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.
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Tin
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Rock Crystal, Wrought Iron
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
20th Century Turkish Neoclassical Furniture
Hemp
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Wood, Paper
1930s Swedish Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Velvet, Birch
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Wood, Paper
Early 2000s Philippine Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Leaf
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu
1780s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Oak
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Stone
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Limestone
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Leaf
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1970s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Steel
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Burl
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1990s American Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Milk Glass
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Steel, Stainless Steel
Early 20th Century German Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
2010s Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paint
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Steel
19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Granite, Belgian Black Marble, Ormolu
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paper
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Cement
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Onyx, Metal
18th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
Late 19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silver
Early 20th Century Persian Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
19th Century Czech Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Gold
1840s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass