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.
1790s Russian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Fruitwood, Rosewood, Tulipwood
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Neoclassical Furniture
Stone
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Stainless Steel
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum, Brass, Steel
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Enamel
20th Century European Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany, Velvet
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Giltwood
1840s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Maple
19th Century Caribbean Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany, Poplar
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Limestone, Iron
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Steel, Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1950s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Stoneware
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Granite, Marble
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Fruitwood, Ebony, Mahogany, Satinwood, Glass
1980s English Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Stone
Early 1900s European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Copper, Wrought Iron
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century Philippine Neoclassical Furniture
Wicker, Rattan, Rush
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Zinc
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Brass
19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Textile, Wood
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Pine
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Wood
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Enamel
20th Century European Neoclassical Furniture
Marble