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.
Italian Marble Column Neoclassical Decorative Object
Located in New York, NY
An Italian Carrara marble column decorative object, Neoclassical design style, circa early to mid-20th century, Italy. Piece is Carrara marble - white with black veining, a circular ...
Marble
Pair of 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Style Marble Obelisks
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of 19th century Italian Neoclassical style marble obelisks. Classic pair of Antique Italian marble obelisks with a crest. These Italian Neoclassical style marble obelisks would...
Marble
$4,800 / set
Pair of Etched Mirrored Obelisks
Located in Lyndhurst, NJ
Pair of Venetian obelisks having finely etched mirrored glass on all panels.
Mirror
$6,350 / set
Pair of Antique Italian Mirrored Obelisks
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout pair of 19th Century neoclassical Italian obelisks clad in mirrored sections with etched floral designs now oxidized to perfection with the expected imperfections. Presented...
Mirror
$1,298 / set
Pair of Decorative Neoclassical Metal Obelisks
Located in Marinha Grande, PT
Elegant pair of neoclassical metal obelisks. These decorative objects feature a beautiful original patina, highlighting their timeless and refined character. Each obelisk rests on a ...
Metal
Pair of Hollywood Regency Neoclassical Style Brass Obelisks
Located in Houston, TX
Great pair of Hollywood Regency brass obelisks. These beautiful midcentury neoclassical style brass obelisks have a naturally occurring patina that could be polished if desired. Perf...
Brass
Antique English Blue John or Derbyshire Spar Egg Shaped Paperweight
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique paperweight. Comprised of Blue John (also known as Derbyshire Spar), a rare form of fluorite from England with distinct purple & yell...
Precious Stone
Pair of Maitland Smith Style Obelisks with Travertine and Marble Veneer
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair Obelisks with travertine and marble veneer. Handsome pair of high quality stone veneered obelisks. Done in a pale travertine outlined with gray marbl...
Travertine
$13,500 / set
Fine Pair of Cut Rock Crystal Obelisks
Located in New York, NY
A fine and unusual pair of Art Deco hexagon form cut rock crystal obelisks, beautifully hand-cut and hand-polished, Paris.
Rock Crystal
A Set of Four Large Porphyry Obelisks With Roundels of the Roman Emperors
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
An Important Set of Four Large Porphyry Obelisks. Each obelisk is of square section tapering form with a spiked orb finial and embellished with carved roundels of the twelve Roman...
Marble, Porphyry
Pair Very Large Mid Century Architectural Painted Wood Obelisks.
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Pair Very Large Mid Century Architectural Painted Wood Obelisks. Tremendous pair of neoclassical style carved wood obelisks. Tall four-sided tapering obelisks rest on architectural...
Wood
$6,750 / set
Pair of Italian Monumental Marble Obelisks
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Large Pair of Neoclassical Marble Obelisks, combining gray, green, ochre and white color marbles. Raised on Grey Marble Plinths. Italy, circa 1950 Dimensions: Height 80" Width (a...
Marble
Pair of Polished Cast Iron Obelisks
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A pair of polished cast iron obelisks. Dating to circa 1900, this matching pair would make an elegant new feature in period and contemporary properti...
Metal, Iron
Italian Neoclassical Gilt Bronze-Mounted Verde Antico and White Marble Obelisk
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A 19th century large Italian neoclassical gilt bronze-mounted verde antico and white marble obelisk. Resting on a square base lined with white marble and framed by two gilt bronze eg...
Marble, Bronze
Massive Pair of Brescia and Cipollino Marble Obelisks
Located in London, by appointment only
Large-scale Grand Tour pair of Cipollino of Versilia and Breche d’Alep marble obelisks. Raised on stepped bases of Carrara and marble bases. A fabulous pair of Cipollino of Versil...
Breccia Marble
Pair of Decorative Grand Tour Neoclassical-Style Obelisks
Located in Dublin 8, IE
Pair of decorative Grand Tour Neoclassical-style obelisks dating from the late 19th/early 20th century. The tapering bodies are raised on square-stepped black marble bases...
Marble
$840 / set
Pair of Carved Italian Giltwood Obelisks
Located in New York, NY
Pair of carved Italian Giltwood obelisks. Nice tall size. Overall good condition. Ready to use. 1970's- 1980's. Slight wear and original patina to finish from age and use.
Giltwood
A Fine pair of Antique Russian sienna marble and jasper Helmet Military obelisks
By Imperial Russia
Located in New York, NY
A very unusual and quite large pair of Antique Russian Dore Bronze, Sienna marble and Jasper, Neoclassical style, Military Helmet (Trophy) form standin...
20th-C. Neo-Classical style Inlaid Mahogany And Bronze Obelisks - S/2
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a set of neo-classical style banded mahogany obelisks with patinated bronze paw form feet. They are unmarked. The smaller is 7.75” square and 23.5” in height.
Bronze
18th Century English Staffordshire Pearlware Neoclassical Marbled Obelisks
Located in Downingtown, PA
English Pottery Pearlware Faux-Marble Obelisks, Wood Family, Pair Description This pair of Staffordshire pearlware obelisks, circa 1790–1800, is attributed to the Wood family of Bur...
Pearlware, Pottery
pair of Continental Turn of the Century Neo-Classical st. Rock Crystal obelisks
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive and most striking pair of Continental Turn of the Century Neo-Classical st. Rock Crystal obelisks. Each stunning obelisk is raised on a square base with a mottled borde...
Rock Crystal
Neoclassical, White Marble, Obelisks on Pedestals, France, 1920s
Located in Stamford, CT
Neoclassical, White Marble, Obelisks on Pedestals, France, 1920s Pair of Palatial antique 19th-20th century solid marble obelisks on pedestals. The obelisks detach from the pedestal...
Marble
Pair of Large Carved Wood Faux Malachite Obelisks
By Maitland Smith, Paul Hansen
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of large carved wood faux Malachite Obelisks. Offered is a stunning pair of Hollywood Regency style carved wood obelisks. This pair of large scale hand decorated neoclassical f...
Wood
Maitland Smith Tessellated Horn Obelisk
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Tessellated horn obelisk by Maitland Smith made in Philippines in 1980s.
Horn
A pair of Italian Verde Indio green marble obelisks
Located in London, GB
A pair of Italian Verde Indio green marble obelisks. Obelisks are thought to represent Immortality and eternity and were made popular by the Grand Tours of the 17th/ 18th Century whe...
Marble
$1,750 / set
Vintage Boho Patinated Metal Obelisks - A Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Add a touch of classical whimsy and garden-inspired elegance to your interior with this statuesque pair of vintage cast metal obelisks. Standing over two feet tall, these architectur...
Metal
Pair 19th c. French Empire Tole Obelisks in Paint Decorated Faux Porphyry Marble
Located in Litchfield, CT
Pair early 19th c. French Empire tole obelisks with hand painted porphyry finish and gilt highlights. Impressive size - 21.75" tall x 4.125" square at the base. Exceptional construct...
Metal
Italian Neo-Classic Black Marble Obelisk
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Neo-classic-style (19/20th Century) black marble obelisk with red and green panel trim
Marble
Wiener Werkstätte, Neoclassical Half Column, circa 1900, Austria
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Wiener Werkstätte, neoclassical half column, Natural and rechampi pine, The barrel decorated with moldings, circa 1900, Austria. Measures: Height ...
Wood
Antique Ashford Black and Pietra Dura Marble Obelisk Thermometer
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique Ashford black marble obelisk from a UK private collection. This striking obelisk has a centrally mounted ivory register with a malachite surround and a beautiful floral d...
Marble
Vintage Neoclassical Stone Obelisk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Embodying the timeless elegance of the Grand Tour, this vintage Neoclassical obelisk is a masterful study in natural stone. Hand-carved from banded red onyx, the piece showcases stun...
Stone, Onyx