Neoclassical Sofas
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 Sofas
Mahogany, Burl
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Sofas
Fabric, Foam, Mahogany
1830s American Antique Neoclassical Sofas
Leather, Upholstery, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Sofas
Brass
1830s American Antique Neoclassical Sofas
Brass, Ormolu
Mid-19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Sofas
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Sofas
Leather, Wood
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Sofas
Silk, Wood
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Sofas
Silk, Upholstery, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Sofas
Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Sofas
Fabric, Wood
18th Century and Earlier American Antique Neoclassical Sofas
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Sofas
Gold Leaf
Late 20th Century North American Neoclassical Sofas
Upholstery, Wood, Down
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Sofas
Upholstery, Mahogany
Early 1900s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Sofas
Velvet, Wood, Walnut
20th Century American Neoclassical Sofas
Hardwood, Wool
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Sofas
Fabric, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Sofas
Silver Leaf
2010s Italian Neoclassical Sofas
Marble, Gold Leaf
Late 18th Century British Antique Neoclassical Sofas
Serpentine
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Sofas
Leather
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Sofas
Wood
Early 19th Century Baltic Antique Neoclassical Sofas
Silk, Yew
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Sofas
Fabric, Rattan, Wood
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
2010s American Neoclassical Sofas
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Sofas
Gold Plate
2010s American Neoclassical Sofas
Mahogany
2010s American Neoclassical Sofas
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Sofas
Leather, Wood
20th Century Neoclassical Sofas
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Neoclassical Sofas
Gold Leaf
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Sofas
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Sofas
Leather, Fabric, Wood
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Sofas
Bronze
1820s French Antique Neoclassical Sofas
Cherry
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Sofas
Leather, Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Sofas
Leather, Wood
19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary North American Neoclassical Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Sofas
Leather, Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Sofas
Leather, Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Sofas
Leather, Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Sofas
Faux Leather, Wood
2010s American Neoclassical Sofas
Linen, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Sofas
Fabric, Wood, Leather
19th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Sofas
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Sofas
Leather, Fabric, Wood
2010s Portuguese Neoclassical Sofas
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Sofas
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Sofas
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Sofas
Metal
2010s Italian Neoclassical Sofas
Gold Leaf
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Sofas
Birdseye Maple