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
Mahogany, Trimming
Early 2000s Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble, Bronze
Late 20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Ceramic
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
2010s Australian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Fur
1910s English Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
Late 18th Century European Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble, Metal
1990s Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
Early 20th Century Austrian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Other
20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Ceramic, Paint
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Silver
20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood, Mirror
21st Century and Contemporary North American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Cotton, Silk
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
20th Century Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Giltwood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wrought Iron
20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wool, Cotton, Foam
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wool, Cotton, Foam
18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Other
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
Late 20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
1990s American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Walnut
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
1830s American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Leather, Pine, Linen
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass, Wrought Iron
21st Century and Contemporary North American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Cotton, Silk
21st Century and Contemporary North American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Cotton, Silk
2010s American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Nickel
19th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Silver, Other
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Other
21st Century and Contemporary North American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Cotton, Silk
20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Hickory
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Mirror, Lucite, Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Leather, Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Rock Crystal, Ormolu
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal