Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
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 More Furniture and Collectibles
Fruitwood
2010s American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Cotton, Silk, Down, Feathers
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Glass, Wood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Leather
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
18th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Fruitwood
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
1780s Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Gold Leaf
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Fabric, Glass, Mahogany
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Fabric, Giltwood
1970s Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Fur
Late 19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Mirror
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Acrylic, Wood
1810s Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood, Paper
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
Late 20th Century English Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Walnut
Mid-19th Century Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Iron
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Terracotta
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Iron
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Lambskin
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Ormolu
20th Century Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
18th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Mahogany
20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Iron
2010s American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Leather, Wood
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Giltwood
Early 19th Century Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Leather, Paper, Parchment Paper
2010s American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Rush, Oak
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Fur
Late 20th Century Malaysian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
Late 20th Century German Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Maple, Spruce
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Iron
1890s French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass, Copper
20th Century European Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Iron
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Acrylic
20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Fruitwood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble, Bronze
Early 20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Mohair, Hardwood
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Pottery
Late 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Mahogany, Giltwood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
20th Century Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Porcelain
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Fur
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble, Brass
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Walnut
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood
Mid-19th Century Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble, Bronze
Mid-19th Century European Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Iron
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood





