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.
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Bronze, Steel
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Terracotta
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Walnut
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Wrought Iron
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century European Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
2010s English Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Terracotta
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Glass
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Other
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Composition
Mid-20th Century North American Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble, Metal, Brass
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Terracotta
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Wood, Paper
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Iron
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
20th Century Czech Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood, Paint
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Stone
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1880s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Steel
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Paint
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany
1840s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Late 20th Century Chinese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
1850s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Aluminum
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
Late 18th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
20th Century British Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Wood