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.
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Earthenware, Creamware
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Clay
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Creamware
1930s English Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stone
1780s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
1810s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Oak
1860s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silver
1930s English Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1890s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Copper
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Sterling Silver
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Steel, Wrought Iron, Brass
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Steel, Iron
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Lead
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster, Wood, Oak
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Clay
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Mahogany
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Lead
Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Hardwood, Boxwood, Fruitwood
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Hardwood, Fruitwood
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Hardwood, Fruitwood
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paint
1890s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
Early 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
Early 1900s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Sheffield Plate
1770s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1890s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Pottery
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Terracotta
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Terracotta
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Lead
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Clay
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Felt, Wood
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Pine
Early 1900s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Nickel
1840s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Glass
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
1950s English Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass





