Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
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 English Antique Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Wood, Pine
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Wood, Pine
Mid-18th Century British Antique Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Marble, Statuary Marble
2010s Italian Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Marble, Limestone
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Composition
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Iron
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Wood, Pine
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Brass
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Brass
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Iron
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Iron
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Iron
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Iron
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Iron
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Iron
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Iron
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Iron
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Iron
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Wrought Iron
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Steel, Iron
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Iron
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Marble
20th Century English Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Metal, Bronze, Iron
2010s American Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Limestone
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Iron
1930s Vintage Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Wood
20th Century French Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Iron
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Iron
2010s American Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Limestone
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Wood, Oak, Paint
19th Century Belgian Antique Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Belgian Black Marble
19th Century British Antique Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Pine
19th Century Belgian Antique Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Belgian Black Marble
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Wood, Pine
2010s Italian Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Limestone, Marble
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Iron
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Carrara Marble
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Iron
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Iron
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Iron
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Iron
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Oak, Wood
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Iron
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Wood, Pine, Paint
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Composition
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Stone, Marble, Statuary Marble
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Brass
2010s Northern Irish Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Carrara Marble
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Wood, Pine
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Iron
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Iron
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Iron
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Iron
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Iron
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Iron
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Iron
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Brass
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Fireplaces and Mantels
Iron