Free Standing Bathtub
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Bathroom Fixtures
Carrara Marble
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary Greek Stone Sinks
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Wall Lights and Sconces
Metal
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel
Vintage 1920s Belgian Flooring
Stone
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Oak
2010s Belgian Modern Sofas
Linen
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Musical Instruments
Wood, Giltwood
2010s Belgian Modern Club Chairs
Linen
2010s French Garden Ornaments
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Stone Sinks
Carrara Marble
Vintage 1920s Italian Classical Greek Fountains
Limestone, Wrought Iron
Antique Early 19th Century Italian Classical Greek Stone Sinks
Marble
Antique 19th Century Benches
Limestone
Antique Late 19th Century Swiss Bookcases
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Bathroom Fixtures
Marble
Antique 19th Century Italian Bathroom Fixtures
Marble
A Close Look at neoclassical Furniture
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.
Finding the Right building-garden for You
Choosing the right antique or vintage building and garden elements can prove pivotal when you’re working to beautify any room in your home or just put the finishing touches on a garden or other outdoor area.
It takes time and effort to improve your outdoor space or merely to bring an air of tranquility to an indoor area set aside for private relaxation or gathering with friends. The good news is that 1stDibs can help.
To introduce a sense of timelessness to a back patio or interior common area, choose cast-stone statues or sculptural busts for a dose of drama or select ornate architectural elements such as corbels, plaques or panels made of marble or iron. Elsewhere, find a focal point in your living room and create a “feature wall” by bringing pops of color into a corner with handmade antique ceramic tiles.
It helps when design changes like these have a practical upside too.
Victorian cast-iron stair treads hearken back to a time when adding decorative details to your property was a priority. While lending an attractive appearance to an exterior staircase, these safeguards render the steps slip-resistant for those coming and going. And as one good stylistic choice usually leads to another, pairing your sophisticated treads with a coupling of 19th-century hand-forged andirons would be a thoughtful, durable touch for any courtyard or comfortable lounge space, be they intended for an indoor fireplace or a patio firepit.
Where the garden is concerned, any sophisticated garden ornaments you select should work with nature, not against it. Wrought-iron garden gates will simply refuse to be relegated to the background. Instead, they’ll draw attention to your painstakingly sculpted hedges and colorful flora. When paired with a sparse arrangement of other tasteful additions, such as a stone planter, garden stool or other welcoming pieces of outdoor seating, the effect can be transformative.
On 1stDibs, find a sprawling collection of antique garden furniture and architectural elements that meet every need. Our offerings include everything from sculptural bathroom fixtures to flooring ideas to pedestals and columns designed in a variety of styles and much more.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021A free-standing fireplace, often known as a stand-alone fireplace, is exactly what it sounds like. It's self-contained, so it doesn't require the same level of installation as a regular fireplace. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique and vintage free-standing fireplaces.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021A free-standing sculpture is a stand-alone, three-dimensional object that can be seen from all angles and can be walked around or held in your hand, depending on its size. Find a wide range of free-standing sculptures from the early 18th century to the 21st century on 1stDibs by various creators in different dimensions.
- What is a free standing cabinet?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021Free standing cabinets are generally cabinets that remain in the appropriate upright position on their own without help from external forces or without being bolted or attached to the wall. They enable you to maximize space. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique and vintage free-standing cabinets.