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 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Steel, Iron
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Enamel
1970s German Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Blown Glass
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Pearlware
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Porphyry, Malachite, Lapis Lazuli
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Silk, Upholstery, Mahogany
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Glass
Early 1900s British Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Gold, Enamel
1880s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Pine, Paint
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
18th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Wood
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone, Brass, Iron
1860s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Brass
Mid-19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Wood
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Pearlware, Pottery
1920s Swedish Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Persian Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Maple, Walnut, Burl
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Cane, Walnut
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Bronze
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Paper
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
1830s European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Bronze, Ormolu, Wire
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Bronze
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Wood
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware, Pottery
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Other
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Bronze
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Ormolu
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Nickel
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1970s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Bronze





