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.
19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Textile, Wood
Late 19th Century Belgian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary French Neoclassical Furniture
Limestone
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Ormolu
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Wrought Iron
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
2010s French Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Cherry, Oak
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Composition
2010s Belgian Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric
Early 20th Century European Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Mirror, Paint
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Limestone
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Silver Plate
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Stoneware
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Metal, Iron, Brass
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Enamel
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Stoneware
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Limestone
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Granite
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Wood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Iron
1970s German Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Blown Glass
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
2010s Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Terracotta
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1810s German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Milk Glass
1930s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Copper
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Carrara Marble
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
1920s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Wood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1990s American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
Early 1900s Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1930s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal





