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.
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
20th Century Portuguese Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Clay
1840s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1860s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Pine, Paint
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Enamel
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Oak, Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century Finnish Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Marble
1830s Danish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Mahogany
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Giltwood
16th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Oak, Walnut
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
Early 20th Century British Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate, Sterling Silver
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Travertine, Metal
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Glass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Granite
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Giltwood, Paint
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Blown Glass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Paint, Resin
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Limestone
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass, Bronze
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Bronze
1830s European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Bronze, Ormolu, Wire
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1880s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Terracotta
Early 20th Century Persian Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
1880s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate, Bronze, Ormolu
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Limestone
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas
Late 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain





