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.
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paper, Gesso, Linen, Giltwood
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Siena Marble
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Giltwood
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
1880s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Wood
1810s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble, Bronze
1930s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Fruitwood
2010s Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
1830s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Gold, Brass
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Granite, Brass, Iron
1830s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
1790s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Glass
2010s Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Cotton, Linen, Acrylic, Polyester
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Satinwood, Walnut
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porphyry
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Walnut
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1810s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Fruitwood, Walnut
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry, Walnut
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Wood, Paper
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
Early 1900s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Marble, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Siena Marble





