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.
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1780s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Pine
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Iron
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Poplar
1990s Philippine Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Marble
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu
1860s German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary French Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone, Cement
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1920s Swedish Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Birch
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Creamware
Early 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Wood
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Pine, Paint
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
Late 18th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Mirror, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1970s English Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Statuary Marble, Ormolu
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
1840s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper, Wood
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Lead
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1810s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Bronze
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Bone
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany, Walnut
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1970s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1870s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 1900s Unknown Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Late 18th Century British Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Statuary Marble
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
1970s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble