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.
2010s Hong Kong Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Ebony
21st Century and Contemporary European Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Wood
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Copper, Iron
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
1840s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Olive, Rosewood, Walnut, Holly
20th Century Hungarian Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu
1830s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Upholstery, Mahogany
Late 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Steel, Iron
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Giltwood
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Rock Crystal, Tin
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Breccia Marble
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Pearlware, Pottery
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Milk Glass
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-19th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Gold, Bronze
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century Belgian Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany, Oak, Walnut
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Giltwood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
2010s Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Furniture
Eggshell, Lacquer
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Stoneware
1990s French Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Iron
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate, Bronze
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Canvas, Burl
1870s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Slate
1930s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Beech
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Leather
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
Early 20th Century Persian Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal





