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.
Late 20th Century Pakistani Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Brass
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Brass
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Brass
1790s Dutch Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Brass
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Granite, Gold, Bronze
Early 20th Century Belgian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Plaster
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Enamel
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal, Gold Leaf
1830s Dutch Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Brass
1790s Dutch Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Faience
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Brass
Early 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Alabaster
1880s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Ormolu
Late 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Lead
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
20th Century Russian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Malachite, Ormolu
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Delft, Faience
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Griotte Marble, Bronze
19th Century Irish Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Majolica
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ormolu
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Plaster
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal
Late 18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Silver
Late 20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Steel
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Pottery
20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Stone, Iron
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Early 20th Century German Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Pottery, Stoneware
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze, Ormolu
20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Cast Stone
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Copper, Metal, Bronze
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze, Ormolu
1890s French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Early 2000s American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Composition
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Onyx, Bronze, Ormolu
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
Mid-19th Century Portuguese Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Silver
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Carrara Marble
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Alabaster
1890s English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver