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 Spanish Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Other
1970s Unknown Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal, Bronze
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
2010s French Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Cherry, Oak
Mid-20th Century Philippine Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wicker, Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wool, Cotton, Foam
Late 20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Giltwood
1780s Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Gold Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Gold
1960s Swedish Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bamboo, Rattan
Late 18th Century German Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze, Other
21st Century and Contemporary North American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Cotton, Polyester
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Gold
1980s Unknown Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble
1990s American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Cotton
2010s Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
1940s Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Leather
2010s Australian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Linen
20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Fabric, Down
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Maple, Walnut, Burl
2010s American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Walnut
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary North American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Cotton, Silk
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Copper
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Iron, Gold Leaf
20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wool, Angora
21st Century and Contemporary North American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Cotton, Silk
Early 1900s Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Pewter
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Precious Stone
20th Century French Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Canvas, Wood, Paper
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Iron
Early 20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
1990s Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
1940s Italian Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Maple
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Ceramic, Paint
20th Century Chinese Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
19th Century Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Walnut
20th Century French Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Iron
19th Century Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Porcelain, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood