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.
$2,996Sale Price / set|25% Off
Early 1900s Globe Wernicke Four Tier Glazed Sectional Barrister's Bookcase
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Globe Wernicke four tier glazed sectional / modular / barrister's bookcase 1920s Comes apart in sections for easy transportation. Height 152cm Width 87cm Depth at top and base plin...
Brass
Pair of Maison Jansen Paris, brushed steel and brass six shelf etageres
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A pair of Maison Jansen brushed steel and brass etageres. There are six removable glass shelves that set in on cylindrical brass shelf holders. The brushed steel shelves are squar...
Brass, Steel
Vintage Chrome and Brass Etagere by Maison Jansen, Italy, 1970s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage chrome and brass etagere with three glass shelves and large brass acorn finials. Made in Italy by Maison Jansen. Very versatile and rare piece.
Brass, Chrome
1920s Antique Globe Wernicke Stacking Barrister's Bookcase, USA
Located in Reading, Berkshire
An Antique Globe Wernicke Four Section Iron Banded Glazed Stacking Barrister's Bookcase 1920s & 1940's as noted by both logos Comes apart in sections for easy transportation. Se...
Brass
Early 20th Century Carved Wooden Wall Bracket Shelf
Located in Montréal, CA
This carved wooden wall bracket shelf, likely produced in Italy in the early 20th century, draws on classical architectural forms with a distinctly sculptural presence. The fluted, b...
Wood
Neoclassical Two-Tiered Iron Etagere Server with Glass Shelves, 1970s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage Neoclassical verdigris finished two tiered etagere / server. There are two glass shelves for items. The top decoration is a large urn centerpiece flanked by two birds.
Iron
Maison Jansen Style Iron Brass & White Glass Bakers Rack with Cabinet, 1950s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Rare Maison Jansen Style Iron, Brass & Glass Étagère with Cabinet, 1950s A rare and highly decorative mid-century étagère or baker’s rack in the manner of Maison Jansen, executed in...
Brass, Wrought Iron
A Pierced Carved Wood Multi Shelf Wall Shelf With Central Arched Mirror
Located in New Orleans, LA
A charming Neoclassical reproduction wall shelf/mirror in mahogany and wood. The arched mirror is Neoclassical in design with columns and pierced fretwork. The mirror has a small sha...
Mirror, Wood
Antique Globe Wernicke Four Tier Glazed Modular Bookcase, 1920s Mahogany
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Antique Globe Wernicke four tier glazed sectional / modular / barrister's bookcase 1920s Mahogany and Brass Fittings. Comes apart in sections for easy transportation. With original i...
Brass
Large French Neoclassical Pine Bookcase / Shelving
Located in Long Island City, NY
A large French neoclassical Louis XVI style bookcase - Shelving unit.
Pine
Modern Neoclassical Etagere with Matte Black Metal Frame and Brass Accents
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Fabulous modern take on classic neoclassical etagere. Matte black frame offset with brass corners and finials. Unique piece. 5 glass shelves for ample display surface. Curbside to NY...
Metal, Brass
Neoclassical Silver Gun Metal and Gold gilt Metal Shelves
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This nice neoclassical style shelves unit is made of silvered gun metal and gilt metal shelves. This is a French work. Circa 1970
Metal
Pair of Italian Painted Altar Display Pedestal Vitrines
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Opulent pair of large Italian carved altar pedestal vitrine display shelves or pavilion displays made in the grand neoclassical taste. The pedestals feature a stepped base having four column pillars surmounted by a roof. The frieze is reeded with parcel gilt decoration and has a domed top. The top has acanthus carved designs ending with a large finial...
Wood
$7,280Sale Price / item|20% Off
Pair of Shelves in Black Lacquered Metal, Brass, Glass and Bronze with Claw Feet
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This stunning pair of shelves are made of black lacquered metal, brass and bronze glass shelves. The bottom legs of each vitrine has very nice bronz...
Metal, Brass, Bronze
$4,200Sale Price|20% Off
Neoclassical Style Silvered Metal Shelves Unit in the Style Of Maison Jansen
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This neoclassical style shelves unit is made of silvered metal with tainted glass. This is a French work attributed to Maison Jansen. Circa 1940
Brass
Pair of English 19th Century Neoclassical Style Painted and Carved Pine Shelves
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of English Neoclassical style painted pine breakfront shelves from the 19th century, with dentil molding, carved meander and foliage. Created...
Pine
Northern European 5 Tier Etagere
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Biedermeier style 5 tier fruit wood etagere, late 19th century. With 5 shelves all 5 shelves are graduated in size with serpentine shaped front edges, each shelf has 4 spire shaped f...
Fruitwood
Fine Pair of Neoclassical Style X Form Support Etageres
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A handsome pair of well made and sturdy open Etageres in the neoclassical style. Each with an openwork 3/4 gallery on top, carved frame, four shelves, and...
Wood
Iron Neoclassical Style Étagère with Mirror Shelves
Located in New York, NY
1950s French iron neoclassical style etagere with five mirror shelves, gold ball feet and detail. Light age to mirror. Very good condition for age! M...
Metal
1980s Vintage Boho Tessellated Stone Obelisk Etagere
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Make a monumental statement with this rare and captivating Vintage Tessellated Stone Obelisk Etagere, a true fusion of classical form and Postmodern design. This striking piece comma...
Stone
20 th c Multitier Corner Etagere Display
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Gorgeous multitier corner etagere display case ornate. Victorian style.
Wood
Vintage Neoclassical Style Etagere with Antiqued Mirror Shelves
Located in New York, NY
Vintage 1950's Neoclassical style etagere with antiqued mirror shelves and "X" form crossbars to sides and top. Black metal frame and gold painted finials. Good condition.
Metal
French Neoclassical Three-Tier Étagère in Brass & Metal, 20th Century
Located in Bradenton, FL
Three-Tier French Brass and Metal Étagère. Étagère features blackened metal with intricately punched brass shelves and graceful X-form side stretchers. Frame has decorative rosette m...
Metal, Brass
Neo-Empire 5-Tier Tall Entry Hall Shelf Bookcase with One Drawer Storage
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Black and walnut narrow tall hall 5' console shelf with a one drawer storage compartment.
Walnut
Three Shelf White Metal Bakers Rack with Brass Accents
Located in Los Angeles, CA
iconic Three shelf bakers rack in White metal with brass banding and accents - the piece is a wonderful addition to many kitchen or pantries, or works well in an space needing extra ...
Metal, Brass
Maison Jansen Marble And Brass Topped Shelving, Early 20th Century
Located in Bradenton, FL
Early 20th century Maison Jansen marble topped shelf with lacquered wood foundation, designed with three side by side drawers above a single shelf case, completed on square and taper...
Marble, Brass
Italian Late Neoclassic Finely Turned Walnut 5-Tier Etagere, ca. 1840
Located in Atlanta, GA
consisting of 4 cornered columns made up of separate turned sections supporting 5 rectangular shelves with rounded corners
Walnut
Set of classic Italian bookcases from the 1950s in wood and bronze
By Mice di rugiano domenico e c. s.n.c.
Located in Cantù, IT
Set of classic Italian bookcases from the 1950s in wood and bronze
Bronze
Pair of Early 19th Century Three-Tiered Servers or Consoles
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of handmade antique Italian servers or consoles with three tiers decorated with harlequin designs on the tops. The cases with one drawer an...
Pine
1960s Roger Thibier Gilt Wrought Iron Gold Leaf Shelf
By Robert Thibier, Roger Thibier
Located in London, GB
Neoclassical French gilded shelf from the midcentury, by the decorators and designers Roger and Robert Thibier from 1960s The frame is composed of wrough...
Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf
Antique Beste Deutsche Linen Press Mangel Machine
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Beste Deutsche Linen Press Mangel Machine This 19th century machine is made of wood and ornate black cast iron. The three-level glass shelf is visible from a central glass ...
Iron
19th Century Continental Neoclassical Parcel-Gilt Étagère
Located in Dallas, TX
Superb quality and uniquely designed early 19th century neoclassical mahogany étagère with mirrored back. The shaped top above half round open shelves with supporting columns having ...
Mirror, Mahogany