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 Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Murano Glass
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Metal, Brass
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1970s Swedish Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Velvet, Beech, Pine
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Pine
1990s Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary French Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Ironstone
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Rush, Maple
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Marble
Late 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1830s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1990s French Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper, Wood
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Travertine
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Stained Glass, Pine
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble, Brass
20th Century Russian Neoclassical Furniture
Malachite, Brass, Bronze
1880s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Danish Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary European Neoclassical Furniture
Limestone
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Blown Glass
1970s German Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Blown Glass
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1850s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 1900s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1970s German Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Blown Glass
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Early 20th Century Persian Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Granite
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood, Paint
Late 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
1960s English Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Maple
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware





