Neoclassical Decorative Objects
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 Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Plaster
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ormolu
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Delft, Faience
20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Stone, Iron
Late 18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Silver
Late 20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Steel
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Enamel
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Limestone
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Early 20th Century German Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Zinc
Early 2000s American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Composition
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Faience
1980s Unknown Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Plaster
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
1890s English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Brass
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze, Ormolu
1890s French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
20th Century European Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Copper, Metal, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Ormolu
20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Cast Stone
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Pottery
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Wood
1970s English Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze, Ormolu
Late 19th Century British Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Silver, Sterling Silver
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Carrara Marble
Late 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Aluminum
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Onyx, Bronze, Ormolu
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Wood
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ceramic
20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ormolu
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Iron
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Silver
2010s Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Lapis Lazuli, Marble, Bronze
Mid-19th Century Portuguese Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Silver
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
2010s American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Paint, Paper
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Cast Stone
21st Century and Contemporary French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal
Early 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Alabaster
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Alabaster
Early 20th Century Russian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Silver, Enamel
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Stoneware
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Terracotta
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze