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.
1890s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
1820s German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1930s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Cement
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Cherry
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wool, Linen
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wool, Linen
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Rush, Mahogany
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Resin
Early 1800s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
1990s French Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Pine
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Creamware
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
18th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1960s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze, Wire
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Other
20th Century Philippine Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Brass
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1790s British Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Limestone
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Nickel
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Upholstery, Pine
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Cement
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Iron, Gold Leaf
Early 2000s European Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood, Velvet
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Concrete
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1940s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silver
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Iron
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Brass
2010s British Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Gold Leaf
1860s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Giltwood
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1960s Czech Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Rock Crystal, Marble, Bronze
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Velvet, Wood, Lacquer
1890s German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood