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 American Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
Early 1900s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate, Bronze
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Brass, Wire, Metal
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany, Rosewood, Satinwood
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Travertine, Iron
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
Early 20th Century European Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster, Brass, Bronze
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
1930s Finnish Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Metal
20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1970s German Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Brass
1930s German Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Mahogany
1970s Swedish Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Velvet, Beech, Pine
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Fruitwood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Cherry
1950s Spanish Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
1960s English Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Satinwood
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1970s Swedish Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Velvet, Beech, Pine
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Steel
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
1970s Spanish Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Aluminum
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1960s English Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
1910s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1990s Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
Early 20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1970s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Fruitwood
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood, Paint
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Maple





