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 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Burl
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century Danish Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
20th Century Belgian Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
1920s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Steel, Bronze, Brass
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Wood
1930s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Copper
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Marble
1950s Spanish Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
1970s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1990s Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Metal, Brass
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Milk Glass
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Brass
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century North American Neoclassical Furniture
Concrete
20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Leaf
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Onyx, Brass
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1990s American Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Composition
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain, Giltwood
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1990s American Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Steel
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Metal, Iron, Brass
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Fruitwood
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Granite, Iron
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Brass
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Persian Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany, Giltwood
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Wire
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Glass
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Oak
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
1990s Sri Lankan Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze