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.
1770s German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Early 1900s Asian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
1950s Danish Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Glass
1890s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 2000s American Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Wood, Paint
1930s British Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Pottery
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Linen, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
1820s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
1820s German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Elm
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1870s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Metal, Brass
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
Mid-19th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany, Oak
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Brass, Bronze
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Rock Crystal
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Textile, Paper, Pine, Walnut, Wood
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu, Bronze
1930s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Parchment Paper
1910s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Brass, Wire
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Composition
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Siena Marble, Bronze
19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
1940s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Steel
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Furniture
Eggshell, Lacquer
20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Iron, Wrought Iron
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Leaf
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Rock Crystal, Marble, Bronze
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Brass
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Ormolu
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Maple, Rosewood
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1960s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Plaster
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Enamel
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Rock Crystal, Marble, Bronze
20th Century European Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Metal
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1950s Unknown Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Cedar, Pine, Paint
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Rush, Wood, Paint
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
20th Century Persian Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver