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 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Walnut
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Cane, Walnut
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze, Ormolu
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
1970s American Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal, Enamel
Early 20th Century German Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal, Gold Leaf
2010s European Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Alabaster
20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
1870s Danish Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Other
Early 1900s Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Wood
1910s French Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Silver, Sterling Silver
1950s American Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Art Glass
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
1870s Danish Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Stone
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Clay, Porcelain
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Cement
19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Rock Crystal
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Ormolu
Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Other
19th Century Unknown Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal
1750s English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Stoneware
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Alabaster
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Late 20th Century European Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble
1760s French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Paper
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Oak
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
1760s Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Brass
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ceramic
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Iron
1920s North American Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Silver, Sterling Silver
1830s Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Early 2000s Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Majolica
Early 1900s Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble
20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Mid-18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ceramic
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Stoneware
1810s European Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Other
Early 20th Century Belgian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Silver
1790s English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Sheffield Plate
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Carrara Marble
20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Wood