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 Portuguese Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Velvet, Oak, Bouclé, Cotton
21st Century and Contemporary French Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone, Cement
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Travertine, Composition
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Lead
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1870s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
18th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Limestone
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary French Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Cast Stone, Cement
21st Century and Contemporary French Neoclassical Furniture
Cement, Cast Stone
18th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
1850s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Limestone
Mid-19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Cast Stone, Cement, Limestone
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Majolica, Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Cast Stone, Cement, Limestone
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Persian Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
Late 20th Century Persian Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
Early 1900s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Giltwood, Paper
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Iron
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Rock Crystal, Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Limestone, Metal, Iron
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
18th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary German Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
1890s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood