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.
Minton Tile of ‘Classical Figures with Musical Instruments’ by John Moyr Smith
By Minton
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique Minton tile from the series ‘Classical Figures with Musical Instruments’ designed by the artist John Moyr Smith. This 8 inch tile depicts a nobleman in roman style dress ...
Clay
Minton Hollins 8-inch Venus & Adonis Tile
By Minton
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A reclaimed 8-inch clay tile by Minton Hollins & Co. (stamped to reverse) illustrated with a scene from Shakespeare’s 1593 poem ‘Venus and Adonis’. Inspired by Greek mythology, the...
Clay
Chamberlain & Co Fleur de Lys Encaustic Tile
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique French medieval style encaustic tile by Chamberlain and Co of Worcester. This 6-inch glazed tile is a striking decorative interior piece or a welcome addition to an encau...
Clay
Pair of Antique Carved Wooden Moulds Ex. Tucker Collection
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A pair of mounted antique carved wooden moulds from the Tucker collection. These are just two of many moulds we are selling from this vast collection assembled by British make-up art...
Wood, Hardwood, Boxwood, Fruitwood
Antique 8-inch Decorative Neoclassical Tile by Minton
By Minton
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique 8-inch decorative neoclassical tile by Minton (stamped), one of two similar we are selling in matching sepia tones. This large, glazed, dust-pressed tile depicts a highly...
Clay
Large Antique Neoclassical Style Tile
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An unusual large antique Neoclassical style porcelain tile panel depicting a row of antique vases on a mantel. Incorporating Roman and Victorian styles, this 12-inch tile is decorat...
Clay
Reclaimed Mythological Tile by Minton Hollins
By Minton
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A reclaimed 8-inch clay tile by Minton Hollins & Co. (stamped to reverse) illustrated with a mythological scene from Shakespeare’s 1593 poem ‘Venus and Adonis’. Inspired by Greek myt...
Clay
Roman Style 19th Century Mosaic Fragment on Stand
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
This roman style mosaic on stand is a fragment from history. It was reclaimed from a building in the southeast of England and includes a bespoke steel st...
Cement, Marble
Classical Style Italian Green Marble Ewer Vase with Pedestal
Located in London, GB
Classical style Italian green marble ewer vase with pedestal Italian, 19th Century Height 114cm, width 38cm, depth 37cm This decorative Italian ewer has b...
Marble
Antique Neoclassical Style Tiled Frieze Panel by Minton Hollins
By Minton
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A set of 4 antique dust-pressed ceramic tiles by Minton Hollins (stamped) creating a decorative blue and white glazed frieze panel depicting a pair of neoclassical style winged cheru...
Ceramic
Maw & Co. Encaustic Ochre Glazed Mask Tile c.1870
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An interesting 6-inch encaustic ochre and cream glazed tile depicting an architectural male mask by Maw & Co. dating to circa 1870. This antique tile is an eye-catching collector’s...
Clay
Minton Hollins 19th Century Renaissance Style Tiled Frieze
By Minton
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A set of 6 antique dust-pressed ceramic tiles by Minton Hollins (stamped) creating a decorative blue and white glazed frieze panel. Together, the tiles depicts a renaissance style sc...
Clay
Chamberlain & Co Fleur de Lys Encaustic Tile
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique French medieval style encaustic tile by Chamberlain and Co of Worcester. This 6-inch glazed tile is a striking decorative interior piece or a welcome addition to an encau...
Clay
Antique Minton Tile of Musical Classical Figures by John Moyr Smith
By Minton
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique Minton tile from the series ‘Classical Figures with Musical Instruments’ designed by the artist John Moyr Smith. This 8 inch tile depicts a man in noble dress playing a ...
Clay
Antique Neoclassical Tile by Minton Hollins
By Minton
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique 8-inch clay tile by Minton Hollins & Co. (stamped to reverse) illustrated with a scene from Shakespeare’s 1593 poem ‘Venus and Adonis’. Inspired by Greek mythology, the po...
Clay
Minton Hollins 8-inch Neoclassical Tile
By Minton
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A reclaimed 8-inch clay tile by Minton Hollins & Co. (stamped to reverse) illustrated with a scene from Shakespeare’s 1593 poem ‘Venus and Adonis’. Inspired by Greek mythology, the ...
Clay
Antique Mythological Tile by Minton Hollins
By Minton
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique 8-inch clay tile by Minton Hollins & Co. (stamped to reverse) illustrated with a mythological scene from Shakespeare’s 1593 poem ‘Venus and Adonis’. Inspired by Greek myth...
Clay
Decorative Mythological Relief Plaster Panel in Gilt Color
Located in Beirut, LB
This striking and elegant wall panel is a captivating piece of mythological art. The plaster relief depicts a captivating scene of two nude female figures and a man playing a flute, ...
Plaster
Minton & Co 8-inch Neoclassical Sepia Tile
By Minton
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique 8-inch decorative neoclassical tile by Minton (stamped), one of two similar we are selling in matching sepia tones. This large, glazed, dust-pressed tile depicts a highly...
Clay
Antique French Terracotta Plaque by Émile Müller & Co
By Emile Müller
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique terracotta plaque depicting a horse and rider in neoclassical and roman styles by the workshops of 19th century French ceramist, sculptor and architect, Émile Müller. Poss...
Terracotta
Doulton & Co 6-inch Glazed Neoclassical Tile
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A rare antique 6-inch glazed tile by Doulton and Co. of Lambeth (stamped) depicting a hooded neoclassical figure symbolising Tragedy. In this simple design, the seated figure is ou...
Clay
Pair of 18th Century Italian Giltwood Fragment Garniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ostrich egg is 5.5" w. No cracks or repairs.
Ostrich Eggshell, Giltwood