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.
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Walnut
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Composition
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Early 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
20th Century North American Neoclassical Furniture
Masonite
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Steel, Wrought Iron
Late 18th Century Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Creamware
1950s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble, Brass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Stoneware
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Onyx, Carrara Marble, Statuary Marble
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Cherry, Poplar, Pine
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Mahogany, Satinwood
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal, Gold, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Furniture
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Crystal, Bronze
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Carrara Marble, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Late 18th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Lead
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Silk, Mahogany
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century Persian Neoclassical Furniture
Wool
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Stone, Limestone
1880s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1890s Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Hardwood
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Glass, Wood
20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Iron
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Cast Stone
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Metal
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass, Steel
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Furniture
Silver, Brass
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1910s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Alabaster
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Glass
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Bronze
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Brass
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Furniture
Marble
2010s American Neoclassical Furniture
Marble, Brass, Bronze
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
20th Century American Neoclassical Furniture
Silver Plate
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Furniture
Plaster, Giltwood