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.
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 1900s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Steel, Brass
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Terracotta
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Terracotta
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Wrought Iron, Copper
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Statuary Marble
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood, Paint
1950s English Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1940s English Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Lead
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
1950s English Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Pine
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Spelter
1810s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Creamware, Pottery
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1880s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Pearlware, Pottery
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Wrought Iron
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
21st Century and Contemporary English Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Tôle
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Nickel
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
1940s English Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1780s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Gold
1910s English Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Oak
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paint, Paper
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
1880s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu
1910s English Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
21st Century and Contemporary English Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1890s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1880s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Limestone
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Lead
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Lead
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass





