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 American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1990s American Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
Late 20th Century North American Neoclassical Furniture
Glass
Late 18th Century Danish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Oak, Walnut
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Spelter
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1910s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Blown Glass
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Paper
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Stone
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Mahogany
1790s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Fruitwood, Walnut, Palmwood
1860s Danish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wool, Beech
1940s North American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Brass
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood, Mercury Glass
1840s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Gold Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Gold
1970s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Enamel
1880s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Pine, Paint
Late 19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Ormolu
1940s European Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum, Brass, Steel
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain, Giltwood
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Mid-19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Wood
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Copper
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
Late 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Granite
1910s Danish Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood
1890s German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Swiss Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Glass
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Gold Leaf





