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. 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.
1840s European Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Crystal, Bronze
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Carrara Marble
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze, Ormolu
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Sandstone
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porphyry
Early 1900s German Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Pewter
18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Stone, Marble
Late 20th Century Pakistani Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Carrara Marble
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
1960s French Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze, Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Resin, Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Ukrainian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Crystal, Marble, Bronze
1860s French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Terracotta
Mid-19th Century Czech Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Glass
20th Century Chinese Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ceramic
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Cast Stone, Brass
19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porphyry
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal, Bronze
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Gold Leaf
20th Century Chinese Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Stoneware
Early 20th Century German Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Crystal, Bronze
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
20th Century Russian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Malachite, Ormolu
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Plaster
Early 20th Century Finnish Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Wrought Iron
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Gesso, Giltwood
Early 2000s Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Iron
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Slate, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ormolu
Late 20th Century European Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Rock Crystal, Bronze
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Malachite, Bronze
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Earthenware
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Plaster
1860s French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Silver Plate
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Crystal, Bronze
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Crystal
19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Alabaster
1890s French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Stone, Marble, Metal, Bronze, Copper, Ormolu, Tin
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Carrara Marble
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
1830s German Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Blown Glass
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Lapis Lazuli, Ormolu





