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.
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror
Early 20th Century Dutch Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1920s German Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
2010s Hong Kong Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Ebony
1970s German Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Blown Glass
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Art Glass, Wood
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Resin
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Iron
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Neoclassical Furniture
Velvet, Feathers
1850s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Chestnut, Walnut
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Steel
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Blown Glass
1990s Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain, Fabric
Early 1900s Hungarian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Oak, Pine
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Stone
1870s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Bronze, Nickel
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Copper, Iron
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Pearlware, Pottery
1970s Mexican Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Breccia Marble
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Metal
1790s Russian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Fruitwood, Rosewood, Tulipwood
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Faience, Pottery
1830s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Upholstery, Mahogany
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood
1820s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Giltwood
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Cement
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Pottery
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum, Iron
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Maple
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Beech
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Steel
20th Century Hungarian Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Creamware
1790s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
2010s Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster





