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.
1970s English Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
20th Century Philippine Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone, Metal
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Blown Glass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
Early 20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century British Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Maiolica, Majolica
Early 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Cement
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Ebony, Satinwood, Giltwood, Burl
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Linen, Upholstery, Wood
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Granite
1940s Czech Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Sheet Metal
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry
Early 1900s European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Sicilian Neoclassical Furniture
Terracotta
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1990s American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Nickel
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Milk Glass
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Copper
1990s Indonesian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
1950s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
1990s American Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Wood, Paper
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1920s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Enamel
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Composition
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1940s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze