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.
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Wood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Wool, Cotton
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate, Bronze
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany, Oak, Walnut
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Gold, Bronze
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1890s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
Late 18th Century Danish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Oak, Walnut
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Leather
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Leather
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Brass, Bronze
19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century Danish Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Maple, Oak, Walnut
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
2010s French Neoclassical Furniture
Stone
Late 20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1830s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Upholstery, Mahogany
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Ormolu
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
Mid-20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Iron, Wrought Iron
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1920s Swedish Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Slate
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
2010s European Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Marble
20th Century Chinese Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Furniture
Eggshell, Lacquer
1860s Danish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Carrara Marble
Mid-20th Century Belgian Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1840s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Olive, Rosewood, Walnut, Holly
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Concrete
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver





