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 American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Silver Plate
20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Acrylic
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Terracotta
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Plaster
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Alabaster
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Late 20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Pottery
Late 20th Century European Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Silver
18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary European Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal
Late 20th Century European Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Stoneware
1950s Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Glass
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Plaster
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Crystal
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Faience, Pottery
20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Alabaster
1820s British Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Terracotta
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Gold
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Terracotta
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Slate, Bronze
20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Carrara Marble
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal, Brass
20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Stoneware
20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Alabaster
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Crystal, Brass
20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Alabaster
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Stoneware
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Gold Leaf
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Stoneware
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Plaster
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Plaster
20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Wood
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Alabaster
Early 1900s Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Alabaster, Marble, Bronze
Mid-19th Century Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Mahogany
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Walnut
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Giltwood
20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Stoneware
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Cast Stone, Concrete
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Alabaster, Bronze
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze