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.
Early 1800s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1820s German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
1930s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Cement
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Plaster
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Mirror, Cherry
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wool, Linen
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Rush, Mahogany
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Resin
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Ceramic
1990s French Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Creamware
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
18th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze, Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century European Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Mid-19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Late 20th Century North American Neoclassical Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Paper
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Canvas
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Bronze
20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
1830s French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Ormolu
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Mid-19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Wrought Iron
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Giltwood
1830s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Fir
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Rush, Walnut
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Onyx, Stone, Metal, Bronze, Copper, Enamel
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain, Giltwood
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Concrete
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut