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 Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Cotton, Velvet
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Nickel
Early 19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Wood
Early 2000s American Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Brass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Resin
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Mahogany
1940s Argentine Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
1990s American Neoclassical Furniture
Plastic, Paper
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble, Brass
Late 20th Century North American Neoclassical Furniture
Concrete
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Griotte Marble, Enamel, Ormolu
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1890s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Granite, Brass, Iron
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Limestone
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone, Brass, Iron
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Breccia Marble
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry, Pine
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1820s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Terracotta
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
1780s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Limestone
20th Century Philippine Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone, Metal
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
1990s Chinese Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 2000s North American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Mirror
1830s European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Bronze, Ormolu, Wire
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Art Glass
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Paint
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Cane, Wood