Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
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 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Ceramic, Pottery
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Marble, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Crystal, Ormolu
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Metal
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Art Glass
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Iron
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Metal, Ormolu
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
20th Century American Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Paint, Ceramic
20th Century French Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Bronze, Ormolu
20th Century Russian Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Ormolu
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Porcelain, Giltwood
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Pine
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Griotte Marble, Bronze
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Iron
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Stoneware
2010s Italian Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Limestone
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Cut Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Gold
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Marble, Bronze
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Ormolu, Bronze
20th Century European Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Marble
1890s French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Marble, Spelter
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Bronze
19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Marble
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Granite
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Fruitwood
1870s English Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Ormolu, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Crystal, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Ormolu, Bronze
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary North American Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Acrylic
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Bronze, Ormolu, Tôle
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Bronze
1890s French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Onyx, Brass
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Ceramic
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Lapis Lazuli, Ormolu, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Agate, Bronze
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Silver, Sterling Silver
1830s Russian Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Bronze, Vermeil, Silver
18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Stone, Marble
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Bronze