Neoclassical Decorative Objects
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.
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 authentic neoclassical furniture today on 1stDibs.
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Metal, Ormolu
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ormolu
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Iron
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Crystal
Early 20th Century German Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Silver
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Brass
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze, Ormolu
Mid-20th Century German Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Silver
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Silver Plate
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Walnut
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Ormolu
19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Crystal, Carrara Marble, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Iron
20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Plaster
20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Crystal, Bronze
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble
1890s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Alpaca
20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Swiss Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
19th Century Czech Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Glass
Mid-20th Century German Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Crystal
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Iron
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
1820s Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver, Brass
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Crystal
Late 18th Century European Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Silver, Enamel
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze, Other
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble
20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze, Ormolu
1860s French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Silver Plate
Early 20th Century European Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Rock Crystal, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Plastic, Paint
1870s European Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Wood
20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Hardwood
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Marble
1890s French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal
20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Paper
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Brass
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Gesso, Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ormolu
1820s Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Canvas, Wood, Giltwood, Paint, Gesso