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
Marble, Brass
1980s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
Late 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Ironstone
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Lapis Lazuli, Marble
20th Century German Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood
19th Century Persian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum, Brass, Steel
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Resin, Wood, Masonite
1870s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Resin
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Iron
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
1770s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Creamware
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Poplar, Giltwood
1970s German Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Glass
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Silver Plate
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Milk Glass
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Art Glass, Wood
1970s Swedish Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Velvet, Beech, Pine
1870s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Enamel
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Linen
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Iron
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood
1920s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Brass
1790s Russian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Fruitwood, Rosewood, Tulipwood
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Bronze, Nickel
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Creamware
1990s Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain, Fabric
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Metal
Mid-19th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
1970s Mexican Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Mid-19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut, Burl
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Giltwood
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
20th Century Hungarian Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Foam, Mahogany
1970s German Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Blown Glass





