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.
Vintage Louis XVI Style Vitrine Cabinet, Brass and Glass, Circa 1960s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage Louis XVI style curio / Vitrine cabinet in two parts. An exquisite vintage display cabinet finished in a seafoam green with hand painted gilt accents. Glass front and sides w...
Brass
$850Sale Price|41% Off
Italian Neoclassical Style Giltwood Wall-Hanging Vitrine Cabinet
Located in Astoria, NY
Italian Neoclassical Style Giltwood Wall-Hanging Vitrine Cabinet, lyre form with single glass-paneled door opening to three shelves and red-lined interior, "Made in Italy" label to r...
Glass, Giltwood
$3,136Sale Price|30% Off
Neoclassical Brass Etagere Vitrine with Adjustable Glass Shelves
Located in Hanover, MA
BG SUMMER SALE Solid brass neoclassical style etagere or vitrine on stand, the denticulated cornice over a reeded frame adorned with leaves. Fitted w...
Brass
$16,000Sale Price|20% Off
Display Cabinet-Glass, Brass & Mahogany by The Joslin Showcase Company of Boston
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large mahogany display cabinet made by the Joslin Showcase Company of Boston, Massachusetts. The company was founded in 1893. The cabinet is made it two pieces. The upper part has three glass shelves plus the bottom wooden shelf. The base has six working drawers and four sliding doors with fielded panels. The two end drawers are false and don't open. The original nickel shelf...
Brass, Nickel
$4,921Sale Price|23% Off
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Style Vitrine
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
This Italian neoclassical style vitrine expresses elegance and refinement in every detail. Made in the mid-20th century in walnut veneer with elegant details in briar and maple. Its ...
Walnut
$12,381 / item
Classic by Carpanelli Leaf Glass Cabinet
By Carpanelli
Located in Desio, IT
This piece is a true artistic sculpture. The doors are in solid wood and modelled like a real leaf. Also the stump-base in elm briar is an unparalle...
Cherry, Walnut
Small antique French display cabinet from around 1910.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique display cabinet from around 1910, France. Furniture in very good condition, after professional renovation. Dimensions: height 146 cm / width 80 cm / depth 36 cm
Marble
Mastercraft Neoclassical Brass and Glass Vitrine Cabinet
By Mastercraft
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Mastercraft Neoclassical Brass and Glass Vitrine Cabinet This cabinet measures: 40.5 wide x 16 deep x 87 inches high Excellent Vintage Condition. We take our photos in a controlle...
Brass
MidCentury Limited Ed. Neoclassical Style Fruitwood Vitrine Cabinet Beacon Hill
By Beacon Hill
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a neoclassical style carved fruitwood vitrine by Beacon Hill. It is a numbered limited production piece. The interior has adjustable glass shelves and includes a key.
Glass, Fruitwood
$2,320Sale Price|20% Off
Display Cabinet by Pulaski Furniture Corporation
By Pulaski Furniture Corporation
Located in Pasadena, TX
79" display cabinet by Pulaski Furniture Corporation 79? display cabinet 5 glass shelves 50 watt max lightning Measures: 26? Wi...
Glass
$1,438Sale Price|20% Off
Showcase Rosewood Design, 1950, Italian
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Showcase rosewood design 1950, Italian, very special cross-legged, brass parts.
Brass
$7,312Sale Price / item|20% Off
Pair of Shelves in Black Lacquered Metal, Brass, Glass and Bronze with Claw Feet
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This stunning pair of shelves are made of black lacquered metal, brass and bronze glass shelves. The bottom legs of each vitrine has very nice bronz...
Metal, Brass, Bronze
$12,695 / item
Classic by Carpanelli Fiordiloto Vitrine
By Carpanelli
Located in Desio, IT
This piece of intense architectural value, expresses its lyricism in the running on of its lines and the rhythum ot its musicality. The structure is in slabs of solid cherry-wood enr...
Cherry, Maple, Walnut
Pair of Italian Painted Altar Display Pedestal Vitrines
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Opulent pair of large Italian carved altar pedestal vitrine display shelves or pavilion displays made in the grand neoclassical taste. The pedestals feature a stepped base having four column pillars surmounted by a roof. The frieze is reeded with parcel gilt decoration and has a domed top. The top has acanthus carved designs ending with a large finial...
Wood
French Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze Mounted Ebonized Wood Display Cabinet
Located in London, GB
French neoclassical style gilt bronze mounted ebonized wood display cabinet French, late 19th century Measures: Height 164cm, width 122cm, depth 40cm This fine display cabinet, attr...
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
Louis XVI Style Satinwood Vitrine with Neoclassical Ormolu Mounts
Located in London, GB
Louis XVI style satinwood vitrine with neoclassical ormolu mounts French, 19th century Dimensions: Height 180cm, width 177cm, depth 45cm This ...
Ormolu
Pair of Italian Painted and Gilt Urn Vitrines. Circa 1780
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of Italian painted and gilt vitrines with hinged glass tops, carved intertwined decorative floral vine motif, corner floral medallions, and terminating on bulbous fluted legs su...
Gold
$116,130 / set
Pair of Giltwood Domed Top Display Cabinets, circa 1900
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A rare pair of giltwood domed top display cabinets. English, circa 1900. Each cabinet has a domed top comprising of four glazed sections divided by mouldings. The glazed sides ...
Glass, Giltwood
Early 19th Century Dutch Floral Marquetry Bureau Display Cabinet
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
The moulded cornice above two shaped glass panelled doors opening to shelves, the lower part with a hinged sloping fall front opening to reveal a fitted interior with a central door ...
Ormolu
Italian 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Patinated And Giltwood Cabinet Vitrine
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A beautiful and most elegant Italian 19th century Neo-Classical st. patinated and giltwood cabinet vitrine. The vitrine is raised by circular tapered fluted legs with handsome giltwo...
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
Masters Showcase by Paolo Buffa for the Permanent Cantù, 1950
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Sideboard with display case by Paolo Buffa for La Permanente Mobili Cantù, 1950s. Mahogany structure moved on the front and sides. The lowe...
Mahogany
MOBILI COLOMBO Mahogany Neoclassical Vitrine Display Cabinet
Located in Perkasie, PA
MOBILI COLOMBO Mahogany Neoclassical Vitrine Display Cabinet – Item L72164 This impressive MOBILI COLOMBO vitrine showcases the refined elegance of Neoclassical design with exceptio...
Mahogany
Antique Oak Multitier Wall Display Csbinet with Glass Doors
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Antique oak small wall vitrine with glass door and multitier shelving.
Wood
19th Century French Gilded Porcelain Jewelry Cabinet, Manner of Martin Carlin
By Martin Carlin
Located in Forney, TX
A magnificent Neo-classical 19th century Louis XVI taste giltwood royal jewelry cabinet, in the manner Parisian ébéniste Martin Carlin (b.1730–1785). ...
Porcelain, Giltwood
Italian Midcentury 1940s Bookcase Walnut Veneer with Two Drawers, Wax Polished
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Italian bookcase period 1940s in walnut and walnut veneer with two drawers, wax polished. Upper showcase with grating and the two lower doors covered in leatherette. Excellent condit...
Iron
Classic by Carpanelli Il Quadro glass cabinet with a frame
By Carpanelli
Located in Desio, IT
This piece is a true artistic sculpture. The doors are in solid wood and modelled like a real leaf. Also the stump-base in elm briar is an unparalleled symbol of the tree. On request...
Cherry, Walnut, Hardwood
Russian Neoclassical Mahogany Brass-Inlaid Cabinet, Circa 1820
Located in New York, NY
Russian neoclassical mahogany cabinet with brass inlay, circa 1820. Upper cabinet fitted with glass sides and front glass door with three ...
Brass
$11,437 / item
Classic by Carpanelli Hermitage Vitrine
By Carpanelli
Located in Desio, IT
It has a rounded structure, reminding one of a picture frame, made of wood with mother-of-pearl dot inserts. The crystal doors feature a rich inlaid filletin...
Walnut
Italian 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Walnut Cabinet Vitrine
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive Italian 19th century Neo-Classical st. walnut cabinet vitrine in the manner of Maggiolini. The cabinet is raised on eight square tappered supports with elegant maple wo...
Walnut
Lacquered Crescent Bar, 1990s
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Lacquered half-moon bar cabinet with faux crocodile doors bronze handles. The style echoes the French eclecticism of the 1940s and is art deco in flavor but echoes the neoclassical s...
Bronze
French 19th Century Neoclassical Style Cabinet Vitrine Clock Signed FOREST
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A rare and monumental French 19th century neo-classical st. burl ash, ebony and ormolu mounted cabinet vitrine with the original capital and fitted clock signed FOREST. This spectacu...
Ormolu
Late 19th Century Napoleon III French Vitrine Cabinet
Located in London, by appointment only
A fine late 19th century Napoleon III glazed cabinet on chest, the shaped grey marble top above a curved frieze and mounted with fine gilt bronze mounts. The vitrine with a full widt...
Marble, Bronze
$8,500 / set
18th Century Venetian Table Vitrines
Located in Los Angeles, CA
18th Century Venetian finely carved giltwood and painted table vitrines. Could be electrified and mounted as wall sconces.
Glass, Giltwood