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 American Antique Neoclassical Sculptures
Bronze
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Sculptures
Terracotta
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Sculptures
Plaster
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Sculptures
Carrara Marble
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Sculptures
Bronze
1910s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Sculptures
Carrara Marble
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Sculptures
Bronze
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Sculptures
Alabaster
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Sculptures
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Sculptures
Porcelain
Early 1900s Antique Neoclassical Sculptures
Wood
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Sculptures
Terracotta
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Sculptures
Bronze
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Sculptures
Metal
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Sculptures
Alabaster
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Sculptures
Alabaster
Early 1900s Italian Antique Neoclassical Sculptures
Alabaster, Marble, Bronze
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Sculptures
Marble
Early 1900s Antique Neoclassical Sculptures
Mahogany
Early 20th Century European Neoclassical Sculptures
Porcelain
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Sculptures
Bronze
Early 20th Century European Neoclassical Sculptures
Rock Crystal, Bronze
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Sculptures
Limestone
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Sculptures
Bronze
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Sculptures
Onyx, Bronze
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Sculptures
Spelter
Early 20th Century Belgian Neoclassical Sculptures
Plaster
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Sculptures
Plaster
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Sculptures
Metal
Early 20th Century German Neoclassical Sculptures
Porcelain
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Sculptures
Zinc
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Sculptures
Cast Stone
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Sculptures
Ceramic
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Sculptures
Alabaster
Early 20th Century Austrian Neoclassical Sculptures
Bronze
Early 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Sculptures
Slate, Bronze
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Sculptures
Marble, Statuary Marble, Bronze
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Sculptures
Bronze
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Sculptures
Bronze
Early 20th Century European Neoclassical Sculptures
Porcelain
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Sculptures
Crystal, Bronze
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Sculptures
Brass
Early 1900s Greek Antique Neoclassical Sculptures
Terracotta
1920s French Vintage Neoclassical Sculptures
Metal, Bronze
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Sculptures
Stone
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Sculptures
Terracotta
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Sculptures
Stoneware
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Sculptures
Precious Stone
Early 1900s Antique Neoclassical Sculptures
Concrete
1920s European Vintage Neoclassical Sculptures
Marble
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Sculptures
Bronze
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Sculptures
Steel, Iron
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Sculptures
Marble, Metal
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Sculptures
Marble, Bronze
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Sculptures
Granite, Marble
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Sculptures
Ceramic
Early 20th Century European Neoclassical Sculptures
Hardwood
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Sculptures
Iron