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.
Rosemary Pipkin Jackson (American 20th C.), Classical Scene, Needlework Frame
Located in Germantown, MD
Rosemary Pipkin Jackson (American 20th Century), Classical Scene, Needlework panel, Framed., Signed Measures 50" in width and 29" in height.
Wood, Wool, Cotton
Large Italian Antique Silk Embroidery, 18th–Early 19th Century
Located in Fukuoka, JP
An impressive large-scale antique silk embroidery from Italy, dating to the late 18th to early 19th century. Executed with exceptional finesse, this textile demonstrates the high lev...
Silk
Soft Neutral Vintage Artistic Hans Krondahl Flower Tapestry 1'6" x 1'6"
Located in New York, NY
Soft Neutral Vintage Artistic Hans Krondahl Flower Tapestry by Hans Krondahl, country of origin: America, Circa date: Vintage
Wool, Linen
Vintage Tapestry by Hans Krondahl 1'10" x 2'1"
Located in New York, NY
Soft Neutral Vintage Artistic Hans Krondahl Flower Tapestry by Hans Krondahl, country of origin: America, Circa date: Vintage
Wool, Linen
17 Foot Long Signed Flemish Tapestry from the Series of 7 Liberal Arts, C. 1670
Located in Dallas, TX
More information coming soon… Originally part of a series of tapestries from Flemish weaver Michel Wauters, depicting the Seven Liberal Arts. This massive tapestry (well over eight...
Textile, Wool, Linen, Silk
Antique Floral Design And Soft Colored Rare American Tapestry 4'9" x 6'10"
Located in New York, NY
A Classically Crafted Antique Floral Design And Soft Colored Rare American Tapestry, Origin: America, Circa: Turn of the Twentieth Century
Wool
French Aubusson Wool Tapestry with Floral Cartouche and Bird Motif, Circa 1920
Located in Los Angeles, US
A refined French Aubusson tapestry woven in wool, dating to the early 20th century, circa 1920. The design centers on a graceful floral cartouche featuring roses and garden blossoms ...
Wool
Rosemary Pipkin Jackson (American 20th C.), Nefertiti Needlework Panel, Signed
Located in Germantown, MD
Rosemary Pipkin Jackson (American 20th Century), Nefertiti, Needlework panel, Framed., Signed and numbered. Measures 21" in width and 25" in height.
Cotton, Wood
Early 20th Century French Attributed Aubusson Tapestry Wall Panels, Set of Three
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant set of three antique French tapestry wall panels is attributed to the Aubusson workshops and dates to circa 1920. Each vertical panel is woven with a classical still-lif...
Tapestry
JEAN-BATISTE MONNOYER (After) - Wool & Silk Beauvais Tapestry - France - C. 1848
By Jean-Baptiste Monnoyer, Beauvais Royal Manufactory
Located in Chatham, ON
JEAN-BAPTISTE MONNOYER (1636-1699) Designer (After) - BEAUVAIS TAPESTRY MANUFACTORY Maker - 'Vase of Flowers and Red Parrot' - Antique hand woven floral tapestry - the floral tapestr...
Wool, Silk
Antique Turkish Pictorial Commemorative Rug
Located in Savannah, GA
This antique pictorial rug has all the bells and whistles. The two central figures featured are a woman and a flute player gathered around a shr...
Wool, Cotton
$3,400
19th Century Tapestry
Located in Miami, FL
19th century tapestry. Frame measurements: 1.5in.
Cotton, Wool
Set of Three French Aubusson Portiere Tapestries with Allegorical Scenes
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a living room, hallway, or grand staircase with this elegant set of three tall woven portières. Handwoven in Aubusson, France circa 1970, each wall hanging features allegori...
Tapestry, Canvas, Giltwood
Colorful 19th Century Antique American Hooked Rug with Diamond Design
Located in Atlanta, GA
Measures: 4'1 x 8'8. American hooked rugs are indigenous to the Northeast of the United States and Eastern Canada. Their production began in the mid-1800s, gradually spreading lower in to North America. Early American Hooked rugs...
Cotton
American Folk Art Hook Rug, Wall Hanging, Multi-Color Paisley Design
Located in Buffalo, NY
Amazing Folk Art American hook rug, wall hanging. Multi-color repeating paisley. Stunning black background. Amazing, whimsical piece of art.
Wool
A Very Fine Framed Tapestry
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Very Fine Tapestry depicting a tree in the background and a basket with fruits & pitcher in the foreground. Mounted in wooden gilt painted frame. Dimensions: Height 43 3/4" Width ...
Tapestry, Wood
19th Century Persian Kerman Termeh Silk Embroidery Suzani
Located in Barrington, IL
This exquisite 19th Century Persian Kerman Termeh Suzani is a rare and richly detailed example of traditional Persian textile artistry. Hand-embroidered in the mid-1800s in the his...
Wool, Cotton, Silk
$1,500Sale Price|20% Off
H 44.4 in W 31 in D 0.2 in
Boos Wool Tapestry, Contemporary Wall Hanging, Naturally Dyed and Handwoven
By Andrew Boos
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This wall hanging is a one of a kind heirloom piece. Taking inspiration from brutalism, mid-century abstraction, and Joseph Albers studies on the interaction of color. The entire pr...
Wool, Cotton
$2,850
H 50 in W 7.5 in D 0.13 in
Antique 17th Century Baroque Italian Silk, Metallic Thread Embroidery Panel
Located in New York, NY
Fine 17th century Baroque period silk and metallic thread embroidery panel. Excellent vibrant colors of bold burgundy, pale cream and beautiful, elegant teal with a border of textur...
Metallic Thread
$2,800
H 65 in W 85 in D 0.2 in
Classic French Hunting Scene Tapestry, 7'1 x 5'5 Hand-Woven Wool, 20th Century
Located in New York, NY
Classic French hunting Scene Tapestry 7'1 x 5'5. A 20th century hand woven reproduction of a classic French hunting scene tapestry.
Wool
$2,650
H 41.5 in W 8 in D 0.13 in
Antique 17th Century Baroque Italian Silk, Metallic Thread Embroidery Panel
Located in New York, NY
Fine 17th century Baroque period silk and metallic thread embroidery panel. Excellent vibrant colors of bold burgundy, pale cream and beautiful, elegant teal with a border of textur...
Metallic Thread
Vintage Tapestry Depicting Angels 6.8X5.10
Located in Los Angeles, US
A wall hanging tapestry, simply put, is a textile specifically designed and woven to portray an artistic scene with the intent of hanging it on a wall. Antique tapestries, those that...
Wool, Cotton
Pretty Vintage Polish Woven Tapestry by E. Oloksy
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Wonderful mid century polish tapestry with a native design of town and beautiful light colors, entirely hand woven with wool on cotton foundation Name...
Wool
$300Sale Price|20% Off
H 20 in W 18 in D 3 in
Vintage Judaica Tapestry, "Rachel Imenu" 10 Commandments, Stars of David, 1930
Located in Lomita, CA
This vintage Judaica tapestry has a bit of Hollywood history. It was framed and sold on Melrose avenue during the 1960s by the actress who played the ...
Fabric
Siegfried Doege, Tapestry, Sphinx with Flowers, Germany
By S. Doege
Located in Antwerp, BE
Beautiful woven Pop Art tapestry designed by Siegfried Doege, Germany a 1970s modernist German artist. This high-quality rare tapestry are considered examples of 1970s Pop Art inter...
Wool
French Vintage Tapestry Reproduction by Corot
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
An absolutely delightful French 20th Century verdure-style tapestry depicting a lush forest scene and a meandering waterway. Woven in verdant colors in a range of green and blue tone...
Wool, Cotton
$7,800Sale Price|35% Off
H 100 in W 61.5 in D 0.3 in
Rare Large Format Antique Suzani Silk Embroidery, 19th C.
Located in Harrington Park, NJ
This large 19th century Suzani embroidery is an exceptional example of Central Asian textile artistry, originating from Uzbekistan. Composed of silk embroidery on a cotton ground, th...
Cotton, Silk
17th Century Flemish Aubusson Tapestry
Located in Houston, TX
The 17th Century Flemish Aubusson Tapestry portraying a woman traveling or walking with her child is a captivating depiction of everyday life...
Wool, Silk
Sold
H 192 in W 100 in D 0.5 in
Vintage Hand Woven Neo-Classical Wall Tapestry with Roman Figures and Ruins
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a large wall or a staircase with this important and colorful tapestry. Hand woven with 100% wool, the long tapestry depicts an outdoor scene w...
Wool
Neoclassical Tapestry in Mixed Silk
Located in Milano, IT
Wonderful tapestry from the 1950s. The beautiful and sumptuous tapestry has been entirely handmade, with mixed silk fabric and a wooden loom. The threads of fabric that make up the ...
Silk
Early 19th Century Tapestry after a Watteau Work
Located in Dallas, TX
Early 19th century tapestry after a Watteau work is an exquisitely rendered hand knotted piece of art! It is said imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and master artist Antoi...
Wool
19th Century Carpet from Aubusson
Located in Brussels, BE
Big carpet from Aubusson, with beautiful ornemental flowers. The Aubusson tapestry manufacture of the 17th and 18th centuries managed to compete with the r...
Tapestry
18th Century French Toile De Jouy Textile Panel
Located in Stamford, CT
Fantastic piece of early toile, the color faded but the very detailed images intact. Including a charming scene of two boys dancing to a drummer, ships at sea, A family gathering wit...
Large Gobelin, Probably Brussels, 1770-1780
Located in Greding, DE
Impressive Louis Seize Gobelin dating from 1770-1780 and is probably from Brussels. This tapestry is in a very good condition and depicts a heron bird in an idyllic landscape with a ...
Fabric, Wool
Large French 19th Century Tapestry
Located in Miami, FL
An antique French fine tapestry, circa 1880. A nobility scene. Measurements frame: 1.5 in. This tapestry depicting Diego Velasquez's painting, hangin...
Cotton, Wool
Silver Thread Embroidered Yellow Silk Chasuble Cape
Located in New York, NY
Silver thread embroidered yellow silk chasuble cape. Exquisite antique Neapolitan hand-embroidered silver thread on yellow silk chasuble from a private...
Silk
Framed Hermés Scarf, "Columbus Les Ameriques"
By Hermès
Located in Atlanta, GA
A blue edition of Hermes silk scarf Columbus Les Ameriques. Nicely displayed in a gilt wood frame. The scarf was designed by Kermit Oliver, the only A...
Giltwood, Silk
Early 19th Century English Needlework
Located in Katonah, NY
An English silk needlework embroidery in excellent condition and retaining good original colors. The needlework depicts a rural scene of a moth...
Silk