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.
20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Iron
2010s American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Cotton, Velvet, Down
20th Century English Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble, Bronze, Brass
20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Glass, Wood, Paper
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Mahogany
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass, Wrought Iron
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass, Iron, Zinc
2010s American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Fabric, Wood
1980s Philippine Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Horn
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Creamware
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
20th Century Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
Mid-19th Century European Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
Late 20th Century French Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Limestone, Metal
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Yarn
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
2010s French Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Cherry, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
Late 18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Gold, Steel
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Other
Early 20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Mohair, Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
2010s American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
1810s German Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
2010s French Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Cherry, Oak
20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
Early 2000s American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
1830s American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Glass, Wood, Paper
20th Century Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Terracotta
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
Early 2000s American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Leather, Paper
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Stainless Steel
1850s French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble, Bronze
1990s American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Maple
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Walnut
2010s Australian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Linen
19th Century German Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Walnut
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary European Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper