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 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Concrete
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Limestone
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Bronze, Steel
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Concrete
1990s Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Silver
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
1920s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Malachite, Ormolu
Early 20th Century Persian Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
1970s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Silver
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Stainless Steel
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Limestone, Iron
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Stoneware
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century North American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Aluminum
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Bronze
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Pine
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Birdseye Maple
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century European Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Walnut
Early 1900s British Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Gold, Enamel
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Fruitwood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Brass
Early 20th Century German Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Stainless Steel
1980s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal