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.
19th Century British Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Wood
1960s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Murano Glass
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Plaster
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Ormolu
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Stoneware
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Brass
20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Plaster
20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Brass
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Iron
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Brass
20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Crystal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Stone, Limestone
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ceramic
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Resin
1860s English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Brass
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Plaster
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
1960s American Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Cut Glass
Late 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
1890s Russian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Silver
1860s French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Terracotta, Wood
Late 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Stoneware
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Zinc
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze, Ormolu
1880s French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Terracotta
1970s English Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Stoneware
1890s Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Carrara Marble
20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain, Wood
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Alabaster
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Statuary Marble
Mid-19th Century Greek Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Spelter
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze, Other
1970s French Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal, Silver
Mid-20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
1880s Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Pottery
1850s Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Terracotta, Paint
1880s Russian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Stone
Late 18th Century Spanish Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Composition, Limestone, Bronze
20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Shell
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Terracotta
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
1940s American Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Terracotta
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Composition
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Carrara Marble





