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-20th Century Danish Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
1970s German Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Blown Glass
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Milk Glass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Concrete
1830s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Upholstery, Mahogany
Early 1800s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Steel
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Polyester, Wood
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1840s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Limestone
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1820s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Gesso, Wood, Paint
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1820s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry, Ebony
1890s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Burl, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood
Early 20th Century British Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate, Sterling Silver
1780s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Oak, Rosewood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paper
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
20th Century Chinese Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Mahogany
18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Gold Leaf
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Iron
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Hardwood, Paper
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Mirror
1950s British Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Gold, Enamel
1930s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood, Paint
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Brass, Metal, Metallic Thread
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Earthenware
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Beech, Faux Bamboo, Wood, Mirror
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1810s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1940s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Giltwood, Paint, Gesso
Late 18th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Mahogany
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Terracotta
Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
2010s Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1910s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
1980s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1810s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany