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.
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Stone
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Copper
Early 20th Century Russian Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Ormolu
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century German Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Gold Leaf
Early 1900s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Silver Plate
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
20th Century European Neoclassical Furniture
Terracotta
Late 20th Century European Neoclassical Furniture
Composition, Iron
Early 20th Century North American Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Terracotta, Glass
1960s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century British Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
20th Century European Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Limestone, Marble
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Wood, Paper
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Iron
1950s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Brass
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Iron
Early 20th Century Persian Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Composition
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Ormolu
Early 1900s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Persian Neoclassical Furniture
Wool, Silk
1920s English Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century European Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
20th Century Persian Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Terracotta
Early 20th Century European Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Wrought Iron
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Mahogany
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Pewter
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Wood
Early 20th Century European Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Metal, Ormolu
Early 20th Century Persian Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Spelter
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Beech
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Paint





