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 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror
Mid-19th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century German Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Wood, Mohair
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate, Bronze
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Enamel
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Pine
20th Century European Neoclassical Furniture
Softwood
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Stoneware
Late 19th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Nutwood
1870s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Terracotta
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Pottery
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Metal
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Birdseye Maple, Cherry, Poplar, Pine
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Resin, Lacquer
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Giltwood
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary European Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1840s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Olive, Rosewood, Walnut, Holly
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze, Steel
1790s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Early 1900s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Onyx, Marble
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Foam, Mahogany
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Creamware
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Furniture
Eggshell, Lacquer
1890s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Composition
1930s British Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Paper
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Wood, Paper
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Wood
Late 20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century Chinese Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Wood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Gold
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
1990s Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain, Fabric
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Giltwood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Maple, Oak, Walnut
Late 18th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster





