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 & Co 6-Inch Tile Handpainted with Leopard & Deer
By Minton
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A highly decorative antique 6-inch dust-pressed porcelain tile by Minton & Co. (stamped), glazed and hand painted with a roundel depicting a leopard pouncing on a deer in vibrant blu...
Clay, Porcelain
Grand Tour Marble and Bronze Neoclassical Orb / Sphere by Theodore Alexander
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice Grand Tour marble and bronze neoclassical orb / sphere by Theodore Alexander, circa 1990s. The piece, which consists of a solid marble orb sitting in a bronze pedestal m...
Marble, Bronze
Antique Carved Wooden Mould Ex. Tucker Collection
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A mounted antique carved wooden mould from the Tucker collection. This is one of many moulds we are selling from this vast collection assembled by British make-up artist, Christopher...
Wood, Hardwood, Boxwood, Fruitwood
Two Antique Carved Wooden Moulds Ex. Tucker Collection
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A pair of mounted antique carved wooden moulds from the Tucker collection. This pair is one of many moulds we are selling from this vast collection assembled by British make-up artis...
Steel
Masterpiece of 19th century carving - St.Cecilia patron saint of Music
Located in York, GB
Alto relievo carving of the highest possible quality and a completely serene image of the patron saint of music. A large oval relief of St.Cecilia, Italian, c.1850-1860 Carrara ma...
Carrara Marble
$55Sale Price / set|68% Off
Artisan Handmade Christmas Jumbo Ball with Stand and Christmas Wreath
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Unique artisan made jumbo vintage European blown glass 5” Mercury glass ball Handpainted and on stand . With handmade Christmas wreath
Art Glass, Blown Glass
Contemporary Neoclassical Mirrored Obelisk
Located in Elkhart, IN
A beautifully proportioned contemporary mirrored neoclassical style obelisk. The sculptural silhouette gives the piece a quietly architectural presence — equally at home in a contemp...
Metal
Antique Carved Wooden Leaf Mould Ex. Tucker Collection
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A mounted antique carved wooden leaf mould from the Tucker collection. This is one of many moulds we are selling from this vast collection assembled by British make-up artist, Christ...
Wood, Hardwood, Boxwood, Fruitwood
A Set Of Antique Carved Wooden Floral Moulds Ex. Tucker Collection
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A set of seven antique carved wooden floral moulds from the Tucker collection. This is one of many moulds we are selling from this vast collection assembled by British make-up artist...
Wood, Hardwood, Boxwood, Fruitwood
Antique Carved Wooden Leaf Mould Ex. Tucker Collection
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A mounted antique carved wooden leaf mould from the Tucker collection. This is one of many moulds we are selling from this vast collection assembled by British make-up artist, Christ...
Wood, Hardwood, Boxwood, Fruitwood
Luigi Avolio Set of Four 800, Italian Silver and Ormolu Figural Groups
Located in Braintree, GB
Antique early 20th century set of four 800. Italian silver and ormolu figural groups. Made in Italy, Naples, first half of 20th century. Hallmarked with 800. Silver and 45NA maker's marks for Luigi Avolio...
Silver
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
A Set Of Antique Carved Wooden Floral Moulds Ex. Tucker Collection
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A set of four antique carved wooden floral moulds from the Tucker collection. This is one of many moulds we are selling from this vast collection assembled by British make-up artist,...
Wood, Hardwood, Boxwood, Fruitwood
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
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
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
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
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
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
Minton 6-inch Glazed Neoclassical Profile Portrait Tile
By Minton
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique 6-inch olive green majolica glazed tile by Minton & Co. (stamped) depicting a profile portrait of a bearded neoclassical figure in a regal headdress. Formerly used to deco...
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
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
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
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
Neoclassical 19th Century 6-inch Glazed Profile Portrait Tile
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A 19th century 6-inch olive-brown majolica glazed dust-pressed tile depicting a profile portrait of a neoclassical figure with laurel wreath headdress before a foliage backdrop. Suc...
Clay
Rare C19th Bronze Coat Of Arms
Located in Shipston-On-Stour, GB
A rare and well defined mid C19th large bronze coat of arms featuring the family crest flanked by rampant lions, mounted on later oak plinth. Good rich patination. Originally adorni...
Bronze
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
Salvatore Savoca Resin Angel Wing, Pair of 2 Left Wings
By Salvatore Savoca
Located in Miami, FL
Offered are two of the sculptures of wings created by the Italian artist Salvatore Savoca. Each is mounted on a black iron stand. Made of epoxy resin and powdered marble, they each...
Iron
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
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
18th Century Giltwood Sculpture of a Female Nude
By Michelangelo Buonarroti
Located in New York, NY
This giltwood sculpture was carved in the round, probably in southern France or northern Italy in the 1760s. Her pronounced musculature speaks to the ongoing influence of Michelange...
Bronze
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
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
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