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.
1820s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Mid-19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
2010s French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century European Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Marble
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Metal, Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1820s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood, Wood
Mid-20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Iron
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Copper
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Cane, Walnut
Early 2000s American Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Resin
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Hardwood
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Nickel
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
1790s Danish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
18th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Pine
1940s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Acrylic
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Travertine, Brass, Bronze, Steel
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1960s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Giltwood
1960s Unknown Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain, Walnut, Giltwood
Early 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain, Wood
1950s Mexican Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
1910s English Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Early 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century North American Neoclassical Furniture
Linen, Fruitwood
1990s American Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Wood, Paper
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Paint
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1880s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Pottery
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1820s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sheffield Plate
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stained Glass, Wood
1890s Russian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silver
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Linen
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Brass