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.
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Ormolu
Early 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Foam, Mahogany
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Neoclassical Furniture
Teak
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Copper
1860s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
20th Century Danish Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
1870s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paint, Giltwood, Wood
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
2010s Belgian Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric
2010s German Neoclassical Furniture
Pine
1960s English Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Pine
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Concrete
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
1990s American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Iron, Tin, Gold Leaf
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
1970s German Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Blown Glass
1920s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Steel
18th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Delft, Earthenware
1990s American Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Stoneware
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Pine
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate, Bronze
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Marble
1960s European Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
1920s English Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1890s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Clay
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Metal, Metallic Thread, Brass
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Wrought Iron
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Steel
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Silver
Late 19th Century British Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Wood
18th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum





