Neoclassical Cabinets
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.
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Cabinets
Oak
Late 20th Century Chinese Neoclassical Cabinets
Wood
1940s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Cabinets
Brass
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Cabinets
Brass
1980s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Cabinets
Plywood
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Cabinets
Glass, Oak
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Cabinets
Glass, Wood
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Cabinets
Walnut
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Cabinets
Mahogany
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Cabinets
Glass, Ebony, Mahogany, Satinwood
20th Century American Neoclassical Cabinets
Marble
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Cabinets
Metal, Brass, Iron
Late 20th Century North American Neoclassical Cabinets
Glass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Cabinets
Mahogany
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Cabinets
Nickel, Brass
Early 20th Century North American Neoclassical Cabinets
Brass
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Cabinets
Wood
Early 20th Century Belgian Neoclassical Cabinets
Brass
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Cabinets
Glass, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Cabinets
Brass
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Cabinets
Glass, Cherry
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Cabinets
Brass, Copper
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Cabinets
Mahogany
20th Century American Neoclassical Cabinets
Mahogany
Late 20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Cabinets
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Cabinets
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Cabinets
Brass
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Cabinets
Glass, Hardwood, Paint
20th Century Neoclassical Cabinets
Brass
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Cabinets
Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical Cabinets
Glass, Hardwood
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Cabinets
Oak
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Cabinets
Mahogany
1930s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Cabinets
Brass
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Cabinets
Marble, Brass, Ormolu
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Cabinets
Granite, Bronze
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Cabinets
Glass, Cherry, Giltwood
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Cabinets
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Cabinets
Walnut
20th Century French Neoclassical Cabinets
Textile, Fruitwood, Paint
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Cabinets
Paint, Wood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Cabinets
Glass, Satinwood
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Cabinets
Wood, Glass
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Cabinets
Brass, Wire
Early 1900s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Cabinets
Glass, Softwood
20th Century French Neoclassical Cabinets
Wood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Cabinets
Brass, Bronze, Gold Leaf
Early 1900s Italian Antique Neoclassical Cabinets
Pine
20th Century American Neoclassical Cabinets
Hardwood
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Cabinets
Bronze
20th Century French Neoclassical Cabinets
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Cabinets
20th Century French Neoclassical Cabinets
Wood
1980s Vintage Neoclassical Cabinets
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Cabinets
Wood
20th Century French Neoclassical Cabinets
20th Century American Neoclassical Cabinets
Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical Cabinets
Wood