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 American Neoclassical Furniture
Maple, Paint
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Composition
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Maple, Rosewood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Rock Crystal, Marble, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Neoclassical Furniture
Stone
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Rush, Wood, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Oak
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Stained Glass
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
1820s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Terracotta
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Concrete
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Velvet, Wood
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Wood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Hardwood, Paper
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Bronze
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Creamware
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
Mid-20th Century European Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Marble
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Maple, Oak, Walnut
1890s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Fruitwood, Giltwood
20th Century Mexican Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Wrought Iron
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Gold Leaf
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Swedish Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Poplar
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass, Bronze
1990s American Neoclassical Furniture
Plastic, Paper
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Milk Glass
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
Early 20th Century German Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate, Bronze
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Wood
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
1870s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ironstone
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silk, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Onyx
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Fruitwood
Late 18th Century British Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Earthenware, Pearlware
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Neoclassical Furniture
Burl
Late 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain