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.
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate, Bronze
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Creamware
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany, Oak, Walnut
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Bronze
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century British Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Stoneware
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary European Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Metal
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Giltwood
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Brass
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Furniture
Eggshell, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1930s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Pine
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Gold, Bronze
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1990s Neoclassical Furniture
Leather
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Birdseye Maple, Cherry, Poplar, Pine
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Foam, Mahogany
Late 18th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Giltwood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century Chinese Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Wood
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1840s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Olive, Rosewood, Walnut, Holly
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Creamware
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
1820s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Creamware
2010s European Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate, Bronze
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1930s British Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 1900s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Leather





