid silver stand with a split swing handle abov...
Silver
Italian Neoclassical Gilt Leather Book Motif Wastepaper Basket, 20th Century
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Italian Neoclassical Gilt Leather Book Motif Wastepaper Basket, 20th Century Description: This sculptural gilt leather wastepaper basket is an Italian example of Neoclassical reviva...
Leather, Wood
French Neoclassical Style Tole Wastebasket
Located in Houston, TX
French Neoclassical Style Tole Wastebasket. Our French Modern Empire Style Tole wastebasket is a beautiful red with a gold stenciled design. Marked Made In France on the bottom.
Tôle
George III Period Neoclassical Design Sterling Silver Sugar Basket, London, 1795
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1795 by Solomon Hougham, this attractive, George III period, Antique Sterling Silver Sugar Basket, is in t...
Sterling Silver
Glossy Red Wicker Bread Basket
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A woven wicker basket painted in glossy red paint. This piece would be fabulous to serve bread or fruits, or as a decorative dish on a night table or dresse...
Wicker, Paint
$275Sale Price / item|50% Off
Classical Style Painted Wastebasket or Planter, Sold Singly
Located in Sheffield, MA
Rustic and classical at the same time, painted iron waste basket or trash can or planter with wonderful patina, X-design. Waste basket, planter.
Metal
Wicker Splint Gathering Basket
Located in New York, NY
A vintage wicker splint gathering basket with tacked rim, circa mid to late-20th century, USA. A rectangular wicker splint gathering basket for fruit...
Wicker, Wood
$418 / item
Grey Leather Tray
Located in Westwood, NJ
With the quiet shade of grey leather, this leather tray is fraught with detail: the topstitching of each leather panel, the narrow leather straps that hold the stainless steel handle...
Metal
Italian Sewing Basket with Splay Legs
Located in Atlanta, GA
Early 20th Century Italian wicker basket in a saucer shape with a leather-and-brass hinged lid that opens to a storage cavity historically used f...
Brass
Stunning Neoclassical antique sterling silver basket by William Plummer 1782
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1782 by William Plummer, this George III period, Antique Sterling Silver Basket, is in the Neoclassical style, with engraved and pierced decoration to the bod...
Sterling Silver
Antique English Georgian Neoclassical Sterling Silver Basket
Located in New York, NY
English Georgian neoclassical sterling silver basket, ca 1790. Ovoid body on same foot with reeded c-scroll swing handle. Engraved wavy-s...
Sterling Silver
Stunning Neoclassical Antique Sterling Silver Centrepiece Basket, London, 1778
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1778 by William Plummer, this delightful, George III, Antique sterling silver basket, features engraved and pierced decoration, and bead borders. The basket m...
Sterling Silver