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.
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Walnut
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
1820s American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Birdseye Maple
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Walnut
1990s Philippine Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Canvas, Hardwood, Paint
2010s American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Cotton, Velvet, Down
19th Century Caribbean Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Mahogany, Poplar
2010s American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Cotton, Silk, Down, Feathers
Late 20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Fruitwood, Pine, Paint
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Silver Plate
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
Late 20th Century North American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
Mid-19th Century Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Cherry
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Mirror, Wood
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass, Iron
20th Century Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Iron
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
18th Century European Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Silver
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Alabaster
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Walnut
18th Century South American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Other
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Creamware
2010s Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Linen
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Pine
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Ormolu
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Cotton, Velvet
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Linen
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Linen
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Ormolu
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Poplar
19th Century Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass, Copper, Other
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Linen
20th Century French Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Masonite, Paper, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Silk, Velvet, Down
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Yarn
Early 19th Century Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Leather, Paper, Parchment Paper
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble, Bronze
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Canvas, Giltwood
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Linen
20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Gold Plate
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
2010s Belgian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Fabric
20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Glass, Wood, Paper
2010s Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble