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 English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Clay
18th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Late 18th Century German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Wood, Paper
Mid-20th Century Mexican Neoclassical Furniture
Sandstone
Early 2000s Philippine Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Limestone
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Leaf
20th Century Turkish Neoclassical Furniture
Hemp
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century North American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Cement
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Bronze
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Steel, Stainless Steel
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1970s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Late 18th Century German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 1800s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Copper, Wrought Iron
1870s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Gold, Sterling Silver
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Milk Glass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Burl
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary French Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Cast Stone, Cement
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
2010s Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paper
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Gold
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary French Neoclassical Furniture
Cement, Cast Stone
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Stone