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.
21st Century and Contemporary North American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Cotton, Silk
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Linen
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Carnelian, Brass
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Leather, Paper
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
Late 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
20th Century English Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Fabric, 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
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Linen
1990s American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Walnut
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Walnut, Burl
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Iron
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Walnut
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
20th Century Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
20th Century North American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Gold
Late 20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Crystal, Sterling Silver
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
1890s French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
1980s Philippine Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Horn
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
1830s English Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Glass, Wood, Paper
18th Century Maltese Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Fruitwood, Walnut
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Pearlware, Pottery
20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Iron
Early 20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood, Glass
Early 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Oak
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
Mid-19th Century Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble, Bronze
2010s Australian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Linen
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Siena Marble
Late 18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Gold, Steel
2010s American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Velvet, Down
20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Mirror, Wood
20th Century French Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Rock Crystal
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Canvas
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble
18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Other
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass