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.
Pair French Pink Opaline Perfume Bottles with Green Serpents Attrib. Baccarat
By Baccarat
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of French Pink Opaline Perfume Bottles with Applied Green Serpents Attributed to Baccarat A striking and highly decorative pair of French opaline glass perfume bottles attribut...
Opaline Glass
Pair of Antique Jacob Petit Type French Porcelain Figural Perfume Bottles
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres, Jacob Petit
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of French porcelain figural perfume bottles. Each in the form of a lady - one is garbed in a pink dress with green shawl and the other in yellow dress with red shawl. Both rest atop a rectangular plinth with gilt accents. Simply a wonderful pair of Jacob Petit type figurines! Date: Early 19th Century Overall Condition: They are in overall fair, as-pictured, used estate condition. Condition Details: Each lacks its figural stopper (likely hats), there are chips and losses to the bases of each (especially at the corners), and each has rubbing to the gold throughout. Otherwise, there are some fine & light surface scratches and other signs of expected light wear consistent with age. Measurements: Pink & Green Figurine...
Porcelain
Hand Shaped Antique And Vintage Bottle Collection.
Located in Stamford, CT
A collection of 4 vintage and antique hand shaped glass bottles and one glass stopper. They range in height from 8 1/2" to 8" to 6" to the stopper that is 3". the stopper has small c...
Glass
Tiffany Silver Spirit Flask
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
A large American silver spirit flask, by Tiffany & Co., circa 1880, Edward C Moore era, one side chased with hunting scenes, the reverse with cartouche on...
Silver
Atlantis cut crystal decanter, Portugal, 20th century
By Atlantis
Located in Vicenza, IT
A decanter made of clear, faceted crystal, by Atlantis, a Portuguese manufacturer known for producing high-quality crystal. Square in shape with rounded corners, it features very thi...
Crystal
$675Sale Price|25% Off
Cristal Saint Louis Ivoire de Balmain Collectible Perfume Decanter/Bottle
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Cristal Saint Louis cut crystal decanter of Ivoire de Balmain perfume. The bottle is urn shaped and it is a faceted clear crystal. There is...
Crystal
$1,364Sale Price / set|50% Off
Liquor bottle in a cone
Located in Porto, PT
Liquor set in a small shell. Europe; base with handle in a small shell with Neoclassical decoration; with engraved crystal bottles; in two bottles. Dimensions: (height) 46 cm. Proven...
Metal
$600 / set
Pair of Hand Cut Crystal Decanters
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Fine Pair of Hand Cut Crystal Decanters featuring deep geometrical & symmetrical cuts. Robust body with a heavy base. Restoration on the upper part of the lip on one of the dec...
Crystal
$478Sale Price / set|20% Off
NEO-CLASSIC Swedish Scent Perfume Bottle In Cobalt Glass And 925 Sterling Silver
By Mema
Located in Miami, FL
A perfume scent bottle made in Sweden. Very beautiful and lovely perfume scent bottle, created in the city of Lidköping Sweden by the MeMa Sterling Co. back in the 1975. The bottle has been made in cobalt blue glass with a fitting lid and a removable frame, crafted in solid .925/.999 sterling. The sterling cover was made up in the neo-classic empire style with multiple floriated garlands patterns. Note: This bottle may be also used as a vinegar or olive oil dispenser...
Silver, Sterling Silver
$426Sale Price|50% Off
Earthenware - Maria Antónia Parâmos - Bottle of Whiskey - Secla
Located in Porto, PT
Earthenware - Maria Antónia Parâmos - Whiskey Bottle - Secla. Ceramic whiskey bottle attributable to Secla; polychrome glazed drip decoration; signed 'Maria Antonia Caldas da Rainha;...
Ceramic
Pair of Ruby Decanters with Lids.
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Very Fine & Elegant Pair of Ruby Crystal Decanters with Lids. Bohemia, circa 1880. Dimensions: Height 12 1/4" Diameter 7" CW5573
Crystal
Beautiful Tall Vintage Crystal Decanter/Bottle 1920s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful crystal bottle made in Italy 1950s.
Crystal, Silver
Pair of Antique Old Paris Hand Painted Jacob Petit Vases
Located in New Orleans, LA
Pair of antique Old Paris hand painted Jacob Petit vases, circa 1850. Jacob Pettit was a porcelain maker and decorator in 19th century France. His wo...
Porcelain
Tiffany 18 Karat Gold and Glass Flask, circa 1905
Located in New York, NY
The glass with four satyr or Bacchus masks surrounded by grapes, vines and leafage, the gold cap and removable gold base, serving as a convenient cup, further engraved with grapes an...
Gold
$2,446 / item
H 18.12 in Dm 9.06 in
Tall Large Bottle Shaped White and Black Stoneware Clay and Porcelain Vessel
Located in London, GB
Tall large bottle shaped white and black stoneware clay and porcelain vessel with heavy volcanic textured glaze. The work is hand built using a combination of stoneware black and bu...
Clay
Crystal Vase, Early 20th Century, Baccarat.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Crystal vase, early 20th century, Baccarat. Crystal vase by Baccarat, 20th century, Napoleon III style. H: 30 cm, D: 14 cm Please contact us before placing an order to confirm the ...
Crystal
$1,320Sale Price|20% Off
H 3.25 in W 2.25 in D 3.25 in
Seguso Vetri d'Arte Murano Pulegoso Green Gold Italian Art Glass Perfume Bottle
By Flavio Poli, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful and rare, vintage Murano hand blown green and gold flecks Italian art glass perfume scent bottle. Documented to the Seguso Vetri d'Arte company, circa 1930-40s. Unsure of t...
Gold Leaf
$320Sale Price|20% Off
H 2.96 in W 1.38 in D 0.79 in
FINE ANTIQUE FRENCH CUT GLASS CRYSTAL COLLECTABLE DRESSiNG TABLE PERFUME BOTTLE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning original circa 1920 Art Deco French cut glass Crystal perfume bottle A very good looking well...
Glass
$1,250
H 3.13 in W 3.13 in D 1 in
Art Deco Ybry Paris Purple Frosted Baccarat Crystal Perfume Bottle, France, 1928
By Baccarat
Located in Minneapolis, MN
This is an exceptionally rare Art Deco perfume bottle produced for the celebrated French perfume house Ybry Paris, crafted by Baccarat, France, circa 1928. Distinguished by its strik...
Metal
Collection of Two Murano Glass Figural Motif Perfume Bottles
Located in Astoria, NY
Collection of Two Murano Glass Figural Motif Perfume Bottles, one in amethyst glass and cobalt blue glass with nude woman form stopper, one in frosted red and black glass with anthro...
Murano Glass
French Porcelain Perfume Bottle
By Jacob Petit
Located in New Orleans, LA
A bird in flight adorns this charming perfume bottle attributed to famed French porcelain maker Jacob Petit. It is exemplary of the opulent artistry for which Petit is renowned, from...
Porcelain
Antique Edwardian Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Engraved Thermos
By Asprey International Limited, Tiffany & Co., Gorham Manufacturing Company, Cartier
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An antique American thermos retailed by Tiffany & Co. In sterling silver. Elaborately decorated with highly detailed rocaille swags throughout and a central monogramed cartouche fl...
Sterling Silver
$747
H 4 in W 2.25 in D 2.25 in
Delightful Sapphire Blue Czech Crystal Cushion Shaped Perfume Bottle circa 1930s
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Delightful sapphire blue Czech crystal cushion shaped perfume bottle with dabber Vintage Bohemian, Czech crystal, circa 1930s Measure...
Glass
René Lalique Serpent Blue Glass Perfume Bottle
By René Lalique
Located in Franklin Park, IL
René Lalique Serpent Blue Glass Perfume Bottle This perfume bottle measures: 2.25 wide x 1 deep x 3.5 inches high Excellent Vintage Condition. We ta...
Glass
French Art Deco Baccarat Glass Perfume Bottle, Faceted Design
By Baccarat
Located in Queens, NY
French Art Deco rectangular glass bottle with vertical ridges and a faceted stopper (signed BACCARAT \"Bellogia\")
Glass
Mid-20th Century French Cut Crystal Vase with Geometric Design
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This exquisite 20th century cut crystal vase showcases a stunning geometric pattern with intricate crosshatch and starburst motifs, reflecting light beautifully from every angle. The...
Crystal
$320Sale Price|20% Off
H 3.35 in W 2.96 in D 1.78 in
POSH FRENCH ANTIQUE CUT GLASS CRYSTAL COLLECTABLE DRESSiNG TABLE PERFUME BOTTLE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning original French circa 1920 Art Deco cut glass Crystal perfume bottle A very good looking well...
Glass
Antique American Cobalt Blue Glass Bottle 14”
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Beautiful deep cobalt blue American antique glass bottle, 14” tall.
Blown Glass
Sold
H 8.5 in Dm 2.5 in
Rare 1915 “Ice Blue” Coca-Cola Bottle Embossed, Reed Glass, Patent Nov. 16, 1915
Located in Red Lion, PA
Rare 1915 “Ice Blue” Coca-Cola Bottle Embossed, Reed Glass, Patent Nov. 16, 1915 A beautifully preserved and exceptionally rare example of early Coca-Cola bottle design, this 1915 “...
Glass
Sold
H 3 in W 9.25 in D 15 in
Vintage Coca Cola 1996 Olympic City Complete Collectors Coke Bottle Set 15"
Located in Dayton, OH
1996 Coca Cola Atlanta Olympic City collector bottle set. 22 of 1996. Dimensions: 15" x 9 1/4" x 3"
Glass, Hardwood
Gold and Enamel Scent Bottle
Located in New Orleans, LA
Exceptional enameling and gold detailing distinguish this diminutive French scent flask. Figurative panels emerge from a rich ground of black enamel and gilt decoration to reveal a s...
Gold, Enamel
Ice Glass Champagne Cooler, circa 1880
By Boston and Sandwich Glass Company
Located in London, GB
Ice Glass' champagne cooler, circa 1880 An unusual ‘Ice Glass’ champagne cooler made by the Boston & Sandwich Glass company circa 1880. The jug has a fluted rim and a braided g...
Glass
Gold and Enamel Scent Bottle
Located in New Orleans, LA
Exceptional enameling and gold detailing distinguish this diminutive French scent flask. A beloved scene throughout art history, an image of Atlanta and Me...
Gold, Enamel
Vintage Decorative Baccarat Decanter/ Bottle 1950s
By Baccarat
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Decorative Baccarat decanter/bottle made in 1950s signed at the bottom.
Crystal
French Enamel Perfume Bottle
Located in New Orleans, LA
Exceptional enameling adds an elegant touch to this exquisite French perfume bottle. Crafted with fine yellow gold accents, this petite perfume ...
Enamel
Antique Pair of Large Terracotta Ewers Made in France, circa 1820
Located in Katonah, NY
We are pleased to offer this pair of large terracotta ewers designed in the light-hearted manner of Clodion (1738-1814). They show a Bacchic scene of drunken merrymaking with maidens...
Terracotta
Glass Water Bottle Five Gallon Blue 1950s Demijohn Midcentury
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Glass five gallon water bottle or demijohn from Shamrock Water Company. Believed to be from the 1950s in Oklahoma. This piece would be great to add height to a coffee table, or crede...
Glass, Paper