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 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Enamel
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mohair, Mahogany
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas
1890s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass, Bronze
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
Early 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1830s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Steel
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Copper
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Bronze
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Wood, Paper
Late 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Metal
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Iron
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Steel
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Walnut
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
2010s French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1930s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Velvet
2010s French Neoclassical Furniture
Cut Steel, Wrought Iron
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Statuary Marble, Ormolu
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary French Neoclassical Furniture
Terracotta
18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Breccia Marble
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Onyx, Metal
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Copper
1930s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
1990s French Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Nickel
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal





