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 Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Linen, Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
1880s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu
Early 1900s Russian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Jade, Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1820s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware, Pottery
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Terracotta
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Carnelian, Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Wood, Walnut
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
1890s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass, Bronze
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
18th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Earthenware, Delft
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Glass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Lead
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron, Gold Leaf
Early 1800s European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
1820s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
1990s American Neoclassical Furniture
Plastic, Paper
1820s Baltic Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Oak
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Lead
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry, Ebony
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Stoneware
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1960s Danish Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Giltwood, Paper
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Concrete
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Furniture
Leather
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain