Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
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.
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Brass, Bronze
1790s English Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
1890s English Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
1790s German Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Delft
Early 20th Century German Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Delft
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Brass
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Art Glass
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Early 1800s English Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
2010s American Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Paint, Paper
20th Century German Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic
20th Century French Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ormolu
Early 20th Century German Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
1870s English Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver Plate
Early 20th Century Hungarian Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
20th Century Danish Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
2010s American Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Paint, Paper
20th Century French Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Crystal, Bronze
18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic, Porcelain
1780s English Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
1820s English Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Stoneware
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Creamware
Late 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Stoneware
1780s English Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
19th Century Portuguese Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver
Early 1800s British Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Pearlware
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver
1920s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic
1820s German Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver, Sterling Silver
1880s German Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver, Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Stoneware
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Enamel
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Glass
1810s German Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver Plate
1830s English Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
1970s German Vintage Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century British Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic, Stoneware
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century German Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Marble
20th Century American Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver Plate
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Iron
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver Plate
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Stoneware
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver Plate