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.
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
18th Century German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Walnut
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Travertine
2010s French Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry, Oak
1990s American Neoclassical Furniture
Cotton, Wood, Down
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Bronze
1780s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Oak
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Stone
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Wrought Iron
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Paint
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Slate
20th Century British Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wool, Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Early 20th Century Swiss Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Concrete
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Wrought Iron
Early 18th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Pearlware, Pottery
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Cane, Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Resin
1820s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century North American Neoclassical Furniture
Masonite
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
20th Century North American Neoclassical Furniture
Fiberglass, Plaster
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Walnut
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Limestone
1830s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Ormolu
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Opaline Glass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Chrome, Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 1900s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Gold Leaf
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1960s English Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century European Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu