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.
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
Early 1900s German Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Pewter
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Enamel, Ormolu, Tôle, Bronze
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze, Ormolu
1790s English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Sheffield Plate
1830s Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ormolu, Bronze
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Fruitwood
20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Stoneware
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Earthenware
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Brass
19th Century British Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Stoneware
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Carrara Marble
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Plaster
Late 20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Iron
1790s English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ormolu, Bronze
18th Century Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Enamel, Ormolu
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Velvet, Mahogany
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ormolu, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Terracotta
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Stoneware
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Iron
20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Wrought Iron
Early 1900s European Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Early 1800s French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Straw
1980s English Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Stoneware
1960s Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Brass
1840s European Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Crystal, Bronze
18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Silver
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Wood
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Alabaster
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Griotte Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
20th Century Spanish Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain, Terracotta
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ceramic
1790s English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Alabaster, Marble
1810s European Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Other
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Slate, Bronze
1990s Philippine Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Stoneware
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Natural Fiber, Plaster, Paint