Neoclassical Furniture

NEOCLASSICAL STYLE

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.

Style: Neoclassical

Creator: Baccarat

Baccarat Crystal Ashtray

Neoclassical Furniture

1980s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture

Baccarat Crystal Ashtray

1990s French Neoclassical Furniture

Signed Baccarat Crystal Vase with Gilt Decoration of Classical Urn

20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture

Rare Estate Baccarat Eldorado Neoclassical Style Crystal and Gold Decanter

19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture

Antique 19th Century Neoclassical Baccarat Crystal and Glass 36-Light Chandelier

Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture

Pair of Baccarat Acid-Cameo Double-Overlay Blue-Cased White Opaline Glass Vases

Late 19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Furniture

Pair of 19th Century Russian Ormolu and Baccarat Cut Crystal Swan Centerpieces

Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture

Neoclassical Style Crystal Chandelier by Baccarat and Barbedienne

Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture

Stunning Pair of Neoclassical Sconces by Baccarat

1880s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture

Spectacular 19th Century French Crystal Chandelier, 1880s

Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture

Baccarat Crystal Exceptional Chandelier, France, Early 19th Century

20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture

Wonderful Baccarat Harcourt Medium Baluster Signed Crystal Vase

20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture

Large Estate Signed Baccarat Empire Harcourt Bronze and Crystal Vase

Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture

19th Century French Gilt Bronze, Baccarat Crystal and Marble Cornucopia Vase

19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture

19th Century Baccarat Style Crystal Chandelier

1870s Antique Neoclassical Furniture

19th Century Crystal and Porcelain Centerpiece

1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture

Modernist Steuben Decanters, Rare and Exceptional

1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture

Pair of Mod 1960s Italian Cased Glass Vases

Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture

Baccarat Crystal Exceptional Chandelier France, early 19th Century

19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture

19th Century French Dore Bronze and Crystal Baccarat Chandelier

1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture

Tall Baccarat Crystal Tableware Wine / Water Service / 12 People

Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture

Pair of 19th Century Grand Tour Style Compotes by Baccarat

1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture

Baccarat Wine Cooler Height

Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture

Baccarat France Clear Lead Crystal Bottle Decanter with Stopper

1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture

Pair of Mid-Century Modern Neoclassical Glass Obelisk Candelabras by Baccarat

Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture

Pair of Baccarat “L’Enfant” Crystal Candelabras

Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture

Pair of Baccarat “L’Enfant” Crystal Candelabras

Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture

Baccarat French Crystal Chandelier

1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture

Vintage Decorative Baccarat Decanter/ Bottle 1950s

21st Century and Contemporary French Neoclassical Furniture

Baccarat Mille Nuits Ceiling Unit Clear Crystal Medium Size

20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture

Baccarat Harcourt Talleyrand Decanter, 20th Century

20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture

Pair of Baccarat Harcourt Talleyrand Whiskey Glasses

19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture

Louis XV Style Chandelier 12 Lights, Glass, Bronze, Baccarat, France, 19th C

Neoclassical furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

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