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
Porcelain
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Bronze
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry
18th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Bronze
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Iron, Wrought Iron
1920s North American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver, Silver
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Pine
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Cherry
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Mahogany
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Brass
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Berlin Iron
Early 1900s British Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Gold, Enamel
1930s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Travertine, Wrought Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Furniture
Composition
1880s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1920s English Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Gold Leaf
1890s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood, Paint
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Oak
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Ormolu
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Giltwood
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
1820s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sheffield Plate
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Brass
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Pottery
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Shell
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Walnut
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Slate
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware, Ceramic
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1860s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron