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 Classicist Style Swedish Empire Ceiling Candelabra
Located in Berlin, DE
Swedish Empire ceiling candelabra in classicist style. Polished, silvered brass and facett-ground prism hangings. (F-Ra-81).
Crystal, Brass
$18,192 / set
Set of Three Neoclassical Gilt Bronze Wall Lights
Located in London, GB
Set of three Neoclassical gilt bronze wall lights French, c. 1890 Measures: Height 56cm, width 40cm, depth 32cm This set of three wall lights is crafted in a Neoclassical, Frenc...
Bronze, Ormolu
pair of French 19th century Neo-Classical st. Ormolu and Crystal lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An attractive and most decorative pair of French 19th century Neo-Classical st. Ormolu and Crystal lamps. Each lovely lamp is raised on a squared Ormolu base with a Coeur-de-Rai desi...
Crystal, Ormolu
$3,975 / set
Pair of 1900s French Silvered Bronze Sconces
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautifully detailed silvered bronze sconces with nice lion's head detail.
Silver, Bronze
19th Century Amethyst Cut Crystal Lamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful hand cut crystal lamp with hand painted parchment shade. Newly wired. On a double click "low" and "high." Most beautiful color of Lilac.
Crystal
19th Century French Exotic Stone and Bronze Lamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The marble is possibly Blue John stone. Lamp was originally purchased at Sotheby's in New York City. The overall body width is 9" wide. The custom parc...
Marble, Bronze
Baltic 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Ormolu And Crystal Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A very unique and elegant Baltic 19th century Neo-Classical st. Ormolu and Crystal chandelier. This beautiful eight arm square chandelier has a highly detailed pierced Ormolu central...
Crystal, Ormolu
Lamp Decorated with Brass Stilt Decors, circa 1950
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Lamp decorated with brass stilt decors, circa 1950.
Brass
Bronze and Gilt Bronze Lamp Base
Located in Atlanta, GA
A superb bronze and gilt bronze lamp table lamp base. Black marble plinth and lamp height of 19", France, circa 1910 Dimensions: Total H 34" D 7.5" W 10" 2 lights CW4156.
Marble, Bronze
French 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A beautiful and unique French 19th century Neo-Classical st. patinated bronze and ormolu chandelier. The five arm chandelier is centered by a striking patinated bronze ball with a fi...
Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Lamp
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive and large scale French 19th century neo-classical st. patinated bronze and ormolu lamp. The lamp is raised by an elegant square ormolu base with a fine mottled border b...
Bronze, Ormolu
French 19th Century Neoclassical Style Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome French 19th century neo-classical st. patinated bronze and ormolu six arm chandelier. The chandelier is centered by a striking inverted foliate acorn bottom finial amidst ...
Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of French 19th Century Neoclassical St. Ormolu Three-Arm Sconces
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive large scale pair of French 19th century Neo-Classical st. ormolu sconces. Each three arm sconce is centered by charming finely detailed oak leaves and acorns below the ...
Ormolu
Italian 19th Century Neoclassical Patinated Eight-Arm Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A wonderful and most unique Italian 19th century Neo-Classical patinated eight arm chandelier. The chandelier is centered by a lovely foliate bottom inverted finial below striking Le...
Wood
Pair of Russian Early 19th Century Neoclassical Style Three Arm Girandole Lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A most elegant pair of Russian early 19th century Neo-Classical st. ormolu, crystal and white Carrara marble three arm Girandole lamps. Each Girandole is raised by a square white Car...
Crystal, Carrara Marble, Ormolu
French 19th Century Neoclassical Style Maple and Ormolu Chandelier
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional French 19th century Neo-Classical st. maple and ormolu chandelier. The chandelier is centered by a fine bottom inverted finial of the eternal flame amidst carved maple...
Ormolu
French 19th Century Neoclassical Style Red Marble and Ormolu Lamp
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome French 19th century neo-classical st. red marble and ormolu lamp. The lamp is raised by a triangular marble base with concave sides, a mottled border and a bottom ormolu f...
Marble, Ormolu
Italian Silver Gilt Urns Converted into Small Lamps Hand Made Shades With Silver
Located in Buchanan, MI
Very nice 18th century Italian urns converted into lamps with custon parchment shades, silver leaf. These would be charming sconces on wall brackets. ...
Silver, Vermeil
Unique Antique American Caldwell Neoclassical Gilt and Patina Bronze Chandelier
Located in New York, NY
A unique antique American Caldwell neoclassical circular chandelier in gilt and patinated bronze, suspended by four chains attached to a ceiling canopy decorated with acanthus relief...
Bronze