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.
1910s British Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate, Bronze
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate, Bronze
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate, Bronze
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Walnut
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Silver Plate
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate, Bronze
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate, Bronze
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Silver, Brass
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Early 1900s Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
Early 20th Century German Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 1900s Russian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Gold, Enamel
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Walnut, Linen
Early 20th Century Swedish Neoclassical Furniture
Birch
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Copper, Iron
Early 1900s Unknown Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Early 20th Century Austrian Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Iron
Early 1900s Dutch Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Iron, Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century European Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century German Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1920s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Israeli Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century Swedish Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 1900s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century North American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Early 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Steel
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1920s English Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
Early 1900s Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Oak
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Limestone