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.
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Burl
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Cherry
19th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Oak
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass, Wrought Iron
20th Century Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble, Porphyry
18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
1860s American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Glass, Harewood, Paper
18th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal, Tôle
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble
19th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary North American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Cotton, Silk
20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Satinwood
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Copper, Iron
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Steel
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
1840s Spanish Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paint
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Maple, Paint
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal, Bronze
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Gold Plate, Silver, Bronze
1970s Italian Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Fur, Suede
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Linen
Mid-19th Century European Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Poplar
1790s Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wicker, Hardwood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
19th Century Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Alabaster
20th Century Italian Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Composition
Mid-19th Century European Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Wood, Walnut, Bentwood, Fir
20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paint
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Pine
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass, Bronze, Copper, Tin
1980s Indian Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Leather
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Iron
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Bronze
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Textile
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Textile
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble, Carrara Marble, Brass
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Marble, Bronze, Brass
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Creamware
Early 2000s American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Paper
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Creamware
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Pine
Early 20th Century Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Brass
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Creamware
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Walnut
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Walnut, Burl
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Glass
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Linen
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical More Furniture and Collectibles
Linen





