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.
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Steel, Iron
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Danish Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
1920s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Brass
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paper
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Milk Glass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Iron, Wrought Iron
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Ormolu
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1920s Swedish Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Gold, Bronze
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
Early 1900s Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate, Bronze
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Bronze
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Brass, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Stained Glass, Wood
Late 20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1930s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Maple, Oak, Walnut
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood, Wood
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Leather
20th Century Chinese Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Wood
1930s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
Mid-20th Century Belgian Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum, Iron
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century European Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Mirror, Paint
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Art Glass, Wood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1940s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Pine
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Damask
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood





