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.
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Mid-19th Century North American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Slate
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
19th Century Caribbean Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Mahogany, Poplar
20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Creamware
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Cotton
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
21st Century and Contemporary North American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Cotton, Silk
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Ormolu
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
2010s American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Walnut
19th Century Swiss Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Creamware
Early 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Walnut, Burl
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wool
20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
21st Century and Contemporary North American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Cotton, Silk
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Carrara Marble
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Creamware
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wool
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
Mid-20th Century Canadian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Spelter
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Maiolica, Majolica
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Mahogany, Oak, Walnut
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Creamware
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wool
2010s American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary North American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Cotton, Silk
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass, Steel
Early 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
2010s Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Leather, Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Rock Crystal, Ormolu
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Leather, Fabric, Wood
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal