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.
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Bronze
20th Century Thai Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century British Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
1970s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Iron, Metal
1950s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Cement
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Glass
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Wood, Paper
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1960s Swedish Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Slate
20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Creamware
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Linen
2010s French Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Lacquer, Oak, Cherry
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum, Brass, Steel
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1790s British Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Travertine, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Tôle
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paper
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Cherry, Paint
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wire
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Ormolu
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Clay
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stone
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain, Milk Glass, Plaster
1810s Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porphyry
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Statuary Marble
Late 20th Century British Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Oak
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass