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 Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Mahogany
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
2010s Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Silver Leaf, Gold Leaf
2010s Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Silver Leaf, Gold Leaf
2010s Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Silver Leaf, Gold Leaf
1990s Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood, Paper
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
1880s French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Plaster, Wood
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood, Glass
1980s Italian Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble, Brass
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Animal Skin, Paper
1890s French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble
1810s Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood, Paper
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass, Wrought Iron
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Terracotta
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood, Paint
1980s Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Pearlware, Pottery
19th Century Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Terracotta
Late 20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Iron
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
Late 19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Steel
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Hardwood
20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Mirror, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary German Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Late 18th Century European Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
Early 20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Linen, Wood, Paint
Late 20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Iron, Gold Leaf
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
2010s American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Cotton, Silk, Down, Feathers
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
20th Century Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Iron
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Cotton, Chenille
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
2010s American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Cotton, Velvet, Down
18th Century European Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze