Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
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.
19th Century Irish Antique Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Majolica
20th Century English Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
Late 20th Century Philippine Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Metal
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Metal
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Metal
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Terracotta
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Tôle
20th Century German Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Ceramic
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Porcelain
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Iron
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Iron
20th Century English Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Tôle
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Gold
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Bronze
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Iron
20th Century English Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Ceramic, Stoneware
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Ceramic
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Bronze, Enamel
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Bronze
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Porcelain
20th Century Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Aluminum
1990s American Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Ceramic
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Cement
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Copper, Iron
1920s Vintage Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Majolica
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Metal
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Ceramic
1980s American Vintage Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Brass
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Enamel
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Ceramic, Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Thai Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Marble
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Metal
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Ceramic, Porcelain
Late 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Portuguese Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Porcelain
Early 19th Century British Antique Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Ceramic, Stoneware
21st Century and Contemporary French Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Metal
20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Porcelain, Terracotta
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Majolica, Terracotta
20th Century Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Iron
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Brass
20th Century English Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Iron
1880s German Antique Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Silver, Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Metal
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Porcelain
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Marble
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Tôle
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Marble, Bronze
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Cane, Walnut
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Tôle
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Marble
20th Century European Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Brass
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Tin
1880s French Antique Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Metal, Silver Plate
20th Century American Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Sheet Metal
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Ceramic, Maiolica, Majolica