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.
1910s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Wood
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Cherry
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Upholstery, Giltwood
1970s Spanish Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Aluminum
1990s Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Metal
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1820s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Ironstone
1850s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1970s German Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Blown Glass
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Bamboo
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper, Wood
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Travertine
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble, Brass
1880s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Granite
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood, Paint
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Rush, Maple
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Early 1900s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Gold Leaf
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
1830s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
Mid-19th Century Welsh Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
20th Century Danish Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Milk Glass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Iron
1930s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood, Paint
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1990s Neoclassical Furniture
Leather
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood
19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Pine
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood
Late 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Cement





