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.
Antique Turkish Oushak Rug with Lime Green Accents
Located in New York, NY
An authentic early 20th century Turkish Oushak featuring a lime green color on a silver colored ground. 3'10'' x 6'1''
Wool
Phenomenal Antique Turkish Oushak Rug
Located in New York, NY
An early 20th century square size antique Turkish Oushak featuring an-all over design in warm colors. 11' x 11'8''
Wool
Gorgeous Antique Turkish Rug
Located in New York, NY
A mid-20th century Turkish scatter size rug purchased from a upper east side penthouse in Manhattan. The piece was ordered back in 1948 by a couple for...
Wool
Early 20th Century Antique English Needlepoint Large Carpet
Located in New York, NY
An antique English Needlepoint large carpet handmade during the 21st century. Measures: 13' 1" x 18' 8"
Wool
1920s Brown Floral Antique French Savonnerie Carpet 13'x22'9" Knotted Pile Rug
Located in New York, NY
Early 20th century French Savonnerie carpet ( 13' x 22'9" - 396 x 693). Antique Oversized Savonnerie French Floral Knotted Rug, Country of Origin: France, Circa Date: 1925. This mag...
Wool
Vintage Spanish Savonnerie Botanic Handmade Rug Doris Leslie Blau
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Spanish Savonnerie botanic handmade wool rug (size adjusted). Size: 13'5" × 26'0" (408 × 792 cm). This elegant, large-scale rug captures the timeless beauty of French Savonne...
Wool
Zabihi Collection Connoisseur Antique Accent Size Rug, circa 1900
Located in New York, NY
An extraordinary, authentic early 20th-century Connoisseur-caliber Heriz Serapi rug with classic medallion and border motif. Measures: 4'10'' x 6'3''
Wool
$5,200Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Antique Persian Serapi Heriz Square Rugs
Located in New York, NY
A close to a matching pair of one of a kind antique Persian Serapi rugs from the early stages of the 20th century. Measuring: 40'' x 49'' and 41'' x 50'' respectively.
Wool
Bespoke Hand Knotted Rug is Style of Neoclassical Spanish Design
Located in Lohr, Bavaria, DE
This Neoclassical rug is showing a typical 1920´s Spanish style. We produce these rugs on order in requested size and color. The color combinations can ...
Wool
Contemporay Luxury Green Field Medallion Antique European Savonnerie Gallery Rug
Located in New York, NY
This early 19th-century European carpet is a magnificent representation of the historic Savonnerie weaving heritage. Handcrafted circa 1990, this investment-grade true antique comman...
Wool
Supremely Elegant with Neo-Classical Embellishment Antique French Savonnerie Rug
Located in New York, NY
19th Century French Savonnerie Carpet 23' x 23'
Wool
1880s Multicolor Floral Classical Antique European Needelpoint Wool Square Rug
Located in New York, NY
"This is a spectacular, room-sized antique European Needlepoint rug, dating back to circa 1880. Measuring a grand, nearly square 11'10" x 12', this wool masterpiece features a vibran...
Wool
Antique Axminster Style Rug, Hand Knotted Wool, Beige Floral
Located in Long Island City, NY
Originating from Ireland circa 1910-1920, this antique Axminster rug is 12’8 x 13’8 and handmade from hand knotted wool. Beige and orange are the...
Wool
Zabihi Collection Antique Turkish Square Oushak Rug
Located in New York, NY
An early 20th century square size antique Turkish Oushak featuring an-all over design in warm colors. Measures: 12' x 12'2'' Oushak rugs originated in the small town of Oushak ...
Wool
1890s Blue Medallion French Neoclassical Savonnerie Carpet 12'9"x18'4" Wool Rug
Located in New York, NY
19th Century French Neo Classical Savonnerie Carpet 12'9" x 18'4" - 388 x 558 Antique Wool Rectangle Blue Large Hand Knotted Pile Floral Medallion 1890s Rug, Circa Date: 1890s. Th...
Wool
Neoclassical Hand-Knotted Wool Carpet, Aubusson Style, 20th Century
Located in Hudson, NY
A large and handsome neoclassical style carpet. Handmaid in the same style that the Aubusson carpets of the eighteenth century were produced. I...
Wool
1900s Neo-Classical Antique English Axminster Carpet 4'9" x 16'2 Runner Wool Rug
Located in New York, NY
Early 20th Century English Axminster Carpet ( 4'9" x 16'2 - 145 x 493 cm ) Antique Axminster Large Hallway Runner Wool Multi Rug, Country of Origin: England, Circa Date: 1900s. Thi...
Wool
Bespoke Hand Knotted Rug is Style of Neoclassical Spanish Design
Located in Lohr, Bavaria, DE
This neoclassical rug is showing a typical 1920´s Spanish style. We produce these rugs on order in requested size and color. The color combinations can ...
Wool
Antique French Savonnerie Carpet, Red Field
Located in New York, NY
The madder red field features an allover pattern of laurel wreaths surrounding either complex rosettes or leaf and star arrays. The burnt apricot and camel border displays tight flor...
Wool
20th Century Fine Aubusson Carpet of Savonnerie Design
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
The town of Aubusson has long been famous for the high quality of its textiles, its reputation stretching back as far as the 14th Century, as a centre of Medieval tapestry weaving. I...
Wool
Alexander’s Collection Neoclassical Burgundy Rug with Flower Design
By Alexander Anisimov, Alexander's Collection
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Alexander’s Collection Neoclassical Burgundy Rug with Flower Design Introduce timeless sophistication to your space with the Neoclassical Burgundy Rug fr...
Wool
Early 19th Century Neoclassical Medallion Aubusson Carpet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A remarkably well-preserved and richly colored Neoclassical period early 19th century carpet. A burgundy and cinnamon field is bound by a melon border with floral and acanthus meand...
Wool
1930s Pink Rose Antique Austrian Savonnerie Carpet 19'10''x20'8'' Woven Wool Rug
Located in New York, NY
Early 20th Century Austrian Savonnerie Carpet ( 19'10'' x 20'8'' - 605 x 630 ) This Early 20th Century Austrian Savonnerie Carpet is a monumental, nearly square architectural piece ...
Wool
1900s Camel Medallion Antique Savonnerie Rug 9'8"x23'0" Woven Wool Carpet
Located in New York, NY
Antique Savonnerie rug, size: 9'8" x 23'0". Antique Oversized Savonnerie Austrian Medallion Knotted Rug, Country of Origin: Austria, Circa Date: 1900s. This exceptional piece reflec...
Wool
Large 19th Century European Stairway, Hallway Runner Carpet, from Spanish Palace
Located in Madrid, ES
Acquired from an important aristocratic estate some years ago in Madrid, Spain, this grand scale (6.4 x 2 meters / 21 feet long x 6.5 feet wide) neoclassical runner carpet once furni...
Wool
Antique Savonnerie Rug
Located in New York, NY
Handwoven, Antique Savonerrie Rug circa 1890 France.
Wool
Early 20th Century Viennese Carpet, Art Nouveau Period
Located in New York, NY
Early 20th Century Viennese Carpet, Art Nouveau Period Austria, circa 1905 Viennese carpet
Wool
Antique Turkish Oushak Rug
Located in New York, NY
An antique Turkish Oushak carpet from the first quarter of the 20th century.
Wool
Vintage Spanish Savonnerie Rug
Located in Secaucus, NJ
Recreation of a Classic French designs using the finest of materials and skilled weavers. This thick plush handwoven rug exudes the feeling of the best in European style and quality....
Wool
Antique Turkish Oushak Rug
Located in New York, NY
Antique mid-century rug in amazing condition, inquire with any and all questions.
Wool
Vintage Spanish Handmade Geometric Beige Wool Rug
Located in Norwalk, CT
Beautiful vintage Spanish hand-knotted wool rug with the beige and goldenrod field. This Spanish rug has green and red accents in an all-over geometric pattern design. This rug m...
Wool
Vintage Turkish Oushak Rug Accent Rug
Located in Dallas, TX
51773 vintage Turkish Oushak Accent rug. This vintage Turkish Oushak rug features a modern traditional style. Immersed in Anatolian history and refined colors, this vintage Oushak ru...
Wool
Antique Spanish Savonnerie Area Rug 5'8'' x 7'7''
Located in New York, NY
Antique Spanish Savonnerie Rug 5'8'' x 7'7''. The Savonnerie manufactory was the most prestigious European manufactory of knotted-pile carpets, enjoying its greatest period c. 1650–1...
Wool, Cotton
Antique Spanish Carpet, circa 1920s
Located in New York, NY
The sandy beige field shows an all-over one-way textile pattern of pomegranate palmettes enclosed by a lozenge lattice. Zig-zags mark out the main border with its knobby baton orname...
Wool
Early 20th Century Green Floral French Aubusson Carpet
Located in New York, NY
Early 20th Century Green Floral Aubusson carpet Made in France, circa 1920 28' 6" x 19' 1" (868.68 x 581.66 cm)
Wool
Early 20th Century Aubusson Carpet
Located in New York, NY
Early 20th century Aubusson carpet. Provenance: The Collection of Diane and Norman Bernstein, The Lindens, Washington, DC.
Wool
$1,592Sale Price|20% Off
W 56 in L 74 in
Distressed Vintage Turkish Oushak Accent Rug with Worn Aesthetic
Located in Dallas, TX
51692, distressed vintage Turkish Oushak Accent rug with all-over repeating boteh design. This vintage Turkish Oushak rug features the perfect amount of wear and displays a repetitiv...
Wool
Early 20th Century French Sovannerie Rug
Located in Chicago, IL
This exquisite early 20th-century French Savonnerie rug showcases an elaborate pattern rich with large-scale floral swags, acanthus leaves, ribbon twists, and a variety of neoclassic...
Wool
1980s Ivory Floral Classic Antique Europea Needlepoint Rug 4'0"x6'0" Wool Carpet
Located in New York, NY
Antique European needlepoint rug, Size: 4'0"x6'0". Vintage Needlepoint Small Scatter Size Wool Ivory Rug, Circa Date: 1980s. This cha...
Wool
Persian Malayer Throw Rug
Located in New York, NY
An antique Persian Malayer scatter size rug from the 2nd quarter of the 20th century in blue, brown, and rust Measures: 3'2” x 5'.
Wool
Zabihi Collcetion Persian Malayer Tribal Accent Rug
Located in New York, NY
An antique Persian Malayer scatter size rug from the 2nd quarter of the 20th century in blue, brown, sand, gray, and camel tones Measures: 4'7” x 7'3''.
Wool
Persian Malayer Rug
Located in New York, NY
An antique Persian Malayer intermediate size rug from the 2nd quarter of the 20th century in blue, brown, sand, gray, and camel tones Measures: 3'11” x 9'7''.
Wool
Sold
W 157.49 in L 118.12 in
Gianni Versace Rug Home Signature Collection Black Gray Gold Rare Large Size
Located in Lohr, Bavaria, DE
Gianni Versace rug Home Signature Collection black gray gold A beautiful and rare large size Gianni Versace carpet. Hand knotted in China, pi...
Wool, Silk
Outstanding Early 20th Century French Savonnerie Rug
Located in Chicago, IL
An outstanding early 20th century French Savonnerie rug with a neoclassical pattern containing a central gold flower with multiple bouquets including large pink roses and other flowe...
Wool
Pair of Turkish Anatolian Runners
Located in New York, NY
A close to a matching pair of one of a kind vintage Turkish rugs from the mid-20th century. Measures: 19'' x 76' and 19'' x 75'' respectively.
Wool
Sold
W 93.71 in L 119.3 in
French Savonnerie French Rug in Neoclassical Style in Sable Orange Colors, 1960
Located in Brescia, IT
This Mid-Century French wool rug has been manufactured in France in circa 1960 in the French neoclassical style, called Savonnerie. The central medalli...
Wool
Antique Turkish Oushak Rug
Located in New York, NY
An early 20th century square size antique Turkish Oushak featuring an-all over design in bright saturated colors. Oushak rugs originated in the small town of Oushak in west-centra...
Wool
Set of Antique Turkish Rugs
Located in New York, NY
A lovely set of mid-20th century Turkish scatter size rugs purchased from a upper east side penthouse in Manhattan. These pieces were ordered back in 1948 by a couple for their maste...
Wool
Large 19th Century Charles X Neoclassical Aubusson Rug
By Royal Manufacture of Aubusson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A magnificent and large nearly square tapestry rug from the Royal Factory of Aubusson, the classical rug presents with deep coloration and crisp detailin...
Wool, Silk