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.
$607Sale Price|33% Off
Inkwell Grand Tour Neoclassical Patinated Bronze Marble Campaign
Located in Cheltenham, GB
Inkwell Grand Tour Neoclassical Patinated Bronze Marble Campaign Grand Tour neoclassical patinated bronze campaign inkwell. Finely cast and chased patinated bronze inkwell decorated...
Marble, Bronze
Neoclassical Antique Sterling Silver Ink Stand, London 1798 Henry Greenway
By Henry Greenway
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1798 by Henry Greenway, this handsome, George III, antique, sterling silver ink stand, is plain in style, and feature...
Sterling Silver
French Neoclassic Walnut Veneer & Brass Inkwell, 2nd quarter 19th century
Located in Atlanta, GA
the inkwell covered in walnut veneer and trimmed in brass, featuring lion masks at the sides and paw feet, brass covers atop the inkwells and a brass pen tray, with a sneaky side dr...
Brass
Inkwell-Pairpoint Glass with Controlled Bubble Pattern and Sterling Cover
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pairpoint Glass Company ball shaped inkwell with the controlled bubble pattern that became synonymous with the company. The glass was blown around a molded form to create a receptacl...
Sterling Silver
Neoclassical-Style Continental Silver '.800' Footed Double inkwell by Dragstead
By A. Dragsted
Located in New York, NY
Neoclassical - style, Continental Silver (.800), footed, double inkwell, Denmark, year-hallmarked for 1901, A. N. Dragsted - maker. Each of the wells is decorated with bows and garla...
Sterling Silver
19th Century French Neo-Classical Style Gilt Bronze Desk Inkwell
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a 19th century French gilt bronze inkwell. Perfect coffee table art or desk statement piece. It is in very good condition and unmarked.
Bronze
Maison Boin-Taburet French Ormolu Bronze Inkstand
By Boin-Taburet
Located in Astoria, NY
Maison Boin-Taburet French Ormolu Bronze Inkstand, late 19th century, with cherub writing on a tablet surrounded by books flanked by two covered inkwells with clear glass inserts, ma...
Bronze, Ormolu
19th-C. French Neo-Classical Style Gilt Bronze Ram Form Inkwell
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a mid-19th century French gilt bronze neo-classical style ram form inkwell. It has dual rams to possibly hold the writing instrument.
Bronze
Italian Empire Silver Inkstand
Located in New York, NY
Italian Empire Silver Inkstand. Roman sterling silver inkstand of sober neoclassical form comprising double pots for sander and inkwell with acorn fini...
Sterling Silver
Neoclassical Style Glass Inkwell Bottle
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Neoclassical Style Glass Inkwell. It depicts a heavy octagonal shaped glass inkwell bottle. The round hinged bronze lid is adorned at the top with a Roman soldier profile. ...
Glass
Bronze inkwell George Josef Burgstaller (German/Austrian)
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Bronze inkwell Georg Josef BURGSTALLER (German/Austrian) Neo classical woman signed Burgstaller ruge marble.
Bronze
Twelve 19th Century Painted and Gilt Metal Desk Accessories
Located in London, GB
In a time of computers and technology, this antique desk set harks back to a more romantic period when people read letters at their desks by candlelig...
Metal
$760Sale Price|20% Off
English Silver Inkwell, Stamped Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Company
Located in Spencertown, NY
The rectangular inkwell with flat hinged lid, opening to reveal ceramic well and cut-glass liner beneath. Hallmarks on inside cover, rear and underside.
$1,440Sale Price|28% Off
Italian Gray Marble Inkwell, 20th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
A gray marble circular inkwell with marble stopper.
Marble
$693
H 5.25 in W 7 in D 4 in
Antique Grand Tour French Bronze Desk Set Inkstand Church Cathedral Siena Marble
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Stunning and Rare Example of a French Patinated Bronze Architectural Style Grand Tour Regency Period Double Inkstand of rectangular outline and compact proportions. First quarter of the Nineteenth Century. This stunning offering is modelled as an ancient Gothic Style Religious building ending on a well veined Sienna Marble platform base. The Ormolu dome top finial covers complete with their internal bronze linings. An early ormolu and Sienna Marble Watch stand is included. Condition: Good condition, original good surface patination, small repair to corner of marble base, see image. Baise underneath has been replaced, nicely done. Back and front views are similar, no visible foundry marks. Height: (inkstand) 5.25" (13.5cm). Width: (at base) 7" (17.5cm). Depth: (at base) 4” (10.25cm). Location: Dublin City, Ireland. Affordable Fixed charge Worldwide Store to door shipping offered by Seller. Please take time to scroll down below and click "View All From Seller" or favorite our Shop PATRICK HOWARD ANTIQUES...
Siena Marble, Brass, Bronze
Impressive Black Marble Inkwell with Bronze Ducks
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Incredible black marble inkwell that is truly an objet d'arte, having two lyrical bronze ducks with bone beaks, as though perched at the side of a pond and two square ink wells lined in brass. Looks like it could be by the artist, Andre Villien...
Marble, Bronze
$399
H 2.37 in W 10.63 in D 5.52 in
Art Deco Inkwell with Original Inkwell Glass, Vienna, Around 1920s
Located in Wien, AT
Art Deco inkwell with original inkwell glass vienna around 1920s. Original inkwell glass. Polished and stove enamelled.
Brass
Pair Of Pairpoint Controlled Bubble Amethyst Cut Glass Vases
Located in Norwood, NJ
Pair of Pairpoint amethyst glass controlled bubble vases. The flared trumpet form top with copper wheel cut design above a clear controlled bubb...
Art Glass, Cut Glass
$900Sale Price|49% Off
H 6.7 in W 17.72 in D 9.06 in
19th Century French Walnut and Brass Writing Boxe
Located in LEGNY, FR
Beautiful walnut desktop box which opens into a writing slope. Decorated on the outside with 2 decorative inlaid tunbridge ware bands. Box opens out to a beige fabric writing slo...
Brass
$3,500
H 3.75 in Dm 6 in
Grand Tour Serpentine Inkwell and Cover Inset with 7 Lava Stone Cameos, 19th C
Located in Spencertown, NY
The 7 cameos of historical figures, fitted with 3 quill holders, 2 inkwells and a pounce pot. The underside of the lid is framed with a circular gouache dep...
Serpentine
Sterling Silver Repousse Bookmark
By Kirk & Son
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Being offered is a sterling silver bookmark by S. Kirk and Sons of Baltimore, Maryland. Inspired by their iconic Repousse pattern, it has clu...
Sterling Silver
19th Century Baccarat Inkwell
Located in Tampa, FL
A Baccarat crystal inkwell with decorated bronze. Circa 19th century, France. The interior is two inches deep and the opening is one inch wide.
Crystal
$5,000
H 2.76 in W 9.85 in D 5.12 in
Enamel cloissoné and gilt bronze inkwell. France, late 19th century.
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Enamel cloissoné and gilt bronze inkwell. France, late 19th century.
Bronze, Enamel
Tortoiseshell Double Inkwell
Located in Dallas, TX
An exquisite blend of elegance and functionality, this tortoiseshell double inkwell is a true collector's delight. With its stunning glass inkwells, brass accents, and convenient sto...
Brass
19th Century French Crystal and Bronze Inkwell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century French Crystal and Bronze Mounumental Inkwell. Signed. Escalier de Cristal Paris.
Crystal, Bronze
19th century Embossed Bronze Inkwell
Located in Savannah, GA
Bronze inkwell intricately embossed with scroll work. Features include a pen vest and back tray and double inkwells with griffins on the back gallery. A continental piece possibly Au...
Bronze
Silver Inkwell For Czar Nicholas
By Grachev Brothers
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exquisite inkwell by the legendary Grachev Brothers was made for Czar Nicholas of Russia. Featuring intricately cut glass in a star pattern, the inkwell rests upon an exquisite ...
Silver
Fabergé Silver and Cut Glass Inkwell
By Fabergé
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exquisite inkwell by the legendary Fabergé exudes a bygone luxury. Comprised of intricately cut glass in a star pattern, the inkwell rests upon a silver base cast with dramatic masks among foliate festoons and ribbons. Its refined, neoclassical design is completed by a silver lid with a finial in the form of a laurel wreath. Fine silver from the House of Fabergé is indeed difficult to acquire, since most of the firm’s works, including the court and presentation pieces created for the Czar, were melted down to mint silver ingots...
Silver
Emile Picault's Model French Inkwell
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Emile Picault's model French scribe mercury figure Origin France Ciraca 1900 Material zamac, alpe green marble and metal electroplated.
Metal
Sold
H 11 in W 14.5 in D 7.5 in
Antique French 19th Century Gilt Bronze and Marble Double Inkwell Ink Stand
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Regal gilt bronze double inkwell with marble base. The center bust of Homere flanked by two gilt inkwells. Homere was the author of the Iliad and the Odyssey, two epic poems that are...
Marble, Bronze
18th Century French Neoclassical Manner Bronze Inkwell
Located in Nashville, TN
Bronze inkwell, circa 1790. Rectangular form with gilt bronze footed base with patinated dark bronze handles and mounts. Item has singular pot in the center of the tray. The floral d...
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Cut Crystal and Ormolu Inkwell
Located in Winnetka, IL
French late 19th century cut crystal and ormolu inkwell.
Ormolu
Neoclassical Red Marble and Gilt Bronze Ink Stand by Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
Neoclassical griotte marble and gilt bronze ink stand by Barbedienne French, 19th century Size: Height 25cm, width 36cm, 21cm This magnificent ink...
Griotte Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
George III Antique Sterling Silver Ink Stand from London in 1802
By Peter, Ann & William Bateman
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in London in 1802 by Peter, Anne & William Bateman, this handsome, George III, antique, sterling silver ink stand, has been embellished with reed, gadroon and acanthus det...
Sterling Silver
Large Neoclassical Style Bronze and Sienna Marble Inkwell
Located in Nashville, TN
Neoclassical styled inkwell on a single slab of Sienna marble. Winged lions supporting a central urn form bronze ink reservoir flanked by two classical urns (blotter sand). Very ...
Marble, Bronze
Large French Neoclassical Marble and Gilt Bronze Inkwell
Located in Rochester, NY
Fine French 19th century gilt bronze inkwell mounted on rouge marble. Sculpture of Roman woman with shield and helmet.
Stone, Marble, Metal, Bronze
Antique Neoclassical Bronze Inkwell Desk Set
Located in Houston, TX
A 19th century neoclassical bronze desk set featuring two inkwells that are flanked by two elongated trays with a centre oval pedestal dish. The inkwells are black patinated sporting...
Bronze
19th Century Bronze Neoclassical Inkwell and Blotter Set
Located in Dallas, TX
Cast from solid bronze, this elegant 19th century bronze neoclassical Inkwell includes a blotter and fitted porcelain ink inserts. Exquisite detail abounds in the casting consisting ...