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.
1890s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Satinwood, Paint
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Composition
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Rock Crystal
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Brass
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Granite, Brass, Steel
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Rush, Wood, Paint
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-19th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany, Oak
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 1800s Swiss Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 18th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Mahogany
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Steel, Iron
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Iron
1890s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
1890s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1820s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Iron
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
1880s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
Mid-19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry
1890s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Persian Neoclassical Furniture
Wool, Silk
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paper
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
20th Century Chinese Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Wood
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1840s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
1810s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Enamel
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
Early 1900s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Burl, Maple, Mahogany, Elm
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1940s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Gold Leaf
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware, Pottery
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Oak
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Concrete
20th Century Mexican Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary French Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany, Upholstery
1820s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Terracotta
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
Mid-20th Century Sicilian Neoclassical Furniture
Terracotta
1850s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Gold, Sterling Silver