Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
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.
2010s American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Fabric, Foam, Velvet, Feathers
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Fabric, Velvet, Foam
Early 20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Iron
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
19th Century Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Mahogany
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
Late 20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Pearlware, Pottery
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Porcelain
1980s Italian Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble, Brass
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Mirror, Wood
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Terracotta
Late 18th Century European Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Terracotta
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Carrara Marble, Serpentine, Ormolu
Late 20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Leather, Acrylic
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Cotton, Chenille
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Moldovan Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Ash
2010s French Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Linen
1830s Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Moldovan Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Ash
1910s British Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Sterling Silver
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wool, Cotton
Early 20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Gold
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Resin
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Leather
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
Early 20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Poplar
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wrought Iron
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
1920s German Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Canvas, Paper
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Canvas, Paper
Late 20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
Early 20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
2010s American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wool, Cotton, Foam
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble
20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wool, Cotton, Foam