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 English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Composition
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Pottery, Stoneware
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Maple, Paint
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Bronze
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Copper
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Oak
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Resin, Lacquer
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Stone, Brass
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Burl
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Resin
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Brass, Bronze
Early 1900s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Wrought Iron
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Steel, Iron
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Wool, Cotton, Foam
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Stained Glass, Wood
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Composition
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass, Bronze
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Stoneware
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Gold, Brass
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Cement
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Linen, Wood
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Velvet, Wood, Lacquer
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Metal, Brass
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Faience, Pottery
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Silver Plate
1990s American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Hardwood, Paper
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Silver Plate
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Leather
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Pottery
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Fruitwood, Olive