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.
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Maple
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Iron
1970s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Metal
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Composition
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paper
1930s British Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Paper
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Persian Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Glass
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Marble, Metal, Bronze, Copper, Ormolu, Tin
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Linen
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Resin
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Rush, Wood, Paint
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood, Paint
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Wood
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Wood, Paper
Early 2000s American Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Giltwood
Late 20th Century Belgian Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Giltwood
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Milk Glass
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Blown Glass, Maple
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Steel
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Steel
1990s American Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Hardwood, Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Furniture
Onyx, Quartz, Travertine, Marble, Carrara Marble
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
Mid-19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Metal
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1950s English Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1980s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Linen
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass