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.
1960s Swiss Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1920s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Brass
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Wood, Paint, Paper
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Stone
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Concrete
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Resin
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Philippine Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1930s English Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Wood, Giltwood
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wool, Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
Early 20th Century British Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wicker, Wood
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1940s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Stone
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Travertine, Metal
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Opaline Glass
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
20th Century Chinese Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Wood
Mid-20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Iron
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Iron, Zinc
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Silk
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1960s North American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century British Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Murano Glass
1910s Russian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Jade, Silver
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century German Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Composition
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Velvet, Giltwood
1930s Finnish Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut