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.
1930s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
Late 20th Century Philippine Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Satinwood
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Wood
1830s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone, Brass, Iron
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Polyester, Wood
1820s European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Lapis Lazuli, Marble
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Onyx, Marble
1990s Neoclassical Furniture
Leather
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Wood, Paper
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Brass, Bronze, Wire
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Metal
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany, Burl
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Wood
20th Century Danish Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass, Steel
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Wire
1990s French Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1990s American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Copper
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Cane, Wood, Paint
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Bronze, Steel
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Stoneware
20th Century Persian Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1870s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Stone
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Gold Leaf
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Composition
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1990s Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal