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.
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Pottery
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wool, Cotton, Foam
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Rope, Maple
Late 19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Porcelain
20th Century North American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Mahogany, Oak, Walnut
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
2010s American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Mahogany, Trimming
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Ormolu
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paint
1770s Spanish Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Gold, Steel
20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Other
1910s English Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Steel
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Fabric, Giltwood
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Canvas, Paint, Paper
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wool
19th Century Swiss Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Gold, Enamel
1980s Philippine Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Iron
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Breccia Marble
20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Iron
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood, Walnut
1790s Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paint, Wood
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Iron
20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Oak
18th Century European Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
18th Century European Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Gold, Enamel, Other
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal, Other
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Mirror, Wood, Glass
1840s Spanish Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
20th Century Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Early 1800s American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Gold
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
1790s Spanish Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Other
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Upholstery, Mirror, Giltwood
1780s French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Oak, Rosewood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wool, Cotton, Satin
Late 18th Century Polish Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble, Bronze
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Gold Plate
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Walnut, Burl
18th Century European Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze, Other
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood, Mirror
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Mirror, Wood
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Copper, Iron
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Stone