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 Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Stone
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Pine, Giltwood
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Composition
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Cherry
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary French Neoclassical Furniture
Travertine, Wrought Iron
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Terracotta
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Wood, Paper
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Linen, Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Cane, Wood
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Malachite, Brass, Bronze, Ormolu
1990s Sri Lankan Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Brass
Late 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1860s Danish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Wood, Paper
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Terracotta
Late 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Oak
1830s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mohair, Mahogany
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Paper
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Bronze, Cut Steel
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Copper
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
20th Century European Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1950s British Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Steel
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Steel
Early 20th Century Danish Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
1970s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Wood
1990s American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1990s American Neoclassical Furniture
Plastic, Paper
2010s Belgian Neoclassical Furniture
Stone
1990s Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
15th Century and Earlier American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Clay, Pottery
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Cedar, Pine, Paint
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Shell
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver





