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-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Ironstone
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Giltwood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Alpaca
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Creamware
20th Century Hungarian Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Lapis Lazuli, Marble
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Maple
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Oak
1940s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Steel, Iron
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Iron
1830s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Upholstery, Mahogany
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Creamware
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Pine
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Cement
1980s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Granite
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary European Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Pine
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Onyx, Marble
1890s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Brass, Bronze
2010s Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Gold, Bronze
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany, Oak, Walnut
1970s German Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Blown Glass
1830s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
1970s German Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Blown Glass





