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 Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Mahogany
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate, Bronze
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Shagreen, Suede
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Tôle
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1980s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Resin
Early 2000s North American Neoclassical Furniture
Glass
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain, Wood
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
2010s French Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Wood, Cherry, Lacquer
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
2010s Australian Neoclassical Furniture
Fur
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Pottery
Early 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Pakistani Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Neoclassical Furniture
Nickel
19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1880s British Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Pottery
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Birdseye Maple, Paint
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Pottery
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Giltwood
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Granite
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Pottery
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Giltwood, Linen
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Aluminum, Steel
2010s Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Limestone
20th Century North American Neoclassical Furniture
Rosewood
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Wrought Iron
1860s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Birdseye Maple
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Cotton, Velvet, Down
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century North American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Ormolu
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Silver Plate
1820s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ash, Walnut
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Silk
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Wood





