Neoclassical Figurative 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 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Statuary Marble
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Other
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Stoneware
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Wood
20th Century American Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Terracotta
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Bronze
1890s French Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Marble, Bronze
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Terracotta
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Marble
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Metal, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Bronze
Early 20th Century German Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Ceramic, Plexiglass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Ceramic, Plexiglass
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Ceramic, Plexiglass
19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Marble, Bronze
20th Century Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Bronze
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Wood, Giltwood
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Alabaster
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Marble
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Plaster
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Plaster
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Bronze
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Bronze
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Marble
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Carrara Marble
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Spelter
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Bronze
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Iron
Early 20th Century German Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Marble, Bronze
Early 1900s German Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Pewter
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Marble, Metal, Ormolu
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Porcelain
1930s Danish Vintage Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Marble
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Marble, Ormolu
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Statuary Marble
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Marble, Bronze
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Bronze
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Iron
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Marble
19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Marble, Ormolu
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Iron
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Malachite, Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Carrara Marble
Early 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Bronze
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Carrara Marble
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Terracotta
1980s German Vintage Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Quartz, Ormolu
Mid-19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Pearlware, Pottery
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Carrara Marble
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Figurative Sculptures
Carrara Marble