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.
Mid-20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Iron, Wrought Iron
18th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Delft, Earthenware
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate, Bronze
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Sandstone
1970s German Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Blown Glass
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Silver Plate
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Pine, Giltwood
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
1870s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Late 18th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
1790s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
Late 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Brass
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate, Bronze
1930s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Copper
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Steel, Bronze, Brass
Late 20th Century North American Neoclassical Furniture
Concrete
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble, Brass
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Mahogany
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
2010s Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Chrome, Iron
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Murano Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany, Walnut
Early 2000s American Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron, Wrought Iron
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster





