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.
19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Textile, Wood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
15th Century and Earlier Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Brass
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Stone
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Wood
1930s British Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Paper
1920s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Linen
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
20th Century European Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Rock Crystal, Tin
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Pearlware, Pottery
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Granite, Brass, Steel
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood, Paint
Late 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Bronze
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze, Steel
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Bronze
Early 20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
20th Century Portuguese Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
2010s Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Lacquer, Mahogany
Late 19th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Nutwood
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Oak
1880s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Metal, Bronze, Copper, Tin
1890s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Fruitwood
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Concrete
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Wood
1980s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Brass, Nickel
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Copper, Iron
1990s American Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Bronze
Late 20th Century Belgian Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Giltwood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
1990s American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1920s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Malachite, Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Gold
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Nickel
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Pottery, Stoneware
20th Century German Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paper
20th Century Swedish Neoclassical Furniture
Pine
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Cane, Wood
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Limestone
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paper





