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.
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Faience, Pottery
1920s German Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Marble, Bronze
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Silver Plate
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Gesso, Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Resin
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Iron
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Cotton, Chenille
1970s German Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Glass
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Poplar, Giltwood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Metal
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Foam, Mahogany
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century Russian Neoclassical Furniture
Malachite, Brass, Bronze
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1970s Mexican Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1980s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Hardwood, Giltwood, Paint
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood
1970s German Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Blown Glass
1970s German Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Blown Glass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1990s Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain, Fabric
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
Late 20th Century Belgian Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Giltwood
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Oak
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Cement
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Leather
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Maple
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Brass





