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-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Copper
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Carrara Marble
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Other
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
2010s Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Ormolu
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Linen
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1890s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Velvet, Wood
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paper
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Stone
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Burl
Early 20th Century British Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Granite, Iron
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Bronze
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu
1910s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
18th Century South American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Other
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 1900s European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary French Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1820s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Zinc
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1890s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Giltwood
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Bronze
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Late 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Paint, Ceramic
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Brass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Approx: 310 grams
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone





