Neoclassical Asian Art and 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.
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Neoclassical Asian Art and Furniture
Metal
20th Century American Neoclassical Asian Art and Furniture
Pottery
Late 19th Century Thai Antique Neoclassical Asian Art and Furniture
Gold Leaf, Metal
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Asian Art and Furniture
Zinc
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Asian Art and Furniture
Marble
1870s French Antique Neoclassical Asian Art and Furniture
Wood, Paint
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Asian Art and Furniture
Metal
1880s French Antique Neoclassical Asian Art and Furniture
Marble, Bronze
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Asian Art and Furniture
Iron
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Asian Art and Furniture
Wrought Iron
20th Century Neoclassical Asian Art and Furniture
Canvas, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Asian Art and Furniture
Brass
20th Century Chinese Neoclassical Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century Neoclassical Asian Art and Furniture
Canvas, Wood
20th Century Neoclassical Asian Art and Furniture
Wood, Canvas, Acrylic
20th Century Neoclassical Asian Art and Furniture
Canvas, Wood, Acrylic
20th Century Neoclassical Asian Art and Furniture
Canvas, Acrylic, Wood
20th Century Neoclassical Asian Art and Furniture
Canvas, Acrylic, Wood
20th Century Chinese Neoclassical Asian Art and Furniture
Fabric, Lacquer
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Asian Antique Neoclassical Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
20th Century Chinese Neoclassical Asian Art and Furniture
Porcelain
19th Century Japanese Antique Neoclassical Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Neoclassical Asian Art and Furniture
Jade
Early 20th Century Chinese Neoclassical Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Neoclassical Asian Art and Furniture
Elm
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Neoclassical Asian Art and Furniture
Metal
Late 20th Century Japanese Neoclassical Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic, Pottery
Early 20th Century Asian Neoclassical Asian Art and Furniture
Paint
1930s Vintage Neoclassical Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
Early 18th Century Tibetan Antique Neoclassical Asian Art and Furniture
Iron
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Neoclassical Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Asian Art and Furniture
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
Early 18th Century Thai Antique Neoclassical Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Asian Art and Furniture
Malachite, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Neoclassical Asian Art and Furniture
Slate
1950s North American Vintage Neoclassical Asian Art and Furniture
Bakelite
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Asian Art and Furniture
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Asian Art and Furniture
Leather, Paint
20th Century British Neoclassical Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Asian Art and Furniture
Stone, Slate, Metal, Bronze
Early 20th Century Scandinavian Neoclassical Asian Art and Furniture
Paper
1970s Vintage Neoclassical Asian Art and Furniture
Bronze
1890s Swiss Antique Neoclassical Asian Art and Furniture
Brass