Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
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.
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Wrought Iron
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Cement
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Bronze
19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Granite, Belgian Black Marble, Ormolu
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Sandstone
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Lead
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Wood, Paint
1870s Italian Antique Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Terracotta
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Mirror, Oak
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Wrought Iron
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Wrought Iron
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Wrought Iron
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Marble
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Marble
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Wood
19th Century Irish Antique Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Iron
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Brass
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Scagliola
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Brass, Iron
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Aluminum
1850s French Antique Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Stone, Limestone
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Stone, Limestone
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Marble
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Iron
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Limestone
20th Century American Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Iron
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Marble
1980s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Walnut
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Marble, Stone
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Copper, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Stone, Iron
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Aluminum
20th Century English Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Metal, Bronze, Iron
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Copper
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Stone
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Stone, Limestone
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Stone, Marble
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Cherry
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Stone, Limestone
18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Stone, Wrought Iron
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Iron
Early 1900s Antique Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Iron
20th Century French Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Iron
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Iron
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Mahogany
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Brass
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Wood
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Giltwood
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Metal, Lead
1930s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Onyx, Metal
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Zinc
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Stone, Limestone
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Steel, Wrought Iron
1920s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Marble
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Brass, Iron
Early 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Bronze
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Brass
1870s English Antique Neoclassical Building and Garden Elements
Stoneware