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.
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Milk Glass
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Slate
17th Century Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Wood
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Steel, Wrought Iron, Iron
Late 20th Century European Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Plaster
1910s Russian Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Jade, Silver
1960s North American Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Cast Stone
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Wood
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Stone
20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Brass, Enamel
20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Stoneware
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
1970s English Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Stoneware
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Metal
Mid-20th Century Sicilian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Terracotta
20th Century European Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Pottery
1950s French Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Cement
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Pottery
Late 19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Pottery
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze, Ormolu
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble
Early 20th Century German Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Crystal, Bronze
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble
1830s French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ormolu
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Metal
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Stoneware
1910s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Alabaster
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal, Silver Plate
20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Plaster
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Pottery
20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Crystal, Bronze
Late 18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Wood, Paint
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Wood
20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Wood
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Paper
1880s Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze, Ormolu
Late 19th Century Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Slate, Bronze
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Agate, Sterling Silver
Late 18th Century Baltic Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Giltwood
Early 1900s American Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal
Early 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Glass
20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Plaster
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Silk, Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Plaster
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Wood
1870s Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Enamel