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.
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Wire
1850s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Fir
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany, Burl
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1890s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Gold Leaf
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Ash, Olive, Burl
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Fir
1810s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Fir
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron, Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
1970s English Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Giltwood, Paper
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Copper
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror
1970s Swedish Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Velvet, Beech, Pine
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Clay
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stone
1890s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Faience
Mid-19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut, Burl
1840s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Earthenware
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paper
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Slate
1890s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Bronze
1890s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Steel, Iron
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas
Mid-19th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Early 1800s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1890s European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Serpentine
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1820s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Ormolu
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Glass
1890s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-19th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany, Oak
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1870s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Rock Crystal
19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Rock Crystal, Marble, Bronze
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Rush, Wood, Paint
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver