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.
1970s English Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Cherry
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Enamel, Ormolu
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
Late 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Lead
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1910s English Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Pearlware, Pottery
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Precious Stone
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Glass
1970s English Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
1790s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silver
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paper, Glass
18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Marble, Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Giltwood, Paint, Paper
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silver, Bronze
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Gesso
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Satinwood
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain, Walnut, Giltwood
Early 1800s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Glass
1830s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany, Satinwood
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Composition
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
Late 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Sheffield Plate, Silver Plate
21st Century and Contemporary English Neoclassical Furniture
Mohair, Velvet
1890s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Cane, Mahogany
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1860s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1780s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silver
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Other
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stone
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Hardwood, Paint
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Other
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1870s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
1960s English Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Brass





