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.
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Ormolu
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1950s English Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Velvet, Wood, Lacquer
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Fruitwood, Olive
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Metal, Brass
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Iron, Tin, Gold Leaf
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
1930s Swedish Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Wool, Cotton, Foam
1890s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Mid-19th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paper
20th Century Belgian Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Copper, Zinc
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Pottery
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1910s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1830s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Upholstery, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Mexican Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Birdseye Maple, Cherry, Poplar, Pine
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
Early 1800s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
2010s Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Ormolu
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Lapis Lazuli, Marble
Late 18th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Pine
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Rock Crystal
1940s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
20th Century Persian Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Composition