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Neoclassical Urns

NEOCLASSICAL STYLE

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.

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Style: Neoclassical
Color:  Black
Pair of Early 20th Century French Cast Iron Garden Urns Planters
Located in Pearland, TX
A fabulous pair of antique early 20th-Century French Neoclassical style cast iron mantel urns or planters. These urns are solid and heavy and retain their amazing original patina. Th...
Category

Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Urns

Materials

Iron

19th Century Grey English Pair of Antique Neoclassical Lead Urns
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique English pair of oval Neoclassical lidded lead urns decorated with half relief, Acanthus leaves, pinecones, and lions heads on both sides, in good condition. Wear consisten...
Category

19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Urns

Materials

Metal, Lead

Cast Iron Low and Wide Round French Style Outdoor Garden Planter
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Cast iron low and wide 34" round French style outdoor garden planter. Item features heavy cast iron construction, unique low and wide form, deco...
Category

Late 20th Century Neoclassical Urns

Materials

Iron

Cast Iron Low and Wide Round French Classic Style Outdoor Garden Urn Planter
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Cast Iron Low and Wide 38" Round French Classical Style Outdoor Garden Urn Planter. Item features heavy cast iron construction, unique low and wide...
Category

Late 20th Century Neoclassical Urns

Materials

Iron

Cast Iron English Style Round Lion Heads Black Outdoor Garden Planter Pot
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Cast iron English style 20" round lion heads black outdoor garden planter pot. Item features heavy cast iron construction, reticulated lion heads, desirable weathered finish, unique ...
Category

Late 20th Century Neoclassical Urns

Materials

Iron

Cast Iron Urns with Foliate and Grape Design
Located in Essex, MA
Pair of monumental cast iron garden irons with foliate and grape design on the basin flowing to an elegant scalloped column base. These urns are of enormous size, perfect for the fro...
Category

20th Century American Neoclassical Urns

Materials

Iron

Pair of 19th Century French Neoclassical Style Iron Urns on Plinths
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of 19th century French Neoclassical style iron garden urns on plinths. These beautiful French cast iron campana garden urns, planters or jardi...
Category

1880s French Antique Neoclassical Urns

Materials

Iron

Antique French Victorian Cast Iron Fluted Urn Garden Planter Pedestal, Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique French Victorian cast iron fluted urn garden planter pedestal - a pair. Item features a cast iron construction, fluted urn forms, ornate cast iron pedestal bases, authentic w...
Category

19th Century Antique Neoclassical Urns

Materials

Iron

Neo-classical Egg and Dart Vintage Iron Urn on Plinth
Located in Bloomfield Hills, MI
The combination of the egg-and-dart motif, Ionic columns, and festive garlands give this freshly painted urn and plinth set a distinctly Classical feel. Re-popularized during the Neo-classical design age, beginning in the late 1700s and continuing today, the motifs on this urn and plinth call back to a time of Greek and Roman grandeur. The Campana (or Bell) shaped urn gained popularity in the early 1800s when they were praised for their tasteful shape, and as Downing (1815–52) stated, "There are few objects that may, with so much good effect, be introduced into the scenery of pleasure grounds, surrounding a tasteful villa, as the vase in its many varied forms.” These forms come together in an urn and plinth set that would be right at home in your serene and stately garden...
Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Neoclassical Urns

Materials

Iron

Large Cast Iron Classical Lion Round Urn Outdoor Garden Planter on Base
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Large cast iron 51" classical lion 42" round urn outdoor garden planter on base. Item features large impressive size, heavy cast iron construction, wide urn f...
Category

Late 20th Century Neoclassical Urns

Materials

Iron

Cast Iron French Style Round Garden Campana Urn Outdoor Planter Pot
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Cast iron 31" French style round garden Campana Urn outdoor planter pot. Item features heavy cast iron construction, desirable weathered patina, ribbon and swag design, raised pedes...
Category

Late 20th Century Neoclassical Urns

Materials

Iron

Neoclassical Iron Urns Flower or Plant Planters Jardinières, Pair
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful pair of weathered iron urns plant or flowerpot cachepot jardinieres with square pedestal bases in the Neoclassical style, circa 20th century, maybe Europe/France. Substan...
Category

Early 20th Century European Neoclassical Urns

Materials

Iron

Urn Vase Marble Gray, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Urn marble gray, Sweden. An urn or vase made in marble in Sweden, 20th century.
Category

20th Century European Neoclassical Urns

Materials

Marble

Large Italian Black Marble Bulbous Urn Or Garden Vase With Ormolu Gilding
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large Italian 19th century black marble bulbous urn with ormolu gilded hardware Large Italian hand carved marble urn. The main body is carve...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Urns

Materials

Marble

Pair of English Adam Copper Outdoor Urns
Located in New York, NY
Pair of English Adam style (18/19th Cent) copper outdoor urns with floral top finial on square base.
Category

19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Urns

Materials

Copper

Cast Iron French Green Campana Urn Form Basketweave Garden Outdoor Planter
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Cast iron 32" French classical style green verde basketweave campana urn form round garden outdoor planter. Item features a heavy cast iron construction, basket weave and floral desi...
Category

Late 20th Century Neoclassical Urns

Materials

Iron

19th Century Cast Iron Campagna Form Garden Urn
Located in Rochester, NY
19th century American cast iron garden urn with a beautifully flared fluted classical campagna form and ringed lion masks at both sides. Great old surface and color from years and y...
Category

19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Urns

Materials

Iron

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19th Century Lead Urn
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19th Century Lead Urn
19th Century Lead Urn
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Pair of Antique Cast Stone Garden Urns on Bases, circa 1920
Located in Chappaqua, NY
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Neoclassical urns for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Neoclassical urns for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage urns created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include building and garden elements, decorative objects, lighting and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, iron and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Neoclassical urns made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original urns, popular names associated with this style include Maitland Smith, Baccarat, Ceccarelli, and Claude Michel Clodion. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for urns differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $450 and tops out at $70,078 while the average work can sell for $3,800.

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