Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
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.
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Wood
Late 20th Century European Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Composition, Iron
1930s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Cement
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Ormolu
20th Century English Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Iron
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Sandstone
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Iron
19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Granite, Belgian Black Marble, Ormolu
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Stone, Limestone
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary French Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Cement, Cast Stone
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Stone
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Wood
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Metal, Lead
20th Century English Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
20th Century English Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Cast Stone
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Lead
20th Century American Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Concrete
21st Century and Contemporary French Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Cast Stone, Cement
1870s Italian Antique Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Alabaster
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Iron
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Iron
19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Stone
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Marble, Brass, Steel
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Clay, Terracotta
Early 20th Century British Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Cast Stone
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Iron
20th Century American Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Iron
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Stone
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Iron
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Cast Stone
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Bronze
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Brass
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Marble
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Iron
1940s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Cast Stone
Mid-20th Century Thai Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Marble
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Marble, Sandstone
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Iron
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Iron
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Iron
Early 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Copper, Iron
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Metal, Brass
1940s English Vintage Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Iron
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Cast Stone
20th Century Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Iron
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Spelter
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Stoneware
1940s English Vintage Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Iron
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Marble
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Iron
19th Century North American Antique Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Iron
20th Century English Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Iron
1770s English Antique Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Creamware, Pottery
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Iron
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Cast Stone
1860s French Antique Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Iron