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 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
1870s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Slate
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1860s Danish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Bronze
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
1870s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Iron
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Birdseye Maple, Cherry, Poplar, Pine
1860s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Glass
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Giltwood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood, Paint
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Lava
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Stone
19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Pearlware, Pottery
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1850s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Gold, Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
1970s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1890s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Glass
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Steel
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
19th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Metal
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Copper, Zinc
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
19th Century Persian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
1880s Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
1890s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Fruitwood
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paint, Giltwood, Wood
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Ormolu
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Wood, Paper
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1970s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1890s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silk, Wood
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Giltwood, Paint
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Walnut
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
1890s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze