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 1900s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Limestone
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Brass, Wire, Metal
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany, Rosewood, Satinwood
1970s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Fruitwood
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Fruitwood
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Cherry
1820s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Travertine
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Granite
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 1900s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Gold Leaf
1880s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1920s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Brass
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
1920s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Marble, Bronze
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Poplar, Giltwood
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
2010s Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Cotton, Chenille
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror
1990s Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain, Fabric
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Alabaster, Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Steel
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Metal
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Faience, Pottery
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Creamware
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Cement
1840s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Olive, Rosewood, Walnut, Holly
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Murano Glass
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1930s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Steel
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Carrara Marble
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1930s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood





