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 Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Fruitwood
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Wood, Giltwood
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone, Brass, Iron
1930s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry
1820s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Terracotta
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
1940s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Giltwood, Paint, Gesso
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Fruitwood
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Milk Glass
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Copper
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Bronze, Nickel
1820s Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Composition
1930s British Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Pottery
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
2010s French Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry, Oak
1890s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
2010s French Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry, Oak
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
1950s British Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Gold, Enamel
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Ormolu
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Ormolu
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
1970s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
21st Century and Contemporary French Neoclassical Furniture
Limestone
Late 20th Century Mexican Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Persian Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut, Burl
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Statuary Marble
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary European Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Velvet, Wood
Mid-20th Century Czech Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1860s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
21st Century and Contemporary French Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Terracotta
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Gold Leaf
1930s Danish Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1910s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Brass, Wire
2010s French Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Enamel
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu
1960s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Plaster
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
1880s Polish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
1890s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Persian Neoclassical Furniture
Wool