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.
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paint, Giltwood, Wood
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Linen
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Linen
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu
1820s Baltic Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Steel, Wrought Iron, Iron
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Ormolu
1970s German Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Blown Glass
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wool, Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Iron, Tin, Gold Leaf
1820s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Cherry, Fruitwood
19th Century Chinese Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate, Ormolu
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
1830s Danish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Mahogany
1890s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1890s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Statuary Marble, Ormolu
19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Bronze, Gold Plate
1860s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Terracotta, Wood
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
1830s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Early 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Walnut
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Onyx, Bronze
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
1810s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany, Pine
1870s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Iron, Gold Leaf
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Early 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain, Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Oak
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Granite
1830s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Birdseye Maple, Cherry, Poplar, Pine
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1820s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
1820s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Metal, Bronze, Ormolu
1870s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Statuary Marble
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Creamware
Early 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1860s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1890s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silk, Wood
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass





