Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
NEOCLASSICAL STYLE
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.
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Style: Neoclassical
19th Century Italian Gran Tour Bronze Urns
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nicely cast with swan handles. Base is 4" x 4".
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Materials
Bronze
George III Silver Lusterware Vase
Located in New York, NY
This elegant vase of attenuated proportions was given an unusual silver-luster glaze, and embellished with two medallions on a military theme. One depicts a young soldier with a swor...
Category
1790s English Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Materials
Porcelain
Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Vase Signed Sèvres, Painted by Lucat, France
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Porcelain and gilt bronze vase signed Sèvres, painted by Lucat, France, late 19th century.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Materials
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.
Category
Early 20th Century French Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Materials
Marble, Enamel
Onyx, Porcelain, Gilt-Bronze and Cloisonnè Sevres Center, Neoclassical Style
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Onyx, porcelain, gilt bronze and cloisonnè Sevres center. Neoclassical Style. France late 19th century.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Materials
Onyx, Bronze
Pair of Neoclassical Italian Lidded Urns
Located in Pembroke, MA
Pair of elegant 19th century Italian porcelain lidded urns with hand-painted scenes and gilded details. One side of the urns features a neoclassical scene, and the reverse side featu...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Materials
Porcelain
Rams Head Tazza Style Coade Stone Urn
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A small English rams head urn in ‘tazza’ style attributed to Coade (unmarked) circa 1790. Dating from the Georgian era, this urn has a neoclassical look, well modelled with a pair of...
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Materials
Coade Stone
French 19th Century Neo-Classical Patinated Verdigris Bronze Urn
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A very handsome French 19th century neo-classical patinated verdigris bronze urn. The urn is raised on a square marble base. The handsome patinate...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Materials
Bronze
Two Neoclassical Style Russian Cut Glass and Ormolu Vases
Located in London, GB
Two neoclassical style Russian cut glass and ormolu vases,
Russian, 20th century
Dimensions: Height 37cm, width 20cm, depth 13.5cm
Each vase has an ...
Category
20th Century Russian Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Materials
Ormolu
Medici-shaped glass vase circa 1950
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Medici-shaped glass vase circa 1950
Category
1950s European Vintage Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Materials
Glass
Unusual Pair of 19th Century Paris Vases
By Old Paris
Located in London, GB
A sophisticated pair of Paris porcelain: Campana vases on bases. The body is hand-painted with elaborate flower panels and the rims of the vases are adorned with retrousseed leaves. ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of W.M.F. silver plate jardinière with glass. Germany, circa 1900.
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Pair of W.M.F. silver plate jardinière with glass. Germany, circa 1900.
Category
Early 1900s German Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Materials
Silver Plate
French 19th Century Neoclassical Style Patinated Bronze and Marble Urns
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome pair of French 19th century Neo-Classical st. patinated bronze and Rouge Royale marble urns. Each urn is raised by a circular Rouge Royal marble base with a Fine mottled b...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Large Gilt Bronze, Ruby Red and Clear Cut Glass Vase
Located in London, GB
Large gilt bronze, ruby red and clear cut glass vase
French, 20th century
Height 80cm, diameter 36cm
The brightly coloured ruby red glass f...
Category
20th Century French Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Materials
Ormolu
19th Century Alabaster Classical Urn
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality 19th century classical Alabaster and gilded ormolu urn. Having an egg and dart moulded ormolu rim, Leopard mask ring drop handles on either side, translucent Alabaster...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Materials
Alabaster, Ormolu
Extraordinary Belle Époque Urn
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Extraordinary large Belle Époque Urn in silver plate & gold plated with handles. An important Frieze Depicting Mythological figures ornate flower ...
Category
1880s French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Materials
Silver, Bronze
Ornate English Porcelain Vase in Shape of Archaic Oil Lamp Vessel
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This ornate porcelain vase is in the shape of an archaic oil lamp. It has double heads and double spouts.
Category
19th Century English Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Materials
Porcelain
Marble, Gilt-Bronze and Cloisonné Center, Neoclassical Style
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Marble, gilt bronze and cloisonné center, neoclassical style.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Pair of George III Neo Classical Vases by Thomas Pitts I, 1771
Located in London, GB
A very rare and unusual pair of early George III Neo Classical Vases made in London in 1771 by Thomas Pitts I
The vases are modelled in the very r...
Category
18th Century English Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver
Pair of French 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Patinated Bronze and Marble Tazzas
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome pair of French 19th century neo-classical st. patinated bronze and marble tazzas. Each tazza is raised on a Vert de Patricia marble hexagonal base below the fluted column ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Materials
Bronze
Pair of French 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Patinated Bronze and Ormolu Urns
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handsome pair of French 19th century Neo-Classical st. patinated bronze and ormolu urns. Each urn is raised by a square patinated bronze base with an elegant central diamond reserv...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Neoclassical Pair of Russian Red Jasper and Russian Kalgar Jasper Oval Tazzas
Located in New York, NY
Remarkable pair of Russian neoclassical period red jasper and Russian Kalgar jasper oval shaped tazzas. These beautiful hand-carved oval shaped Russian red jasper tazzas are seated o...
Category
Early 19th Century Russian Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Materials
Agate
Italian Neoclassical St. Mid-19th Century Rosso Antico Marble Lidded Urn
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A sensational and richly carved Italian neo-classical st. mid 19th century Rosso Antico marble lidded urn. The urn is raised by a circular bullnose ...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Materials
Marble
19th Century Italian Giltwood Handled Jardineres/Planters
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand carved and finely detailed giltwood planters with metal/tolle insert to catch water. The base is 8.5" x 8.5"
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Materials
Metal
Pair of French 19th Century Neoclassical St. Porphyry and Ormolu Lidded Urns
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning and very high-quality pair of French 19th century neoclassical St. Porphyry and ormolu lidded urns. Each very uniquely shaped and most decorative urn is raised by fine bal...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Materials
Porphyry, Ormolu
19th Century French Bronze-Mounted Marble Urns
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The finest of bronze castings. Lids are attached. The base is 6" x 6".
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Pair of French 19th Century Neoclassical Style Ormolu and Marble Lidded Urns
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive pair of French 19th century Neo-Classical st. ormolu and Vert de Patricia marble lidded urns. Each urn is raised by three handsome ormolu paw feet with fine acanthus le...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Italian 19th Neoclassical Scagloiola and Ormolu Urn
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An impressive Italian 19th century Neo-Classical st. Scagliola and ormolu urn. The urn is raised by a square base below the mottled socle shaped pedestal su...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Materials
Ormolu
French 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Ormolu and Sienna Marble Urns
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A pair of French 19th century Neo-Classical st. ormolu and Sienna marble urns. Each urn is raised on a square base with ormolu foliate border. on th...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Materials
Siena Marble, Ormolu
Pair of 19th Century Neoclassical Style Bronze and Ormolu Decorative Ewers
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning pair of French 19th century neo-classical st. silvered bronze and ormolu decorative ewers. Each ewer is raised on an ormolu circular raised ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Materials
Bronze, Ormolu
Pair of French 19th Century Neoclassical Style ‘Grand Tour’ Vases
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking and high quality pair of French 19th century Neo-Classical st. ‘Grand Tour’, silvered bronze vases. Each is raised by an impressive moulded step black Belgium marble base,...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Materials
Belgian Black Marble, Bronze
Hand Carved Rouge Marble Urn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A hand carved rouge marble Neoclassical shaped urn.
Category
Early 1800s French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Materials
Marble
Very Impressive Pair of 19th Century Dresden Vases
Located in London, GB
This pair of Dresden or Helena flower encrusted vases are in Meissen style.
The vases have hand painted cartouches after the French court artist...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Materials
Porcelain
Pair Of French 19th Century Neo-Classical St. Rose Marble And Ormolu Urns
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking and most unique pair of French 19th century Neo-Classical st. Rose Vif des Pyrenées marble and Ormolu urns. Each urn is raised by five handsome Ormolu scrolled paw support...
Category
19th Century French Antique Neoclassical Vases and Vessels
Materials
Marble, Ormolu
Neoclassical vases and vessels for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Neoclassical vases and vessels for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage vases and vessels created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, ceramic and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Neoclassical vases and vessels made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original vases and vessels, popular names associated with this style include Wedgwood, Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres, Ferdinand Barbedienne, and Meissen Porcelain. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for vases and vessels differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $90 and tops out at $805,222 while the average work can sell for $3,487.