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.
1840s American Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Crystal
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble
1820s English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Pottery, Stoneware
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Crystal, Brass
Early 20th Century Austrian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ceramic
20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Acrylic, Wood
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Stoneware
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Stoneware
Early 1900s Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble
1870s American Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Stoneware
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Silver, Enamel
Early 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Cast Stone, Cement, Limestone
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Late 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ormolu
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Pottery
1870s French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble
1820s Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Pine
1950s Dutch Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Wood
20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Gold
1930s English Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Silver Plate
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Silver, Sterling Silver
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Alabaster
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Pottery
18th Century Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Alabaster
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble
1930s British Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Pottery
1970s British Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Pottery
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Coral, Carrara Marble
1970s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
1840s American Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Blown Glass
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Carrara Marble
20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Rock Crystal
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ormolu
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Silver Plate
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Pottery
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Wood
Early 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Silver, Brass
19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Early 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Stoneware
19th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
1930s Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ceramic
20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Alabaster