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.
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Paint
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Resin, Lacquer
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Fruitwood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood, Paint
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Steel
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1990s American Neoclassical Furniture
Plastic, Paper
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
Early 20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Alabaster, Brass
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Steel, Bronze, Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Wrought Iron
Mid-18th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Sandstone
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Brass
20th Century German Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Cane, Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paper
Early 20th Century German Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany, Walnut
Late 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Concrete
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1890s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1980s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
1830s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Lacquer, Mahogany
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble, Brass
1890s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Fruitwood
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Lapis Lazuli, Marble
1990s Sri Lankan Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Furniture
Masonite, Paint
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Ormolu
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1770s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Creamware
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1880s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Metal, Bronze, Copper, Tin
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Resin
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Textile, Resin
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood





