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.
1890s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Rock Crystal, Wrought Iron
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
1930s English Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Siena Marble
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Maple, Oak, Pine
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Griotte Marble, Enamel, Ormolu
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1930s British Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Paper
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood
Early 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Granite, Brass, Steel
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1770s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Metal, Bronze, Ormolu
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Pine, Giltwood
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Composition, Marble
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood, Wood
1860s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Terracotta, Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Bronze
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Sandstone
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass, Bronze
Late 18th Century German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood, Paint
1920s British Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1890s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble, Brass
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Resin
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Travertine, Iron
1930s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
18th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
Mid-20th Century British Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Stoneware
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Blown Glass
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze





