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.
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
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
1981 Statton Queen Anne Style Highboy
Located in Bradenton, FL
A 1981 Queen Anne style highboy made of solid Appalachian cherry wood, made by Statton Furniture Company for their Private Collection II. Carved flame finials surmount the bonnet top...
Brass
$1,080Sale Price|40% 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
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
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
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
Queen Anne Chest on Stand
Located in London, GB
This exceptional Queen Anne chest of drawers is a beautifully preserved example of early 18th-century English cabinetry. Crafted from richly coloured oak with a deep, historical pati...
Brass
$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
$6,000Sale Price|25% Off
H 68.75 in W 38 in D 20 in
American Queen Anne Antique Sycamore Flat-Top Highboy, New England c. 1760
Located in Shippensburg, PA
A very fine flat-top highboy executed in beautifully figured and patinated sycamore, it features a bold cove-molded crest over four graduated drawers in the upper divided by drawer b...
Brass
$1,781
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
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
Empat Arched Console Table Cherry Red
Located in New York, US
Elegant, deep detailing gives the Empat console table a sculptured appearance that makes it an artistic accent as well as a functional table. Its graceful arches add interest without...
Resin, Plywood
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