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.
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Cotton, Chenille
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1890s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
1860s Danish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Mid-19th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Gold, Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Shell
Early 1900s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
Early 1900s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
15th Century and Earlier American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Clay, Pottery
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paper
20th Century European Neoclassical Furniture
Softwood
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Giltwood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Hardwood, Paper
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Pine
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Malachite, Ormolu
1870s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Leather
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Late 18th Century German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Stone
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Lava
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1790s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Fruitwood, Walnut, Palmwood
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Slate
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Bronze, Nickel
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Steel
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze