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.
Mid-20th Century Persian Neoclassical Furniture
Wool, Silk
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Linen
Early 1900s Danish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
20th Century European Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silk, Mahogany, Giltwood
20th Century Philippine Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paint, Wood
1920s Austrian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Shell
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 18th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1890s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wool, Cotton, Satin
20th Century European Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood, Paint
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1790s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Metal
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Ormolu
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Fruitwood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Steel
Early 20th Century British Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1920s British Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate, Bronze
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Wool, Cotton, Foam
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century British Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1980s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood, Paint
1890s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century British Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Glass
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood
Early 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Early 1900s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Gold Leaf
1810s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany, Pine