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.
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Glass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Giltwood
1880s Dutch Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Glass
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1780s Dutch Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Limestone
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain, Giltwood
2010s Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
20th Century European Neoclassical Furniture
Silver
Early 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Gold Plate, Brass, Bronze
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Composition
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Early 1900s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Wood, Giltwood
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Lapis Lazuli, Ormolu, Bronze
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Opaline Glass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Hardwood, Maple
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
1970s German Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Stone, Brass, Ormolu
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Limestone
1930s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
Early 1900s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Wood
1980s English Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain, Wood
1930s British Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Cane, Lacquer
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Early 1900s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Velvet, Wood, Walnut
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Cherry
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Concrete
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Metal, Brass
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
16th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Wood, Paper
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Beech, Paint
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass





