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.
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary French Neoclassical Furniture
Travertine, Wrought Iron
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble, Brass
1890s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Fruitwood
Late 18th Century Danish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Oak, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
20th Century Portuguese Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Bronze, Steel
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Concrete
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Enamel
Late 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paper
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Gold Leaf, Metal, Iron
Early 1800s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Cement
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1860s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Brass
1960s European Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
Early 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
1860s Danish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1990s American Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Brass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Metal, Aluminum
1930s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1950s Mexican Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
1980s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Gold, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Wire
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Silk, Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
1790s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Wood
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Glass
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Steel
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze, Iron





