Neoclassical Furniture
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 Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
1830s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware, Mohair
Late 20th Century Indian Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Early 1900s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Wood, Paper
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Limestone, Iron
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Granite, Iron
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Cane, Beech
20th Century North American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Aluminum
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1970s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Wood
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Granite, Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
1780s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Slate
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry
1830s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut, Giltwood
1830s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1790s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry, Walnut
1820s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut, Giltwood
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Gold
Early 1800s British Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood, Paint
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Aluminum, Wrought Iron
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Terracotta
Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Harewood
1930s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1910s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood
Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Neoclassical furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Read More
What Is Ormolu, and Why Are We Talking about It?
This golden material glamorized neoclassical furnishings and transformed upper-crust sitting rooms from France to Philadelphia in the 18th and early 19th centuries.
New York’s Hirschl & Adler Showcases the American Workmanship and Design Panache of Neoclassical Treasures
The gallery's latest exhibition proves that museum-quality pieces entice and inspire, whether in traditional or more modern interiors.
Susanna Salk’s Favorite Designers Show Us How to Play with Patterns
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