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.
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
18th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1970s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Marble
Early 20th Century Dutch Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
2010s Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
Late 18th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Silver Plate
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Maple
2010s European Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1790s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stone
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Alabaster, Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
Early 20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1880s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Neoclassical Furniture
Limestone
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
1830s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Glass
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Stoneware
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Cotton
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood
Late 19th Century Belgian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Oak
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Concrete
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Steel
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
1970s German Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Blown Glass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Terracotta
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
1820s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Creamware
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Concrete
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Gesso, Wood, Paint
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Steel
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Wrought Iron
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1860s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
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