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.
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Steel
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century North American Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Gold Plate, Brass
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Bronze, Nickel
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany, Oak, Walnut
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Metal, Brass
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Furniture
Gold Plate
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Iron
Early 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Oak
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
Mid-19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry
1920s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Brass
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
1850s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silver, Sterling Silver
1920s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Beech
Mid-19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Fir
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Ormolu
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Granite, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Serpentine
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Clay
Early 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Glass
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Siena Marble
20th Century North American Neoclassical Furniture
Acrylic
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Gold Leaf
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1780s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Blown Glass
20th Century Philippine Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1890s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Ebony, Satinwood, Giltwood, Burl
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
20th Century Belgian Neoclassical Furniture
Glass
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Brass