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 1800s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century Chinese Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Wood
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Faience, Pottery
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Silk, Velvet, Down
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Creamware
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Bronze
Late 19th Century British Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1830s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Upholstery, Mahogany
1930s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Birdseye Maple, Cherry, Poplar, Pine
1930s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Mid-18th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut, Burl
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1970s German Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Blown Glass
Early 2000s American Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paper
Early 1900s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Plywood
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Gold Leaf
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Pine
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Leather
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Brass
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Maple, Oak, Walnut
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary French Neoclassical Furniture
Limestone
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary French Neoclassical Furniture
Limestone
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Concrete
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Enamel
2010s German Neoclassical Furniture
Pine
20th Century Danish Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century Persian Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
1790s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut, Giltwood





