Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
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.
Mid-20th Century Persian Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool
Mid-20th Century Russian Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool
1890s French Antique Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool
20th Century Persian Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool
2010s Australian Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Sheepskin
20th Century Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool, Cotton, Foam
Mid-20th Century Persian Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool, Silk
20th Century Persian Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool, Yarn
19th Century Persian Antique Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool
Early 20th Century Persian Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool
20th Century Persian Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool
Early 20th Century Persian Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool
20th Century Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool, Angora
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool
21st Century and Contemporary Pakistani Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool
21st Century and Contemporary Pakistani Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool
Mid-20th Century Persian Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool
Early 1900s Asian Antique Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool
Mid-20th Century Persian Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool
19th Century Persian Antique Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool
20th Century Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool
20th Century American Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Jute
21st Century and Contemporary Nepalese Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Fabric
Early 20th Century Persian Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool
Mid-20th Century Persian Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool
20th Century Persian Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool
Mid-20th Century Turkish Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool, Cotton
Late 20th Century Persian Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool
Mid-20th Century Persian Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Silk
Early 20th Century Turkish Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool, Yarn
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool
Early 1900s Unknown Antique Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool, Cotton
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool
Mid-20th Century Persian Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Silk, Wool, Cotton
20th Century Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool, Cotton, Foam
1910s Irish Vintage Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool, Cotton, Foam
Early 20th Century Turkish Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool
21st Century and Contemporary Pakistani Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool
Early 20th Century Persian Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool
20th Century Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool
Mid-20th Century Russian Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool
Mid-20th Century Turkish Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool
20th Century Persian Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool
20th Century Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool
Early 20th Century Persian Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool
Late 20th Century Persian Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool, Silk
2010s Indian Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool
Late 20th Century Persian Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool
Early 20th Century Persian Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool
Early 20th Century Persian Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Cotton
Early 20th Century Persian Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool
Early 20th Century Persian Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool
Early 20th Century Persian Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool
Mid-20th Century Turkish Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Silk
Late 20th Century Indian Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool
Early 2000s Chinese Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool, Silk
Early 2000s Chinese Neoclassical Rugs and Carpets
Wool, Silk