Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
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.
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 authentic neoclassical furniture today on 1stDibs.
21st Century and Contemporary French Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Metal
1990s French Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Crystal
Early 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Alabaster
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
20th Century French Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Ormolu, Bronze
1830s Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Copper
20th Century Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Mercury Glass
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Stone
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Iron
20th Century French Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Ormolu
1990s American Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Pottery
20th Century French Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Malachite, Ormolu
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Ormolu
Mid-20th Century Thai Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Marble
Early 20th Century British Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Bronze
19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Cut Glass
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Metal
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Crystal, Ormolu
20th Century Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Aluminum
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Marble, Bronze
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Iron
Mid-20th Century Mexican Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Onyx
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Marble, Iron
Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Marble, Bronze
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Tôle
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Ormolu, Bronze
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Sterling Silver
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Gold, Enamel
1920s Swedish Vintage Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
20th Century French Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Crystal
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Siena Marble, Bronze
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Terracotta
Late 18th Century Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Faience
1880s German Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Silver, Sterling Silver
1910s French Vintage Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Marble, Silver, Sterling Silver
20th Century Hungarian Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Crystal
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Plaster
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Porcelain
20th Century Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Marble, Bronze
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Marble, Bronze
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Coade Stone
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Crystal, Marble, Bronze
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Metal
20th Century Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Marble, Bronze
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Ceramic, Porcelain
Late 19th Century European Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Marble
Mid-19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Iron
20th Century English Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Iron
1970s English Vintage Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Ceramic