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 Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Marble
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Concrete
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Mirror
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster, Giltwood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Silk, Velvet, Down
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Fruitwood, Giltwood
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Mexican Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1910s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Metal
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Rush, Wood, Paint
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Maple, Oak, Walnut
1890s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Concrete
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
Late 18th Century British Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Earthenware, Pearlware
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Copper, Zinc
21st Century and Contemporary Persian Neoclassical Furniture
Silk
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Cedar, Pine, Paint
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
1820s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Pine
1860s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Bronze
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Gold Leaf
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
Early 20th Century Swedish Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Textile, Wood, Walnut, Pine, Paper
Early 20th Century Persian Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
Late 18th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate