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.
New England Style Folk Art Wood Whale Wall Sculpture, circa 1970's
Located in Philadelphia, PA
"New England Style" Folk Art Wood Whale Wall Sculpture "made of pine wood - oiled with food grade mineral oil" "ready to hang" "perfect for a beach house" "small portion of upper t...
Pine
Antique World Globe On Stand French
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Antique World Globe On Stand French. Beautiful piece purchased in France. Age appropriate wear, see detailed photos or message us with questions.
Wood
Nautical Sailboat or Yacht Model in Blue and White with Painted Wood Body, 1930s
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Beautiful model sailboat or yacht created from wood, brass, and canvas. The body is painted in a deep blue at the bottom with white edges. A brass propeller sits underneath. All on a...
Metal
Nautical Folk Art Hand Carved Wooden Whimsy
Located in Brooklyn, NY
American whimsy with traditional 'ball in cage' decoration, all carved and whittled from one continuous piece of wood, circa early 20th century. The bottom tip suggests that this pie...
Wood
$6,500
H 10 in W 10.5 in D 8 in
American Nautical Brass Yacht Binnacle Mounted in Mahogany Case, Circa 1890
Located in Charleston, SC
American nautical mahogany yacht binnacle with a hinged locking oval glass viewing port, original removable brass side light burner with font, brass carrying handle, and fitted with ...
Brass
Vintage Nautical Flower Pots: Folk Art Sea Shell Encrusted Planters
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Lovely almost pair of sea shells encrusted flower pots / planters.
Shell
$2,197
H 24.51 in W 38.19 in D 10.63 in
Late 19th Century Cased British Sailing Vessel Folk Art Maritime
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A late 19th/early 20th century cased display of a painted British sailing vessel, built by Joseph Packer, who was a carpenter in Ramsey The detailed s...
Blown Glass, Pine
19th Century English Folk Art Encased Ship Diorama
Located in London, GB
19th Century Folk Art Encased Ship Diorama A delightful and highly decorated example of a late 19th century English folk art ships model diorama...
Glass, Wood
A folk art diorama model passenger ship in a bottle English circa 1930
Located in Central England, GB
This early 20th century ship in a bottle diorama is of a rarer subject being an early large steam ocean going passenger liner set in a scene just off the shoreline with a lighthouse ...
Glass
Vintage Handmade Boat Model Diorama
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Vintage handmade boat model diorama of the "Sovereign of the Seas" a three masted schooner, displayed in its original case. Originally built in Massac...
Hardwood
$425
H 2.5 in W 7.25 in D 1.13 in
Folk Art Nantucket Island Ornamental Fishing Line "Fish" Spool Souvenir
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Hand carved and painted mint green fish souvenir spool from Nantucket Island (ca. 1940s, MA, USA). The fishing twine is connected to a small metal hook affixed to the fish's mouth. Warm patina / good age commensurate with history (small spots of wood / paint loss along with crazing). Small but impressive vintage fishing collectible...
Stone
$3,800
H 7 in W 11 in D 6 in
American Three Masted Clipper Ship in Bottle on Original Wood Stand, Circa 1880
Located in Charleston, SC
American three masted clipper ship in bottle with cloth rigging in full sail on a painted sea, flanked by a sea side town with evergreen trees, a pain...
Glass, Wood, Paint
$1,440Sale Price|20% Off
H 19.5 in W 7.25 in D 7.25 in
Vintage Large Nautical Maritime Brass Glass Ship's Hourglass Display Model Timer
Located in San Diego, CA
Very unique large maritime/nautical brass and glass hourglass. Wonderful dorm and design. Brass has a wonderful patina and can be polished if desired. H...
Bronze
$316Sale Price|20% Off
H 20 in W 13.5 in D 12 in
1880s Onion Porch Lantern Rustic Caged Globe Cabin-Modern Nautical Bubble Lamp
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Nice antique onion lantern, unknown maker. A wonderful rustic decor for tabletop or hanging. Sold as a prop for decor only, the function of the o...
Glass
Antique Sawfish Rostrum on Stand
Located in PARIS, FR
Rare and striking sawfish rostrum presented on a custom stand. This natural object, with its rhythmic succession of teeth and raw, tactile surface, evokes both primitive weaponry and...
Bone
Sold
H 56 in W 93 in D 0.25 in
13-Star Yacht Ensign, O.C.& K.R. Wilson, Ship Chandleries, Early 20th Century
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Presented is a 13-star Yacht Ensign from the early 20th century, dated 1900-1925. The machine-sewn canton has 13 single-appliqued white cotton stars arranged in a medallion, enclosin...
Brass
Round Sea Shell Encrusted Pink Flower Motif Decorative Box with Lid
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A pretty coastal-inspired round decorative box encrusted with a sea shell motif. This box is round and features an attached lid. The lid is decorated with an array of seashells and t...
Shell
Nautical Display in Showcase France Beginning 20th Century
Located in Salzburg, AT
Nautical display in showcase France beginning 20th century. The object is finely handcrafted from wood, plaster, fabric and paint. It shows an antique sailing ship...
Glass, Plaster, Wood
Rigged Half Model of the Schooner Yacht America
Located in Norwalk, CT
Crafted by Don Peterson, Larchmont, NY circa 1971, an outstanding model of the famed 19th century yacht racing yacht, America. On August 22, 1851, ...
Wood
Sold
H 29.5 in W 41.5 in D 1 in
American Oil on Canvas of Two Masted Schooner Yacht under Full Sail 20th Century
Located in Charleston, SC
American nautical oil on canvas of two masted schooner yacht under full sail with American flag, crew on deck, second vessel in distance, and mounted in a silver gilt frame, Early 20...
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Sold
H 16.5 in W 8.25 in D 14.75 in
Solid Brass Nautical Navy Bell Submarine Officer Ship Captain Dolphins Maritime
Located in Dayton, OH
Ornate brass navy bell Features two dolphins supporting a bell on intergal molded base. Bell is functional, and has loud tone. This is the type of bell th...
Brass
Tools from a 19th Century Waling Vessel
Located in Huntington, NY
A group of 19th century whaling tools Including a boring tool, blubber scraper 3 gaffs Decorative, tools for nautical wall hanging.
Iron
Hand Modeled Fore-and-aft Rigin a Glass and Bronze Case
Located in Stamford, CT
Hand modeled fore-and-aft rig in a glass and bronze case waving the American flag. A simply stunning clipper ship model leaving no detail to attention undone. A seemingly spectacular...
Glass, Wood
Very Large and Fine Antique Williamson Bros. Inlaid Half Ship's Wheel
Located in Bridgeport, CT
With great size and weight, a Mahogany half-wheel with fascinating multi-wood construction in a fine pattern. Marked on a brass roundel, “Williamson Bros. Co. Phila. Pa.” With turned...
Brass
Rare and Massive Antique Maritime Ship's Anchor
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An authentic Maritime ship’s anchor with a section of very large link double whole chain. In all original as found condition and having a really appealing all-over age/use patina. Ve...
Iron
19th Century Urn with Handles in Patinated Copper Surface
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This copper urn has a amazing untouched copper patinated surface and double handles. The condition is very good.
Iron
Mounted Ships Bell Made from Artillary Shell, Signed
Located in Stamford, CT
A mounted ships bell made from Artillary Shell. Signed.