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-18th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Ormolu
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Linen, Wood, Paint
17th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Polyester
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Brass, Bronze, Wire
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Linen, Wood, Paint
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Wire
1850s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Fir
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass, Steel
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany, Burl
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century Persian Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
20th Century Danish Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1890s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Czech Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Gold Leaf
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Resin, Lacquer
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Copper
Early 1900s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Ash, Olive, Burl
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Slate
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1780s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Limestone
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paper
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
20th Century Cuban Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Maple
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Fir
1960s English Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Composition
1930s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Creamware
1790s Danish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Stoneware
1810s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Fir
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron, Brass
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1970s English Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
Early 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Elm
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Gold
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
Early 20th Century British Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry, Paint
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Giltwood, Paper
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Onyx, Marble
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Copper
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass