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.
Sundial and Compass with Case, Schrettegger, Johan, Augsburg, Germany, Ca 1800
Located in Madrid, ES
Sundial and compass with case. Bronze. SCHRETTEGGER, Johan. Augsburg, Germany, around 1800. Sundial with a polygonal shape made of bronze, engraved with plant elements on the front,...
Bronze, Other
Antique Mahogany Windlass Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An extraordinary historical Nautical rope winding Ship's Windlass from the great age of exploration and commerce reinterpreted as a standing table. The windlass section is antique wi...
Brass, Copper, Other
Sundial with Compass and Case, Bronze, Bion, Nicholas, Paris, 18th Century
By Nicholas Bion
Located in Madrid, ES
Sundial with compass and case. Bronze. BION, Nicholas. Paris, 18th century. Polygonal sundial with a bird-shaped gnomon and engraved triangular piece, which presents, on one side, ...
Bronze, Other
Mid-19th Century British Yacht Half Hull Model "Vivid"
Located in Bridgeport, CT
2.44 yacht half hull model of a racing sloop. An 1840s-1850s "Plank on Edge" cutter half block hull with applied stem, keel and rudder. The deck with stubbed bowsprit, stub mast, and...
Wood
$1,080Sale Price / set|20% Off
Ropes and Tackle for 19th Century Waling Vessel
Located in Huntington, NY
Tools ropes and tackle for 19th century waling vessel.
Rope, Maple
J. Stobart Lithograph "Mystic Seaport. "The Charles L. Morgan" at Chubb's Wharf
By John Stobart
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Marked mystic seaport Member's Edition #136/736 on the frame's plaque. Celebrating the 150th anniversary of the ship. Includes a framed swatch of the sh...
Wood
$1,180Sale Price|26% Off
Balancing Ship / Boat Wine / Champagne Cooler
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Antique balancing Nautical / ship / boat wine/champagne cooler holder with glass inner bowl. This superb combination is in very good condition. Rare bottle...
Metal
Scale Half Model Of Americas Cup Yacht "Puritan"
Located in Norwell, MA
Carved woo half model of the 1885 America's Cup Yacht Puritan. The hull is painted white above the waterline and green below. There is a planked wood. mahogany deck, hatched, skyligh...
Wood
Antique National Cashier Register With the Key
Located in Brea, CA
Antique national cashier register R313 with a key , the drawer can open , there is a key , it is a beautiful piece .
Brass
Half Model of the Yacht Endeavor, Gold
Located in Norwell, MA
Fine half model of the 1934 America’s cup defending Yacht Endeavor. The model has a planked deck with Toe Rails, Hatch, Skylights, Helm, Spinnaker Pole, Hatch, Etc. The Hull is paint...
Wood
British 19th Century Drum Table
Located in New York, NY
This charming 19th-century English regimental drum was fitted with a glass top to serve as a table. It bears the painted arms of the Royal Dublin Fusil...
Brass
19th Century Fruitwood Mortar and Pestle
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
19th century fruitwood mortar and pestle. Lathe work, remnants of paint or dark stain. Original pestle included. Period: First half of the 19th century Origin: Eastern, US Size: 5" ...
Fruitwood
19th Century Mortar and Pestle
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
19th century fruitwood mortar and pestle. Remnants of oxblood red and silver blue banded paint. Original pestle included. Origin: Eastern, United States Period: First half of the 19...
Fruitwood
Antique a rare burl wooden national cashier register
Located in Brea, CA
a rare burl wooden national cash register. It is in excellent condition
Brass
$556Sale Price|20% Off
H 12.5 in W 16 in D 8 in
19th C Original Painted Decorated Doll or Jewelry Chester Drawers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th C original painted decorated doll or jewelry chester drawers. Decorated in the 20's or 30's.
Wood, Paint
Victorian Mahogany Bagatelle Table
Located in Essex, MA
Folds into a rectangular table perfect for a coffee table. Folds open for the green baize playing surface with stick and balls.
Baize, Mahogany
$11,191 / item
H 10.24 in W 18.12 in D 2.37 in
19th Century Antique Flintlock Pistol Cabinet for Duelists
Located in Marseille, FR
Gun cabinet full time duelists 19th century in its original box with red velvet. Platinum finely chopped. Ebony butts No brand. It seems that there was no sinister use to believe an ...
Metal
$599
H 0.25 in W 5.5 in D 3 in
Large Mid-Century Era Metal Cigarette Case with World Globe & Compass Decoration
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large cigarette case was made by the well known Wadsworth's of Canada and dates to approximately 1970 and done in the period Mid-Century Modern style. The box is composed of eng...
Metal
$450
H 12 in W 23 in D 16 in
Antique Philco Tube Radio Table Record Player Mahogany Case Model 46-1203
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Antique Art Deco Philco Tube Radio Table Record Player Mahogany Case Model 46-1203. T...
Metal
Large-Scale Gloucester Schooner Model
Located in Northport, MI
An exceptional, large-scale model of a classic two-masted Gloucester racing schooner, dating to circa 1890. This finely crafted piece features extraordinary rigging detail, hand-carv...
Metal
Diminutive Antique Iron Model Cannon
Located in Bridgeport, CT
With large wheels and curved eagle head back ends. Hole for a pin on the cannon end. L. 14 1/2", W. 7 1/4", H. 7 1/2" Condition: some rust, working condition unknown.
Iron
Sold
H 18.5 in W 10.5 in D 7.5 in
Neo-Classical Style Nautical Coastal Shell Encrusted Cast Plaster Bust - Child
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is such a beautiful piece! It is a Neo-classical style shell encrusted cast plaster bust of a female child. Her head has a crown of amazing shells as do her shoulders. The artis...
Shell, Plaster
Portuguese Brass Gimbal Mounted Barometer, Nautical
Located in Huntington, NY
Late 19th century Nautical Brass Gimbal Mounted Barometer made in Portugal, Lisbon. Functional & ready to use. TYPICAL FORM BY R .N DES...
Brass
Pair of 1930s Life Vests Jackets in Red White and Blue by Montgomery Ward
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A pair of vintage Montgomery Ward life jackets in red, white, and blue. This pair will be fabulous hung on a wall or even framed in a pied-à-terre o...
Fabric
Antique Pewter Yachting Trophy, MHBYC 1900
Located in Norwalk, CT
This pewter trophy was awarded to the Yacht Mistral for a win in the Manhassett Bay Yacht Club Fall Regatta in 1900. The prestigious MBYC was founded in ...
Pewter
Fine Cased Ship Model Baltimore Clipper, 1812
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Scale 1/8”=1’. A very well crafted and detailed model of the 1812 Schooner with Cannons, Hatches, Rigging and Life Boat. Fine Museum quality with descriptive engraved plaque. Please ...
Wood
Cased Ship Model of the United States Frigate "Essex" 1799
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Finely made three masted ship model (1/8” inch =1 ‘ Scale) with carved wood details and painted with string details. Includes Masthead Sculpture, two Anchor...
Wood
Sold
H 17.75 in W 21.88 in D 1.75 in
Antique Mid 19th Century Seascape Oil Painting with Rocks and Ship
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Unsigned Maritime oil painting. Very good quality, by the hand of a professional painter. The painting is soiled from 100 years of exposure. The frame has some losses (chips) to the ...
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century Seascape Lighthouse Oil Painting
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Unsigned Maritime oil painting. Very good quality, by the hand of a professional painter. The painting is soiled from 100 years of exposure. The frame has some losses (chips) to the ...
Wood
Sold
H 16.5 in W 8.25 in D 14.75 in
Solid Brass Nautical Navy Bell Submarine Officer Ship Captain Dolphins Maritime
Located in Dayton, OH
Ornate brass navy bell Features two dolphins supporting a bell on intergal molded base. Bell is functional, and has loud tone. This is the type of bell th...
Brass
Sold
H 32 in W 44 in D 1.75 in
American Oil on Canvas of Two Masted Schooner Yacht Under Full Sail 20th Century
Located in Charleston, SC
American nautical oil on canvas of two masted schooner yacht under full sail with American flag, crew on deck, second vessel in distance, and mounted in a silver gilt frame, early 20...
Canvas, Wood, Paint