Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
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 2000s American Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Glass, Resin
Early 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Silver
20th Century Central American Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Porcelain
2010s Italian Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Gold Leaf
19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Austrian Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Bronze, Iron
20th Century German Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Porcelain
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Brass
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Ormolu
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Carrara Marble, Bronze
1870s German Antique Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century German Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Metal
20th Century French Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Crystal, Bronze
1840s European Antique Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Crystal, Bronze
20th Century American Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Ceramic, Paint
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Brass, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary French Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Metal
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Creamware
1770s Italian Antique Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Maiolica
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Rock Crystal, Silver
Mid-20th Century Polish Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Crystal
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Brass
1990s Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Wood
Late 20th Century North American Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Wicker, Paint
1770s English Antique Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Sterling Silver
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Porcelain
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Agate, Gold
1880s Baltic Antique Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Wicker, Paint
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Wood, Paper
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Ceramic
20th Century Czech Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Crystal
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Crystal
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Crystal, Ormolu, Bronze
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Marble, Bronze
1980s North American Vintage Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Leather, Wood
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Creamware
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Porcelain
1880s Italian Antique Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Bronze
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Sterling Silver
18th Century German Antique Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Silver
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Porcelain
20th Century French Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Alabaster, Bronze
20th Century American Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Brass
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Porcelain
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Porcelain
1840s American Antique Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Blown Glass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Wood, Wicker
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Metal, Zinc
18th Century European Antique Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Marble, Stone, Bronze
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Metal, Iron
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Maiolica
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Bowls and Baskets
Silver Plate