Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
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.
Late 20th Century Indian Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Metal
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Plaster
20th Century American Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Silver Plate
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Bronze
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Marble, Bronze
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Marble, Bronze
Early 1900s Antique Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Wood
1980s Vintage Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Bronze
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Serpentine
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Stoneware
20th Century German Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Porcelain
20th Century American Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Pottery
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Bronze
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Metal, Bronze
20th Century Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Bronze
18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Marble, Siena Marble
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Bronze
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Bronze
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Creamware
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Bronze, Brass
Late 20th Century Mexican Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Ceramic
1880s American Antique Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Plaster
Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Bronze
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Brass
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Bronze
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Bronze
Early 1900s German Antique Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Bronze
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Bronze
1970s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Brass
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Wood
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Metal
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Walnut
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Ceramic
Early 1800s French Antique Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Bronze
Early 20th Century Belgian Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Plaster
20th Century Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Granite, Gold, Bronze
Early 20th Century German Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Porcelain
20th Century American Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Iron
Early 20th Century Austrian Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Bronze
1820s Italian Antique Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Pine
20th Century American Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Marble, Bronze
20th Century American Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Iron
1810s Italian Antique Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Carrara Marble, Bronze
1880s Italian Antique Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Plaster
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Terracotta
20th Century American Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Iron
20th Century Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Granite, Gold, Bronze
20th Century Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Granite, Gold, Bronze
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Marble, Metal
1650s Italian Antique Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Carrara Marble, Metal
20th Century American Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Ceramic, Paint
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Marble, Bronze
20th Century American Neoclassical Animal Sculptures
Bronze