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.
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Stone
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Linen, Walnut
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Linen
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1970s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Giltwood
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Linen
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century German Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Resin
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Leather
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Masonite, Paint
1860s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Majolica
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany, Satinwood
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Giltwood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Fruitwood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Linen, Walnut
1920s Swedish Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Birch
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Glass
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
Early 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Oak
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paint, Wood
Mid-20th Century Indian Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1890s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Rock Crystal, Silver, Sterling Silver, Gold
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Wood
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Ormolu
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Wood
1920s Austrian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Acrylic
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
Early 1900s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Gold Leaf
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Pottery
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass