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.
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Travertine, Metal
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Paint
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Brass
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1970s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Czech Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century British Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wool, Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Steel
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
1990s American Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Hardwood, Giltwood
1990s American Neoclassical Furniture
Silk
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Steel
1990s Chinese Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas
Early 20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Cement
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wool, Yarn
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Wood
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
Early 20th Century Swiss Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1940s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Brass
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Milk Glass
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Stained Glass
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Milk Glass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood, Paint
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Mohair, Mahogany
Late 20th Century Belgian Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Giltwood
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
20th Century North American Neoclassical Furniture
Fiberglass, Plaster
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood