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.
Bassett Five-Piece American Traditional Living Room Suite, 1990s
Located in San Gabriel, CA
Beautiful matching Bassett 4-piece living room set from the 1990s. Includes: • Sleigh-arm sofa • Two matching slipper chairs • Solid wood coffee table with 2 drawers All pieces f...
Wood, Walnut
$35,000 / set
Italian Venetian Gold 6-Piece Living Room Set
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 6 Italian Venetian-style (19th Cent) walnut high-back salon / living room set with carved cupid heads and gold upholstery. (3 side chairs, 2 arm ch...
Upholstery, Walnut
Patinated Wood and Gold Leaf Seven Pieces Suit, France, Late 19th Century
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Patinated wood and gold leaf seven pieces suit. Attributed to Maison Jansen, France, late 19th century. One large sofa, two armchairs and four chairs. Dimensions: Large sofa: 106 c...
Gold Leaf
$24,744Sale Price|35% Off
18th Century, Pair of Italian Neoclassical Carved Giltwood Stools
Located in IT
18th century, pair of Italian neoclassical carved giltwood stools The fine pair of neoclassical stools, made in Sicily (Italy) in the second half of the 18th century, consists of ...
Silk, Wood, Giltwood
$95,000 / set
Russian Neoclassic 9-Piece Living Room Set
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 9 Russian Neoclassic mahogany and carved parcel gilt trimmed living room / salon set (19th Cent) (loveseat, 6 arm chairs, 2 side chairs)
Mahogany
Wood and Gold Leaf Three Piece Suite, France, Late 19th Century
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Wood and gold leaf three piece suite. France, late 19th century. Attributed to Maison Jansen. Dimensions: Large sofa: 91 cm height, 137 cm width, 67 cm depth, 48 cm seat height....
Gold Leaf
French 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Living Room Set Likely By François Linke
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and extremely high quality French 19th century Neo-Classical st. solid Rosewood and ormolu armchairs and matching settee likely by François Linke. The pair of armchairs an...
Ormolu
French Louis XIV Style Salon Suite in the Manner of Guéret Frères
Located in Troy, NY
French Louis XIV Style Salon Suite in the Manner of Guéret Frères. Whimsical and very decorative set of salon furniture consisting of one large chair, ...
Upholstery, Walnut
Pair of 18th Century Late Gustavian Stools
Located in Ballard, CA
Pair of late Gustavian X-framed stools with lion feet, circa 1770. Original paint.unique pair of Gustavian stools, made in Sweden circa 1770. ...
Fruitwood, Upholstery, Silk
$31,950Sale Price / set|32% Off
H 44.5 in W 63.25 in D 31 in
French 19th Century Louis XV Style Three-Piece Giltwood and Aubusson Salon Suite
By Royal Manufacture of Aubusson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine French 19th century Louis XV style three-piece giltwood carved and silk Aubusson tapestry three-piece salon suite, comprising of a settee and two fauteuils (armchairs), the Aubusson silk...
Silk, Wood
$8,950Sale Price / set|39% Off
H 46.5 in W 79 in D 32.25 in
French Louis XVI Style 19th Century Giltwood Carved Three-Piece Salon Suite
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine French Louis XVI style 19th century giltwood carved three-piece salon suite, comprising of a three-corps settee and...
Fabric, Giltwood
American Art Deco Wicker 6-Piece Living Room Set
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 6 American Art Deco wicker salon / living room set painted green & yellow with an arch form back & open weave trim (sofa, 2 armchairs, rocker, recamier, coffee table)
Upholstery, Wicker
$7,042Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 29.53 in W 75.6 in D 35.44 in
1960s Rare Living Room Oak Set, Finland
Located in Praha, CZ
- Newly upholstered In quality 100% recycled KIRGBY fabric. - Wooden parts have been carefully refurbished. - The dimesnions of the chairs : height 75cm, seat height 44cm, width: ...
Fabric, Wood
$12,950Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 45 in W 27 in D 30.75 in
Four French 19th Century Louis XVI Style Giltwood Carved and Aubusson Armchairs
By Royal Manufacture of Aubusson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A set of four French 19th century Louis XVI style giltwood carved and Aubusson (worn) tapestry upholstered fauteuils a la reine armchairs. The banded oval back surmounted by a carved...
Tapestry, Giltwood
$19,200 / set
H 54.13 in W 84.25 in D 34 in
Rare Seven-Piece Louis XIV Style Giltwood Salon Suite from France, circa 1880
Located in Dallas, TX
This majestic giltwood Chateau salon suite is from France and dates to circa 1880. There are four side chairs, two armchairs (fauteuils), and a canapé. All have square baluster legs and volute x-stretchers. All the wood has been richly sculpted and gilded, and motifs include scrolls, foliage, rinceaux, palmettes, beading, acanthus leaves and more. The armrests of the fauteuils and canapé are supported by large lion muzzles. The side chairs and canapé are all supported by cross stretchers, while the bright yellow upholstery is more recent, attached by large brass nailheads. The motifs are musical trophies encircled by foliate and floral motifs. French furniture of this style would have been first produced during the reign of Louis XIV, toward the end of the 1600s. A magnificent 19th century suite...
Upholstery, Textile, Wood, Giltwood
A Pair of Italian 18th Century Gilt-wood Stools Roma 1750
Located in Rome, IT
These finely carved and gilded square stools add a beautiful touch to your living spaces. They are carved on all four sides with elegant cabriole legs. Excellent condition of gildi...
Giltwood
Pair of 18th Century Swedish Gustavian Stools
Located in Atlanta, GA
A refined pair of Swedish stools dating to the 18th century, executed in the elegant Gustavian style. Their clean rectangular forms are elevated by finely carved seat rails with repe...
Pine
$27,450Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 46.5 in W 68 in D 26.25 in
Palatial 19th Century Louis XV Style Giltwood Carved Three-Piece Salon Suite
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine French 19th century Louis XV style giltwood carved three piece salon suite, comprising of a canapé (Settee) and two fauteuils à la reine...
Fabric, Wood
$3,000 / set
H 18.12 in W 16.54 in D 16.54 in
Antique Late 18th Century Pair of Italian Tabouret/ Stools
Located in Doha, QA
This beautiful elegant Antique Stools (Tabouret) are hand crafted and made out of walnut wood ca in 1790-1810. They have an extremely exquisite elegant curved legs and very comfortab...
Velvet, Wood
$18,950Sale Price / set|60% Off
H 40.75 in W 29.13 in D 29.5 in
Set of Four French 19th Century Louis XV Rococo Style Gilt Wood Carved Armchairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine set of four French 19th century Louis XV Rococo style giltwood carved Fauteuil à la Reine armchairs, the arched upholstered paneled backs with foliate scroll cresting and simi...
Fabric, Giltwood
Duistt Wormley Cane and Brass Armchairs & Footstool, Set of 2
By Duistt
Located in Rochester, England
Designed by DUISTT and handcrafted in Portugal, the Wormley chair and footstool is inspired by the Edward Wormley Captain's chair from 1950s American m...
Brass
Sold
H 33.86 in W 86.82 in D 40.16 in
Ralph Lauren Aran Isles Three Seat Sofa & Pair of Armchairs Suite
By Ralph Lauren
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this exquisite pair of RRP £30,300 Ralph Lauren Aran Isles sofa and armchair suite upholstered in Scottish w...
Hardwood, Wool
18th Century, Pair of Italian Neoclassical Giltwood Chairs
Located in IT
18th century, pair of Italian neoclassical giltwood chairs The fine pair of neoclassical chairs was made in Italy, circa end of the 18th...
Wood
Walnut Seating Set, 18th Century
Located in Madrid, ES
Walnut and textile seating set (six chairs, two armchairs and a sofa). 18th century. Set formed by six chairs, two armchairs and a sofa made of mahogany wood carved with legs in cab...
Textile, Walnut
Sold
H 34 in W 27 in D 24 in
Fine Set of Four South Italian Green-Painted and Parcel-Silvered Armchairs
Located in Sheffield, MA
A fine set of four South Italian green-painted and parcel-silvered armchairs One Naples, circa 1780, three armchairs possibly from a later date. Each w...
Sold
H 37.8 in W 19.69 in D 18.51 in
Two Elegant Carved Beech Neoclassical Chairs, France, 18th Century
Located in Milano, IT
Two elegant carved solid beech neoclassical chairs, curved lines. Legs ending in goat hoof, open backrest with knots and tassels. Padded seat. They were probably originally lacquered...
Beech
Hand-Carved Sofa
Located in Sheffield, MA
All wood framing is hand carved, including top railing with swirling leaves, Ionic columns at the ends and base with flowers and leaves. The upholstery is beige linen which needs to ...
Wood, Fabric
Nine-Piece Louis XVI Style Giltwood and Tapestry Suite
Located in London, GB
Comprising one canape and eight armchairs, each with arched padded back and bowed seat centred by an oval depicting figures and animals in the manner of Aesop’s Fables, the canape ba...
Giltwood, Tapestry
Sold
H 38 in W 24.5 in D 26 in
A Fine Suite of Austrian Neoclassical Walnut & Fruitwood Marquetry Seat Furniture, 19th Century
Located in Sheffield, MA
A Fine Suite of Austrian Neoclassical Walnut & Fruitwood Marquetry Seat Furniture 19th century. Comprising a pair of armchairs and four side chairs,...
Sold
H 38 in W 24.5 in D 26 in
A Fine Suite of Austrian Neoclassical Walnut & Fruitwood Marquetry Seat Furniture
Located in Sheffield, MA
A fine suite of Austrian Neoclassical walnut and fruitwood marquetry seat furniture. 19th century. Comprising a pair of armchairs and four side chai...