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 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Gold, Brass
1940s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Wood, Paper
1940s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Faience, Pottery
1830s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood, Pine
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 1900s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
1930s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
2010s Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Stone
1820s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
2010s Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Cotton, Linen
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Early 1800s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror
1940s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Lacquer
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1770s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
1920s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Rush, Fruitwood, Upholstery
1980s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Wood
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Steel
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Travertine
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Satinwood
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Milk Glass
1840s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Gold Leaf
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Stone
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Steel
1940s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Walnut
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Steel, Brass
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Stainless Steel
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Limestone
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Marble
1910s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood, Giltwood
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood





