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.
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Giltwood
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Brass
2010s European Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
1790s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 1900s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Faience, Pottery
1930s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Leather
1930s British Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Paper
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Marble
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Slate
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Iron
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate, Bronze
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Maple, Oak, Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
Late 18th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
1940s Belgian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1820s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Creamware
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Concrete
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paper
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary French Neoclassical Furniture
Limestone
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary French Neoclassical Furniture
Limestone
18th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Glass
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Brass
Early 20th Century Persian Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
Late 19th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Nutwood





