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.
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
2010s Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
Late 18th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Other
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1940s German Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Silver
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Walnut
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
Mid-19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Mahogany
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
Early 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron, Bronze
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Linen, Mahogany
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Travertine
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 1800s British Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Maple
20th Century Russian Neoclassical Furniture
Malachite, Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Steel
Early 1900s Russian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Jade, Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware, Pottery
1880s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Limestone
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Composition
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Late 18th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Enamel
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
Early 20th Century Swedish Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Ormolu
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Stainless Steel
1940s North American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Paper
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Neoclassical Furniture
Burl
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Clay
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood, Paint
2010s French Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Wood, Cherry, Lacquer
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Ormolu
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1920s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Poplar
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Rosewood, Pine
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Olive, Walnut
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1780s Dutch Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1930s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Late 20th Century British Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut