Neoclassical Period Collection
Neoclassical Furniture (FRANCE AND UNITED KINGDOM, CA. 1750)
Neoclassical design emerged in Europe in the 1750s, as the Age of Enlightenment reached full flower. 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. As you can see from the furniture shown on these pages, there is a bit of whimsy in such stately pieces — a touch of lightness that will always keep Neoclassicism fresh.
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Russian Neoclassical Crystal Chandelier
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exceptionally rare, Russian Neoclassical chandelier is the epitome of early 19th century luxury and style. Crafted in Saint Peters...
Category
19th Century Russian Neoclassical Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
Antique English Early 19th Century Wedgwood Chandelier
By Josiah Wedgwood
Located in London, by appointment only
A rare early 19th century Regency period English chandelier, the body of Wedgwood jasperware mounted with elaborate gilt ormolu metal work issuing five electrified candle arms and hu...
Category
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Materials
Ormolu
Pair of "Old Paris" Vases with Garlands of Bisquit Flowers
Located in New York, NY
French, circa 1820.
Porcelain, painted and gilded, with applied bisquit flowers
8 13/16 in. high.
Inscribed (with incised mark, under the base of each): 3.
Category
1820s French Neoclassical Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Materials
Porcelain
French Porcelain Vase, Locre, circa 1815
Located in New York, NY
French porcelain vase, Locre, circa 1815.
Category
1810s French Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Wedgwood Figural Candlesticks of Pomona and Ceres, 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Wedgwood figural candlesticks of Pomona and Ceres, 19th century.
Category
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Pair of 18th/19th Century Neoclassical Carved Giltwood Sconces
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of exquisite Neoclassical carved giltwood sconces, each having draped female figure with wings holding torch in each arm and one on her head, serving as the three candlearms, e...
Category
19th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Materials
Wood
Pier Mirror in the Neoclassical Taste
Located in New York, NY
New York, circa 1815-1820.
Wood, gessoed and gilded, with mirror plate.
75 1/2 in. high, 44 1/8 in. wide (at the cornice), 8 1/2 in. deep (at the cornice).
Condition: Some restorati...
Category
19th Century American Neoclassical Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Materials
Wood, Mirror
Rare English Porcelain Pistol-Handled Flight and Barr Covered Vase, circa 1800
Located in New York, NY
Rare English porcelain pistol-handled flight and barr covered vase, circa 1800.
Decorated on both sides with a floral bouquet. One one a aqua-blue ground (daytime) and on the othe...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Materials
Porcelain
Italian Porcelain Vase, Doccia, circa 1810
Located in New York, NY
Italian porcelain vase, Doccia, circa 1810.
Category
1810s Italian Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Materials
Porcelain
English Porcelain Vase, Chamberlain Worcester, circa 1820
By Chamberlains Worcester
Located in New York, NY
English porcelain vase, Chamberlain Worcester, circa 1820.
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Materials
Porcelain
Wedgwood Black and Gilt Basalt Covered Potpourri Vase, circa 1870
Located in New York, NY
A wedgwood black and gilt basalt covered Potpourri vase, circa 1870.
Category
1870s English Neoclassical Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
English Silver Gilt and Engraved Greek-Form Vase
Located in New York, NY
London, 1869, Maker: S Smith.
Category
1860s English Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
17th Century Flemish Tapestry after Peter Paul Rubens
Located in Dallas, TX
Magnificent Flemish tapestry after the renown painting of Peter Paul Ruben's "Decius Mus preparing for Death," 1616-1617. Upon hearing his fate pronounced by the High Priest of Rome, Decius Mus receives his last rites...
Category
17th Century Belgian Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Materials
Tapestry
Wedgwood Rosso-Antico Vase, circa 1790
By Wedgwood
Located in New York, NY
Wedgwood Rosso-Antico Vase, Circa 1790
Category
1790s Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Materials
Ceramic
Superb Louis XVI Commode, Stamped "J. Manser", France c. 1770
By Jacques Manser
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very fine Louis XVI period Commode, with intricate inlaid designs of exotic wood, and stamped inside one upper drawer "J MANSER" & "JME". French in origin, and dating from the thir...
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Louis XVI design Fautueil constructed in Walnut, Italy c. 1780
Located in Atlanta, GA
A fine Louis XVI period Fauteuil, with Neoclassical carved designs throughout the exposed Walnut frame. Dating from the fourth quarter of the 1700s, and Italian in origin.
The ov...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
18th Century Breccia Marble Column Pedestal
Located in New York, NY
18th century Breccia marble column pedestal. With a white marble capital above an entastic column, resting on a square pedestal with a cavetto e...
Category
1780s Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Materials
Breccia Marble
French Empire Gilt Silver Epergne, c1805
Located in valatie, NY
This beautiful French early 19th century gilt sterling silver epergne is decorated with classical female figures, cherubs, dragon flies, and Egyptian heads, it stands on hoofed feet....
Category
Early 19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Materials
Silver
William IV Walnut Circular Table
Located in Montreal, QC
Important William IV period circular table. The burl walnut top extensively inlaid with intricate marquetry, resting on a circular base fitted with an upholstered footrest.
Category
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Materials
Rosewood, Walnut
Period Empire Bronze Neoclassical Urns
Located in New Orleans, LA
Beautifully decorated Empire bronze urns.
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Materials
Bronze
Pair of “Old Paris” Porcelain Coolers, Yellow Bands, Floral Wreaths
By Darte Frères
Located in New York, NY
Darte Frères, Paris, made, circa 1820.
Porcelain, partially painted and gilded.
Measures: 14 1/4 in. high, 10 3/8 in. wide (through the handles), 7 3/4 in. deep.
Signed (with stenci...
Category
19th Century Empire Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of Louis XVI Paris Porcelain Urns with Landscapes, circa 1780
Located in Atlanta, GA
A fine pair of Paris porcelain vases on pedestal bases, featuring landscape scenes within acid-etched gilt borders. The body of each vase with a green ground, above and below with gi...
Category
1780s French Louis XVI Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Materials
Paint, Porcelain
Regency Lantern
Located in New York, NY
English
Regency lantern, circa 1800.
Glass, blown, with gilt-brass fittings
27 in. high, 13 1/4 in. greatest diameter.
In a market that is overwhelmed with reproduction lanterns of ...
Category
19th Century English Regency Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Materials
Brass
1820s English Mahogany Partner's Desk with Greek Key Leather Top
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early 19th-century English mahogany partner's desk. A tooled gilt Greek key pattern borders the molded black leather top, and on either side, two sets of four stacked drawers and one...
Category
19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Pair of English Gilt and Marble Corner Consoles
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of English gilt carved wood and marble top corner consoles with floral and fluted leg motif. Original marble tops.
Category
18th Century and Earlier English Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
19th Century Marble Sculpture of the Farnese Hercules
Located in New York, NY
19th century marble sculpture of the Farnese Hercules.
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Materials
Marble
Louis XVI Ormolu-Mounted Tulipwood and Amaranth Bureau Plat
By Philippe Claude Montigny
Located in Kittery Point, ME
In the style of Montigny (Philippe-Claude Montigny, mai^tre in 1770), the rectangular tooled leather-lined top surrounded with a later ormolu border, above two frieze drawers and sim...
Category
18th Century and Earlier French Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Materials
Bronze
Painted Folk Art Four-Panel Floor Screen
Located in Troy, NY
A very unique charmingly decorative double sided screen, painted oil on canvas, seemingly an oversized idea of the sketchbook or travelogue. One si...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Country Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Materials
Canvas
French 18th Century Transitional Marquetry Commode
Located in Pembroke, MA
French Louis XV-XVI transitional period commode with lovely marquetry in satinwood, rosewood and tulipwood, Gris Sainte Anne marble top and three drawers. The commode features a cent...
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Materials
Marble
Russian Cut-Glass Chandelier
Located in New Orleans, LA
This Russian chandelier is distinguished by its exceptional rarity. The entirety of this important Neoclassical fixture is covered with a myriad of intricately cut glass lusters, all...
Category
19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Materials
Bronze
Sheffield Silver Plate Wire and Bristol Glass Epergne Centerpiece
Located in New York, NY
This English Sheffield plate wire-work epergne is distinguished by gracefully scrolled supports, which branch from a round footed base and suspend six baskets, with a large central basket at the top. Each of the baskets is shaped to hold a boat-shaped blue Bristol glass...
Category
1840s English Early Victorian Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Materials
Sheffield Plate
A Fantastic Quality Mid 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Commode By Pretot
By Hippolyte-Edme Pretot
Located in New York, NY
A Fantastic Quality Mid 19th Century Gilt Bronze Mounted Louis XVI Style Mahogany Commode
By Pretot
A marble top above a frieze applied with scrolling-vine mounts and fronted by tw...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Materials
Marble, Bronze
A Fine & Rare Pair of Stools by Jean Baptiste Lelarge III, 18th Century
By Jean Baptiste Lelarge III
Located in Sheffield, MA
A Fine & Rare Pair of Louis XVI
Painted & Giltwood Stools
Stamped Lelarge
18th Century
Jean Baptiste Lelarge III
Maitre 1775
Height of back 24 in.
Height of seat ...
Category
18th Century and Earlier French Louis XVI Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
American Neoclassical Cypress Figural Mantel " Dance Design " R. Wellford C 1790
By Wellford
Located in Charleston, SC
Charleston / Philadelphia Cypress and White Pine Neoclassical mantel piece with a central carved gesso panel of dancing figural ladies, floral swags, floral urns, musical instruments...
Category
1790s American Neoclassical Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Materials
Composition
Set of 16 Klismos-Form Dining Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Boston, Massachusetts, circa 1820.
Mahogany (secondary woods: Birch and maple; slip seats: Birch and pine)
Measures: 33 1/4 in. high, 18 5/8 in. wide, 19 ¼ in. deep (overall).
Ex Coll: Private collection, until 2004; to [Hirschl & Adler Galleries, 2004]; to private collection, 2004 until the present.
Exhibited: Hirschl & Adler Galleries, New York, 1999–2000, Boston in the Age of Neoclassicism, 1810–1840, p. 57 no. 21D illus. in color // Hirschl & Adler Galleries, New York, 2001–2002, of the Newest Fashion: Masterpieces of American neoclassical Decorative Arts, pp. 93 cat. 26, 95 illus. in color two chairs from the set / Hirschl & Adler Galleries, New York, 2014-2015, very rich and handsome, p. 30
no. 5 illus. in color two chairs from the set.
One of the signature forms of furniture of the neoclassical period in the United States is the klismos chair as interpreted by a group of Boston cabinetmakers in the period circa 1820 (see Page Talbott, “Seating Furniture in Boston, 1810–1835,” The Magazine Antiques CXXXIX [May 1991], pp. 966ff.). These chairs are usually characterized by sabre legs at the front and the back and curved crest rails typically enriched with flaming mahogany veneers, their ends often punctuated by stylized leaves, anthemia, or scrolls, and center splats decorated with leaves, drapery, lyres, etc. Just as it is easy to identify a New York or Philadelphia side, or dining, chair of the period, so Boston chairs have a certain “look” that sets them apart from chairs from all other American cabinetmaking centers in this period.
The sumptuous nature of the lotus bud and tulip-carved swags which form the back splats of these chairs is offset by the simplicity of the crest rail, in which oval veneered panels are encircled by a raised molding, and by the reeded stiles which seamlessly sweep down to become first the side-rails and then the front legs of the chairs. Although the form of these chairs relates them to many comparable Boston examples of the period, none of these other chairs feature the paw feet that terminate the front legs of the present set of chairs, a feature that appears to be otherwise unknown on Boston side chairs...
Category
19th Century American Neoclassical Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Materials
Mahogany
Louis XVI Painted and Gilt Decorated Tole Cachepot, c1780
Located in valatie, NY
Louis XVI painted and gilt decorated tole cachepot, c1780, decorated in polychrome with a Watteauesque or Angelica Kauffman Neoclassical scene of figures and putti in a landscape set...
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Materials
Tin, Gold Leaf
Louis XVI Period Painted Console with Marble Top, France, circa 1790
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Louis XVI Period white painted console table with carved pierced frieze and rectangular black marble top, originating in France during the late 1700s.
The rectangular marble top...
Category
1790s French Louis XVI Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Materials
Wood
Pair of English Sheffield Foliage Engraved Wine Coolers, Late 18th Century
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of English Sheffield wine coolers with hand chased foliage motif and the original interior tin liners. Late 18th Century
Category
1780s English George III Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Materials
Copper, Silver
Table Game French Directoire 19th Century Mahogany Leather Black France
Located in New York, NY
An extraordinary game table from the Directoire period made in France. Frame made of mahogany in a beautiful cognac brown shade. Apron divided into rectangular parts of brass and bra...
Category
Early 19th Century French Directoire Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Materials
Brass
Russian Empire Secretaire
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
Russian Empire Secretaire made of solid birch blond-wood and veneer. Elegant and compact design with weight bearing dolphins and arrows. Lower section ...
Category
19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
French Directoire Period Bergere
Located in Pembroke, MA
French Directoire period blue-gray painted bergere, newly-upholstered in lovely blue and gold toile fabric based on a museum-archived pattern....
Category
Late 18th Century French Directoire Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Large Neoclassical Drawing by Edouard Pingret, French School
By Edouard Pingret
Located in Kittery Point, ME
River Scene, "Les Bords du Cher à Poitiers"
Signed bottom right and situated bottom left.
Edouard Henri Theophile Pingret (Saint Quentin 1788-1875). He was a student of...
Signed bottom right and situated bottom left.
Edouard Henri Theophile Pingret (Saint Quentin 1788-1875). He was a student of...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Materials
Pencil
Pair of Consulat Mahogany Armchairs
Located in Kittery Point, ME
The rectangular arched padded back above a padded seat and tapering front legs topped with the head of a sphinx and ending in paw feet.
Category
19th Century French Empire Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Materials
Wood, Fabric, Mahogany
Rare Louis XVI Period Enamel and Gilt Bronze Clock
Located in Montreal, QC
Rare Louis XVI period enamel and gilt bronze clock on a black marble base.
Category
18th Century and Earlier French Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Materials
Bronze
Clock Mantle Gilt Bronze Neoclassical Empire French 19th Century France
Located in New York, NY
Clock Mantle Gilt Bronze Neoclassical Empire French 19th Century France. A French mantel clock in gilt bronze. Neoclassical symbols such Cupid playing a lyre. Next to him are his bow...
Category
Late 18th Century French Neoclassical Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Materials
Ormolu
A Very Large George III Five Pedestal Dining Table, c1780
Located in valatie, NY
A rare and important George III five pedestal dining table c1780, with four leaves. The rounded rectangular top of superb timber with reeded...
Category
Late 18th Century English George III Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Materials
Mahogany
A Pair of Neoclassical Bronze Dore Candelabra Att. to Thomire
Located in Sheffield, MA
A Fine Pair of Neoclassical
Bronze Dore Candelabra
With the Mythological Figures of Flora & Zephyr
Now mounted as Bouillotte Lamps
Early 19th Century
Attributed to Thomire...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
English Mahogany and Satinwood Sheraton Tambour Desk. Circa 1815
Located in Charleston, SC
English mahogany Sheraton tambour desk with fitted interior Satinwood drawers, original brass pulls, and pigeon holes. Desk has a sliding tilt baize writing surface over two lower dr...
Category
1810s English George III Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Materials
Brass
Mahogany Console
Located in New York, NY
Long mahogany console table with rouge Violette Italian marble top. Features inlaid table apron with brass Greek key pattern, hidden drawer and ring-turned legs with leaf carvings.
Category
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Pair of Russian Gilt Figural and Ebonized Marble Top Pedestals, Circa 1790
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of Russian Gilt figural and ebonized marble top pedestals terminating on tripod winged hoof feet. Late 18th Century
Category
1790s Russian Directoire Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Pair of Italian Carved Wood Hand Painted and Gilt Garden Planters, Circa 1870
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of Italian carved wood hand painted and gilt garden planters with decorated egg dart borders, acanthus leaf motif, and terminating on scrolled legs...
Category
1870s Italian Neoclassical Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Materials
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
Four-Panel Painted Neoclassical French Screen
Located in Sheffield, MA
Each panel decorated with a landscape.
Each panel is H.69 in. by 22 in.
Category
18th Century and Earlier French Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
18th Century Pearlware Tea Set with Swan Finial
By Wedgwood
Located in Great Barrington, MA
This 18th century rare and complete tea service for six is finely and simply decorated in the style of the period. The creamy white paste is hand-painted with black enamel decoration...
Category
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Materials
Porcelain
Very Rare 18th Century Maggiolini Desk
By Giuseppe Maggiolini
Located in Montreal, QC
Very rare 18th century Italian neoclassical desk attributed to the workshop of Giuseppe Maggiolini. The piece is composed of extensive inlay ...
Category
1780s Italian Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Materials
Walnut
18th Century English Sheraton Walnut and Mahogany Inlaid Tea Caddy
Located in New York, NY
18th Century English Sheraton Walnut and Mahogany Inlaid Tea Caddy.
Category
1780s English Sheraton Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Materials
Mahogany, Walnut
Clock Mantle Gilt Bronze Neoclassical Empire French 19th Century France
Located in New York, NY
Clock Mantle Gilt Bronze Neoclassical Empire French 19th Century France. A French mantle in gilt bronze decorated with neoclassical symbols such as Roman man dressed in a Toga carryi...
Category
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Materials
Ormolu
Louis XVI Period Barometer
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Very charming carved and gilded acanthus leaf framed Louis XVI period wall barometer with glass covered central dial and glass thermostat beneath; bot...
Category
Early 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Louis XVI Period Giltwood Mirror with Marie Antoinette
Located in Pembroke, MA
A charming French giltwood trumeau mirror with inset portrait of Marie Antoinette (period Louis XVI, circa 1790). The trumeau has a nicely-carved ribbon cartouche with laurel swags, ...
Category
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Materials
Gesso, Wood, Gouache, Mercury Glass
Venetian Neoclassical late 18th century Painted Console Table
Located in Troy, NY
Exquisite painted Venetian console table in the typical neoclassical taste. For a similar example see: G. Morazzoni, "Il Mobile Veneziano del settecento" Tav. CXCI.
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Materials
Wood
Louis XVI period Gilt & Painted Trumeau Mirror, France c. 1790
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large Louis XVI period Trumeau Mirror, with cream-painted and gilt frame featuring raised Neoclassical designs, and with upper oil-on-canvas scene of children playing in a forest s...
Category
1790s French Louis XVI Antique Neoclassical Period Collection
Materials
Mirror
