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 French Cast Stone Fountain, Neoclassical, Circa 1870-1890
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French Neoclassical style cast stone fountain. Shell shaped basin with a pair of dolphin spouts is held aloft by a cherub, or putto, his foot resting on a turtle. Weat...
Cast Stone
French Neoclassical Small Concrete Figural Cherub Garden Statue Water Fountain
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage French Neoclassical Style Small Concrete Figural Cherub Garden Statue...
Concrete
French Neoclassical Style Cast Iron Serpent Trident Garden Wall Water Fountain
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Neoclassical Style Cast Iron "Serpent/Trident" Garden Wall Water Fountain. Item features a heavy cast iron construction, serpent and trident design, desirable weathere...
Iron
Monumental Italian Water Fountain with Delphine Sculptures
Located in Rome, IT
This monumental finely carved limestone fountain is composed a three levels. The first tiered with three amazing dolphin statues, the others adorned with lion heads ending with a pu...
Limestone
An Exceptional Antique Cast Iron Garden Fountain After Fiske
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An elegant 19th Century tiered Cast Iron Fountain in a fine weathered Green paint. The finely proportioned central support with fluted column base supports two elegant scalloped tier...
Iron
19th Century Monumental Triple-Basin Iron Fountain by Val d'Osne Foundry, France
Located in North Miami, FL
Mid-19th Century monumental Neoclassical triple-basin iron fountain with sculptural motif of children by Val d'Osne Foundry, France By: Val d'Osne Foundry Material: iron, metal Tech...
Metal, Iron
Neoclassical Sculptural Fountain in Stone with Mythological Figures
Located in Marbella, ES
An elegant, neoclassical garden fountain carved from stone, featuring a sculptural composition of reclining mythological figures. The scene depicts a bearded river god accompanied by...
Marble
Vintage Regency Cast Stone Fountain
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Transform your garden into a timeless European oasis with this magnificent vintage cast stone fountain. Drawing inspiration from Neoclassical and Italianate design, this water featur...
Stone, Concrete
Monumental Italian Water Fountain with Delphine Sculptures
Located in Rome, IT
This rare monumental finely carved limestone fountain is composed with three amazing dolphin statues holding an outstanding shell-shaped basin adorned with monster heads ending with...
Limestone
$116,707Sale Price / set|20% Off
Early 20th Century Italian Rare Neoclassical Garden Large Fountains, Set of 2
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
We present this exclusive and rare pair of fountains! A true rarity that you should consider if you're decorating a large and impressive garden. This pair of majestic Italian founta...
Stone, Cement
Marble Wall Fountain with Satyr, 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Trapezoidal marble wall fountain with a rectangular basin featuring gadrooned sides and leaf ornamentation. The basin rests on a pedestal adorned with a satyr protome, its hair entwi...
Marble
An Italian 19th century Neo-Classical st Carrara marble bird bath/sink
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An attractive Italian 19th century Neo-Classical st. white Carrara marble bird bath/ sink.
Carrara Marble
Antique French Neoclassical Small Lead Cherub Head Wall Fountain Garden Art
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Neoclassical Small Lead Cherub Head Wall Fountain Garden Art. Item features a cast lead form, wonderful detail and desirable patina. Approx. 5lb. *Does not have hole i...
Lead
$18,500 / item
A Neoclassical Style Cast Bronze Dolphin Wall Fountain
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Neoclassical Style Cast Bronze Dolphin Wall Fountain Description: Addorsed dolphins in relief with fountain head above a demi-lune basin. Dimensions: Height: 800cm. Width: 1060cm...
Bronze
19th Century Hand-Carved French Volvic Stone Garden Trough, Antique
Located in Epfach, DE
A substantial early 19th century garden trough from central France, hand-carved from a single block of Volvic stone — the dense, dark volcanic stone quarried in the Auvergne region s...
Stone
Antique French Neoclassical Small Lead Cherub Head Garden Wall Fountain
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Neoclassical Small Lead Cherub Head Garden Wall Fountain. Item features a nicely cast lead form, wonderful detail and patina, approx. 10 lbs. Circa Early 20th Century....
Lead
Neo-Classical st. white Carrara marble and patinated Bronze fountain
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sensational and high quality Italian 19th century Neo-Classical st. white Carrara marble and patinated Bronze fountain. This charming fountain is raised on a triangular shaped base...
Carrara Marble, Bronze
Monumental Italian Water Fountain with Delphine Sculptures
Located in Rome, IT
This monumental finely carved limestone fountain is composed a three levels. The first tiered with three amazing dolphin statues, the others adorned with lion heads ending with a pu...
Limestone
Large Architectural Cabinet with Fountain
Located in Atlanta, GA
Extraordinary Lavabo depicting urn ornated with garlands & dolphins. Having a pewter basin and the cabinet complete with faux marble grey. The two sides a...
Marble, Pewter
Cast Iron Wall Fountain Signed by Val D´osne, France, Late 19th Century
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Cast iron wall fountain signed by Val D´osne Foundry, France, late 19th century.
Iron
Cast Iron Fountain Sculpture "Boy with Goose" Signed Antoine Durenne Fonderie
By A. Durenne
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Cast iron fountain sculpture "Boethus Boy with goose" signed Antoine Durenne Fonderie, France, late 19th century. Green marble pedestal dimensions: 95 ...
Iron
19th Century Carrara Marble Bas-Relief Plaque of Knight
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A 19th century Carrara marble bas-relief plaque of a knight or king. Skilfully carved with fine details, this unusual piece details a knight above a crown and lion passant. Dated to...
Marble, Carrara Marble
19th Century Hand-Forged Copper Scupper, American Classical, 1852
Located in Kent, CT
A 19th Century continental hand-forged copper scupper with classical shell detail and dated 1852. In good antique condition. An RT Facts find. Dimensions: 52"H x 23"W x 10"D
Copper
Italian Neo-Classical st. white Carrara marble fountain by Donatello Gabbrielli
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A wonderful and most decorative Italian Turn of the Century Neo-Classical st. white Carrara marble fountain by Donatello Garbbrielli. This stunning fountain is of a nude maiden seate...
Carrara Marble
White Carrara marble wall fountain -made in Italy
Located in Tarquinia, IT
White Carrara marble wall fountain, including white Carrara marble scorned round that frames the faucet. is included in addition to the faucet, also the drain, screws and plugs and t...
Carrara Marble
$886Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 33.86 in W 11.82 in D 7.09 in
French Faience Wall Fountain, 19th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
Wall fountain set: original water tank and soap dish and wooden support, lavabo. France, mid-19th century Unseal plant holder Very good condition Shipping: 86 x 18 x 30 cm, 7 kg.
Faience, Chestnut
$16,450Sale Price|30% Off
H 61 in W 55 in D 41 in
Monumental Max Turner Patinated Bronze Life Size Otter Fountain Statue Sculpture
Located in Dayton, OH
A very large and impressive Max Turner fountain statue. Made out of bronze featuring a trio of guardian Otters. Circa 1997. The otter symbolizes friendship, peace, kindness and fa...
Bronze
$1,338Sale Price|46% Off
H 10.63 in W 10.04 in D 3.94 in
French, 19th Century Cast Iron Lion Fountain Head
Located in Buisson, FR
Wonderful cast iron fountain head with a great expression, France, circa 1850-1900. Weathered. H:27cm W:25,5cm D:10cm
Iron
$46,682Sale Price|20% Off
H 88.59 in W 70.87 in D 70.87 in
Early 20th Century Italian Rare Neoclassical Garden Large Fountain with Statue
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Beautiful refined garden fountain with statue in neoclassical style, circa 1930s main material mixed with grit marble dust and cement. This beautiful and majestic fountain is made up...
Stone, Cement
Cast Concrete French Style Wall Fountain
Located in Sheffield, MA
Cast from an original 19th century French fountain.
Concrete
Bronze Fountain Statue of A Cherub holding a Fish
Located in Katonah, NY
A bronze fountain figure of a winged cherub holding a fish, the figure standing with proper right foot aloft, the right foot standing atop rock-work base with seashells, the fish of the koi variety, the whole in the spirit of Andrea del Verrocchio’s ca. 1470 “Putto with Dolphin”, and after a similar figure by Leonardo Rossi...
Bronze
Bronze Finish Boy & Girl Water Fountain Statue
Located in Germantown, MD
Vintage boy and girl water fountain statue. Boy & girl water fountain statue. Made out of resin and fiberglass materiel with bronze finish. Some...
Resin
$64,000
H 29.25 in W 63 in D 23.5 in
19th Century Antique Marble Fountain Basin with Mythological Carvings
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique rectangular fountain basin or in the style of the late Hellenistic period with minor repairs. This garden ornament features impressive mythological carvings of the art mus...
Marble
$2,741 / item
H 31 in Dm 31.5 in
Pair of French Cast Concrete Garden Fountains with Medieval Heads to the Basins
Located in London, GB
A wonderful pair of midcentury French cast concrete garden fountains with medieval heads to the basins. These could have decorative fountain statues pla...
Concrete
$6,500
H 29 in W 65 in D 28 in
French Classical Cast Bronze Large Garden Water Fountain with Embraced Cherubs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Classical Style Cast Bronze Large Garden Water Fountain with Embraced Cherubs. Item features water shooting from genitals into lar...
Bronze
$924Sale Price|43% Off
H 9.45 in W 27.17 in D 12.21 in
19th Century Planter Jardinière Antique Fountain Basin, SW France
Located in Labrit, Landes
Antique French fountain basin can be used as a planter or jardinière This item also may have served of children bath tub Very old, the wood wor...
Wood
Vintage Greco-Roman Style Cast Bronze Fountain with Nymph, Tritons and Putti
Located in Yonkers, NY
A vintage tall lost wax cast bronze Greco-Roman style fountain from the mid 20th century, depicting a nymph with cornucopia, tritons and cherubs. Created with the traditional techniq...
Bronze
Sold
H 29.53 in W 15.75 in D 9.06 in
Antique Lion Head Wrought Iron Wall Lavabo from Streets of Vienna, Austria 1800s
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find an antique wall lavabo or fountain made in wrought iron. The fountain features lion's head and an oval basin. It was used as a street fountain in the ci...
Wrought Iron
Sold
H 38 in W 20 in D 10 in
Vintage French Neoclassical Cast Iron Nude Maiden Wall Mounted Garden Fountain
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage French Neoclassical Style Cast Iron "Nude Maiden" Wall Mounted Garden Water Fountain. Circa Mid 20th Century. Weighs approximately 65 lbs. Measurements: 38" H x 20" W x 10" D...
Iron
Large Italian Patinated Bronze Fountain Element of Bacchus, 20th C.
Located in Dallas, TX
More information coming soon… This large fountain element from Italy dates to the 1900s. The patinated bronze architectural depicts a heavily bearded Bacchus wearing a grapevine cr...
Metal, Bronze
Tall Vintage Stone Concrete Garden Birdbath on Pedestal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Taller than average stone birdbath. Has weathered basin that sits on fluted pedestal. Comes into two parts. Holds water perfectly with no leaks or cracks. East Coast Delivery av...
Concrete
Vintage Boho Cast Stone Two Tier Fountain
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Create a timeless European-style oasis in your own backyard with this magnificent two-tiered fountain. Expertly crafted from heavy, durable cast stone, this piece features a classic ...
Stone
Sold
H 10 in W 8.5 in D 4.5 in
19th Century French Neoclassical Style Lead Fountain Head of a River God
Located in Stamford, CT
19th century French lead mask of a river god fountain head. The fierce expression of the face as he blows water out of his mouth makes fro a compelling piece of sculpture. Wonderful...
Lead
Neoclassical Garden Large Fountain with Statue
Located in Saint-Gondon, Centre-Val de Loire
This superb neoclassical garden fountain, dating from the 1930s, comes from the private garden of an elegant Parisian home, making it a rare piece of authentic charm. Made from a mi...
Stone, Cement
Vintage Regency Cast Aluminum Lions Head Fountain
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Command attention with this regal Vintage Regency Lion’s Head Wall Fountain, a captivating architectural accent crafted from cast aluminum with a classic terracotta finish. Featuring...
Aluminum
Antique Italian Classical Marble Fountain
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive 19th century neoclassical Italian fountain expertly hand carved in white marble featuring a mythological fish spout in a round bowl decorated with acanthus leaves on a cla...
Marble
Italian Limestone Water Fountain Carving of Gorgon Medusa
Located in Dallas, TX
Known as a Gorgoneion, an artistic representation of the head of the Gorgon, Medusa, this carving is also a water fountain feature. Hand-carved from a single block of limestone in Italy, the larger-than-life sculpture has a stone gray and cream patina. Medusa’s mouth is partially open, with a small, excised portion, capable of functioning as a water cascade for a pool wall or wall basin...
Stone, Limestone
Italian Carved Limestone Fountain Spout of the Roman God Mars
Located in Dallas, TX
Hand-carved in Italy, this limestone fountain spout depicts the Roman God of war and courage, Mars. As seen here, Mars is often depicted in art wearing a crested helmet. The helmet i...
Stone, Limestone
Sold
H 21 in W 10 in D 12 in
Vintage Italian Neoclassical Cement Cherub and Dolphin Garden Water Fountain
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Italian Neoclassical Style Cast Cement Cherub and Dolphin Garden Water Fountain (approx 50 lbs). Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 21" H x 10...
Cement