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 Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century Danish Neoclassical Furniture
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1930s British Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Pottery
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Maple, Rosewood
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Linen, Wood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Metal, Brass
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Brass, Bronze
1940s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Steel
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Stone
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
1950s Unknown Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Composition
1930s English Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Mexican Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
20th Century Persian Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Ormolu
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
1960s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Plaster
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Cedar, Pine, Paint
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Hardwood, Paper
1980s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
20th Century Chinese Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Milk Glass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Burl, Walnut
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Concrete
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Concrete
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry, Ebony
20th Century Chinese Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Wood
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Iron
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Wire
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Mirror
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Steel
Late 20th Century Belgian Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Giltwood
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1930s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood, Paint
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1950s British Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Gold, Enamel
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood