Neoclassical Textiles
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.
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Textiles
Linen
20th Century Neoclassical Textiles
Wool, Cotton, Foam
2010s American Neoclassical Textiles
Velvet, Down
2010s Australian Neoclassical Textiles
Fur
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Textiles
Linen
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Textiles
Linen
20th Century Neoclassical Textiles
Wool, Angora
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Textiles
Yarn
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Textiles
Linen
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Textiles
Linen
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Textiles
Linen
2010s American Neoclassical Textiles
Cotton, Velvet, Down
2010s American Neoclassical Textiles
Cotton, Silk, Down, Feathers
2010s American Neoclassical Textiles
Velvet, Down
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Textiles
Linen
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Textiles
Linen
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Textiles
Linen
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Textiles
Linen
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Textiles
Linen
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Textiles
Linen
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Textiles
Linen
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Textiles
Linen
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Textiles
Linen
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Textiles
Linen
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Textiles
Linen
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Textiles
Tapestry, Wool, Linen, Silk
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Textiles
Cotton, Chenille
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Textiles
Linen
20th Century American Neoclassical Textiles
Fabric, Down
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Textiles
Wool, Cotton
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Textiles
Linen
2010s Australian Neoclassical Textiles
Linen
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Textiles
Cotton
2010s Australian Neoclassical Textiles
Linen
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Textiles
Textile
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Textiles
Linen
20th Century Neoclassical Textiles
Wool, Cotton, Foam
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Textiles
Wool, Cotton, Foam
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Textiles
Silk
2010s Belgian Neoclassical Textiles
Fabric
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Textiles
Wool, Cotton
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Textiles
Silver
1990s American Neoclassical Textiles
Silk
21st Century and Contemporary European Neoclassical Textiles
Linen, Velvet, Beads
18th Century Belgian Antique Neoclassical Textiles
Wool, Silk
21st Century and Contemporary North American Neoclassical Textiles
Cotton, Polyester
21st Century and Contemporary English Neoclassical Textiles
Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary North American Neoclassical Textiles
Cotton, Silk
1990s American Neoclassical Textiles
Textile, Feathers
1850s American Antique Neoclassical Textiles
Wool, Cotton
21st Century and Contemporary English Neoclassical Textiles
Silk
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Textiles
Linen
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Textiles
Cotton, Linen
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Textiles
Linen
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Textiles
Linen
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Textiles
Linen
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Textiles
Linen
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Textiles
Linen