Neoclassical Architectural Elements
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.
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Wood
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Pine
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Marble
Late 18th Century European Antique Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Walnut
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Clay
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Cement
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Mirror, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Plaster
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Giltwood
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Brass
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Zinc
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Wood, Paint
1790s English Antique Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Wood, Paint
Mid-19th Century Antique Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Giltwood
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Wood, Giltwood
Late 18th Century European Antique Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Giltwood
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Wood, Paint
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Wood, Paint
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Terracotta, Paint
Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Marble
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Cast Stone
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Marble
1960s Vintage Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Metal
19th Century British Antique Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Pine
Early 20th Century North American Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Wood
Early 1900s Italian Antique Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Iron
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Oak
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Plaster
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Plaster
18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Wrought Iron
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Limestone
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Enamel
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Brass
1970s Vintage Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Reed, Bamboo
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Steel
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Iron
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Giltwood
1880s American Antique Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Iron
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Plaster, Wood, Paint
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Iron
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Mirror
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Wood
1950s European Vintage Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Resin
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Copper
20th Century French Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Marble
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Plaster
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Ceramic
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Ceramic
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Plexiglass, Giltwood
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Concrete
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Stone
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Architectural Elements
Terracotta