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.
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ironstone
1990s Chinese Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas
Late 20th Century Belgian Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Giltwood
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Gold
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Pearlware
Early 19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Stoneware
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Neoclassical Furniture
Stone
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Textile, Wood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1830s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Delft
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Oak
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Siena Marble
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Cement
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Composition
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Fruitwood
20th Century North American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Swiss Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1930s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 18th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1970s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Shell
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
20th Century Persian Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Cane, Wood
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Paint
1920s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1910s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
20th Century North American Neoclassical Furniture
Fiberglass, Plaster
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Agate, Brass
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Iron
20th Century Cuban Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Concrete
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
18th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silver