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.
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Precious Stone
Early 20th Century Persian Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Stone
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
1930s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Paint, Wood
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Wood
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Stone, Brass
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Copper
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Paint, Ceramic
1980s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
1920s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Copper
Early 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1980s North American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Steel
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1940s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Wood
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Pottery, Stoneware
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany, Walnut
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Cement
Early 20th Century Dutch Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1980s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
20th Century Persian Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wool, Cotton
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Murano Glass
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble
Mid-20th Century Japanese Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century European Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Mahogany
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Onyx, Metal
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Marble





