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 European Neoclassical Furniture
Gold, Brass
19th Century Irish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Glass
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Tôle
Early 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Linen, Upholstery, Walnut
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Giltwood
15th Century and Earlier Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Brass
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
Early 1800s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
1830s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Wood, Paper
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1870s German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Iron
Early 1900s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1870s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Steel
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Steel, Chrome
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Sheet Metal
1960s German Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1770s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
1910s British Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Gold, Enamel
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Iron
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Giltwood
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Wood, Paper
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Delft
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Paint
20th Century North American Neoclassical Furniture
Acrylic
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Japanese Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Granite
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Wood