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.
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Cotton, Velvet, Down
18th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Metal
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Rush, Mahogany
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze, Other
18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Early 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paint
20th Century Portuguese Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Clay
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1830s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Fir
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Iron, Gold Leaf
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Malachite, Brass
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
Early 2000s European Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood, Velvet
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Wood
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1750s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Velvet, Wood
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1830s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Ormolu
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1840s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Silver Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Furniture
Gold Leaf
1880s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Marble, Bronze
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Plaster
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Furniture
Gold Leaf
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass, Bronze
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Silver Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Furniture
Gold Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1960s Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Griotte Marble, Bronze
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Scottish Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Sterling Silver
18th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Resin
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Other
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Cherry
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
1930s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Cement
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron, Brass