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.
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silver, Vermeil
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Ormolu
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Concrete
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1890s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Onyx, Ormolu
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Terracotta
1970s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century Baltic Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Earthenware
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Ormolu
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
20th Century North American Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Belgian Black Marble, Siena Marble
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Belgian Black Marble, Ormolu
1910s Irish Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
Mid-20th Century Belgian Neoclassical Furniture
Terracotta
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Abalone
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Leather
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Earthenware
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu
1930s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany, Satinwood
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Nickel
Early 20th Century Turkish Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
1890s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1820s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ebony, Fruitwood