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.
Late 18th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Bronze
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Gesso, Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Stoneware
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Pottery
1890s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
1990s American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Fruitwood, Olive
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Bronze
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Foam, Mahogany
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Wood
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Ormolu
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Enamel
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Leather
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Gold, Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
2010s French Neoclassical Furniture
Limestone
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry
1890s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Glass, Wood, Boxwood, Oak, Satinwood
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Hardwood, Paper
1930s British Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Paper
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Slate
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mohair, Mahogany
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1870s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Brass
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Stained Glass, Pine
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany, Oak
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Terracotta
1960s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Plaster
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Silver Plate
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Steel
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate, Bronze
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass