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 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Earthenware, Creamware
1980s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Paint, Paper
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Paint, Paper
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Goatskin
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1970s Belgian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Late 20th Century North American Neoclassical Furniture
Wicker, Paint
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
1950s Central American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Glass
Early 1800s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
20th Century Russian Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
18th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Fruitwood
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Goatskin
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Oak
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Sheet Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Gold Plate, Bronze
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Resin
1970s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Goatskin, Beech
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Earthenware
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Iron
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Goatskin
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Chrome
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric
1980s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
1980s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
20th Century North American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Nutwood
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1980s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
20th Century North American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wicker, Rattan
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Velvet