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 Pontaubault, NORMANDIE
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
19th Century French Cherry Three Drawer Console Table
Located in Round Top, TX
19th century French console table, crafted in cherry with three drawers across the front, each fitted with a large brass handle. The table is raised on slightly curved legs with a sc...
Brass
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
A Queen Anne Walnut Chest of Drawers
Located in Shipston-On-Stour, GB
An extremely charming early walnut and feather-banded chest of drawers on bracket feet. The perfect size for a bedroom.
Walnut
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
Vintage travertine console table made in Italy (1970s)
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage travertine console table made in Italy (1970s). Solid stone with clean lines and subtly beveled edges. Viewable in Los Angeles showroom by appointment in the American Cement...
Travertine
Rare Queen Anne Chinoiserie Japanned Chest On Stand
Located in Lymington, GB
A sophisticated Queen Anne-period chinoiserie japanned chest raised on elegant cabriole legs with 'pony foot' carved detailing. This early-18th century chest on stand demonstrates the charming and highly fashionable English domestic interpretation of oriental scenes of pagodas, rockwork, trees, ornamental bridges, mythical birds, and figures dressed in the oriental manner, holding parasols and cavorting in gardens. All in remarkable condition having survived some three hundred years. Chests on cabriole supports of this form were also very much in fashion in the American colonies during this early Queen Anne-period (1702-1714). Sometimes erroneously referred to as ‘'lacquer''. The fashion icon Coco Chanel furnished her exquisite Paris apartments largely in the European chinoiserie taste. References: V & A Museum, London - The development of English black japanning 1620-1820. Literature and further reading: John Stalker and George Parker...
Lacquer
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
$8,000
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
$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
$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
$5,198
H 32.68 in W 42.92 in D 20.28 in
Antique English Georgian Flame Mahogany Sideboard Server Console Hall Table
Located in London, GB
Antique English Georgian Flame mahogany server console hall table. Circa. 1790 George III mahogany sideboard, with a wonderful original p...
Brass
$995
H 33.38 in W 40 in D 22 in
18th Century Queen Anne Mahogany Lowboy or Server Made from Highboy Base
Located in Milford, NH
A fine Queen Anne mahogany lowboy or server made from a highboy base with added top with molded edges surmounting a case with three fitted drawers with crossbanded veneer borders, ea...
Brass
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