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.
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
2010s French Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry, Oak
1780s Sicilian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1890s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas
18th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Bronze
Late 18th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Creamware
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Burl
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Turkish Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble, Marble
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Velvet, Wood, Lacquer
Early 1900s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Wrought Iron
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Rush, Wood, Paint
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paper
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Pakistani Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Metal, Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Gesso, Wood
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
1940s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Steel
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Textile, Paper, Pine, Walnut, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Serpentine
20th Century Persian Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
Late 17th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Delft
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
20th Century Chinese Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
Early 2000s American Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Wood, Paint
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Early 1900s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paper
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1820s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Iron
Late 18th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Mahogany
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
Mid-19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Pearlware
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Velvet, Wood, Giltwood
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Rush, Wood, Paint
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Furniture
Eggshell, Lacquer
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Wool, Cotton, Foam
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Fruitwood
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Iron
1830s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Upholstery, Mahogany