Neoclassical Patio and Garden 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.
20th Century American Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Granite, Aluminum
20th Century French Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Iron
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Iron
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Marble, Iron
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Steel
20th Century American Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Aluminum
20th Century French Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Concrete
20th Century American Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Iron
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary French Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Aluminum
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Concrete
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Aluminum
20th Century American Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Aluminum
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Wrought Iron
20th Century American Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Wrought Iron
20th Century American Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Travertine, Wrought Iron
20th Century American Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Aluminum
20th Century American Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Granite, Aluminum
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Stone, Marble
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Steel, Wrought Iron
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Aluminum
20th Century North American Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Metal, Aluminum
20th Century American Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Metal, Aluminum, Wrought Iron
20th Century American Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Iron
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Granite, Iron
2010s European Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Wrought Iron
1980s North American Vintage Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Metal
1980s North American Vintage Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Wrought Iron
20th Century American Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Limestone, Iron
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Wrought Iron
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Iron
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Wrought Iron
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Metal, Iron
Mid-20th Century North American Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Wrought Iron
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Bronze
20th Century American Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Granite, Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Aluminum
20th Century American Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Iron
20th Century American Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Aluminum
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Wicker
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Iron
20th Century American Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Aluminum
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Marble, Iron
20th Century American Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Stone, Concrete
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Stone
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Aluminum
20th Century Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Composition
20th Century American Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Wrought Iron
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Steel, Iron
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Wrought Iron
20th Century American Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Wrought Iron
20th Century American Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Iron
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Patio and Garden Furniture
Bronze