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.
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1880s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Nickel
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1830s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Resin, Wood, Masonite
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Pewter
1780s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Silk, Velvet, Down
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Oak
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Burl
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 1800s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
1820s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Steel
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stone
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Murano Glass
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Iron, Tin, Gold Leaf
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Giltwood
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Terracotta, Lucite
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paint
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Limestone
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1940s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1820s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
1810s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Rock Crystal, Wrought Iron
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1940s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Stone
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Statuary Marble
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
1770s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
1930s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood, Gesso
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany, Walnut
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1920s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Onyx, Marble
2010s Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Gold Leaf
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1910s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
1970s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Sheet Metal





