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.
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Linen, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Foam, Mahogany
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Terracotta
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Metal, Brass
1870s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1890s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Silver Plate
18th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
Mid-20th Century Mexican Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Wire
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Stoneware
20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Leaf
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1830s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Upholstery, Mahogany
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1990s American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Pottery
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Fruitwood, Ebony, Mahogany, Satinwood, Glass
1790s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
Early 1900s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Pine, Lacquer
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Coral, Gold Leaf
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Faience, Pottery
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Linen
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Enamel
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Linen
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Glass, Wood, Boxwood, Oak, Satinwood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1890s European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Leather
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster, Giltwood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Onyx, Brass
1870s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Oak
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Brass
1960s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Plaster