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.
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Walnut, Burl
Late 18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Gold, Steel
20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Steel
1830s Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
1880s English Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Ormolu
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Mirror, Lucite, Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Alabaster, Breccia Marble
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Hickory
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Walnut
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Ormolu
Late 20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
20th Century French Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Rock Crystal
20th Century Turkish Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wool
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Gold
18th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Fruitwood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble, Bronze
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble, Bronze
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Cotton
Late 18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood, Paint
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Mahogany
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
1920s Unknown Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wrought Iron
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Silver Plate, Iron
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble
1780s German Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
Early 20th Century European Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Fabric, Wood
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
1940s Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
19th Century Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Hardwood
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Silver, Brass
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Mahogany
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble
20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Leather
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Alabaster
1940s Italian Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Cherry
20th Century French Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Iron
1840s American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Mahogany
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
1830s French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Mahogany
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood