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 American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Wrought Iron
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Glass
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1990s Philippine Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Stone
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Iron
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Silver Leaf
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Bronze
1990s Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Wrought Iron
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze, Steel
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century North American Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble, Metal, Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Iron
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Mahogany
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Marble, Porphyry
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Burl
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1930s Japanese Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Terracotta
1930s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1930s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Metal
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Concrete
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Stone
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Paint
20th Century German Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Composition
1970s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Aluminum
1950s English Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
1940s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Oak
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Zinc
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Majolica, Pottery
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Enamel
20th Century British Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Chinese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Pottery
1910s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Enamel
1930s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze