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.
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Rush, Mahogany
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Steel
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 1800s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry, Ebony
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate, Bronze
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1890s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Bronze
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Wood
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Iron
1790s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Late 18th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Bronze
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Leather
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Oak
1920s German Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Composition
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany, Oak
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Concrete
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Pearlware, Pottery
21st Century and Contemporary European Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Late 19th Century Thai Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Gold Leaf, Metal
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Gold, Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Iron, Zinc
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Bronze, Nickel
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1910s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
1930s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Hardwood, Paper
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1820s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Slate
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Cedar, Pine, Paint
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Maple, Oak, Walnut
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu