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 18th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze
Mid-20th Century European Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Limestone, Bronze
1850s American Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Brass, Copper, Enamel
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ormolu
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Slate, Brass
1930s Danish Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Alabaster
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Iron
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Lapis Lazuli, Ormolu
Early 20th Century European Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Alabaster, Marble
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Bronze, Ormolu
1940s French Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Wrought Iron
20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Clay, Terracotta
19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porphyry, Bronze
Early 20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Pottery
20th Century Belgian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Linen, Maple
20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal
20th Century Russian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Malachite, Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
1830s Russian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Malachite, Ormolu, Bronze
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble
Late 18th Century Polish Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Brass
18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Giltwood
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Crystal, Bronze
Late 20th Century Unknown Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Resin, Wood
Mid-20th Century British Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Silver Plate
Mid-20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze
20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Crystal, Brass
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Onyx, Marble, Bronze, Enamel, Ormolu
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
20th Century French Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Crystal, Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Silver Plate, Bronze, Ormolu
Late 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Limestone
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Plaster
1790s English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Stoneware
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Leather
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Stoneware
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Clay
19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Iron
1780s Dutch Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Brass
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Ormolu
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Metal, Ormolu
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
20th Century English Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Ceramic
20th Century Italian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Crystal, Silver
1980s English Vintage Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Stoneware
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Bronze, Enamel
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Early 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal, Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Marble, Metal
1810s Italian Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Wood, Paper
Early 1800s Swedish Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Porphyry
Late 20th Century Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal
Mid-19th Century American Antique Neoclassical Decorative Objects
Metal