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.
20th Century Russian Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Malachite
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Concrete
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Acrylic, Mirror
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Ormolu
21st Century and Contemporary British Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany, Giltwood
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Burl
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Early 1800s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1790s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Tulipwood
1890s Russian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silver
19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Gold Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
18th Century German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Walnut
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Metal, Brass
1780s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Concrete
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Onyx, Carrara Marble, Statuary Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Cotton, Velvet
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Agate, Sterling Silver
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Giltwood, Paint, Paper
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry
Early 1800s British Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Pearlware
20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Leaf
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Gold, Brass
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Hardwood
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Paper
1860s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silver
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
Early 20th Century Persian Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Bronze
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Acrylic, Wood
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Gold Leaf
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 20th Century Austrian Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Iron
20th Century Persian Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
Early 20th Century Finnish Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze, Steel
Early 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Berlin Iron
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood, Lacquer
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Composition
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Bronze
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1940s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood
1930s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Bronze





