Neoclassical Desk Accessories
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.
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Metal
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Iron, Nickel
20th Century Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Bronze
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Bronze, Enamel
Late 19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Silver
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Stoneware
1890s French Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Bronze
Late 20th Century French Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Porcelain
Early 1900s Russian Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Gold, Enamel
1810s Italian Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Carrara Marble, Bronze
1890s French Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Multi-gemstone, Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel
20th Century English Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Pottery, Stoneware
1910s Russian Vintage Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Jade, Silver
1830s French Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Gold
20th Century English Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Stoneware
1910s Russian Vintage Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Gold, Silver, Enamel
20th Century English Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Stoneware
Late 18th Century Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Metal, Gold, Enamel, Other
1920s English Vintage Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Bronze
20th Century English Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Stoneware, Pottery
1880s French Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Crystal, Marble, Bronze
1880s Italian Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Plaster
20th Century French Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Crystal
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Granite, Marble
Mid-19th Century Norwegian Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Porphyry
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Silver Plate
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Carrara Marble
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Marble, Metal
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Malachite
20th Century English Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
Late 18th Century European Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Metal, Enamel, Other
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Bronze
1980s Unknown Vintage Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Brass
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Precious Stone
1890s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Bronze
1970s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Plexiglass
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Metal
Early 20th Century European Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Metal, Brass
1980s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Brass
1840s Spanish Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Silver
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Bronze
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Crystal, Bronze
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Metal, Silver Plate
1790s English Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Sterling Silver
1970s European Vintage Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Lucite
1810s Spanish Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Silver
20th Century American Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Paper
1760s French Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Marble, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Marble
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Onyx, Bronze, Enamel
Mid-20th Century European Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Stone, Marble, Brass, Bronze
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Marble
20th Century American Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Hardwood
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Marble, Bronze
1910s English Vintage Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Paper