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.
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble, Brass
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Ormolu
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood, Paint
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
1890s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
Mid-20th Century British Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Brass, Bronze
1790s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf
2010s Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Iron
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Onyx, Metal
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Ormolu, Bronze
1890s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Precious Stone
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Nickel
20th Century Belgian Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1830s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver, Steel
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Copper
1970s German Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Blown Glass
1920s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
1820s Baltic Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1930s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1930s German Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
1890s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Clay
20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
Early 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Steel
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
Early 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
1970s English Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sandstone
18th Century German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Walnut
1990s French Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Murano Glass





