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.
1970s Spanish Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Gold
Early 20th Century European Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Wool, Cotton, Foam
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Hardwood, Paint
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1890s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 1900s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Wrought Iron
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1780s Sicilian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
15th Century and Earlier American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Clay, Pottery
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Wrought Iron
1910s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Steel, Iron
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware, Pottery
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Steel
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Carrara Marble
Early 1900s Latvian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Gold Plate
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Mid-19th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Early 1800s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1890s European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Fruitwood, Olive
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Velvet, Wood, Lacquer
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paper
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Granite, Brass, Steel
Mid-20th Century European Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Marble
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary French Neoclassical Furniture
Limestone
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Copper
18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Serpentine
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Persian Neoclassical Furniture
Wool, Silk
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
Mid-20th Century German Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1910s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Brass, Wire
Early 19th Century British Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Earthenware
Late 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Composition
1820s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paper
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Bronze
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Ormolu
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass