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.
Early 1900s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Velvet, Wood, Walnut
1990s Philippine Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Hardwood, Paint
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1990s American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Iron
1810s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Fir
Late 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Metal, Bronze, Copper, Tin
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Iron
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Fabric, Cotton
1960s English Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Concrete
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
Mid-19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Clay
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1970s Swedish Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Velvet, Beech, Pine
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
Early 1900s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Gold Leaf
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Gold Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 1800s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass, Bronze
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stone
1910s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Brass, Wire
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century European Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Marble
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Cane, Walnut
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Elm, Mahogany, Maple, Burl
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Granite
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Leather
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Foam, Mahogany
Late 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Faience
1840s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Earthenware
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paper
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Granite
1820s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble, Marble
Mid-19th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany, Oak
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Steel
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Gold Plate
1890s European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
1890s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Bronze
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
Mid-19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut, Burl
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Hardwood, Paint