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 Neoclassical Furniture
Stained Glass, Wood
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Steel, Bronze, Brass
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century European Neoclassical Furniture
Softwood
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Linen
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Oak
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Onyx, Marble
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
1860s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
2010s Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
1970s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Sheet Metal
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Bronze
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Wood
1920s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Wrought Iron
20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
1930s German Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century European Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood, Paint
20th Century Portuguese Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
1880s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Metal, Bronze, Copper, Tin
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Travertine, Iron
1890s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Fruitwood
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Wood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Wood, Paint
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Lacquer, Mahogany
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Granite, Brass, Steel
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass, Bronze
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
Early 20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Murano Glass
15th Century and Earlier Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Brass
1890s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Brass, Nickel
1980s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Concrete
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1790s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Gold Leaf
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Copper, Iron
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone





