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.
1890s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Fruitwood
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
2010s French Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Bronze
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Blown Glass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
1930s Japanese Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1890s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wicker
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paper
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry, Satinwood, Walnut
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Onyx, Carrara Marble, Statuary Marble
20th Century Danish Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
19th Century Persian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Iron, Metal, Gold Leaf, Wrought Iron
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 18th Century German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century German Neoclassical Furniture
Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood, Paint
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Iron
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany, Rush
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1840s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Glass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware, Pottery
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
Early 1900s Russian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Jade, Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel