Neoclassical 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.
Early 1900s Italian Antique Neoclassical Sculptures
Carrara Marble
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Sculptures
Cast Stone
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Sculptures
Ceramic
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Sculptures
Bronze
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Sculptures
Bronze
20th Century Neoclassical Sculptures
Resin, Lacquer
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Sculptures
Marble, Bronze
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Sculptures
Clay
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Sculptures
Serpentine
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Sculptures
Resin
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Sculptures
Marble
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Sculptures
Marble, Bronze
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Sculptures
Porcelain
20th Century American Neoclassical Sculptures
Bronze
1910s American Vintage Neoclassical Sculptures
Bronze
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Sculptures
Rock Crystal
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Sculptures
Bronze
1960s Vintage Neoclassical Sculptures
Ceramic, Plaster
20th Century American Neoclassical Sculptures
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Sculptures
Plaster
20th Century American Neoclassical Sculptures
Silver Plate
1880s Italian Antique Neoclassical Sculptures
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Sculptures
Bronze, Brass
1910s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Sculptures
Alabaster
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Sculptures
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Sculptures
Plaster
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Sculptures
Lapis Lazuli, Marble
1820s Italian Antique Neoclassical Sculptures
Terracotta
2010s American Neoclassical Sculptures
Marble, Brass, Bronze
1890s French Antique Neoclassical Sculptures
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Sculptures
Bronze
Late 20th Century English Neoclassical Sculptures
Composition
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Sculptures
Plaster
20th Century Russian Neoclassical Sculptures
Stone, Malachite
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Sculptures
Marble, Bronze
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Sculptures
Wood
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Sculptures
Limestone
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Sculptures
Metal, Bronze
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Sculptures
Limestone
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Sculptures
Marble, Bronze
20th Century French Neoclassical Sculptures
Terracotta
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Sculptures
Marble, Metal, Spelter
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Sculptures
Granite, Marble
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Sculptures
Carrara Marble
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Sculptures
Marble
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Sculptures
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Sculptures
Bronze
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Sculptures
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Sculptures
Bronze
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Sculptures
Wood
20th Century American Neoclassical Sculptures
Iron
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Sculptures
Marble
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Sculptures
Cement
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Sculptures
Wood
20th Century American Neoclassical Sculptures
Ceramic, Paint
18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Sculptures
Oak
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Sculptures
Resin, Wood
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Sculptures
Bronze
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Sculptures
Alabaster
19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Sculptures
Bronze