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 European Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary European Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1840s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
Late 18th Century German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1810s Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
2010s Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Limestone
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Limestone
2010s Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Lapis Lazuli, Marble, Bronze
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas
1810s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Fir
Early 1800s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Fir
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Lapis Lazuli, Marble
1820s Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Other
Late 18th Century German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
Early 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1990s Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Cotton
1790s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1810s German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
1770s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Fir
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1980s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry
1980s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1980s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Plywood
1840s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Gold Leaf
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1760s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Maiolica
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Other
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Harewood
18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Other
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Textile, Cotton, Paper
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Faux Bamboo, Mirror, Wood, Beech
2010s Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1890s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silk, Wood
1870s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Wood, Lacquer
Late 18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Other
1840s Spanish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silver
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Other
2010s Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Gold Leaf
Early 1900s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
2010s Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Limestone, Marble
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Limestone