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.
1780s British Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
1930s Danish Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ceramic
1960s North American Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Cast Stone
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Plaster
Early 1900s Danish Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Maiolica
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Copper, Iron
20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Paint
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Carrara Marble
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Carrara Marble
1830s French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Plaster, Paint
20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Concrete
Mid-19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Siena Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Stone
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Crystal
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Clay
1920s European Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
1760s French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Paper
Late 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Iron
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal, Enamel
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Brass
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
1990s European Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal, Gold Leaf
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Statuary Marble
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Brass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Horn
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
1970s Swedish Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Silver, Sterling Silver
1830s Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Alabaster
Early 20th Century Russian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bone, Fabric, Paper
20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Wood
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Walnut
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Stone, Metal
1990s Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Brass
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Ormolu
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Carrara Marble
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Wrought Iron
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Copper, Enamel
20th Century German Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ceramic
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Wrought Iron
1770s Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Hardwood
18th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Terracotta
20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Plaster