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
Plaster
1930s Danish Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Terracotta
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Agate, Brass
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal
Late 18th Century European Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Limestone
18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Oak
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Stoneware
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Creamware
1890s Russian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Silver
1960s Swiss Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Late 20th Century Mexican Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ceramic
2010s Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Gold Leaf
1810s Swedish Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porphyry
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Pottery
1890s English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
1910s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Alabaster
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Cement
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Plaster, Wood, Mahogany
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Silver Plate
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze, Ormolu
Early 1900s English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Plaster
20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Silver Plate
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
Late 20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Stoneware
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ceramic
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Wood
20th Century Greek Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Brass, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Pottery
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Mid-19th Century Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Plaster
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Stoneware
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Brass
19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Terracotta
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Mid-20th Century British Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ironstone
20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Stoneware, Pottery
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Aluminum
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Zinc
1890s Austrian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Brass
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Pewter
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Stone
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ceramic
20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Iron
20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Pottery
20th Century Czech Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Crystal
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Carrara Marble
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Iron
Early 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Earthenware
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Walnut
20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Pottery, Stoneware
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
19th Century Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain, Stoneware
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
1970s German Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Blown Glass
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze