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.
18th Century European Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Silver
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Mirror, Wood
Late 20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Crystal, Sterling Silver
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
20th Century Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
18th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Linen
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Linen
Late 19th Century Portuguese Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Linen
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Gold
1880s Swedish Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Ash
20th Century Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Linen
20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Leather
Early 20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood, Glass
1830s American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Glass, Wood, Paper
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood, Paper
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Porcelain
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Textile, Cotton, Paper
1820s American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Birdseye Maple
2010s American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Cotton, Silk, Down, Feathers
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Linen
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
1990s Philippine Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Canvas, Hardwood, Paint
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal, Brass
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Linen
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Fabric, Giltwood
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
20th Century Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Lacquer
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Cherry
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Ormolu
1830s English Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Glass, Wood, Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood, Paint
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
1990s American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Canvas, Giltwood
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Pearlware, Pottery
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
1870s American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Iron
1990s American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Late 20th Century English Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
1840s American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Glass, Wood, Paper
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood, Giltwood
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Textile