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 Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Metal, Ormolu
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Earthenware
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Wood, Paint
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1870s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
Late 19th Century Czech Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silk, Wood
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Pine
19th Century Danish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate, Copper
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Pottery
Late 19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Malachite, Silver
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Giltwood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Carrara Marble
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Oak
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Poplar
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Plaster
1870s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ironstone
1830s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Oak
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Griotte Marble, Bronze
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Pearlware
Late 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble, Brass
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Walnut
Early 1800s Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porphyry
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Late 19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Wood
1860s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Wood, Paper
1850s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paint, Paper
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Tin
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany, Satinwood
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
1880s Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ash
1830s Russian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stone
Early 19th Century British Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Gold Leaf
Early 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silver
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Statuary Marble
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Gold Plate, Bronze
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry, Poplar, Pine
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry
19th Century Indonesian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Teak
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu