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.
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Terracotta
1780s Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stone
18th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
1920s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Concrete
1810s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1810s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Foam, Mahogany, Fabric
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Lapis Lazuli, Marble
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Clay
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Tin
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Limestone
Mid-20th Century Mexican Neoclassical Furniture
Sandstone
1930s Swedish Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Velvet, Birch
20th Century Portuguese Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Clay
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Wood, Paper
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Wood, Paper
20th Century Turkish Neoclassical Furniture
Hemp
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 2000s Philippine Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Steel, Wrought Iron
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1780s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Oak
1990s American Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1820s Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Other
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Copper, Wrought Iron
1970s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Late 18th Century German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Copper
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Milk Glass
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Limestone
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu