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.
Monumental Malachite Egg on Brass Stand
Located in Elkhart, IN
A stunning Russian style monumental malachite egg on Neoclassical style brass stand featuring three dolphins Late 20th century Measures: 6"W x 6"D x 12.5"H. Egg alone measures: 6"W...
Malachite
Cast Composite Giant Clam Shell
Located in London, GB
A 20th century cast giant clam shell. Weathered condition.
Composition
Italian Pietra Dura, Semi-Precious, Still Life Stones Painting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is an amazing work in semi precious stones in Hardstones or Pietra Dura work. Framed measures 21 x 24 inches. In back has a partial detail of stones and also origin of art work.
Precious Stone
$2,195 / set
Neoclassical Grand Tour Malachite Obelisks, Pair
Located in Elkhart, IN
A stunning pair of neoclassical or Grand Tour style malachite obelisks Late 20th Century Measures: 2"W x 3275"D x 11.5"H. Very good original vintage condition.
Porcelain
$13,500 / set
Fine Pair of Cut Rock Crystal Obelisks
Located in New York, NY
A fine and unusual pair of Art Deco hexagon form cut rock crystal obelisks, beautifully hand-cut and hand-polished, Paris.
Rock Crystal
Natural Rock Crystal Sphere on a Neoclassical Polished and Patinated Bronze Base
Located in Hudson, NY
This natural rock crystal sphere containing expected color changes and inclusions is a gem from nature. The sphere is 9 inches in diameter and runs from clear to crazed inclusions th...
Rock Crystal, Bronze
19th Century Italian Box of Specimen Marbles with Neoclassical Urns
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Early 19th Century Italian, Neoclassical, fine hinged box. Containing a selection of various hard stones and specimen marbles. The lid with the inscription: 'Marmi Antichi D'Palazzo ...
Marble
Small Sculpture of a Nude Boy on Malachite Base, Benjamin Schlick Mid-19th Cent
By Benjamin Schlick
Located in New York City, NY
A fine quality mid-19th century silver electroplate sculpture of a nude male figure after the antique, on original malachite base. A classica...
Malachite
Neoclassical Faux Marble Obelisk with Brass Mounts
Located in Elkhart, IN
A stunning neoclassical or Grand Tour style black and grey faux-marbled pattern obelisk with brass mounts Late 20th Century Measures: 4.75"W x 4.75"D x 18"H. Very good original vi...
Metal
Neoclassical Roman Wooden Obelisk after Bernini's Elephant and Obelisk Statue
Located in Elkhart, IN
A stunning neoclassical or Grand Tour style wooden and metal obelisk modeled after Bernini's famous Elephant and Obelisk statue in Rome, Italy USA, Late 20th Century Measures: 6.5"...
Metal
Pair of Russian Neoclassical Style Malachite Obelisks
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A pair of Russian neoclassical style obelisks of malachite. Square, tapered shafts on a raised panel stepped base. Great color to malachite. One obelisk has a slight 'lean' to the up...
Stone, Malachite
Neoclassical Solid Marble Green and Gray Obelisk
Located in Elkhart, IN
A stunning neoclassical Grand Tour style solid marble green & gray obelisk Measures: 3"W x 3"D x 8"H. Very good original vintage condition. Minor surface wear expected with age...
Marble
Vintage Boho Carved Stone Clam Shell Fonts - A Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Imbue your space with the romance of antiquity and the serenity of the coast with this magnificent pair of vintage carved stone shell fonts. Sculpte...
Limestone, Marble
19th Century Maritime Bowsprits Architectural Fragments
Located in Essex, MA
These unusual Bowsprits are John Haley Bellamy quality, intricately carved, tapered boards with traces of colored paint in the recessed portions. La...
Wood
Collection of 3 Large Insects in Solid Lucite Boxes Spider Hornet & Stag Beetle
Located in San Diego, CA
Nice collection of Frozen insects circa 1970's , in solid lucite boxes.
Acrylic
Glassy Cluster Of Pointed Terminated Faden Quartz Crystal From Pakistan
By Deloris "Dee" Giltz 1
Located in Peshawar, PK
Product Information: Specimen Type: Faden Quartz Crystal Weight: 37 grams Dimension: H: 8.8 x W: 3 x D: 2 cm Origin: Baluchistan Province, Pakistan Treatment: None Description:...
Crystal, Quartz, Rock Crystal, Other
A Composite Marble Bust Of David
Located in London, GB
A good scale and form composition marble bust of David mounted on a Black socle. David inscription to base. Very probably by Anthony Redmile London.
Composition
Brass Mounted Rock Crystal Sphere Large
Located in New York, NY
Rock crystal sphere mounted on a brass stand. Rock crystal, a form of quartz, has been used in jewelry and ornaments since antiquity, and is the purest form of quartz discovered. Mea...
Rock Crystal, Brass
Pair of Russian Neoclassical Style Malachite Obelisks
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A pair of Russian neoclassical style obelisks of malachite. Square, tapered shafts on a raised panel stepped base. Great color to malachite. One obelisk has a slight 'lean' to the up...
Stone, Malachite
Rock Crystal Sphere, 4.5"
Located in New York, NY
This 4.5-inch Rock Crystal Sphere exemplifies the purity and elegance of natural quartz. Expertly crafted and polished to a flawless finish, this sphere highlights the inherent clari...
Rock Crystal
Large Solid Marble Decorative Sphere on Bronze Griffin Base
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful large solid green marble decorative sphere on bronze base with three griffins, circa 1970s. The piece is in very good condition with no chips or cracks; it has a nice polis...
Marble, Bronze
Giant 18 Inch Natural Clam Shell Specimen
Located in Bradenton, FL
Authentic giant clam shell specimen with its iconic sculptural form and sea inspired colors and textures.
Shell
$2,125
H 8 in W 21.25 in D 13.5 in
Antique Monumental Clam Shell Resting On Antique Wrought Iron Plant Stand
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This a monumental clam shell displayed on a Victorian black wrought iron plant stand. Both are very heavy and in very good condition. Plant stand: 12” triangle x 39.75”H.
Iron
Mid Century Pietra Dura Framed Artwork, Florence, Italy, circa 1960
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Framed mid-20th century Italian pietra dura inlaid plaque, a Florentine seascape harbor scene. Heavy gilt frame. This is one of 12 I will be listing from and estate In Mystic , CT. p...
Marble
South Pacific Natural Giant Clam Shell Specimen
Located in North Miami, FL
This giant Pacific clam shell is all natural and with wonderful details. THIS ITEM IS LOCATED AND WILL SHIP FROM OUR MIAMI, FLORIDA SHOWROOM.
Shell
Malachite Rock on Display Stand Chinese Scholar Stone
Located in Atlanta, GA
A malachite rock specimen with intense green and black colors fitted on a wood stand and displayed as a Chinese scholar stone. The gemstone in t...
Stone
$3,800
H 7.25 in W 5.75 in D 0.5 in
Richard Blow Attributed Montici Pietra Dura Plaque ca' 1960's Miniature
By Richard Blow
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A miniature pear in Pietra Dura technique attributed to Richard Blow for his Atelier in Montici Italy. Made ca' 1960's in the original period frame. Plaque measures overall - 5.75w"x...
Multi-gemstone
Malachite Egg Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful green Malachite egg sculpture decorative object on gold gilt brass fluted base, circa mid-20th century. Malachite egg object has beautiful design/coloring, piece is a han...
Malachite, Brass
Neoclassical Solid Marble Cream and Gray Obelisk
Located in Elkhart, IN
A stunning neoclassical or Grand Tour style solid marble cream & gray obelisk Late 20th Century Measures: 2.63"W x 2.63"D x 9.75"H. Very good original vintage condition. Minor sur...
Marble
Neoclassical Solid Marble Cream and Gray Obelisk
Located in Elkhart, IN
A stunning neoclassical or Grand Tour style solid marble cream & gray obelisk Late 20th Century Measures: 2.63"W x 2.63"D x 9.75"H. Very good original vintage condition. Minor sur...
Marble
19th Century Italian Gilded Fragments with Fossil Coral and Shells 'Group of 8'
By Interi
Located in Dublin, Dalkey
Group of sculptural 19th century Italian gilded fragments mounted with fossil coral and adorned with hand-gilded shells with rock coral bases. This exclusive eight-piece collection ...
Coral, Gold Leaf
Neoclassical Georgian Inlaid Wooden Obelisks, Pair
Located in Elkhart, IN
A stunning pair of neoclassical, Grand Tour, or Georgian style lacquered inlaid wooden obelisks Late 20th Century Measures: 4.63"W x 4.63"D x 18"H. Very good original vintage cond...
Wood
Neoclassical Solid Marble Cream and Gray Obelisks, Pair
Located in Elkhart, IN
A stunning pair of neoclassical or Grand Tour style solid marble cream & gray obelisks Late 20th Century Measures: 2.63"W x 2.63"D x 9.75"H. Very good original vintage condition. ...
Marble
Two bases in rare Breccia Africano and Granito Nero
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Two bases in rare Breccia Africano and Granito Nero Cylinder in Breccia Africano H 12.5 × D 7 cm Cylinder in Granito Nero H 6 × D 9 cm These two cylindrical bases made of rare marb...
Marble
Neoclassical Solid Marble Cream and Gray Obelisk
Located in Elkhart, IN
A stunning neoclassical or Grand Tour style solid marble cream & gray obelisk Late 20th Century Measures: 2.25"W x 2.25"D x 8"H. Very good original vintage condition. Minor surfac...
Marble
Neoclassical Solid Marble Black and Gray Obelisk
Located in Elkhart, IN
A stunning neoclassical style solid marble black & gray obelisk Measures: 3"W x 3"D x 12.13"H. Very good original vintage condition. Minor surface w...
Marble
Sold
H 20.48 in W 9.85 in D 20.48 in
Early 20th Century Cast of 'the Sluggard' by Frederic Lord Leighton 1830-1896
By Frederic Leighton
Located in Forest Row, East Sussex
An early 20th century cast of 'The Sluggard' by Frederic Lord Leighton (1830-1896). Excellent rich green patination. Signed 'Fred Leighton' to base. ...
Bronze
Antique Carved French Oak Capital on Stand, Dated 1841
Located in Dallas, TX
Hand-carved in France on “1er Octobre 1841” (see photo of the verso side), this oak capital features a large floral display beneath the molded entablature....
Oak
18th-19th C. Italian Rock Crystal Ball on a Later Italian Giltwood Stand
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
18th-19th C. Italian rock crystal ball/orb on a later Italian giltwood stand, in two parts The rock crystal ball/ orb European possibly French o...
Rock Crystal
Kiss Aguste Moreau, Bronze
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Artist August Moreau Title: The Kiss Circa 1900 Origin France Colin and Cia bronze foundry signed on the base Colin and Cia Excellent condition It is signed on its base.
Bronze