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 Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1830s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
1890s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Steel, Iron
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1820s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Giltwood
Mid-19th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 1800s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1870s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Ebony, Satinwood, Giltwood, Burl
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1840s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Olive, Rosewood, Walnut, Holly
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Creamware
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany, Oak, Walnut
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
1890s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror
21st Century and Contemporary European Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1830s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Upholstery, Mahogany
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1790s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Plywood
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Giltwood
1820s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Creamware
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Furniture
Eggshell, Lacquer
19th Century Chinese Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate, Ormolu
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Metal
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
2010s European Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Brass
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Giltwood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century British Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Foam, Mahogany
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood, Paint
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Gold, Bronze





