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.
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Gold
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
1970s German Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Blown Glass
21st Century and Contemporary French Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Murano Glass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1970s German Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Glass
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Cement
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Maple, Paint
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Iron
1850s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 1900s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
Late 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Composition
1890s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Glass
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1930s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood, Paint
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Rush, Wood, Paint
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Brass, Bronze
Mid-19th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany, Oak
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
20th Century Russian Neoclassical Furniture
Malachite, Brass, Bronze
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
19th Century Persian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Pearlware, Pottery
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
1990s American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Composition
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Poplar, Giltwood
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Art Glass, Wood
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1970s German Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Blown Glass
1890s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Enamel
Late 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Marble, Bronze
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Breccia Marble
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Silver Plate
1790s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Steel





