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 of Russian Neoclassical Style Cut Glass and Gilt Bronze Vases
Located in London, GB
Pair of Russian neoclassical style cut glass and gilt bronze vases Russian, 20th century Measures: Height 38cm, width 22cm, depth 14cm Each vase has an ovoid ruby coloured cut g...
Bronze, Ormolu
French Cut Crystal And Ormolu Compote
Located in Norwood, NJ
A refined French cut crystal compote mounted in gilt bronze (ormolu), marked “Made in France,” executed in a Neoclassical taste with Empire Revival influence. The bowl features deepl...
Crystal, Bronze
$3,550 / set
Pair Antique Alabaster Tazzas Urns
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a stunning pair of antique 19th century Italian Alabaster Tazze carved in a water lily-inspired form. The Tazza is supported by a stepped plinth and socle. These tazze show a...
Alabaster
$14,984 / set
19th Century Neoclassical Style Bronze Ormolu Ewers
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Impressive pair of French 19th century neoclassical style bronze and ormolu decorative design details ewers. Each one is in great condition. Minor wear consistent with age or use. Ea...
Ormolu, Bronze
19TH century serves centerpiece
Located in Augusta, GA
Decorative serves centerpiece with gilt bronze Great decorative item for tables and cheste
Porcelain
$4,600 / set
Pair of Vintage Italian Tole Pineapples
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout pair of midcentury Italian tole pineapple garnitures or objects of art featuring stylized finials over pineapples with leaves on classical bases with a touch of whimsy.
Metal
Large cherub-themed gilt bronze clock garniture by Popon
By Popon A Paris
Located in London, GB
Large cherub-themed gilt bronze clock garniture by Popon French, late 19th Century Clock: Height 68cm, width 63cm, depth 26cm Candelabra: Height 89cm, ...
Ormolu, Tôle, Bronze
$2,850 / set
19th Century French Faience Cornucopia Vases
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rams head motif cornucopias are both hallmarked. The base width is 6" and it's 4.5" deep. Overall the width is 10.5" Beautiful bleeding colors.
Faience
$2,495 / set
Pair of Antique French Neoclassical Style Urns
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of antique French Neoclassical style Urns. Great pair of 19th century French Neoclassical style bronzed metal urns on marble bases. These stunning antique French Grecian style u...
Marble, Spelter
French Gilt & Patinated Bronze Garniture with Applied Foliate/Floral Decoration
Located in Cincinnati, OH
This exceptional late 19th century three-piece French garniture includes two footed urns and a low footed centerpiece bowl. The urns and bowl are composed of patinated bronze with ormolu mounts which include neoclassical mask detail and rest on square marble plinths with ormolu bases. The pieces have distinctive elongated handles at the sides which terminate in stylized pendant decoration. As seen in the accompanying photographs, the exterior of the urns and bowl feature applied bronze decoration in the form of ornate foliate swags with flowers. Please be sure to zoom in on the photos to better appreciate the detail of the cast decoration, it is impressive. The urns stand 15.75" tall as measured to the top of the rims. The handles are 5" from edge to edge as measured from their outside points. The feet are 4.25" square. The centerpiece bowl stands...
Marble, Bronze
Neoclassical Style Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Clock Set by Barbedienne
Located in London, GB
Neoclassical style porcelain and gilt bronze clock set by Barbedienne French, late 19th Century Clock: Height 53cm, width 27cm, depth 24cm Candelabra: Height 56cm, width 19cm, dep...
Ormolu, Bronze
Gilt Bronze and Marble Garniture, Clock Signed Raingo Fres, France, 19th Century
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Gilt bronze and marble three piece clock garniture. Clock signed Raingo Fres. France, 19th century. Clock works. Clock dimensions: 71 cm height, 46 cm ...
Marble, Bronze
Pair of Porcelain, Cloisonné, Marble and Bronze Vases, France, circa 1900
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Pair of porcelain, cloisonné, marble and bronze vases. France, early 20th century.
Marble, Enamel
French Neoclassical Style Lapis and Gilt Bronze Clock Set
Located in London, GB
French neoclassical style lapis and gilt bronze clock set French, late 19th century Clock height 52cm, width 39cm, depth 15cm Vases height 38cm, width 16cm, depth 12cm This be...
Lapis Lazuli, Ormolu, Bronze
Pair of Gilt Bronze Mounted Krater-Form Bisque Porcelain Vases
Located in London, GB
Pair of gilt bronze mounted krater-form bisque porcelain vases French, 19th century Measures: Height 43cm, diameter 26.5cm The pair of vases...
Ormolu, Bronze
Tall Carved Alabaster Marble and Bronze Urn Table Lamp, Italy
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Beautifully carved Italian alabaster marble handled urn table lamp, early 20th century. Classic urn form features decorative bronze fittings, sculptural curved side handles, and a fluted column plinth...
Alabaster, Marble, Bronze
$1,250
H 6 in Dm 8.5 in
Wonderful French Gilt Bronze Cut Crystal Ormolu Pedestal Bowl Baccarat Compote
By Baccarat
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French gilt bronze and cut crystal ormolu-mounted pedestal bowl in the manner of Baccarat. The almost identical one is also available AC851.
Crystal, Bronze
$2,100 / set
H 23.5 in Dm 10.5 in
Pair of 19th Century French Neoclassical Painted and Gilt Porcelain Vases
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a console or a buffet with this elegant pair of antique urns from Paris. Crafted circa 1890 and signed on the bottom, each tall neoclassical vase features a long neck with side handles. The "Porcelaine de Paris" urns are gilt hand painted with a central medallion of classical decor...
Porcelain
Pair of Tole Pineapples in Urns
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of table decorations, of metal, having a distressed finish, each fashioned as a leafy pineapple, set upon a classical fluted urn, on round foot and square plinth. Can be made in...
Tôle
Vintage Coastal Regency Solid Brass Pineapple Bookends – Pair
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
A fabulous pair of vintage solid brass pineapple bookends bringing all the Coastal Regency and Palm Beach charm. Featuring sculptural pineapple forms with beautifully detailed textur...
Brass
$5,714 / item
H 25.99 in Dm 13.78 in
Neoclassical Style Marble and Gilt Bronze Vase by Gherardo Degli Albizzi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
This neoclassical style marble and gilt bronze vase by Gherardo Degli Albizzi is made by monolithc pieces of marble and high quality chiseled bronzes. The highlights of this vase are...
Marble, Bronze
Napoleon III Cut Crystal and Ormolu Vase
Located in New York, NY
In the early 19th century the typical, but fine flower vase was made of porcelain. The better ones were mounted in gilt bronze. But the most fashionable were of cut crystal and gilt ...
Crystal
Carved Italian Antique Alabaster Centrepiece Vase
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An exquisitely carved Italian antique alabaster centrepiece vase or urn circa 1860. The detail of this beautiful urn offers a glimpse into the styles of 19th century Italy, the body finely carved with masks and foliage to either side between entwined handles reminiscent of the famous Warwick Vase. It stands on an equally as decorative socle base carved with leaves and an egg and dart trim. With its smooth and somewhat translucent appearance, this antique alabaster vase...
Alabaster
Stunning Pair of Vintage Pineapple Shaped Finial Sculptures
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Timeless pineapple motife cast cement finials or acorns having marvelous aged and verdigris patina. The imperfections where some of the cement has chipp...
Cement
$1,150 / set
H 25 in W 17 in D 17 in
Vintage Large Pair of Tole Metal Hand Painted Jardinieres Planters
Located in Atlanta, GA
This charming pair of vintage tole planters features a flared silhouette hand-painted with a delicate green ivy motif on a cream background. Planters have a metal liner to accommod...
Metal
Antique Handcarved Neoclassical Style Alabaster Urn
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A late 18th/early 19th century antique alabaster urn, handcarved in the neoclassical style with figures carved to the body, two handles and a soc...
Alabaster
$2,450
H 17 in Dm 7.5 in
Wonderful French Empire Neoclassical Cut Crystal Bronze Ormolu Urn Centerpiece
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful French Empire / neoclassical cut crystal and bronze ormolu mounted urn with lady figure handles centerpiece.
Crystal, Bronze, Ormolu
Set of Chinoiserie Decorated and Gilt Appliques or Garnitures
Located in Nashville, TN
Unusual pair of free-standing or wall mountable garnitures or appliqués in the form of neoclassical urns. The urns top in gilded flame form .The cream painted ground with chinoiserie...
Composition
Pair Glazed Terracotta Obelisks, Italy 1970s
Located in Norwalk, CT
Pair of white glazed Italian terracotta obelisk-form decorative sculptures in excellent condition. Great size at 28" high.
Terracotta
Sold
H 16.14 in Dm 7.09 in
Set of two classical swivel jugs pitcher vases, iridescent surface, 1880 England
Located in Wien, AT
Set of a swivel jug set, in highly elaborate quality, made around 1880 in England. The jugs have a round base which opens into a very bulbous body which then flows into a very uptur...
Terracotta
Sold
H 13.5 in W 15 in D 12.5 in
Antique KPM Royal Berlin Porcelain Neoclassical White Centerpiece Bowl on Stand
Located in Essex, MA
Stunning Antique KPM Royal Berlin porcelain neoclassical white and gilt centerpiece bowl on stand. Perfect for fruit display as a lovely plant...
Porcelain
Sold
H 16.5 in W 11 in D 5 in
Pair of French Bronze Figural Ewers in the Manner of Claude Michael Clodion
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of French Bronze Figural Ewers in the Manner of Claude Michael Clodion France, circa 1890-1900, Unsigned. An exceptional pair of finely cast figural ewers, each one with natu...
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
Chess Board in Solid Malachite and Marble, Italy, 1960
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This chess board in in solid Malachite. It has been made in Italy in the 1960's. It is in good condition.
Malachite, Marble
Pair of Italian Neoclassical Style Marbleized Wood Tazza Urns
By Palladio
Located in Houston, TX
Stunning pair of Italian neoclassical style marbleized carved wood tazza urns. This beautiful pair of Italian urns or garniture are sitting on marbleized pl...
Wood
Sold
H 14.5 in W 8.75 in D 5 in
Pair of 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Style Silver Urns or Porta Palmas
Located in Houston, TX
Stunning pair of 18th century Neoclassical style Italian silver urns or Porta Palmas. This beautiful pair of classic urns or garnitures are adorned with ram's heads. These Baroque ur...
Silver Plate
Pair of Neoclassical Style Onyx and Gilt Bronze Vases
Located in London, GB
Each vase in this pair, crafted from gilt bronze mounted onyx, is baluster shaped in a manner characteristic of the grand and elegant neoclassical style. Supported by a square onyx b...
Onyx, Ormolu, Bronze
Lapis Lazuli, Gilt Bronze, and Porcelain Three-Piece Clock Set
By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres
Located in London, GB
This set three-piece garniture contains a mantel clock and a pair of conforming flanking vases. The set is wrought from gilt bronze, painted porcelain, and lapis lazuli—the lapis a l...
Lapis Lazuli, Ormolu, Bronze
Sold
H 23.5 in W 9 in D 8.25 in
Pair Of Light Blue Jasper Wedgwood Urns and Covers, England, Late 19th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Pair of Wedgwood blue Jasperware urns or ornamental vases with covers. Each urn with applied white floral design, including small leaves, bell flower...
Ceramic
Three-Piece Antique English Mirrored Plateau
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Three section oval antique mirrored presentation plateau with a beaded bronze frame over acorn feet. The mirror has the expected wear of a 19th ce...
Bronze