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 Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Limestone
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Pottery
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Bronze
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Wood
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century Swedish Neoclassical Furniture
Pine
1770s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Maiolica
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
18th Century British Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Feathers
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Statuary Marble
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Iron, Tin, Gold Leaf
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Fruitwood
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1980s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Mid-20th Century British Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Stoneware
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Opaline Glass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood, Mahogany
1780s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Faience
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Machiche
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Poplar
Late 19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Malachite, Silver
Late 20th Century North American Neoclassical Furniture
Concrete
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
21st Century and Contemporary German Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Satinwood
1980s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Composition, Marble
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Wood, Paper
1940s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster, Wood
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Textile, Walnut, Upholstery
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Fabric, Wood
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Copper
1970s German Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Brass
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Maple
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Stoneware
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Ormolu
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Iron





