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.
2010s French Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry, Oak
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood
1860s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Steel, Wrought Iron
1970s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century Russian Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Malachite
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Copper, Iron
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1810s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1990s American Neoclassical Furniture
Limestone
19th Century British Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Gold, Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1850s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Chestnut, Walnut
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Bronze
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paper, Gesso, Linen, Giltwood
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
20th Century Belgian Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1860s Danish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum, Brass, Steel
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Silver
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century European Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Limestone
Early 18th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Pearlware, Pottery
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Oak
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany, Satinwood
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Wood
20th Century North American Neoclassical Furniture
Masonite
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1890s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silk, Wood
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Brass
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Rush, Wood, Paint
1970s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1890s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Silver, Brass
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Wood
1870s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Steel
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate, Bronze
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble, Brass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze, Iron
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
Early 20th Century European Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
2010s Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Stone
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Granite, Aluminum
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Steel
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silk, Mahogany