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.
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Iron, Metallic Thread
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Stoneware
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Serpentine
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Terracotta
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Cement
20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Pottery
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Iron
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Clay, Terracotta
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Carrara Marble, Steel
20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Composition
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Sheffield Plate, Silver, Silver Plate
1890s Russian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Silver, Sterling Silver
1910s Russian Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Jade, Silver
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Iron
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze, Ormolu
20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
20th Century German Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Malachite, Ormolu
1890s French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Multi-gemstone, Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel
20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ormolu
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
1910s Russian Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Gold, Silver, Enamel
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Crystal, Ormolu
1830s French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Gold
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
1920s North American Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver, Silver
Early 1900s English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
1930s French Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze, Metal
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Brass
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Iron
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Mexican Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Onyx
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ormolu
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Poplar
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Creamware
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
Early 20th Century Austrian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze, Iron
19th Century Czech Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Glass
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ormolu
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal, Other
1870s Danish Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ceramic
20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Iron
1880s German Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Silver, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Brass
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ceramic
19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Cut Glass
Early 1900s Greek Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Terracotta
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Silk, Wood