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 Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Slate, Bronze
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Linen
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Gold Leaf
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1880s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Gold Plate, Silver
1890s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Ormolu
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Onyx, Marble, Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Enamel
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silk, Mahogany, Giltwood
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Wood
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Elm
Early 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Oak
1820s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1890s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Rock Crystal, Silver, Sterling Silver, Gold
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu
Late 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut, Burl
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1890s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1820s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 1800s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
1860s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze
1890s German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Pine
Early 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1840s Russian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
1890s German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1880s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paper, Gesso, Linen, Giltwood
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu, Bronze
1870s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Walnut
Late 19th Century Persian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
1810s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paper
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Linen
1870s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Wood, Paint