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.
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Alabaster
Early 20th Century European Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Hardwood
20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Plaster
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Malachite, Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Maiolica, Majolica
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Lapis Lazuli, Ormolu
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Clay, Terracotta
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Griotte Marble, Bronze
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
1870s Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
1920s American Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Wood, Plaster
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Opaline Glass
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Late 20th Century European Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Plaster
20th Century German Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ceramic
1830s Russian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze
Mid-20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain, Stoneware
1980s Italian Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Murano Glass
1890s French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Clay
20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Iron
1870s French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Enamel, Ormolu, Bronze
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Tôle
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Carrara Marble
20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ceramic
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Composition
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Onyx, Marble, Ormolu, Bronze, Enamel
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ormolu
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ormolu, Tôle, Bronze
Early 1900s French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Zinc
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Brass
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Resin, Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Crystal, Bronze
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
1930s American Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Early 20th Century Austrian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble
1990s European Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Carrara Marble
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Glass
1890s English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Metal, Ormolu
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Late 19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Stoneware
20th Century Czech Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Crystal
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
1790s English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Stoneware