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.
1980s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry
1980s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Maple, Oak, Walnut
1720s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Paper
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
1970s Belgian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood, Wool
1840s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Metal
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Brass
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Resin
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
1980s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Fabric, Wood, Birch
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Lucite
1810s English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silver
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Wood, Mahogany
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
20th Century Belgian Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
18th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century British Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Bronze
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Plaster
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Bronze
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silver
1870s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1820s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Birdseye Maple
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Gold Leaf
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Ormolu, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
1930s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Early 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Earthenware
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Pottery
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Limestone
Mid-20th Century European Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
19th Century Turkish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
1830s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Creamware
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Rush, Mahogany