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 Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
20th Century European Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Bronze
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Statuary Marble
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
20th Century North American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Aluminum
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Granite, Aluminum
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Stained Glass, Pine
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
Late 20th Century Philippine Neoclassical Furniture
Wicker, Rattan, Rush
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Bronze
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1940s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Maple, Oak, Walnut
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Stoneware
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Wood
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Onyx, Brass
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Wrought Iron
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1990s French Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood, Paint
Early 20th Century Swedish Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Bronze
20th Century Swedish Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Iron, Metal, Gold Leaf, Wrought Iron
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Steel
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Pottery
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Oak
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Paint
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
Early 20th Century German Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1940s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Wood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble, Brass
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Metal
20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wool, Yarn