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.
19th Century French Bronze Statue of Cupid
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French bronze statue of cupid captures the mischievous cherub just after letting his arrow fly. The classic pose inspired by ancient Greek and Roman statuary...
Bronze
Fanciful Eglomise Wall Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
The height of sophistication, this stunning ‘Verre Eglomise’ wall clock is made in the traditional Eglomise fashion where gilded leaf is applied to...
Glass
A Set Of Antique Carved Wooden Cartouche Moulds Ex. Tucker Collection
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A set of eleven antique carved wooden cartouche moulds from the Tucker collection. This is one of many moulds we are selling from this vast collection assembled by British make-up ar...
Wood, Hardwood, Boxwood, Fruitwood
Empire Revival Leather and Brass Decorative Box, Italy 1950s
Located in Atlanta, GA
This stunning 1950s Italian decorative lidded box showcases an Empire Revival Neoclassical flair. The tall, rectangular shape boasts a classic modernist design, featuring gilded bras...
Brass
$458Sale Price|33% Off
Small Late 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Giltwood Candleholder
Located in Buisson, FR
Great small wooden candleholder with its original gilding. Very nice type candleholder and rare to find. Italy, circa 1780-1800. Weathered, small losses and repair. H:29cm W:16,5cm ...
Wood
Large Neoclassical Style Marble and Gilt Bronze Circular Movement Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
Large neoclassical style marble and gilt bronze circular movement mantel clock French, late 19th century Measures: Height 82cm, width 26cm, depth 26cm Crafted from the finest of materials, including beautiful white marble, gilt bronze, and patinated bronze, this unusually large mantel clock is a superb piece of neoclassical design. The clock features a white marble vase-shaped case, which houses its circular movement. The vase is set above a plinth form base, which is inset with gilt bronze relief panels...
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
French Neo-Classical Cobalt Blue Majolica Vase by Sarreguemines, 1920s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Elegant antique Neoclassical style French cobalt blue majolica vase. Made by Sarreguemines circa 1920. Maker's mark on reverse. This stylish vase is decorated with gold gilt laurel w...
Majolica
Italian Neoclassical Tole Green & Gold Cachepot Planter Vase With Lion Heads
Located in Elkhart, IN
A wonderfully charming early 20th century French tole cachepot finished in an olive green with delicate gilt embellishments and handsome brass lion paw feet. Equal parts formal and p...
Metal
$3,500 / set
Pair of 19th Century Continental Girandoles
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of 19th century Continental bronze urn shaped girandoles with crystal cut spear spikes.
Crystal, Bronze
French 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Marble Statue
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and extremely high quality French 19th century Neo-Classical st. white Carrara marble statue titled Not Wanting To Hear Love. The statue is raised by a oblong base with a ...
Marble
French 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Ormolu And Crystal Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and finely detailed French 19th century Neo-Classical st. Ormolu and Crystal box. This beautiful Crystal box displays a wonderful thick Crystal body with lattice designed ...
Crystal, Ormolu
Nineteenth Century European Gilt Wood Frame, Having Festoons and C Scrolls
Located in Winnetka, IL
A Nineteenth Century European gilt and gesso mirror carved in the Neoclassical style having festoons of C scrolls upon a diapered ground and bead...
Gesso, Giltwood
19th Century Mosaic Fragment Mounted on Stand
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
This antique mosaic on stand is a fragment from history. It was reclaimed from a building in the southeast of England and includes a bespoke steel stand ...
Cement, Marble, Steel
$667Sale Price / set|42% Off
Couple of Small Late 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Giltwood Candleholders
Located in Buisson, FR
Great pair of small wooden candleholders with their original gilding. Very nice type candleholder and rare to find in a pair. Italy, circa 1780-1800. Weathered, small losses.
Iron
Italian 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Statue Of Ariadne Signed Signed F. Vichi
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A finely detailed and very impressive Italian 19th century Neo-Classical st. white Carrara marble statue of Ariadne on its original Verde Mare marble pedestal, signed signed F. Vichi...
Marble
19th Century Terracotta Sculpture, Panther Hunter, Denmark, Jerichau/ P. Ipsen
By Jens Adolf Jerichau
Located in Madrid, EX
Black terracotta Denmark, second half of the 19th century Height 54 cm, width 25 cm, depth 12 cm Marked: P. Ipsen, Kjøbenhavn / Eneret 290 Black terracotta figure depicting a young ...
Terracotta
Monumental sized Florentine terra cotta vases with cherub decorated handles.
Located in Washington, DC
A superb pair of Italian garden vases, made in Italy in the 1960's. These large sized pieces, with classical silhouettes, were cast using traditional techniques that reflect the It...
Terracotta
Decorative Mythological Relief Plaster Panel in Gilt Color
Located in Beirut, LB
This striking and elegant wall panel is a captivating piece of mythological art. The plaster relief depicts a captivating scene of two nude female figures and a man playing a flute, ...
Plaster
Rare 17th Century Antique Figural Griffon Carved Oak Brass Lantern Clock 58"
Located in Dayton, OH
An exceptional hanging lantern clock from the 17th Century. The clock is housed within a hooded glass case with Grecian style carved columns, gadrooning and acanthus scrolled accents...
Brass
Antique Carved Wooden Urn Mould Ex. Tucker Collection
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A mounted antique carved wooden urn mould from the Tucker collection. This is one of many moulds we are selling from this vast collection assembled by British make-up artist, Christo...
Wood, Hardwood, Fruitwood
French 19th Century Neoclassical Style Ormolu and Marble Statue of Cupid
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional French 19th century neo-classical st. ormolu and black Belgian marble statue of Cupid offering a rose to the Psyche. The statue is raised by an impressive black Belgia...
Belgian Black Marble, Ormolu
$9,800Sale Price / set|23% Off
Pair of 19th Century Georgian Crystal and Wedgwood Candelabra
Located in Essex, MA
Pair of 19th century English cut crystal and Wedgwood candelabra. Neoclassical Adam Style. Three candle arms. Blue Jasperware base of classica...
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu
Very stylish pair of Neoclassical period sterling silver candlesticks - 1792
Located in London, London
Hallmarked in Sheffield in 1792 by Thomas Lamborn, this attractive, George III period, Antique Sterling Silver Pair of Candlesticks, feature fluted decoration, swags, rosettes and ac...
Sterling Silver
Large 18th Century Italian Statuary Marble Portrait Medallion
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A large 18th century Italian white statuary marble portrait medallion from the workshop of Orazio Marinali (1643-1720). One of two similar marble medallions we are selling, this pi...
Statuary Marble
Pair of Antique Russian Ormolu and Amethyst Cut-Glass Compotes
By Imperial Russia
Located in New York, NY
A fine pair of antique Russian ormolu and amethyst cut-glass compotes, 19th century. This pair of navette-shaped bowls cut with lozenge pattern and flanke...
Crystal, Bronze
1920s Hand-Crafted Black Painted Terracotta Italian Figure of Two Horses
Located in Catania, Sicilia
This is a handcrafted terracotta sculpture featuring two horses, painted black, created in the 1920s in Italy. The artwork shows the horses intertwined in a dynamic pose, standing on...
Terracotta
Antique Marble and Gilt Bronze Centrepiece Attributed to Edward F. Caldwell & Co
Located in London, GB
Antique marble and gilt bronze centrepiece attributed to Edward F. Caldwell & Co. American, Early 20th Century Height 31cm, width 75cm, depth 30cm Attributed to Edward F. Caldwell ...
Marble, Ormolu
$7,866 / set
Pair of Decorative Ewer Form Ornaments
Located in London, GB
The body of each ewer is beautifully embellished with a three dimensional design of grapevines following up to the handle. The handle part forms as a satyr, possibly representative o...
Silver Plate
Late 19th-Century French Neo-Grec Black Slate Mantel Clock by Japy Frères
By Japy Frères
Located in North Palm Beach, FL
This late 19th-century French mantle clock is a refined example of Neo-Grec design paired with exceptional European horological craftsmanship. The architectural case is executed in p...
Slate
E. H. Dumaige Patinated Bronze Figure of a Muse
Located in Astoria, NY
Etienne-Henri Dumaige (French, 1830-1888) Patinated Bronze Sculpture of a Dancing Muse, late 19th century, the draped dancing figure upholding a tambourine on a rectangular plinth, s...
Bronze
19th Century Carved Carrara Marble Panel on Stand
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
This sculptural carved Carrara marble panel is a fragment from 19th century England. It is beautifully carved with various decorative embellishments including a mask to the top, bird...
Marble, Carrara Marble, Steel
Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Vase Signed Sèvres, France, Late 19th Century
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Porcelain and gilt bronze vase signed Sèvres, France, late 19th century.
Bronze
Pair of Monumental Gilt Bronze and Glass Floor Standing Candelabra
Located in London, GB
Pair of monumental gilt bronze and glass floor standing candelabra Crafted in the neoclassical style, this pair of floor-standing candelab...
Ormolu, Bronze
Wonderful Neoclassical Set of 4 Old Sheffield Candlesticks - Circa 1790
Located in London, London
Made circa 1790, this charming set of 4 Antique Old Sheffield Plate Candlesticks, are in the Neoclassical taste, with bands of acanthus...
Sheffield Plate
D. Brucciani (1815 – 1880) Antique Plaster Bust of Venus
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A mid-late 19th century antique plaster bust of Venus, Roman goddess of love and beauty, or her Greek counterpart, Aphrodite. This bust is signed ...
Plaster, Paint
Antique French Bronze and Ormolu Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
This large mantel clock is an excellent piece of refined neoclassical design by the acclaimed Deniere et Fils firm. Deniere was one of the leading ...
Ormolu, Bronze
Pair of Large Italian Chinoiserie Decorated Red Tole Neoclassical Planters
Located in Atlanta, GA
A decorative pair of Italian chinoiserie decorated tole planters, executed in flared square form with red japanned surfaces, black-painted interiors, gilt edging, raised plinth bases...
Tin
Bronze Bird Tripod Candle Stand
Located in New York, NY
Bronze bird tripod candle stand. Antique Italian softly patinated green bronze tripod oil lamp / votive candle stand in the classical style popular...
Bronze
Antique Italian Neoclassical Carrara Marble Bust of Daphne, Apollo's First Love
Located in New York, NY
A fabulously hand carved antique neoclassical style Italian Carrara marble bust of Daphne. This bust is of immaculate quality and craftsmanship. Daphne's hair is beautifully hand car...
Carrara Marble
Concrete Roman Ruin Style Figure of Foot with Sandal
Located in Atlanta, GA
Concrete Roman Ruin style figure of foot with sandal. Exact replica from the antique. Identical pair available. Dimensions: D 33" W 15" H 19.5" CW4206
Concrete
$14,083Sale Price|51% Off
19th Century Neoclassical Marble Thorwaldsen Bust
Located in Berlin, DE
Great Thorwaldsen bust. Marble figure of the sculptor Thorwaldsen Extremely expressive characterization, which, in an extraordinary detail, also reflects the facial expressions of hi...
Stone, Marble
Vintage French Deco R. Ponti “Femme a La Biche” Carved Stone & Bronze Sculpture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This compelling vintage sculpture beautifully captures a tender moment between a kneeling female figure (suggestive of Diana, the Roman goddess of the hunt) and a small deer (hind). ...
Stone, Bronze
Pair of 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Bronze Urns
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A very attractive pair of 19th century Neo-Classical st. bronze urns. Each urn is raised on a square mottled edge black Belgian marble base. Above is the patinated bronze urn with gi...
Bronze
French Neoclassical Style Enamel, Onyx, and Gilt Bronze Pedestal Clock
Located in London, GB
French neoclassical style enamel, onyx, and gilt bronze pedestal clock French, late 19th century Measures: Height 125cm, width 36cm, depth 30cm This beautiful pedestal clock has...
Onyx, Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel
18th Century Antique Mahogany Neoclassical Musical Clock by Ralph Gout of London
Located in Devon, GB
An impressive and unique 18th centur,y, GeorgeIII period antique circular mahogany musical table clock, in a case of neoclassical design by Ralph ...
Brass
Neoclassical Style Gilt Bronze and Cut Crystal Lamp By Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
Neoclassical style Gilt Bronze and Cut Crystal Lamp By Gherardo Degli Albizzi features Classic amphor shape and curved handles. Central body of this little lamp...
Crystal, Bronze
19th Century European Brass Hanging Church Sanctuary Pendant Lamp with Cherubim
Located in Madrid, ES
This 19th century brass hanging pendant sanctuary lamp is from a Spanish collection, but it shares characteristics with French sanctuary lamps of...
Brass
American Mixed Metal Paper Knife in Archaeological Medallion Pattern
By Hayes & McFarland 1, Gorham Manufacturing Company
Located in New York, NY
Medallion mixed metal paper knife, ca 1890. Cruciform with silver profiles “hewn” from the irregular hand-hammered copper body. The “salvaged” version, based on the archaeological ex...
Metal, Sterling Silver, Copper
Antique Neoclassical Plaster Grotesque Herm Statue
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An early 19th century plaster grotesque herm statue in the neoclassical style circa 1820. Once used as architectural interior decoration, it has a distressed look and depicts a figur...
Plaster
$4,500 / set
1900s French Bronze Medallions
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of four. Dore bronze. Profiles are bisque on velvet. Finely chased details. Possibly 19th century.
Bronze
Alabaster woman sculpture. Italy, circa 1890.
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Alabaster woman sculpture. Italy, Firenze, circa 1890.
Alabaster
Italian 19th Century Neoclassical Style Marble Statue of a Faun with Cymbals
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sensational and large-scale Italian 19th century Neo-Classical st. white Carrara marble statue of a faun with cymbals signed Bazzanti, Firenze. The...
Marble
19th Century Marble Putto Sculpture, Signed 'D'angelis'
Located in London, GB
A 19th century marble putto sculpture, signed 'D'Angelis' French, Late 19th Century Height 54cm, width 41m, depth 31cm Executed with great artisti...
Marble
Pair of Late 20th Century Bronze Statues on Wooden Columns
Located in Dallas, TX
Accessorize an office or library shelving with this pair of small bronze statues mounted on wooden plinths. Each statue depicts a figure from classical antiquity: the one on the left...
Bronze
Pair of French 19th century Neo-Classical Ormolu, patinated Bronze & Marble Urns
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant pair of French 19th century Neo-Classical st. Ormolu, patinated Bronze and marble tazzas/urns. This wonderful pair are raised by a black Belgian marble bases with curved f...
Lapis Lazuli, Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
$1,760Sale Price|20% Off
Giant Bishop Chess Piece Wooden Sculpture With Secret compartiment
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Very nice giant Bishop chess piece. Made of several woods following a pattern. The top comes off, and it has something like an urn, maybe a secret hidden place. Chess is a two-playe...
Wood
19th Century French Neoclassical Tole Peinte and Gilt Urn Cachepot
Located in Stamford, CT
A very charming early 19th century French tole peinte vase or urn with a gilt figure of a dancing maiden with one breast exposed playing a sistrum, ancient musical instrument. The ur...
Tin
Antique Polychromed Wall Candle Holder Italy 19th Century
Located in Čelinac, BA
Wooden Torch Holder Putto Italy 19th Century
Wood
Early 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Silver Urn Vase Milan by Emanuele Caber
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
A very decorative neoclassical silver urn stamped by the Italian silversmith Emanuele Caber, dating from around 1825. It has the Milan warranty stamp, and stamp of the silver finenes...
Silver
Antique Neoclassical Bronze Trident Sculpture
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique neoclassical style patinated bronze trident sculpture, mounted on a limestone base. Originally a sculptural fountain, this mid 19th century English piece now stands as a ...
Stone, Limestone, Metal, Bronze