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.
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum, Brass, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary French Neoclassical Furniture
Beech
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
2010s French Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Cherry, Oak
2010s Mexican Neoclassical Furniture
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary European Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Cotton, Velvet, Down
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Velvet, Oak, Bouclé, Cotton
2010s Romanian Neoclassical Furniture
Other
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Harewood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Furniture
Onyx
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
2010s French Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paper, Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Wood, Paper
2010s Romanian Neoclassical Furniture
Velvet, Wood, Beech, Feathers
2010s Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Polish Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Nickel, Bronze, Brass
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Rush, Oak
2010s Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Lapis Lazuli, Marble, Bronze
2010s Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Quartz, Rock Crystal, Wrought Iron
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Nickel, Bronze, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary European Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary European Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary European Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Furniture
Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary European Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary European Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Furniture
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Furniture
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Furniture
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Furniture
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Furniture
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Furniture
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Furniture
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Furniture
Leather