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.
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Philippine Neoclassical Furniture
Wicker, Rattan, Rush
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paper
1890s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble, Marble, Brass
1890s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silk, Wood
Early 18th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
1890s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Granite, Aluminum
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Wrought Iron
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
20th Century North American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Aluminum
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
1980s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Wood
Early 20th Century German Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
2010s French Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Cherry, Oak
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silk, Mahogany
Late 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Creamware
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Bronze
Early 20th Century Swedish Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Neoclassical Furniture
Stone
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Limestone
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Brass
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Pearlware, Pottery
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Paint, Wood
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Steel
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
1890s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Fruitwood