Neoclassical Furniture
NEOCLASSICAL STYLE
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.
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Style: Neoclassical
Place of Origin: English
Antique Neoclassical English Pine Fireplace
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique Neoclassical English pine fireplace, reclaimed from a Norfolk farmhouse. This late 18th century fireplace incorporates Neoclassical and Georgian styles, making it an elega...
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Materials
Wood, Pine
Salad bowl Wedgwood pale green jasper collection
By Wedgwood
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unsual salad bowl with cutlery in wedgwood pale green jasper collection ,style neoclassical
Category
Early 1900s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Elegant Chandelier
Located in Atlanta, GA
A fine and elegant gilt bronze chandelier. England, circa 1920. 5 lights.
Dimensions: Height 26" diameter 25"
CW2948.
Category
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$4,250
Antique Carved Wooden Mould Ex. Tucker Collection
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A mounted antique carved wooden mould from the Tucker collection. This is one of many moulds we are selling from this vast collection assembled by British make-up artist, Christopher...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Materials
Steel
Ornate English Porcelain Vase in Shape of Archaic Oil Lamp Vessel
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This ornate porcelain vase is in the shape of an archaic oil lamp. It has double heads and double spouts.
Category
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Hand Knotted American Rug
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Pretty hand knotted old American rug, circa 1920 . I found it in California during my holidays in 1990: I bought, washed and re-edged.
It's very pre...
Category
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Materials
Wool
Pair of Antique Carved Wooden Moulds Ex. Tucker Collection
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A pair of mounted antique carved wooden moulds from the Tucker collection. These are just two of many moulds we are selling from this vast collection assembled by British make-up art...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Materials
Wood, Hardwood, Boxwood, Fruitwood
An 18th Century Neoclassical Marble Chimneypiece with Spanish Brocatelle Inlays
Located in London, GB
An Exceptionally Finely Carved 18th Century Chimneypiece of Neoclassical Design in White Statuary Marble with Spanish Brocatelle Inlays
From the Collection of Will Fisher at Jamb, L...
Category
18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Materials
Statuary Marble
Early 19th Century Neoclassic Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
A mahogany and giltwood neoclassic mirror. Portrait of Classic figure in oval at top with swags to frame. Applied urns as sides and lyre in center, all gilt as well as around mirror....
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Giltwood, Wood
Set of Three Gilt Bronze and Cut Glass Flush Mount, Signed J. Stone, England
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Set of three gilt bronze and cut glass flush mount. Signed J. Stone. England, early 20th century.
Category
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Materials
Bronze
George III Neo Classical Sugar Basket Made in London by Hester Bateman, 1779
Located in London, GB
A very fine George III Neo Classical Sugar Basket made in London in 1779 by Hester Bateman.
The Sugar Basket stands on a circular domed foot, with beaded edge, which is pierced with...
Category
18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver
Pair of George III Neo Classical Vases by Thomas Pitts I, 1771
Located in London, GB
A very rare and unusual pair of early George III Neo Classical Vases made in London in 1771 by Thomas Pitts I
The vases are modelled in the very r...
Category
18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver
Carved Antique Stone Sculpture by a Student of Hugh Casson
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
This weathered antique stone sculpture was reputedly carved by a student of 20th century British architect and artist, Sir Hugh Casson. It depi...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Materials
Stone, Limestone
Impressive Brass
Steel Neo-Classical Firegrate
Located in London, GB
A large and impressive brass and steel firebasket in the Georgian style. The gunmetal legs with engraving throughout, featuring Athenian leaf and drapery, surmounted by engraved urn ...
Category
18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century Hand Tinted Botanicals - 19 Available
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand tinted late 19th century botanicals. Finely detailed. Newly framed and matted. Linen matte. Gold metal leaf frames. 19 available.
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Materials
Linen, Wood, Giltwood, Paper
Neoclassical Style Table Lamp with Winged Cherub Figure
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Early 20th century table lamp in the Neoclassical style with winged cherub figure sitting above a heavy white cylindrical column base complete with gilt ...
Category
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Materials
Brass
George III Neo Classical Wine/Water Jug by Smith
Sharp, London, 1775.
Located in London, GB
A very fine & unusual George III Neo Classical Wine/Water Jug made in London in 1775 by Daniel Smith & Robert Sharp.
The Jug stands on an applied foot which is decorated with bold b...
Category
18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Materials
Silver
Neoclassical Pine Fireplace with Carved Urn
Located in London, GB
An English neoclassical pine fireplace. The centre blocking with carved urn and drapery, flanked by oval paterae and fluting. The tapering legs with tied ri...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Materials
Pine
Pair of George III Tapersticks made by J. Hoyland
Company, Sheffield, 1774
Located in London, GB
A very rare pair of George III Neo Classical Tapersticks made in Sheffield in 1774 by J. Hoyland & Company.
This is the first time we have seen this design of Neo Classical Tapersti...
Category
18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver
George III Neo Classical Wine Ewer by John Rowbotham
Co, Sheffield, 1774
Located in London, GB
A rare George III Neo Classical Water/Wine Ewer made in Sheffield in 1774 by John Rowbotham & Company.
This beautiful Jug stands on a square pedestal foot, with four ball feet. The ...
Category
18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver
18th Century English Mahogany Expandable Round Three Tier Dumbwaiter Table
Located in North Miami, FL
Introducing an exquisite 18th-century English mahogany dumbwaiter table, a masterpiece of craftsmanship and versatility. This remarkable piece feature...
Category
18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Materials
Wood, Mahogany
19th Century English Porcelain Parrot Lamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
In excellent condition. Very unusual. Hand painted with custom parchment shade, which is 7' in diameter.
Category
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Materials
Porcelain, Parchment Paper
Antique Carved Limestone Statue of a Scholar
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A beautifully hand-carved 19th century limestone statue of a scholar. This was reclaimed from a house in Cumbria. Dating from the mid-late 19th century, the limestone is of beautiful...
Category
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Materials
Limestone
19th Century Mosaic Fragment Mounted on Stand
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
This antique mosaic on stand is a fragment from history. It was reclaimed from a building in the southeast of England and includes a bespoke steel stand ...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Materials
Cement, Marble, Steel
English Hand-Painted Fireplace Mantel in the Neoclassical Style
Located in London, GB
A rare and highly decorative chimney piece in the manner of George Brookshaw
The frame carved part gilded and polychrome decorated, with the inverted breakfront top shelf having a...
Category
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
19th Century English Cabinet with Neoclassical Painted Scenes
Located in London, GB
Fine side cabinet in the Adams Manner
Constructed in finely figured satinwood and mahogany of great depth of colour, with polychrome hand painted decoration in the style of Angeli...
Category
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Satinwood
Doulton
Co 6-inch Glazed Neoclassical Tile
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A rare antique 6-inch glazed tile by Doulton and Co. of Lambeth (stamped) depicting a hooded neoclassical figure symbolising Tragedy.
In this simple design, the seated figure is ou...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Materials
Clay
Minton
Co 6-Inch Tile Handpainted with Leopard
Deer
By Minton
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A highly decorative antique 6-inch dust-pressed porcelain tile by Minton & Co. (stamped), glazed and hand painted with a roundel depicting a leopard pouncing on a deer in vibrant blu...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Materials
Clay, Porcelain
Two Antique Carved Wooden Moulds Ex. Tucker Collection
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A pair of mounted antique carved wooden moulds from the Tucker collection. This pair is one of many moulds we are selling from this vast collection assembled by British make-up artis...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Materials
Steel
Roman Style 19th Century Mosaic Fragment on Stand
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
This roman style mosaic on stand is a fragment from history. It was reclaimed from a building in the southeast of England and includes a bespoke steel st...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Materials
Cement, Marble
Neoclassical furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Neoclassical furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include lighting, decorative objects, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Neoclassical furniture made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Edward F. Caldwell
Co., Wedgwood, Carpanese Home Italia, and Workstead. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $20 and tops out at $4,125,484 while the average work can sell for $3,450.
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