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 French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Rock Crystal, Bronze
1850s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Wire
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1890s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Pine, Giltwood
1820s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Creamware
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Cherry
Early 1800s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Textile
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Satinwood, Walnut
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Other
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Enamel
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 1800s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Pearlware
19th Century British Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Pottery, Stoneware
1970s German Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Blown Glass
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paint, Wood
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Fruitwood, Ebony, Mahogany, Satinwood, Glass
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1970s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Blown Glass
Late 19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Bronze
1820s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut, Silk
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
1890s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Late 19th Century Belgian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Approx: 310 grams
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Down
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Limestone
1820s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Masonite, Paint
1890s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal





