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.
New Hampshire Queen Anne Lowboy
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Fine American 18th century queen anne lowboy from New Hampshire in birch. Featuring a thumb molded top with bold cabriole legs and a ni...
Birch
French Countryside Console Table in Cherry, 100% Made in France
Located in Landivy, FR
This console table's design is in a French Countryside style, also called "Campagne chic". This rectangular console table is made of French cherrywood and has 1 wooden shelf between the legs. GONTIER, a brand of MON PETIT MEUBLE...
Wood, Cherry, Oak, Lacquer
French Console Server or Sideboard Table of Cherry
Located in Austin, TX
A finee French console sideboard (or serving table) of patinated cherrywood, featuring a rectangular plank top over a frieze with three drawers, each with brass hardware pulls, panel...
Metal, Brass
$1,170Sale Price|35% Off
H 37.5 in W 43 in D 24 in
Late 19th Century Victorian Queen Anne Lowboy Dresser with Sculpted Front
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This Late Victorian Queen Anne Lowboy Dresser showcases timeless elegance with its beautifully sculpted front and refined silhouette. Featuring three spacious drawers, it blends the ...
Wood
Ostrich, Pink Wall Console, Made in France
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Scroll down and click "view all from Seller" to see more than 500 other unique products. (2) The ostrich seems poised to fly away uncontrollably and defies the laws of gravitation w...
Laminate, Wood
Antique 18th Century New Hampshire Queen Anne Maple Highboy
Located in Westfield, MA
This distinguished 18th-century New Hampshire Queen Anne maple highboy, a testament to early American craftsmanship, showcases the enduring ap...
Maple
$2,440
H 19.1 in W 43.12 in D 17.72 in
19th Spanish Low Console Table with Solomonic Legs & Two Carved Drawers
Located in Miami, FL
This lox Spanish table late 19th century, features a beautiful one plank rectangular top over two carved drawers. Each drawer, featuring slightly different hardware, is adorned wit...
Iron
Walnut Queen Anne Style 5 drawer chest 1920s
Located in Dereham, GB
Walnut Queen Anne Style 5 drawer chest circa 1920s Figured Walnut Top, & drawer fronts Shaped Front, Oak lined Drawers, Period Style Brass split tail Drawer Handles All Sitting on 4 ...
Walnut
$1,808
H 21.26 in W 49.61 in D 13.78 in
1950s Art Deco Mid-Century Regency Italian Burl and Brass Low Consolle Sidetable
Located in Carimate, Como
Very elegant Italian Art Deco low consolle side table with decorated glass top, ideal as TV stand, in walnut with applied burl elm, three drawers and original antique brass handles. ...
Brass
18th Century New England Queen Anne Highboy
Located in Norwood, NJ
Queen Anne bonnet top highboy, Northeast, Connecticut, Rhode Island or Massachusetts 18th century, cherry wood constructed in two parts. Bonnet top with flame-carved finials set on f...
Cherry
Hickory Chair Queen Anne Lowboy
By Hickory Chair Furniture Company
Located in Bradenton, FL
A Queen Anne style lowboy in mahogany, made by Hickory Chair Company. Two dovetailed drawers open with bail handles on pierced bat shaped back plates in brass. The serpentine skirt i...
Mahogany
Queen Anne Walnut Chest on Stand
Located in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire
An early 18th century veneered walnut chest on stand of a superb colour and patina. The drawers with matched veneers, herring bone banding and cr...
Walnut
Rare Queen Anne Highboy and Matching Lowboy
Located in Woodbury, CT
This antique Queen Highboy and matching Lowboy set from Boston dates back to 1720-40 and features a beautiful crotch walnut veneer with old finish. The intricate design and craftsman...
Wood, Maple, Walnut
Queen Anne Walnut Chest
Located in Greenwich, CT
An early 18th century chest of drawers of unusually narrow and long proportions. In magnificently grained burled walnut with two short over three long drawers of graduated depth and...
Walnut
Maison Jansen Coffee Table with Green Marble Top, 1960
Located in SAINTE-COLOMBE, FR
Maison Jansen coffee table with green marble top This stylish French coffee table of neoclassical design is attributed to the Paris-based,...
Marble, Metal