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.
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Mid-18th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Steel
Late 19th Century Belgian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Oak
1960s European Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
20th Century Danish Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
18th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Earthenware, Delft
1970s German Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Blown Glass
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1820s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Creamware
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1970s German Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Blown Glass
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Enamel
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Metal, Metallic Thread, Brass
20th Century Portuguese Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
18th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
1930s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Copper
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Pearlware, Pottery
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas
Mid-20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Iron, Wrought Iron
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Brass
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Resin
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Pearlware, Pottery
Early 20th Century European Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Limestone
19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Textile, Wood
1780s British Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1940s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Stone, Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century German Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Onyx
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Wire
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Steel
1880s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mohair, Mahogany
Late 19th Century British Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain





