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 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood, Paint
1850s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Paper
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Fruitwood
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Terracotta
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
17th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Granite, Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Wood
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Blown Glass, Maple
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood, Paint
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Wood
1970s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Zinc
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Oak
Early 20th Century German Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1920s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
1990s American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1920s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
1810s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
1880s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Greek Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Wood
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Clay, Terracotta
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Velvet, Fruitwood
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Cast Stone, Concrete
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Aluminum
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Porphyry, Malachite, Lapis Lazuli
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Pearlware
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Enamel
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Limestone
1960s German Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Pottery




