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
Brass
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1790s Dutch Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Cast Stone, Concrete
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Gold Leaf, Wrought Iron, Iron
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass, Bronze
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Onyx, Bronze
2010s French Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
Early 20th Century Danish Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1840s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
Early 1800s British Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Pearlware
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Steel
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Composition
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Satinwood
2010s French Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry, Oak
19th Century British Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paper
18th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
Late 20th Century British Neoclassical Furniture
Nickel
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Lead
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Suede
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Silver Plate
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Paint
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Pine, Paint
Late 18th Century German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1980s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century German Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble, Brass
Late 20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Mid-19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Glass
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Walnut
Early 1800s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
19th Century Irish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Steel
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Wood