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.
Late 18th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
1960s European Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Poplar
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Chrome
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Stainless Steel
1790s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Glass
Mid-20th Century European Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Fruitwood
20th Century German Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Early 1800s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mercury Glass, Wood
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Bronze
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Faux Bamboo, Mirror, Wood, Beech
1850s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
20th Century Persian Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Masonite
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu, Bronze
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Giltwood, Paper
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paper
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Velvet, Giltwood
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
1780s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Pottery
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Other
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Ormolu
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Fruitwood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Glass, Wood
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1930s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1990s American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
2010s French Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry, Oak
19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster