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.
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Oak
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1990s European Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Lacquer, Wood
18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Beech, Paint
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Bronze
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wool, Cotton
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paint, Wood
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Terracotta, Paint
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Concrete, Marble, Iron
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 1800s British Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Pearlware
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Statuary Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Wood
Late 18th Century Polish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
19th Century Belgian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Belgian Black Marble
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Metal
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Silver Plate
1880s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1790s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century Czech Neoclassical Furniture
Art Glass
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
Late 20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Pine
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Nickel
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
20th Century German Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Stainless Steel
2010s Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Gold Leaf
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silk, Wood
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Limestone, Marble
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silver
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Composition
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Composition