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.
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
1940s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Giltwood, Paint, Gesso
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1940s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Brass, Metal, Metallic Thread
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany, Upholstery
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu
20th Century Danish Neoclassical Furniture
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Bronze
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Rush, Wood, Paint
1910s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Velvet, Hardwood
1930s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
Mid-20th Century Czech Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1970s English Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Brass
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Velvet, Wood
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Rock Crystal, Bronze
20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Gold Leaf
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Iron
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Composition
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Beech, Faux Bamboo, Wood, Mirror
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Stained Glass
20th Century Mexican Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century European Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
20th Century European Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Gold
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Ormolu
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Granite
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Terracotta
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Iron
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
Late 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Art Glass
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Paint
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
Late 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
Early 1900s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Brass