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.
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
1970s Swedish Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Velvet, Beech, Pine
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Mahogany
1960s English Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1930s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Satinwood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble, Brass
1910s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1980s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Stained Glass, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Brass, Wire, Bronze
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
1960s Spanish Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Enamel
1970s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century Persian Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Onyx, Marble
20th Century Danish Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Stoneware
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Wood
Early 20th Century Persian Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
1990s French Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Lapis Lazuli, Marble
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Wood
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Iron
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
20th Century Greek Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Gold Leaf
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone, Brass, Iron
Late 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Travertine
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Granite
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Clay
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1960s English Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware