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.
1920s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Rush, Fruitwood, Upholstery
Late 19th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Nutwood
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass, Bronze
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Iron, Tin, Gold Leaf
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Velvet, Wood
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron, Wrought Iron
2010s French Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Wood, Cherry, Lacquer
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paper
1890s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble, Brass
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 19th Century Portuguese Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
2010s Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1790s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1920s British Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Gold, Enamel
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Ormolu
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Fabric, Velvet, Faux Leather, Wood
1950s Spanish Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
Early 20th Century British Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Wood
1830s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Rock Crystal, Wrought Iron
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood
1780s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Gold Leaf
1930s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Velvet
1960s English Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Griotte Marble, Enamel, Ormolu
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
1890s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paint
1890s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
1830s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary English Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
2010s Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Limestone
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
Early 20th Century German Neoclassical Furniture
Silver, Sterling Silver
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble, Brass
1970s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Sheet Metal
1940s European Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
1930s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
1830s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Sandstone
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1930s English Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Stone
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble





