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
Gold, Enamel, Other
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Leather, Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Silk, Velvet, Down
18th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Fruitwood, Walnut
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
Mid-19th Century Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble, Bronze
18th Century European Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
1840s American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Glass, Wood, Paper
21st Century and Contemporary English Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Velvet
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
1840s Spanish Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Animal Skin, Paper
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Ormolu
1950s English Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
Late 20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Giltwood, Fabric
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Iron, Gold Leaf
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Gold Plate
19th Century Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Alabaster
21st Century and Contemporary English Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Silk
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Ormolu
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass, Copper
1850s American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wool, Cotton
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
19th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Oak
Mid-20th Century North American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
1790s Spanish Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Other
Early 20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
Late 19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wicker, Hardwood
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Linen
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Breccia Marble
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Gold
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Giltwood
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Linen
1990s American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Textile
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Maiolica, Majolica
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Linen
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Linen
1870s American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Silver
21st Century and Contemporary English Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Pine
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Linen
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood, Walnut
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Linen
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Linen
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Linen